The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade has been a tradition of Thankgiving for decades. It started out as a way for the employees of Macy’s to say thank you to New York. Macy’s started using balloons in their parade in 1927 and it has been tradition since. Here’s a collection of 19 amazing vintage photos of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade balloons from the early days. Here's a floating dachshund. Image: Macy's Inc. The only balloon to be modeled after a real person was this one, for entertainer Eddie Cantor. Image: Macy's Inc. Father Knickerbocker floats through the streets. Image: Macy's Inc. Ferdinand the Bull. Image: Macy's Inc. A huge fish from 1938. Looks like something from a Guillermo del Toro movie. Image: Macy's Inc. Gridiron glories have long been a Thanksgiving tradition. Here, a footballer makes a dash down a street. Image: Macy's Inc. An early incarnation of Mickey Mouse. Image: Macy's Inc. A pilgrim--firmly in the Thanksgiving spirit. Image: Macy's Inc. Yarr--the pirate was a fan favorite in early years. Image: Macy's Inc. A soldier. Image: Macy's Inc. This spaceman was an early favorite--a relic of the space race era. Image: Macy's Inc. This Christmas stocking offered floats within a float. Image: Macy's Inc. Here, a dino, from 1963. Image: Macy's Inc. Another shot from 1963. Image: Macy's Inc. This shot reminds us that the early years overlapped with the golden age of airships--it's from 1930. The Hindenburg would crash 7 years later. Image: Macy's Inc. A clown floats through New York City in the 1940 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Image: Macy's Inc. A clown, from 1938. Image: Macy's Inc. This dachshund was a staple in early years. Image: Macy’s Inc. Harold the Baseball Player, a representative for the national pastime. Image: Macy's Inc. (via WIRED)