Balloon Blow-Up Hours?

[SDav 10495]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 11:16pm

For the first time, I'm going to try to get down to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon blow-up on Wednesday night. I've heard that it goes from 3pm to 10pm, but I can't exactly be sure of the source...to those who have gone in the past, does it typically go later than 10pm? I might not make it until 9pm and I'm wondering how much I'll see (I seem to recall seeing it on the 11pm news every year, still in progress). Thanks for any info (about the hours or anything else anyone cares to share about the event)!

[Anakela]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 11:45pm

I can't find the info on the Macy's site, but this site says that the hours are 4-8pm. I went a couple of years ago and it was so cool to see all the 'flat' balloons on the ground- going again this year with a friend out here from L.A.

I don't remember the layout of how they do it, though- as, since they blow up the balloons on the grounds of the Natural History Museum, I can't think of how they can 'close' it at 8pm.
Parade info on about.com

[SDav 10495]

Posted: 11/21/06 at 11:14pm

Hmm...that could be a problem. I know I'll see something no matter what time I get there, but I'd rather not get there when nothing is going on.

Can anyone else shed some light on this?