21 Alabama floats that should be in the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade

By Amber Sutton

The Thanksgiving Turkey float during the 85th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York November 24, 2011. The parade, which has been an annual event since 1924, is expected to draw an estimated 3 million spectators and 50 million television viewers, according the retail store. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty Images

Thanksgiving is a holiday filled with traditions.

For many families, one of those traditions is sitting down together to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Filled with colorful floats and larger-than-life balloons, there’s a lot to love about the annual event.

That said, we think the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade could be that much better if there was a float or balloon inspired by our state in the mix, and it seems our friends at This is Alabama agree. 

They recently asked their Facebook followers what they think a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade float inspired by our state would look like. The responses ranged from simple to elaborate to hilarious — because who wouldn’t want to see a giant gallon of Milo’s Sweet Tea floating high above New York City?

You can read some of the responses below, and you can read all of them on the This is Alabama Facebook page. 

“A big Pyrex casserole dish full of cornbread dressing.” — Ginni Baggett Radford “

A giant bowl of white barbecue sauce.” — Jason Nix

“Ribs and white bread with gallons of sweet tea.” — Donna Shelton Smith

“A gallon of Milo’s sweet tea.” — Michael Stewart

“Golden Eagle syrup bottle” — Malisha Palmer

“A giant Bushwacker!” — Alicia Gattenio

“The wheels would be fried green tomatoes!” — Brenda R Franklin

“A giant Conecuh Sausage roll, on a smoking grill, with someone dressed in a mustard costume.” — Lisa Jackson

“Front of the float is music notes for Muscle Shoals with statues of Florence’s native son W.C. Handy and Tuscumbia’s native daughter Helen Keller. Then, a rocket ship for Huntsville, a waterfall for all the state parks, a hot air balloon for Decatur, a Vulcan skyscraper for Birmingham, the Capitol Building for Montgomery, the Pettus Bridge for Selma, the Tuscaloosa Denny Chimes and bald eagle for Auburn (both with footballs). Then, for Enterprise the boil weevil, peanuts for Dothan and the Mobile USS ALABAMA. Last but not least, a beach of Gulf Shores, all with camellias and yellowhammers tucked in.” — Cheryl Sugg

“A float shaped like the state with all the following items strategically placed in the appropriate area: A houndstooth hat for Tuscaloosa, an eagle for Auburn, Moon Pies for Mobile, a rocket for Huntsville, Vulcan for Birmingham, a guitar for Muscle Shoals and a palm tree for Gulf Shores.” — Missy Gleason Peoples

“The Vulcan on front with his torch then a rocket for Huntsville and a sandy beach on the back. Plus, a big jug of Milo’s sweet tea, peaches for Clanton and peanuts for Dothan. Also, a beautiful edging around of cotton plants and a huge football with a big red ‘A’ on one side and an orange ‘A’ on the other side to pay Homage to these two great SEC teams.” — Sheila Eisenzimmer 

“An Alexander Shunnarah billboard?” — Bo Harmon

“A huge mosquito or trampoline with wings.” — Sonya Toole Little

“A yellowhammer and camellias” — Rhonda Jones Porter

“A giant white A with ‘Roll Tide’ on it.” — Jane Bode

“For sure a rocket from the Rocket City, USA!” — Stella Beasley Wilson