Macy's Parade Begins Thursday Morning in Portland

Macy's is proud to usher in the 2010 holiday season on Friday, Nov 26 with the annual Macy's Holiday Parade and the opening of Santaland in Downtown Portland. Straight from the North Pole, Santa Claus will be spreading joy and good cheer as he winds his way through the streets of Downtown Portland on his brand new sleigh. Accompanied by inflatable floats, costumed characters and local community groups, Santa will lead the parade to the downtown Macy's where he will open Santaland at 11 a.m. for the 2010 holiday season.

The Macy's Holiday Parade, one of Oregon's most treasured family traditions, will begin promptly at 9 a.m. on the corner of NW Park and Davis. The parade will travel east on Davis to Broadway, south on Broadway to SW Alder, east on SW Alder (past Macy's) to SW 4th, north on SW 4th to NW Flanders, west on SW Flanders to NW Park Avenue. The parade lasts approximately one hour. Those wishing to secure curbside seating are encouraged to arrive early.

Featuring more than 25 inflatable floats, local school marching bands, community drill teams and over 400 costumed characters, this year's parade will introduce a new balloon float. This new addition is a three-star helium balloon float. In addition, three new big head Marx Brothers characters will make their debut in this year's parade. The Oregonian Dog float "Spot" will also make its way down the parade route. However, Santa Claus is sure to steal the show this year with the unveiling of his brand new sleigh.

Special guests and dignitaries will also be joining the festivities, including an amazing Make-A-Wish family who will ride alongside local Portland dignitaries and treasured community organizations. Other honored guests include Chief Scott Fisher of the Portland Fire and Rescue, Training & Safety Division; Gerry Frank, fourth generation member of the founding Meier & Frank family; and Bruce Randall, Macy's district vice president. Sponsored by The Oregonian, this year's parade also welcomes a new radio sponsor in K103fm, whose deejays Bruce Murdock, John Erickson, and Janine Wolf will be riding in the Parade in a classic convertible (for a complete list of Holiday Parade floats and participants to date, please see page two).

Shortly after the Parade ends at 11 a.m. Santa Claus will take his holiday post at Santaland for the remainder of the holiday season. The tradition of having family portraits taken with Santa continues on Level A of the downtown Macy's store. Santaland will offer daily photos with Santa through Friday, December 24. FlashPro photography will offer a wide assortment of digital photography packages and Santa photos will be available almost immediately after they're taken. The famous Monorail will also be on display next to Santaland for candid family photo opportunities.