Parade of the Big Balloons ready to soar in downtown Springfield

The parade kicks off along Main Street on Friday at 11 a.m.

There’s going to be a brand new balloon leading the pack when the annual Tower Square Parade of the Big Balloons steps off with some high-flying helium-filled wonders tomorrow. Well, he’s new in a sense. The Cat in the Hat, a longtime favorite balloon in the parade, honoring Springfield as the home of Dr. Seuss and his many loveable creatures, has been redesigned. “He still has his classic look, but this time the Cat in the Hat is going to travel down the street on his tummy. It makes him more aerodynamic and easier for handlers to maneuver our feline friend,” said Toni McKay.

McKay’s company designs and builds parade balloons in New Castle, Penn., and flies them in parades around the United States and around the world including upcoming parades in France and Chile.

The parade will step off at 11 a.m. from the corner of Main and Lyman Streets and float along Main Street from Lyman Street to Locust Street.

This year’s balloon parade will not have just one parade marshal, but many, honoring the various departments, agencies and companies who were first responders to the June 1 tornado.

“It was Tower Square’s senior property manager general manager Fred Christensen’s idea to honor these brave first responders who were first on the scene to assist those affected by the devastating tornado. What a great idea it was and, of course, we all agreed. And, there couldn’t be a better time than this season of thanksgiving to pay tribute to these remarkable men and women,” said Judith A. Matt, president, Spirit of Springfield, organizers of the annual balloon fest.

Among the marshals leading the parade will be Springfield Fire Commissioner Gary Cassanelli, Springfield Police Sergeant John Delaney, a representative from Western Massachusetts Electric Company, Scott Griffith from the MassMutual Center, a representative from a Westfield Light & Gas, David Pelletier from American Medical Response, Majors Thomas and Linda-Jo Perks from the Salvation Army, a representative from the Springfield Department of Public Works, Sgt. Marcus Hernandez of the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, a representative from Columbia Gas, and Craig Morel of CJ’s Towing.

In addition to the Cat in the Hat, the parade marshals will be joined in line by several other inflatable orbs including Scooby Doo, Paddington Bear, Rudolph, Nutcracker, American Flag and holiday ornaments.

“Paddington Bear has never flown in Springfield before. Our new Nutcracker is simply beautiful, and the reindeer serves as a reminder that it’s Christmas and Santa is coming. And, of course, the American Flag will be back as it always is. One of the standout things that Judy and the Spirit of Springfield does is to always honor our veterans and service men and women with the flag,” said McKay.

To add to the merriment, there will also be musical, marching and motorized contingents to help usher in the holiday season. Among the bands marching in step will be the Springfield Kiltie Band, Holyoke High School Marching Band and East Windsor High School Marching Band.

This year’s parade will once again end on a traditional note with the arrival of Santa Claus in a shiny red fire truck from the Springfield Fire Department.

This year’s parade is sponsored by Tower Square with additional support from Chicopee Savings Bank, King Ward Bus Lines, PeoplesBank, abc40/FOX6, Massachusetts Army National Guard, and the Springfield Police Department and Department of Public Works. Following the annual event, there will be a Holiday Open House from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tower Square, featuring the Tanglewood Marionettes presentation of “Hansel and Gretel” at 11:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. The special open house will also feature photos with Santa, Tony the Magician, Strolling Holiday Swing Band, Tails the Clown, and a face painter.