Guide

Insiders Guide to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

In 2023 this will be my 7th year in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as a Float Escort. Sharing some of the most frequently asked questions I get every year.

For more details about the Macy’s Parade itself including lineup, parade route, and more specific questions, head over to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade website.

Floats Through the Years:

2015 - Ghirardelli

2016 - Ocean Spray Cranberry

2017: Santa’s Sleigh

2018: Nickelodeon - Shimmer & Shine

2019: Hallmark Channel - Heartwarming Holiday Countdown

2020: COVID

2021: Preggers with Baby Boy

2022: Lego - The Brick Changer


Most Common Questions I Get Asked:

1.) How’d you get into the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?

There’s two ways of going about this.

1.) You have to be an employee of Macy’s or Bloomingdales.

2.) You have to be sponsored by someone who works at Macy’s or Bloomingdales. I was actually sponsored by a Macy’s employee from a woman that attended one of our Women Who Brunch events years ago. She sponsored me for a few years and then I continued to ask my float captains to sponsor me.

You can read more about Macy’s Parade Policies & Statement here:

Since it began in 1924, participants have been Macy's colleagues, their families & friends or others who have a relationship with the Parade’s elements and/or partners. This participation policy still exists today. With the exception of invited performing talent (i.e., marching bands, celebrities, singers, etc.), aspiring participants must fall under one of these categories & be approved via application granted by the Macy's Parade Office.


2.) Where’s the best place to watch the parade in NYC?

Hotel-wise - You’re going to definitely be spending a pretty penny to watch the parade from the comfort of your hotel room on the parade route. Upwards of over a $1,000+ per night. I have no specific hotel recommendations except explore the parade route and look for hotels that way.

To watch the parade, I highly recommend watching it around Central Park West. The start of the parade kicks off at the Museum of Natural History and the crowd is significantly less crowded at the start of the parade. When you get to around 59th & 6th Ave, it only gets crazy from there. Get a good spot in the park is my recommendation.


3.) How early do you have to be there?

Depends on the float assignment, earlier like 5:30am if I’m in the beginning of the parade, a tad later if I’m in the second half of the parade lineup.

Everyone meets and gets ready at The New Yorker on 8th and 34th Street. It’s really fun to see everyone at the beginning and end of the parade there.


Other Cool Facts:

⚜️ There’s 3x “Main” Positions in the parade. Balloon Handler, Float Escort, and Clowns.

I’ve always wanted to do a balloon, BUT Float Escort is the easiest position. Clowns have to go to a clown school and balloon handlers have to practice walking and deflating the balloons a few weekends out leading up to the parade. Floats you just show up and get dressed! :)

⚜️ Each year you get a commemorative pin and a particapation pin. I’ve been collecting mine on my Macy’s bear that I bought at my first parade.

⚜️ Rumor has it that performing artists don’t get paid to be there. This is because it’s strictly PR for them. Typically an artist is launching a new song or Christmas album which seems to be the case from what I’ve seen on my floats.

⚜️ You can buy special Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade merchandise in Macy’s on 34th St. or online here.


Big Revel! This Year I’ll be on the: ⚜️Celebration Gator: Louisiana Office of Tourism⚜️

( 🙏 Silently praying I get some beignets and chicory coffee 🙏 )

See you on Turkey Day friends! 🦃

*And let me know if the comments if there’s a specific questions you have that I can try to help answer.

Women Owned Specialty Food Brands & Products

It’s no surprise that we here at Women Who Brunch love supporting women owned businesses and entrepreneurs. From our Brunch & Learn podcast where we interview female founders to our events where we’ve had some amazing guest speakers from Time, Buzzfeed, Google, Tinted, and more.

We’d like to use this space to highlight some great women-owned companies in the food and CPG space. Some of our favorites are below and hope to continue to grow this list. Feel free to share your favorite businesses in the comments or catch us over on Instagram sharing our favorite there as well.


Maya’s Syrups

Award-winning, locally handmade jams & fruit syrups. Three generations of women working together to create the best mixers for DIY healthy sodas and craft beverages. 

I’ve had the pleasure of chatting with Maya and her family’s legacy on the Brunch & Learn Podcast. Check out Maya’s episode here.


21 Seeds Tequila 

Female-led distillery – Sarika, Kat, and Nicole ( Two sisters and one friend). They had founded 21 Seeds tequila by trying different infusions until they got each recipe just right. 

21 Seeds is an all natural, craft infused tequila made with real fruit in three flavors: Cucumber Jalapeno, Grapefruit Hibiscus, and Valencia Orange.


Dress it Up Dressing 

Dress It Up Dressing offers award-winning olive-oil based dressings with gluten-free, sugar-free, low sodium, vegan, AIP Compliant, Keto and Whole-30 friendly varieties.

Founded by Sophia Maroon in 2012. Sophia’s brother had long held that a business was waiting to be built in the salad dressing their mother made every night when they were children (and that Sophia continued to make for her children).

Their dressing lineup has six olive oil-based salad dressings available in Whole Foods. In addition to this, these dressings have notably included accolades from Good Food Foundation and Specialty Food Association, all while maintaining an unwavering commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.


Mama’s Biscuits 

Founded by Lesley Riley, AKA Mama Biscuit - This is America’s first gourmet biscuit company located in the Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia area.

Southern style, ready-to-eat biscuits can be found in the frozen bread aisles of Walmart, Target, Publix, Wegmans and Trader Joes. Popular flavors include buttermilk, cheddar jalapeño, blueberry lemon, confetti, s’mores, and pumpkin spice. 


Fat Gold

Kathryn Tomajan is Fat Gold’s fearless leader. She is an olive oil maker, taster, and educator.

On a mission to de-commodify extra virgin olive oil and elevate its place in American food culture. Fat Gold is California extra virgin olive oil, available by the tin and by subscription.

In the early days, they farmed a tiny olive grove of our own, right here in the Bay Area. As Fat Gold has grown, they have started collaborating with other growers to source some of California’s best, most interesting olives.


Dam Good English Muffins 

A Woman-Owned, family-operated wholesale bakery that has been in business since 2017 - currently making 4 varieties of preservative-free, vegan sourdough English muffins: “Original White,” “Multigrain,” “Cinnamon Swirl,” and “Whole Wheat.” 

These vegan sourdough English muffins are made from all-natural, non-GMO, soy-free ingredients with no preservatives. Located in Peekskill, New York. (We love to see a local NY + Women Owned Combo!)


The Sister Yard

Two sisters Yami and Tina Correa born in Venezuela who called Miami home for 12 years before making our big move to New York City.

They brew up naturally hydrating cold brew coffee with coconut water. Their recipe combines sustainably-sourced coffee beans with 100% pure coconut water and fair-trade toasted coconut.

They’ve also made a new home recently in Miami Smorgasburg and throughout NYC shops. 


Hayden’s Flour Mill

Co-owner + Co-founder Emma Zimmerman, along with her dad Jeff Zimmerman are the founders of Hayden’s Flour Mill - family owned and run. They’re on a mission to revive forgotten native grains from the ground up in the Arizona desert, through heritage grains and the art of stone milling.


Home Free Treats

Jill Robbins, founder of Homefree - Natural/organic, whole grain cookies that are free of common food allergens including peanuts, tree nuts, dairy and eggs. With the goal in mind, Jill, wanted it to be easy to include everyone when serving food at social occasions, especially as a mom of a child with food allergies.

Flavors include lemon burst, chocolate mint, vanilla, double chocolate chipand ginger snap.





Best Brunch Spots in New York City - Manhattan

It’s Brunch Time Baby! Inevitably, the question we get asked all the time is… “What is our top recommended brunch restaurants in the city?”

To be fair there’s a ton of great spots in the city and would ultimately we’d like to break these brunch guides down by borough (because Queens & Brooklyn brunches are a whole other level.) To start, we’re kicking off this list in Manhattan. Here we have lots of pancakes, coffee, and avocado toasts to cover. As well as everything from southern brunches, mediterranean brunches, to new American. We’ll continue to add to this list as we visit new spot but these restaurant never fail to disappoint…. And we should know since we’re in the brunch business.


Alice’s Tea Cup

One of my all time favorite brunch spots in NYC. It’s like stepping into Alice’s Wonderland. Perfect for brunch or events like a bachelorette party, bridal shower, or a kids birthday party. It is wonderful for that high tea experience. Best pro tip is don’t you dare leave this place without a scone for the road.

Chapter l:

102 W 73rd St,
New York, NY 10023

Chapter ll:

156 E 64th St,
New York, NY 10065

212-486-9200


Rosies

29 E 2nd St, New York, NY 10003

Looking for an authentic Mexican brunch, look no further. Rosie’s is such a bright and colorful fun vibe and has my favorites on the menu chilaquiles and huevos rancheros.


Dudley’s

85 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

An aussie-american cafe in the heart of the Lower East Side. You literally can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, food or drink wise. Food is delicious as it is beautiful, staff is wonderful. One of my favorite spots. Period.


Two Hands

Locations in Tribeca, Williamsburg, and NoHo locations.

Each cafe is bright and airy and includes juices & espresso drinks plus light fare like pastries, salads & sandwiches. I mean look at this avocado toast and egg swirl action here.


Jack’s Wife Frieda

Locations in Soho, Chelsea, and West Village

Best mediterranean brunch around town. The food is delicious, plus the details that go into everything from the sugar packets to the menu makes it so special… and dare I say Instagramable?!?


Citizens Of… (Chelsea, Bleeker, Gramercy, Soho)

Australian breakfast and lunch spot, paired with beautiful coffee. They always bring such a lovely pop of bright color to all of their dishes.


Freemans

Freeman’s Alley is really unique ‘hidden’ brunch spot in the city off of Rivington Street between Chrystie and the Bowery on the Lower East Side. It’s literally down an alleyway.

It serves American fare, craft cocktails & has this wonderful Colonial tavern decor. Down the alley to the restaurant has some fun graffiti. It’s so out there and a great NYC experience.


Sweet Chicks

For a great southern brunch, Sweet Chick is your go to spot. Cocktails and chicken and waffles are amazing.

Locations are in LES, two spots in Brooklyn - Williamsburg and Prospect Heights, and even LA for the west coaster.


Cafeteria

119 7th Ave, New York, NY 10010 - Chelsea

A classic NY brunch spot in Chelsea, best known for its appearance and hype from the oh so famous Sex and the City series. A must get menu item is the mac and cheese as an appetizer.


Clinton Street Baking Co.

4 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002 - Lower East Side

Opened in 2001, Clinton St Baking Co. is a classic American restaurant with bakery located on NYC’s Lower East Side. They’ve maintained their mom & pop roots by using the highest quality ingredients from local purveyors like sustainable coffee, all natural milk, cage free poultry & eggs, premium ice cream, and heritage farm-raised pork.

Come here for the pancakes. Clinton St. is best known for their February Pancake Month.


Cookshop

A great brunch spot next to the High Line serving American fare. Personally, I find this to be my go-to summer outdoor, people watching type of brunch spot, but I mean honestly any time is good because their food is wonderful. Ultimately, love the location because you can combine brunch and tourism in one place and go to Chelsea Market or the High Line before or after brunch.

Happy Brunch Day Friends!