- For other Sonic-themed hot air balloons, see Sonic the Hedgehog (hot air balloon).
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The 1993 Sonic the Hedgehog hot air balloon was a large American hot air balloon in the likeness of Sonic the Hedgehog, constructed by the American firm Raven Aerostar. Designed by renowned balloon designer Manfred Bass and manufactured in early to mid 1993, its maiden flight was at the 1993 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, where it infamously crashed into a streetlight and caused two minor injuries as it was walked down Columbus Circle. The balloon continued to make promotional appearances up until 1997, before being retired and eventually phased out for a newly-manufactured balloon in 2011.
History
Development
Operation
Events
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Date
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Location
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Description
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Images
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| Macy's BalloonFest
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1993-11-13
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Hoboken, New Jersey, United States
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Held at the Stevens Institute of Technology from 12pm to 2pm EST, the event served as a media preview and safety test for new balloons debuting in that year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Notably, it featured the first appearances of several giant balloons, including Sonic the Hedgehog.
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| 1993 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
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1993-11-25
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New York City, New York, United States
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During its debut in the parade, the balloon was pushed by strong winds into a lamppost at Columbus Circle, causing injuries to a child and an off-duty police officer. Neither were injured, but the incident was a test of Sega of America's handling of the character. Thankfully, Brenda Lynch, the head manager of the Sonic the Hedgehog account at Sega's PR firm Manning, Selvage & Lee, quickly visited the injured that day to assure no ill will was held. The balloon was removed from the parade following the incident.
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| Hedgehog Day
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1994-02-02
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Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, United States
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The balloon was in attendance for the Groundhog Day-themed Sonic the Hedgehog 3 release event, with the balloon not suffering from any accidents.
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| 1994 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
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1994-11-24
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New York City, New York, United States
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The balloon completed the parade route without incident.
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| 1995 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
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1995-11-23
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New York City, New York, United States
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The balloon was removed from the parade after sustaining damage from a collision with a tree.
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| 1996 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
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1996-11-28
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New York City, New York, United States
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The balloon completed the parade route without incident.
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| 1997 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
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1997-11-27
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New York City, New York, United States
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Scheduled to appear, the balloon was pulled from the lineup after suffering a massive tear due to strong winds. This marked the balloon’s final appearance before retirement.
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External links
References
