By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
She’s a ‘balloon-a-tic.’ Keep your televisions tuned into the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as you’re preparing the holiday feast. This year the always spectacular parade will have a bit of local connection. Caribou’s Carol McElwee, will travel to New York City with John McElwee, their daughter Darcie and her spouse Tyler Leighton of York, along with his parents Bill and Judy Leighton of Orrington are going to be balloon-handlers during the famous parade. McElwee said, “Darcie really planted the seed when she asked me if I wanted to be a ‘balloon-a-tic’. She always said, ‘Oh I wish I could do that.’ when she was just a little girl. I think it’s going to be an awesome experience,” continued McElwee, “there’s a lot to it and a lot to learn but just having the chance to do this as a family unit, creating memories, makes it very special.”
McElwee left today for Portland and from there the group will board a Macy’s bus and head to NY City, where they will meet up with the other balloon volunteers at the costume center.
Information made available to the potential balloon-a-tics, through printed copy and a CD that provides instructions and guidelines pertaining to controlling the gigantic figures, McElwee said, “I’m sure we’ll be tired, there’s a lot to learn, especially all the signals. We each will have what is called a bone which the wires that control the balloon are attached to. According to the signals the pilot (individual who walks backwards the entire 2 and one-half mile parade route) demonstrates, we will either release or wind the wires. The entire route isn’t just a straight shot either, we have to go around corners and have to be aware of all those very tall buildings.”
“I’ve always been up for something different,” stated the local educator, “and when I can do something with my family and create a memory, I jump on it.”
“This is something that certainly will be an adventure — how often do you have a chance to do something like this? I think as a family, this will definitely be a Thanksgiving to remember.”
The 3-hour Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will begin at 9 a.m. Be sure to check your television listings and watch for Caribou’s balloon-a-tic, guiding Spiderman through the streets of New York City.
McElwee said, if it were allowed she intended to wear a red poppy (like the ones sold on Memorial Day) attached to the side of her cap.
