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JULIE MAHONEY
STAFF WRITER
Karen Spinale, an Instructional Assistant (IA) at AHS, will be featured as one of the many clowns in this year’s Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade in the heart of New York City.
In the last year, her daughter, Erika Spinale, started working for NBC in New York City (NYC), which gave them the opportunity of a lifetime. As part of an offer to employees of NBC and Macy’s and their families, they signed up to be a part of the Macy Thanksgiving Day parade, held annually in the middle of the city. For almost 100 years the parade has taken place. Plans start for the parade 18 months in advance, meaning next year’s parade is already in the works.
“As a parent of three kids, for their entire lives we sat and watched the parade,” said Spinale. “It’s a staple in my house, and to think about being a part of it, in the middle of Manhattan is just very exciting for me.” Not only is Spinale excited to just be there, but she is also thrilled to be a part of the joy that is spread. “I love the incredible excitement of the parade and the people…I love to be silly.”
Spinale has always been a creative nut. People give her the clothing of loved ones and she makes teddy bear keepsakes in her spare time. “This is what brings me joy, day in and day out,” Spinale said. Being able to be silly is what makes being in the parade so special for her. But it’s not all fun and games; Macy’s takes clowns very seriously with the necessary programs of Clown University and a clown oath. Clown University is a few hours in October where professional clowns teach the recruits how to act with the crowd. “I had to take a clown oath,” Spinale said. “Promising to wear my costume with pride…to spread joy, and to spread confetti!” Spinale will be just one of the many to use some of the 300 pounds of glitter used each parade.
Karen Spinale and her daughter, Erica, at Clown University.
There is even an app that participants can download once a part of the parade. It includes the route, tips, your schedule, a chat with other participants and more. With 30 different groups of clowns in the parade, there’s a lot of variety in costumes, makeup, and the personas they will put on. Spinale and Erika were assigned to be Silly Sailors, wearing bright white, blue and red on their sailor costume. On the big day, Thanksgiving, Spinale and her daughter will have to be in an undisclosed location at 5:30 AM. There they will get dressed and ready and make sure they have no phone or additional items on them. At 9 AM the parade will kick off and the 2+ mile walk begins.
Although it’s Spinale and her daughter’s first year participating, she is already thinking about next year. “It’s super exciting.” she said, “and I hope we love it and can take part in it again next year.” Many clowns that take part in the parade come back year after year, and she hopes they will love it enough that they will become one of the many annual clowns.
