In Her Own Words: Tenille Townes On Performing at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

What an incredible experience!

Written by Tenille Townes
In Her Own Words: Tenille Townes On Performing at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Courtesy of Tenille Townes

For the last 93 years, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been a holiday tradition for families across the United States. While the famous balloons are what make the parade a remarkable event, the live performances have also become an important mainstay in the year festivities. For the 2019 parade, rising country star Tenille Townes was invited to perform for fans during the NBC telecast on the brand new Cracker Barrel float. In this blog post, Townes tells us about her exciting day and what it meant to take part in this special holiday institution.

It was such an honour to be a part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. What an incredible event, full of spirit and joy, and I couldn’t have imagined a cooler way to kick off the holiday season this year. I’ve never been a part of a parade before, and it was pretty wild to be a part of this one. So many people crowding the streets, with the biggest smiles, waving and saying, “Happy Thanksgiving.” Even people in the offices and apartment building windows surrounding the parade route were watching and waving too.

Courtesy of Tenille Townes
Courtesy of Tenille Townes

It was overwhelming to see so many people so excited to be participating in a legendary tradition that’s been happening for 93 years. Everything was so smoothly run and everybody I met who is a part of running the parade was incredibly friendly. I learned that it takes 8000 volunteers to make the event happen. I met a new friend, Rosanne, who told me it was her 64th year volunteering for the parade. How incredible is that!! She has such a fun character, and I’d really like to be just like her when I grow up.

Courtesy of Tenille Townes
Courtesy of Tenille Townes

This was the first year that Cracker Barrel had a float in the parade and it was so cool to be a part of the very first one! When we arrived on the float, they showed me the way to the little ladder that led to the top where I was stationed! Good thing I’m not afraid of heights because it was pretty high up there, ha! The wind was blowing like crazy where we were parked between the buildings but I had my hand warmers ready to go and I was so excited to be there. And then we started moving and road the float for an hour and a half or so, before turning the corner onto 34th street in front of Macy’s and it was time to sing! I performed a piece of ‘Somebody’s Daughter’ and it was such a thrill to get to share some music in the parade. And then I made it back home to Nashville in time for some turkey and pumpkin pie with people I love.

Tenille Townes; Photo credit: Starr Blackshere
Tenille Townes; Photo credit: Starr Blackshere

I truly won’t forget being a part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. My heart feels so full of gratitude for such a wonderful Thanksgiving, and for such an incredible year of fun adventures. I hope everybody has an amazing rest of their Christmas season!!