Why Macy's should bring back the iconic Bart Simpson balloon in their Thanksgiving Parade

There was a time when Bart Simpson was a part of the Macy's Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade (airs on NBC), and it was when The Simpsons were just beginning their international stardom. Being a feature in the parade is considered an honor and a legacy. Bart was in the semblance of a balloon, riding his classic red skateboard and sharing that million-dollar grin.

Bart Simpson is an honorable legacy in our books. He might be forever ten, but he's seen more of life and the world beyond our own dreams. That's impressive for an animated character. Not only did Bart envision the world through his childhood innocence and devious soul, but he became part of Macy's world in 1990 and retired his reign as the parade's "Bad Boy" in 1996.

The balloon came to be when the young fanbase made a request for it, as Bart was the "Crowned Prince" of 1990. The Fox Network made the All-American nuclear family explode into stardom as they were watched across TV in every home, including mine.

The late Jean McFaddin, who was the former Macy's Special Events Vice President told the following to the New York Daily newspapers how Bart was chosen to be included in her parade in 1990.

"Basically, the kids pick the new characters. If the kids tell us they want Bart Simpson, then we give them Bart Simpson. That's just what happened this year."

As we head into the 100th celebration (well, 99, if you count out the parade cancellation in 2020) this year, we believe bringing back the iconic Bart Simpson balloon is more than appropriate. The 67-foot-tall inflated air-filled structure wasn't without its mishaps, as many parade balloons often fall victim to weather-related conditions and maneuvering.

Below is some archival footage of Bart in the parade in 1991. Being a kid at that time and seeing the balloon delighted me on all levels. Both The Simpsons and the Macy's Parade were my childhood tokens and still are in my adult life.

It was "Ay Caramba" for Bart in 1993, when the balloon lost control and headbanged into a lamp post. While it was damaged an deflating, Bart was able to complete his parade route, though his fiasco concerned a lot of the parade goers.

In 1995, Bart's balloon retired after being in the parade for six years, and while The Simpsons only kept gaining their fame, Macy's has no plans to bring Bart (or any other Simpsons) back into their event.

Why 2024 would be an epic year for the Macy's Parade to bring back its Bart Simpson balloon

The Simpsons will be turning the ripe young age of 35 years, and will extend many more years to that incredible feat. As such, achieving this milestone and being TV's longest-running show deserves some honorable recognition. And the Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade would be the best and logical approach for The Simpsons' deserving recognition.

The reasoning behind it is simple. With the parade making its centennial mark and the beloved show turning 35, paying homage to it would only excel in popularity for both franchises and will have ongoing discourses for years to come.

Besides, we fans deserve another iconic spoof of the Bart balloon, as the writers have done in 1991's "Bart vs. Thanksgiving." It's only natural.

While there will be no Bart Simpson at this year's parade, it'll still be pretty major because we'll have Bluey and Minnie Mouse will be making her debut.