In truly deflating news, a giant Bluey balloon popped just ahead of its intended appearance as part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in Manhattan, New York — and fans are rightfully distressed.
That’s right, the loveable star of the hit Aussie children’s series was all set to take to the skies when, just a day before the annual event, the balloon popped during the parade team’s inflation process.
Footage of the pup in peril shows the Bluey balloon being filled with air and exhibiting an unmatched pride in her home country, before a loud bursting noise abruptly halted her ascent. Naturally, a crescendo of wails and gasps can be heard from shocked onlookers, who I hope had their vets on speed dial.
Speaking to NBC New York, bystanders said the balloon — which measures over 15 metres long — was about half-filled when a “gust of air” began rushing from Bluey’s paw at 2pm local time, less than 24 hours before her planned takeoff as part of the parade’s broader convoy.
Not to crush your childhood dreams, but I guess you could say Bluey went kablooey?
In news that will un-burst your bubble, however, it thankfully wasn’t long before organisers got to work stitching up the paw. According to the New York Post (she’s made it big in the US, but she’s still our girl), the parade crew worked overtime to ensure Bluey was flight ready, and assured bystanders that the balloon would be ready in time for the parade.
And sure enough, just like how every Bluey episode has a happy ending (except that one), so too did the tale of her Thanksgiving Day parade balloon. Bluey is so popular, in fact, that it was the NYPD Chief of Patrol who first shared news of her successful paw surgery, after which I hope she got a treat for being such a good girl.
“Hey all, the balloons are ready and I’m glad to report that Bluey is recovering!,” John Chell wrote on X. “Bluey is going to play like a champion tomorrow.”
Bluey eventually joined the parade, and clips of her extremely chic airborne transit after her previous bursting feel like the tears I cry whenever the Heeler’s overcome adversity: triumphant, well-earned, and totally heartwarming.
“She has risen baby girl,” one X user wrote of Bluey’s almost-biblical rebirth, with another saying “her paw looks pretty after that inflation scare”.
Bluey was one of 22 balloons to make the jaunt from Central Park West to 34th Street, and in an Inception-like twist, she was joined by a balloon version of Keepy Uppy, which is itself a balloon that features in Bluey.
It marked Bluey’s third time appearing in the parade since making her debut in 2022, but her likeness has also been used for garden gnomes, Royal Australian Mint coins, and perhaps most egregiously, to promote greyhound racing.
She’s such a busy girl, it’s no wonder her paws needed to let out some steam!
Lead image ABC and Roy Rochlin/NBC via Getty Images
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