NAMM and Sesame Workshop Celebrate Thanksgiving with Colorful, Musical Macy's Parade Float

Sesame Float Macys 09
Carlsbad, CA

Each year, more than 44 million people watch from the street and on TV as dozens of themed floats comprise the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®. This year, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) will once again partner with Sesame Workshop as the organizations join forces to deliver a powerful message about the joy and benefits of playing music this holiday season.

At 32-feet long, 20-feet wide and 2 stories tall, the Sesame Street float  “1,2,3 -- Sesame Street” will be alive with music on Thanksgiving morning as Sesame residents including Big Bird, Abby Cadabby, Oscar the Grouch and Elmo along with a slew of their friends sing “Music Deep Inside."

“Sesame Street” is in its 41st season of entertaining and educating children in 140 countries. Currently the show is encouraging kids to ask questions about science and get excited about how their world works. And NAMM-funded research has shown how kids who play music are able to learn other subjects like math and science even better.

With help from their friends at NAMM, the cast, along with children on board, will show spectators the importance that music plays in the lives of kids everywhere as they bring the magic of musical instruments to life this Thanksgiving. All of the friends remind us that this is a great time of year for families to enjoy making music together.

“This time of year is a time to be thankful,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM.  “And that’s why NAMM is thankful to once again partner with our good friends at Sesame Street who are helping us send a message this holiday season to the millions of viewers watching at home about the proven and powerful benefits of playing music."

The 84th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade airs on NBC Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, Nov. 25 at 9 a.m. EST (Check local listings). For more information about the benefits of playing music this holiday season and how to find music stores and lesson providers in your area, visit www.wannaplaymusic.com.


Media Contacts
NAMM Communications - John Dolak, Director
johnd@namm.org
619.735.4028

VITTEK PR – Josh Vittek
josh@vittekpr.com
760.505.5674

The Lippin Group
namm@lippingroup.com
201.317.6618

About NAMM

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the not-for-profit trade association representing the $18.1 billion global music products industry, with a mission to strengthen the music industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music. Comprised of more than 9,000 member companies and individual professionals worldwide, NAMM supports an industry that employs more than 400,000 people globally. Through its programs, events and advocacy efforts, NAMM advances a shared vision of a thriving, innovative and inclusive music products industry where every person has access to the joy of music-making. NAMM also operates The NAMM Foundation, investing in the future of music through the support of education, global grantmaking and featured programs that expand participation in music across all ages and stages of life. Headquartered in Carlsbad, Calif., NAMM serves as a leading voice for the global music products industry through public policy, advocacy, education and other member services. For more information, visit NAMM.org, and learn more about NAMM’s Vision, Mission & Objectives at NAMM About Page.