11 facts about being a balloonist at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Every Thanksgiving, while families across the country listen to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade from their living rooms, thousands of volunteers stay awake for hours to brave the frigid streets of New York City in costume.

This is the balloon handler’s experience. They make up a large team of volunteers selected each year to ensure the parade’s iconic floats travel smoothly and safely down Central Park West, past Columbus Circle, and along Sixth Avenue, culminating in Herald Square.

But what exactly does a balloon handler do, and how can it become so?

PEOPLE spoke to two spirit ball handlers, Vicki de Cardenas and Megan Symonette. They answered all our burning questions about this famous parade.

To become a balloon handler, you need connections at Macy’s.

In the case of de Cárdenas, who was a balloon handler last year, her sister works as a beauty buyer at a department store and was able to secure a spot in the parade for herself, de Cárdenas and their father. Simonette was sponsored by a friend who worked at Macy’s.

To submit their name, Simonet said, applicants will send their body measurements and a photo and write a short paragraph explaining why they want to volunteer. Then wait for an email from Macy’s to let you know if you won.

Balloon handler cannot select assigned balloon

After you receive your initial confirmation that you have been selected as a balloon handler, you will receive a series of emails with further information leading up to the big day, including an email notifying you of your balloon assignment.

Simonette said she, her sister, and her parents, who have been volunteering together as balloon pilots for the past two years, were told they couldn’t even guarantee they’d be on the same float, but they were lucky enough to get assignments together both years they volunteered.

Balloon operators have the option to attend training in September at NFL Stadium

In September, parade organizers will hold a training session at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, outside New York City, so balloon operators can get a feel for operating a float. They learned how to raise and lower the balloon using ropes and had to follow whistles and hand signals from the group pilot.

“It’s not very easy,” Simonet admits. “I’m glad I was able to do the training.”

However, this practice is not mandatory. De Cárdenas, who lives in Florida, was able to learn everything she needed to know on the morning of the parade.

Balloon handling is a volunteer position.

“I think that’s a really fun aspect,” Simonette says. “Everyone really wants to be there.”

Balloon handler call times vary based on float assignments, but can be as early as 5am

Symonette, who was assigned to a float near the front of the parade, had a contact time of 4:45 a.m., but de Cárdenas, who had a float at the end, could arrive around 6:15 a.m.

These call times do not take into account travel time to midtown Manhattan, the meeting point where balloon handlers gather to don their costumes before the parade begins.

All balloon operators are encouraged to wear a costume and wear as warm clothing as possible underneath.

All balloon handlers will be assigned a costume. It’s basically a giant bib that you wear over your regular clothes.

Simonette said there are no rules about what can and cannot be worn under a bib, but balloon handlers will be standing outside for hours on Thanksgiving Day in New York City, and temperatures can be very high, so they were strongly advised to dress in layers.

On the morning of the parade, all balloon operators gather for the first time.

You may meet some of the balloon pilots at practice in September, but you won’t actually meet the other pilots assigned to your balloon until the morning of the parade. But for those who want to establish a connection in advance, Simonette says there are apps that allow handlers to chat remotely.

“My mom is very chatty and gets to know people,” laughs Simonette.

Balloon pilots cannot go to the bathroom during the parade.

“I don’t know if this is TMI, but the last time you can go to the bathroom is before you get on the bus, which for us was around 5:30,” Simonette said. “Then you must go no further until noon.”

She added with a laugh: “It’s a little stressful.”

Balloon handlers may not be featured on live broadcasts

There is no guarantee that balloon operators will appear on the television broadcast. And Simonette says she didn’t get any TV time during her first year, even though she told all her friends to look for her.

“Last year I made the decision to go on TV,” she continues. “He was jumping behind me.”

Balloon operators are asked not to take pictures during the parade.

The main rule for balloon operators to follow is to refrain from taking photos during the parade, but de Cárdenas admits his father may have broken a few rules.

“He just wanted his daughters to be in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, so technically he shouldn’t have done that, but he wanted to do it for the memory,” she says. “I was just happy to be there.”

Balloon operators are not guaranteed a spot in next year’s parade.

Simonette learned this the hard way when her family applied three years in a row and was not accepted.

“You’re on a waiting list this year because you’re not a grandparent,” she says. “You have to reapply every year.”

But as the parade celebrates its 100th anniversary, she and her family hope they will be chosen next year.