Tony Sarg is a superhero in his own line of work making puppets, marionettes and giant balloons!
Tony was employed by Macy's in New York City. He made the first wonderland window displays for Macy's. He was asked by the owner of Macy's to create something special for the Macy's parade after the former Macy's Parade with lions and tigers scared the children. Tony created what he called "up-side down marionettes". The very first parade balloons were in the 1927 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. People held them up in the air with sticks. Over time, Tony evolved his balloons into the ones we enjoy today that are held down by people holding ropes.
Tony was a mentor to Bill Baird, the man who made the marionettes for the "The Lonely Goatherd" in the movie, "The Sound of Music." Then Bill Baird taught Jim Henson how to make puppets and Jim Henson created the muppets on Sesame Street and those in the muppet movies with Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. Tony Sarg's ingenious talent has delighted people for over 70 years.
To learn more about Tony Sarg and his creative career read the Beehive Nominee for 2013-14 titled, Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet.
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