Despite the global helium shortage Thanksgiving Day parades around the US managed to go ahead as anticipated.
However, some organisers in cities such as Chicago were scrambling only hours before the countdown to find a company that could supply the gas needed to fill the nine giant balloons.
Also Macy’s annual parade in New York avoided any deflating effects as the parade’s allotment was set aside before the shortage began, meaning Snoopy, Garfield, Dora the Explorer and a host of other gigantic balloons all had the helium they needed to float their way down Broadway.
The global helium supplies have been tight this year because of delayed operations at plants in Algeria and Qatar. Also several US facilities had to close for ten days for scheduled maintenance.
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