Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic the Hedgehog is a media franchise created and produced by Sega. It is primarily a video game franchise, centering on a series of speed-based platform games. Sonic, the protagonist, is an anthropomorphic blue hedgehog with supersonic speed, capable of reaching the speed of sound. Typically, Sonic—usually along with some of his friends, such as Tails, Amy, and Knuckles—must stop antagonist Doctor Eggman's plans for world domination.

History with the Big Balloon Parade
Sonic made his Parade debut in the 1st 1986 Big Balloon Parade, to help promote his brand-new animated movie, Sonic the Hedgehog. He is based off of his 2nd balloon design in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, as it features him rocketing down the Parade route towards his new adventures.