Super Mario

Super Mario is a video game series by Nintendo. the franchise's main character, Mario, voiced by Charles Martinet, is known for being the face of video games. Ever since 1985, Mario has remained one of the most popular video game characters in history.

## History With The Parade

Nintendo's involvement in the parade began in 2006 to promote New Super Mario Bros. Mario and Luigi were running through a level, being chased by a large amount of enemies, with a giant Bowser sculpt at the back. This Bowser could move his head, blink his eyes, open his mouth and even breathe fire!

The 2007 parade added a Super Mario Galaxy float to the line of march. This time, Mario was launching ahead of Bowser's airship with help from his Luma friend. Bowser rode the self-propelled airship, and just like the previous float, Bowser could move his head, eyes and mouth, but he couldn't breathe fire. Bowser was joined by Bowser Jr. Mario could also rotate 360 degrees.

The 2008 parade introduced the Santa Claus Parade's first ever Mario Kart float. this float promoted Mario Kart Wii, the most popular Mario Kart game. This time, Mario and his friends (Or in this case, enemies) were riding three self-propelled vehicles used in the real game. Mario was in the lead, riding a standard kart, Wario was speeding by on his own Wario Bike, and Bowser was rocking out on his Flame Runner bike with a blue shell in his hand. Bowser and Mario's heads could turn from side to side, Mario, Wario and Bowser could open and close their mouths and blink their eyes, smoke could come out of the boosters, and the wheels could really turn, just like every other float like this. This was also Wario's first appearance in the parade's history.

The 2013 parade added a float promoting Super Mario 3D World. This float was designed to look like Super Bell Hill, with Mario, Luigi and Peach appearing in their cat suits. Bowser appears at the back of the float, popping out of a clear pipe. This float also features Captain Toad, circling around the clear pipe. This is also the first time we would see Princess Peach on a float, mainly due to the fact that Bowser kidnapped the Sprixie Princesses instead of her.

In 2015, a Super Mario Maker float was added to promote the video game with the same name. The float was basically a giant Mario-themed dump truck driven by Mario in his builder outfit, turning his head and waving to the crowd. Inside the dump truck there's many different course parts. The float made its only appearance in 2015, just for the promotion of Super Mario Maker.

In 2021, a new Mario float was added to promote the video game Mario Party Superstars. This float featured animated sculpts of Mario, Luigi and Wario, along with dropping Bob-ombs and a dice that can really spin!

In 2022, Mario went self-propelled once again, back in his Mario Kart go-kart to promote Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's Booster Course Pass. Like his appearance in 2008, Mario was riding down the route in his go-kart, except this time he is on a pipe frame kart, and the float is followed by a green Koopa shell push float pushed by two people to make it feel like the shell is really coming to hit Mario.

In 2023, Mario got his eighth float to promote his latest 2D adventure, Super Mario Bros. Wonder. This float brings the Flower Kingdom to life on one of the most animated floats in the parade's history. There's a lot of stuff happening on the float. At the front of the float, Mario runs through the grasslands of Pipe-Rock Plateau with the mysterious Wonder Flower in his hand. Behind him are two Talking Flowers and an inchworm pipe.

Above the inchworm pipe, Princess Peach floats on a propeller flower while Luigi glides with his cap. If you look closely, you'll notice that Prince Florian is also hitching a ride on Luigi's back. On the ground, there's also a Bulrush stampede, and at the back of the float, we see Elephant Mario coming out of a red pipe, surrounded by circling singing Piranha Plants, singing to Piranha Plants On Parade, which plays on the float.

Behind the float, there is a small push float with one of the Talking Flowers. The push float is operated by two people. One person is pushing the float, while the other is hiding inside the block, puppeteering and voicing the Talking Flower. The Talking Flower's puppeteer talks through an ear microphone, which is connected to speakers that are hidden on the block and inside the Flower. The Talking Flower can interact and talk to the spectators, making him one of a few interactive characters to appear in the parade.

In 2024, Mario will be jumping to new heights, as he will become one of the Santa Claus Parade's first big balloons. The balloon's design was revealed on January 3rd, 2024. The design features Mario in his signature jumping pose.

## Trivia

* Mario has had more floats than any other licensed character.

## See Also

* Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass/Gallery
* Pokémon