The Society of The Friendly Sons and Daughters of Saint Patrick will be debuting a “Macy’s Day-style” ballon in Philadelphia’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, thanks to the generosity of local businesses, writes Jim Donovan for CBS News Philadelphia via MSN.

The balloon is about 40 feet tall and 14 feet wide and was the brainchild of Kevin Maloney, the brother of Mike Maloney, president of the Friendly Sons and Daughters of Saint Patrick.

“This is the first time in our society’s history, and I think in the parade’s history that we’ve had a balloon of this size, Mike Maloney said.

Ryan Corbett of the Dream Team in Media is a member of the society, and he is helping with the cost of the balloon.

Born and raised in Belfast, Ireland, he is excited about Sunday and said that it will be “all hands on deck.”

The massive balloon required 38 handlers.

Sweet Annie’s Candy Shop in Ambler is also helping to pay for the massive balloon.

Philadelphia’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade will air from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on CBS News Philadelphia and PHILLY57 on Sunday and there will be an encore aired on March 15 and St. Patrick’s Day.

Read more about The Society of The Friendly Sons and Daughters and the massive balloon they are debuting in Philadelphia’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade at MSN.

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