DETROIT – America’s Thanksgiving Parade is one of the country’s oldest and most celebrated parades, and to commemorate 81 years, The Parade Company is pleased to announce Mickey Mouse and Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Nate Robertson as Grand Marshals as they say Hats Off Detroit! Celebrities will ride on floats, touching the hearts of children of all ages, as the Parade travels down Woodward Avenue along its recently redesigned route Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 22, 2007, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

“America’s Thanksgiving Parade marks a tradition that the entire city shares on that special day,” said Matthew P. Cullen, Chair of The Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation. “We are proud and excited to bring to the millions of spectators a celebration that honors Detroit's yesterday, today and tomorrow.”

Additional celebrities scheduled to join in saluting Hats Off Detroit! include:

• Grand Marshal – Mickey Mouse
• Co-Grand Marshal – Nate Robertson, Detroit Tigers Pitcher
• Soap Star and Model – Michelle Ray Smith, Ava Peralta on CBS’ Guiding Light
• Young Actress – Chloe Greenfield, Sarah on ER and Lily in the movie 8 Mile
• From the North Pole – Santa Claus
• R & B Sensation – Paula DeAnda, Hit songs include Easy and Walk Away (Remember Me)
• Children’s TV stars - My Bedbugs
• Alvin and the Chipmunks
• Christmas Carol – a lover of Christmas and caroling

The 81st America’s Thanksgiving Parade“ will step-off at Woodward Avenue and Mack on Thursday, November 22 at 9:30 a.m. and end at Woodward Avenue and Congress in downtown Detroit, a path redesigned last year to model the original 1924 route. More than one million people will be watching America’s Thanksgiving Parade“, one of the country’s oldest and most celebrated, as it makes its way down Woodward Avenue.

Other ways to get involved with America’s Thanksgiving Parade“ and The Parade Company:

The Parade Company has created a hat design contest to find the best example of a Warmest Hat, Detroit Hat, Favorite Parade Memory Hat, Biggest Sports Fan Hat and Thanksgiving Hat. From now until Friday, November 9, 2007, participants can submit photos of crafted hats that best represents one of the five categories to www.clickondetroit.com. November 10-12, 2007, viewers will be able to log onto www.clickondetroit.com and vote for their favorite hat. Grand prize winners will receive the opportunity to participate in the Parade. The winners’ names will be announced during the Parade as their float makes its way down Woodward Avenue. For more information call 313.923.7400 x227.

About The Parade Company

Founded in 1984, The Parade Company is a not-for-profit organization governed by the Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation whose board of directors is comprised of key civic and corporate leaders in the greater Detroit region. The Parade Company is celebrating 81 years of Parade tradition in Detroit. The mission is to fund, create and execute the best family events in metro Detroit. The Parade Company staff, the board of directors and thousands of parade volunteers work year-round to bring a wide variety of magnificent events to the City of Detroit each year including the Target Fireworks, Detroit International River Days and America's Thanksgiving Parade®.

Source: Lovio|George|Inc. / The Parade Company