Get
Ready for the 83rd America's Thanksgiving Parade
In the
spirit of shining together, The Parade Company has also launched
a canned food drive to help those in need in our community. On
Thanksgiving morning, parade-goers are encouraged to take part
in “Only if You Can” food drive by dropping off non-perishable
canned goods at three specific locations along the Parade route.
All of the donated items will benefit Gleaners Community Food
Bank of Southeast Michigan.
Starting
at 7 a.m., the Ford Mobile Food Pantry vehicles staffed by Ford
Motor Company volunteers will be at these drop-off locations:
the 27th Fifth Third Turkey Trot (corner of Washington & Jefferson);
Compuware Headquarters (across from Campus Marius Park); and Grand
Circus Park (corner of Park & Adams)
CO-GRAND MARSHALS:
Art Van Elslander
- founder and chairman of Art Van Furniture has supported The
Parade Company since 1990 and has commissioned several floats,
balloons, props and donated more than $2 million to The Parade
Company.
Paul W. Smith - renowned
radio personality and host of News/Talk 760 WJR’s Paul W.
Smith Show, has been the voice of the Parade since 1996 and is
known as a passionate supporter and promoter of The Parade Company
and all things positive for Detroit, our region and for the great
state of Michigan.
CELEBRITIES IN ATTENDANCE: The impressive celebrity
line-up known for their inspirational performances, unique personalities,
incredible dancing or vocal styling, include:
Bethenny
Frankel, celebrity chef and from Bravo’s hit series, Real
Housewives of New York
Miss
Michigan 2009, Nicole Blaszczyk
Celebrity
dancer Cheryl Burke being brought to Detroit by Hoover to choreograph
the T-Series Cha Cha
Day
26, the male R&B/ hip-hop music group handpicked at the
end of MTV's Making the Band 4
Danny
Gokey, American Idol season 8 contestant
Josh
Gracin, American Idol season 2 contestant, country music singer
and Westland, Mich. native
The
Biggest Loser season 7 winner and Sterling Heights, Mich. resident
Helen Philips
Evan
and Ryan Kasprzak, West Bloomfield, Mich. natives and graduates
from Wylie E. Groves High School - Evan was a top contestant
on season 5 of So You Think You Can Dance and Ryan, a tap dancing
sensation appeared on season 5 and 6 of So You Think You Can
Dance.
And
from the North Pole – Santa Claus
NEW FLOATS AND BALLOONS:
Driving
a Brighter Future – Ford Motor Company
Saving
Our Future – Charter One Bank
Jake
and Ellie’s Wagon – DMC Children’s Hospital
of Michigan
“Chair-A-Table”
Knights of the Round Table – Art Van Furniture
Follow
the Vegetable Road – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Jazz
on the Plaza – Jazz Fest
Past,
Present, Music – The Skillman Foundation
Turtle
balloon – The Skillman Foundation
REFURBISHED FLOATS
Celebrate
Detroit – Ilitch Holdings, Inc.
New
Caterpillar – Detroit News
Big
Purple Book – Math Savvy
Half
Pipe Float – Post Bar
Santa’s
Workshop - Pepsi
PARADE UNITS:
Number
of bands – 12
Number
of balloons – 12
Number
of papier-mâché heads – 110
Number
of floats – 25
Number
of clowns – almost 1,000
Total
number of people marching (volunteers) – 5,000
