DETROIT – America’s Thanksgiving Parade® is one of the country’s oldest and most celebrated parades, and to commemorate its 80th birthday, The Parade Company is pleased to announce Detroit Red Wings Captain Nicklas Lidstrom as the Parade’s Grand Marshal and a star-studded list of Michiganders “Coming Home” for the Parade. The celebrities will ride on the floats, touching the hearts of millions, as the Parade travels down Woodward Avenue along its new route on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 23, 2006, beginning at 9:20 a.m.

“Every November something magical happens on Woodward Avenue, a holiday tradition that dates back to 1924,” said Deborah I. Dingell, Chair, Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation. “The celebration of America’s Thanksgiving Parade® has captured the imaginations of millions and we are thrilled that our 80th Parade will feature some of Michigan’s most notable individuals and a new route that will bring the Parade to downtown Detroit.”

Detroit Red Wings Captain Nicklas Lidstrom will serve as this year’s Grand Marshal and like America’s Thanksgiving Parade®, the Detroit Red Wings are celebrating 80 years. Lidstrom has played his entire professional career for the Detroit Red Wings and is a three-time Stanley Cup Champion (1997, 1998 and 2002) and four-time Norris Trophy Winner (NHL’s best defenseman).

"I’ve been living in and playing for Detroit for 16 years,” said Nicklas Lidstrom. “So while Sweden is my first home, I’m also from Hockeytown. America’s Thanksgiving Parade® is a great family tradition and I’m honored to be serving as this year’s Grand Marshal."

Cassie, Rhythm & Blues sensation, will perform one of her chart-topping songs live at the 17th Annual Hob Nobble Gobble® fundraiser at the Michigan State Fairgrounds on Wednesday, November 22 2006, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cassie will appear on the “Sounds of Detroit” float, sponsored by Clear Channel Radio, on Thanksgiving morning.

Additional celebrities scheduled to “Come Home” for the Parade include:
Andrew WK, Pop/Rock singer and songwriter
Angela Corsi, Miss Michigan 2006
The Backyardigans
My Bed Bugs
Brandon T. Jackson, co-star of Roll Bounce
The Contours featuring Sylvester Potts, one of Motown’s legendary acts
Geoff Stults, Ben Kinkirk on CW’s 7th Heaven
George Stults, Kevin Kinkirk on CW’s 7th Heaven
Hayley Eisenhardt, Miss Teen Michigan 2006
Jonelle Thames, Miss Deaf Michigan
Keith Famie, celebrity chief and contestant on Survivor
KEM, Detroit-based singer, songwriter, musician and producer
Latonya King, winner of the National Women’s Golden Gloves Boxing Championship
Lem Barney, NFL Hall of Famer and former Detroit Lion
Mary Lynn Rajskub, Chloe O’Brien on Fox’s hit series 24
Naima Mora, winner of America’s Next Top Model Cycle
Santa Claus
Yemaya Rose Sharp, Junior Miss Deaf Michigan

The 80th America’s Thanksgiving Parade® has a new route this year, modeled after the original Parade route in 1924. The Parade will step-off at Woodward Avenue and Mack on Thursday, November 23 at 9:20 a.m. in downtown Detroit and end at Woodward Avenue and Congress. America’s Thanksgiving Parade® is one of the country’s oldest and most celebrated parades. More than one million people will be watching America’s Thanksgiving Parade® as it makes its way down Woodward Avenue.

To celebrate the Parade’s 80th birthday, 80,000 gifts filled with coupons from participating sponsors will be handed out along the Parade route. Some of the gifts will contain “gold tickets” which are redeemable for fabulous prizes.


· Grandstand Tickets- See The Parade Company’s superstars up close and personal from the comfort of the Grandstand seats. To order Grandstand tickets and reserved parking, visit www.theparade.org or call 313.923.7400 x227.