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Friday, 4 November, 2011 2:29 PM
Parade
Co. to create new Magic Johnson papier-mache "Big Head"
for America's Thanksgiving Parade®
New Magic Johnson “Big Head” to be unveiled at the
22nd Annual Hob Nobble Gobble fundraiser, Nov. 18
Photo
credit: Lovio George Inc.
Head
shot of Magic Johnson
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DETROIT
– The winning smile of NBA legend and entrepreneur
Earvin “Magic” Johnson will grace historic Woodward
Avenue on Thanksgiving morning in the form of a new papier-mâché
“Big Head” for the 85th America’s Thanksgiving
Parade®. The Parade Company will debut the new Magic “Big
Head”, at the 22nd Annual Hob Nobble Gobble black-tie fundraiser
on Friday, November 18 at Ford Field.
Johnson, a Michigan native, recently accepted the honor of joining
the ranks of The Parade Company’s impressive collection of
new and historic papier-mâché heads, which include
representations of Aretha Franklin, Joe Louis, Bob Seger, Rosa Parks
and more. As a nod to his basketball days at Michigan State, the
new Magic “Big Head” will be paired with a Spartan basketball
“warm-up” costume.
“Michigan is my home state and I couldn’t be more honored
than to be represented in one of its greatest annual traditions
in Detroit and one of the longest running Parades in our country,”
said Johnson. “I always tried not to get a big head during
my basketball and business career, but this is a special occasion.”
The tradition of creating new papier-mâché “Big
Heads” to honor local figures dates back to when Hudson’s
produced the Parade. The Parade Company recently revived this tradition
of creating new “Big Heads” by their team of artists
with the addition of a “Big Head” of philanthropist
Art Van Elslander in 2009 and last year’s addition of legendary
University of Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler.
“I cannot wait to see the smiles on all the faces, young and
old, when they see Magic’s new big head marching down Woodward
on Thanksgiving morning,” said Tony Michaels, President &
CEO, The Parade Company. “We’re so thrilled he accepted
this honor to forever have a presence in this amazing 85 year tradition
in Detroit.”
The new Magic “Big Head” will be worn by one of the
members of the Big Head Corps. The Corps offers young professionals
the opportunity to get involved with The Parade Company, while offering
fun programs and networking opportunities with other young professionals.
Membership in The Big Head Corps is $200 a person and includes participation
in America’s Thanksgiving Parade® and a ticket to the
Big Head Corps Breakfast on Parade morning.
The Parade Company owns the world’s largest collection of
papier-mâché heads and with the support of the Big
Head Corps, more than 100 of them will march down Woodward Avenue
on Thanksgiving morning in hopes of bringing smiles to faces along
the route. Many of the papier-mâché heads were created
by artists in Viareggio, Italy, with some dating back to the 1940s.
The ever expanding collection of more than 300 heads is kept in
shape by the seasoned artists at The Parade Company’s studio.
About Magic Johnson Enterprises
Magic Johnson
Enterprises, formed in 1987, serves as a catalyst for community
and economic empowerment by making available high-quality entertainment,
products and services that answer the demands of ethnically diverse
urban communities. Through investment, partnership and consultation,
Magic Johnson Enterprises has a portfolio of companies that strategically
work together to reinforce the organization's focus on serving emerging,
multicultural communities. Learn more at www.magicjohnson.com.
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 85 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, Fifth Third Turkey Trot
and America's Thanksgiving Parade®.
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