DETROIT – Two talented school children were overjoyed to see their artistic creations come alive for the first time today when The Parade Company unveiled The Skillman Foundation winning float and balloon designs at The Parade Studio in Detroit.

Charlie Davison, a 4th grader from Harms Elementary School in Detroit and Sam Carroll, a 4th grader from Pare Elementary School in St. Clair Shores were the winning artists of the 15th Annual Skillman Foundation Float and Balloon Design Contest. Davison’s drawing of a colorful dinosaur transformed into a life-size captivating float, and Carroll’s drawing inspired a vibrant balloon named Otto: The Rainbow Octopus.

The two students, their families, teachers and principals attended the unveiling. Twenty students whose drawings earned honorable mention were also invited to see their drawings on display. Joan LeMahieu, President of The Parade Company and The Skillman Foundation representatives joined the students for this special occasion.

“It is a delight to continue our partnership with The Skillman Foundation in encouraging kids to use their creativity and express their imaginations,” said Deborah I. Dingell, Chair Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation.

“Students up through grade five are invited to join in this exciting tradition and create life-long memories for our Parade. We are pleased at the great number of students who want to experience this Detroit tradition.”

On Thanksgiving morning, a very proud Charlie Davison will accompany his float, a 13-foot tall dinosaur, with a 12-foot long tail and multi-colored striped sweater that is over 16 feet long! An ecstatic Sam Carroll was listening to The Beatles hit, “Octopus’s Garden,” when he was inspired to draw his masterpiece.

“Being involved with the Parade is a very rewarding experience,” said Carol Goss, President and CEO of The Skillman Foundation. “This signature event for The Skillman Foundation is important in that it gives the many children of metropolitan Detroit an opportunity to utilize their literary and artistic knowledge as they team up to create some truly impressive floats and balloons.”

About The Skillman Foundation
The Skillman Foundation is a resource for improving the lives of children in metropolitan Detroit. The foundation applies its resources to foster positive relationships between children and adults, support high quality learning opportunities and strengthen healthy, safe and supportive homes and communities. The Foundation was founded in December 1960 by Rose P. Skillman, widow of Robert H. Skillman, vice president and director of Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, and has an annual grantmaking budget of $23 million.

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 80 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 International Freedom Festival and Target Fireworks and America's Thanksgiving Parade®.