America's Thanksgiving Parade: Did You Know???

Read some fun facts about America's Thanksgiving Parade. Many are unbelieveable. A must read for anyone who loves the parade. Find out about two new floats being added to this year's thanksgiving parade in 2009.

America's Thanksgiving Parade: 2009 Route Map

Find out where the parade begins and ends. Also, see where grandstand seats are located. Need to take the people mover? Find out which stops will be the closest for you to get a good view of the parade.

America's Thanksgiving Parade: 2009 Calendar of Events

This November marks the 83rd Annual America's Thanksgiving Parade along Woodward Avenue in Downtown Detroit. Read about the Hob Nobble Gobble, Turkey Trot and the new Mashed Potato Mile.

The Parade Company announces "Together We Shine" as Theme for 83rd America's Thanksgiving Parade

The theme for the 83rd America’s Thanksgiving Parade® is Together We Shine. The theme celebrates The Parade Company bringing a spark of magic and people together to enjoy one of Detroit’s largest and free events where for one special moment, families can be entertained, share a tradition and create a memory.

WATCH: A Tour of the Parade Company Studios in Detroit with interviews [Quicktime Video]

AmericaJR.com's Jason Rzucidlo takes you on a tour of the Parade Company Studios in Detroit. Look for interviews with Art Director David Danielson, Costume Director Arlene King and Director of Volunteer and Tours Renee Gonyeau. Watch as artists are working on a new float for this year's parade.

The Parade Company is open for tours; costumes available for renting

The Parade Company Studios is where all the magic takes place for America's Thanksgiving Parade. It is located inside an old car factory in Detroit at 9500 Mt. Elliott. Guided walking tours are available all year round from January through December. The 110,000 square foot studio features floats, papier-mache heads, costumes and much more. Visitors will be able to watch as artists create new floats for the next parade. In addition, thousands of great costumes are available for renting just in time for Halloween.

PHOTOS: A Tour of The Parade Company Studios in Detroit

AmericaJR.com's Jason Rzucidlo takes you inside The Parade Company Studios in Detroit at 9500 Mt. Elliott. Look for pictures of all the papier-mache heads, costumes and some of the most memorable floats from America's Thanksgiving Parade. Also, watch as artists are working on new floats for this year's parade in Studio B.

Official Grandstand Tickets now available for America's Thanksgiving Parade

Hundreds of thousands of spectators will make their way to downtown Detroit on November 26, 2009 to enjoy the fun and magic of America’s Thanksgiving Parade®! Enjoy this year’s Parade in comfort with your family and friends from official Grandstand seats, offering you the best view of this cherished event. Grandstand seats offer you a prime location in downtown Detroit, with the ability to see, live and up close, more than 60 units of your favorite floats, balloons, marching bands, specialty acts and celebrity guests.

AmericaJR.com's Jason Rzucidlo and Mike Ismair were LIVE at the 2009 America's Thanksgiving Parade Preview Party. It took place on Thrusday, Aug. 22 at the Parade Company studios in Detroit. Look for interviews with scholarship winner and parade queen Brenna O'Malley of Sterling Heights, Mich. Also, look for interviews with Nichole Anteau of Flat Rock, Mich., JoAnna and Zachary Yaksich and Barsoum Bouchar of West Bloomfield and Bloomfield Township, Mich.

PHOTOS: America's Thanksgiving Parade Preview Party at Parade Company Studios in Detroit

AmericaJR.com's Jason Rzucidlo and Mike Ismair were LIVE at the 2009 America's Thanksgiving Parade Preview Party. It took place on Thrusday, Aug. 22 at the Parade Company studios in Detroit. There was lots of fun going on including a costume fashion show, face painting and inflatables for the kids and lots of free food. Andiamo brought some pasta and appetizers and Culver's brought hot dogs and ice cream. There was also popcorn and cotton candy. Radio Disney was on hand to get the kids dancing. The new Art Van float was unveiled for this year's America's Thanksgiving Parade.

WATCH: Detroit High School Marching Bands Compete For Two Spots in America's Thanksgiving Parade [Quicktime Video]

Four Detroit high school marching bands performed for two spots in America's Thanksgiving Parade on Thanksgiving morning. It all took place at Renaissance High School in Detroit. In the end, Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School and Renaissance High School were the winners. The bands were judged by Professor Janet McCaskill, Wayne State University marching band director; Dr. Robert Crisp, retired Detroit Public Schools fine arts director; and Mr. Thomas Latimer, retired Detroit Public Schools music teacher. Watch highlights of all four bands performing and interviews at the end.

PHOTOS: Detroit High School Marching Bands Compete For America's Thanksgiving Parade

Four Detroit high school marching bands performed for two spots in America's Thanksgiving Parade on Thanksgiving morning. It all took place at Renaissance High School in Detroit. In the end, Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School and Renaissance High School were the winners. The bands were judged by Professor Janet McCaskill, Wayne State University marching band director; Dr. Robert Crisp, retired Detroit Public Schools fine arts director; and Mr. Thomas Latimer, retired Detroit Public Schools music teacher.

Charter One Bank Unveils Saving Our Future Float at America's Thanksgiving Parade

The Parade Company unveiled Charter One Bank’s new float, Saving Our Future, to a large crowd of Parade supporters today at the 10th Annual VIP Pancake Breakfast presented by Charter One Bank. The new float will makes its debut in the 83rd America’s Thanksgiving Parade® on Thursday, November 26, 2009. “Charter One Bank has been a long-time supporter of The Parade Company and we are so excited to debut our new float in America’s Thanksgiving Parade®,” said Sandy Pierce, President, Charter One Bank and Vice-Chair, Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation.

WATCH: Interviews with Skillman Float and Ballon Design Winners at The Parade Company [Quicktime Video]

AmericaJR.com's Jason Rzucidlo was LIVE at the Parade Company Studios in Detroit on Tuesday afternoon for the announcement of the Skillman Foundation Float and Balloon Design contest. The winners were Teirra Bascomb, an 8th grader from Bates Academy and Freddie Burse, a 7th grader from Clippert Academy. Bascomb's drawing of "Past, Present, Music!" was transformed into a life-size captivating float and Burse's drawing of "Turtle" was transformed into a vibrant balloon. Look for interviews with both winners as well as Tony Michaels, President & CEO of the Parade Company.

WATCH: Skillman Float and Balloon Design Contest Unveiling Ceremony at The Parade Company [Quicktime Video]

AmericaJR.com's Jason Rzucidlo was LIVE at the Parade Company Studios in Detroit on Tuesday afternoon for the announcement of the Skillman Foundation Float and Balloon Design contest. Look for remarks by Tony Michaels, President & CEO of the Parade Company and by Carol Goss, President & CEO of The Skillman Foundation. The winners were Teirra Bascomb, an 8th grader from Bates Academy and Freddie Burse, a 7th grader from Clippert Academy.

Two Detroit students get their ideas transformed into a float and balloon for the parade

Tierra Bascomb, an 8th grader from Bates Academy in Detroit and Freddie Burse, a 7th grader from Clippert Academy in Detroit came to the Parade Company on Tuesday. They were the grand prize-winning artists of the 18th annual Skillman Foundation Float and Balloon Design Contest. By the time they left, their ideas on paper were transformed into a real-life float and balloon for America's Thanksgiving Parade. Both students will get the rare opportunity to be in the parade as it goes down Woodward Avenue.

Ilitch Companies Celebrate the Community with Debut of Float in the 83rd America's Thanksgiving Parade

Ilitch Holdings, Inc., today said it has made a three-year commitment to sponsor a float in America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a holiday tradition in Detroit for more than 80 years. “For 50 years we have been delivering fun to families and fans, whether it’s with Little Caesars Pizza, sports or entertainment. Now we will be a part of America’s Thanksgiving Parade®, an event that is synonymous with family fun and is a community tradition,” said Christopher Ilitch, president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings.

Thanksgiving Day Hot Drink Giveaway inside Angelina Italian Bistro

How’s this for a real heart (and hand) warmer: for one day – November 26 – the Detroit People Mover (DPM) will add to its route by opening up a special “station” on Thanksgiving: one complete with free hot beverages. Right across the street from the DPM Grand Circus Park stop, and sponsored by WADL TV 38, the DPM “Family / Patron Station” inside Angelina Italian Bistro will give away complimentary hot chocolate and coffee starting at 8:30 AM on Thanksgiving Day.

City of Detroit announces Street Closures for America's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Motorists traveling to downtown Detroit for America’s Thanksgiving Parade should note the
following road closures. The following streets will be closed at posted times on Wednesday, Nov. 25: Woodward completely closed from Forrest to Mack at noon for staging of the floats, Garfield from Woodward to John R, noon , Canfield from Cass to John R, noon, Willis from Cass to John R, noon, Alexandrine from Woodward to Cass, noon, Selden from Woodward to Cass, noon.... (more)

PHOTOS: Setting Up for America's Thanksgiving Parade along Woodward Ave. in Detroit

AmericaJR.com's Jason Rzucidlo was LIVE along Woodward Avenue on Monday evening as workers were installing the bleachers and the broadcast booths for WDIV Local 4. This all took place on the southern leg of the parade route near Woodward and Gratiot. Tickets are completely sold out for this year's America's Thanksgiving Parade. However, people are still encouraged to come out and have a great time!

Detroit International Jazz Fest Takes Festival From the Plaza to the Parade Route with New Float

The Parade Company is excited to announce they are building a new float for the Detroit International Jazz Festival for the 83rd America’s Thanksgiving Parade®. The “Jazz on the Plaza” float, representing Detroit’s end-of-summer ritual at Hart Plaza on Labor Day Weekend, will make its debut along Woodward Avenue on Thanksgiving morning on Thursday, November 26, 2009.

PHOTOS: Distinguished Clown Corps. Greet Passengers at Detroit Metro Airport

AmericaJR.com's Jason Rzucidlo was there when The Parade Company's Distinguished Clown Corps. passed out beads to arriving passengers in the lower baggage claim of the McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport. It was all to draw attention for America's Thanksgiving Parade. Many passengers were very surprised to see these clowns!

PHOTOS: Lining Up the Floats Along the Parade Route on Thanksgiving Eve

AmericaJR.com's Michele Kotlarsky was there when Parade Company volunteers started rolling out the floats for America's Thanksgiving Parade. She started out at The Parade Company Studios at 9500 Mt. Elliott and followed them all the way to Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit. Look for many great shots of volunteers putting the final touches on the new floats just one day before parade day.

PHOTOS: The Hob Nobble Gobble Black-tie Fundraiser at the Michigan State Fair

AmericaJR.com's Jason Rzucidlo was LIVE at the 20th Annual Hob Nobble Gobble black-tie fundraiser for America's Thanksgiving Parade. It was held for the very last time at the Michigan State Fairgrounds. Next year, it will have to find a new location. Look for photos of all the fun and excitement including all the local dignitaries that showed up. You'll also see photos of Danny Gokey and Shirock on the entertainment stage.

America's Thanksgiving Parade: 2009 Photo Album

AmericaJR.com's Jason Rzucidlo and Garrett Godwin were LIVE at the 83rd Annual America's Thanksgiving Parade on Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit. You'll see all the major floats, balloons, marching bands and celebrities in this year's parade. In addition, you'll see Miss Michigan, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, the two Detroit students who designed the Skillman Foundation Float and Balloon and much more. Look for some of the best pictures right here!!

America's Thanksgiving Parade: 2009 Parade Videos

AmericaJR.com was LIVE at the 83rd Annual America's Thanksgiving Parade on Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit. If we interviewed you at the parade, this is where to see the video. Also, look for highlights of the parade here. We'll feature new videos all week long...

REVIEW: Cold breeze fails to deter Parade and its onlookers

Crowds stretched themselves along the bleachers and barricades off Woodward Avenue Thursday morning to take in the 2009 America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This year provided the standard lineup of numerous marching bands, fantasy-tinged vehicle floats, and clowns running about and waving to the crowd, yet the parade was not without its surprises. Among the prominent surprises were an inflated, State Farm-sponsored float of Sesame Street’s Elmo.

2009 Thanksgiving Day Football Games

Read about all the football games that will be taking place on Thanksgiving Day within the NFL and NCAA College Football leagues. After you enjoy your Thanksgiving feast, sit back and watch some football!