America's Thanksgiving Parade Events

Source: The Parade Company

Grandstand Tickets on Sale

This year, grandstand tickets are available online at www.theparade.org. There will be a $1 processing fee assessed for online purchases. Tickets can also be ordered by calling 313.923.7400. General grandstand seats are located in the Grand Circus Park area. Purchase 1-49 tickets for $20 each; 50-99 tickets for $17.50 each; and 100 seats or more for $15 each. VISA, MasterCard, Certified Checks or Money Orders will be accepted.

Giant Annual Balloon Wash

Scrub-a-Dub-Dub! Clownie, mascot of America's Thanksgiving Parade® , and a few of his friends including Captain Underpants, Humpty Dumpty, Captain Safety and Elmo were prepped for their "giant" performance on Thanksgiving morning at this annual event. Join The Parade Company team, volunteers and inflation experts at the Michigan State Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 9, 2004, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. and be a part of Parade preparations by washing our larger-than-life storybook characters.

"We Want WOW" Talent Search!

Become a Star! The Parade Company is giving you a chance to be a part of Parade magic by showing your talent to one million people along Woodward and to another million who will be watching you from home! Bring your group or individual talent to the Michigan State Fairgrounds and strut your stuff in front of our panel of judges for a chance to be in this year's America's Thanksgiving Parade® ! Michigan State Fairgrounds Saturday, October 9, 2004 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Rules: *Auditions should not exceed 2 minutes *Participants must be in line to audition by 2 p.m. *All decisions by the judges are final *All participants must provide their own transportation on Thanksgiving *All participants must be available Thanksgiving Day 6 a.m. - 3 p.m. *Winners must be prepared to perform while walking the two-mile parade route.

Borders Benefit Days

Support The Parade Company by shopping at Borders Book Stores! It's easy to do and will raise money to perpetuate the tradition of America's Thanksgiving Parade® for generations to come. Here's what you need to do... print out the Borders Benefit Days voucher , shop at any Borders Book Store within the state of Michigan on November 5, 6 and 7, 2004 , present the voucher to the cashier when you make your purchase and leave knowing that a significant portion of your sale will be generously donated by Borders to The Parade Company! We need your help with this program... please encourage your friends and family to support The Parade by shopping at Borders and presenting a voucher.

Hob Nobble Gobble®

Hob Nobble Gobble® , The Parade Company's spectacular, black-tie fundraiser, is back this year with all the splendor and grandeur remembered from past years, including a Midway, carnival games, live entertainment, exquisite dining and much more! Themed "Puttin' on the Gobbler Glitz," this unforgettable night of enchantment and wonder will take place at the Michigan State Fairgrounds on November 24, 2004 from 6-10 p.m.

Guests will be able to test their game skills on more than one dozen virtual reality games; meet sports legends Bill Gadsby, Jom Northrup and Ron Kramer. Have a picture taken with NIckelodeon's Rugrats; meet the Care Bears; be amazed by the high-stepping Cirque de Stilts and the balloon creations of the famous John Cassidy. Ashlee Simpson, will perform during the evening, sponsors by Target. Nick Cannon will be on hand to greet guests.

Tickets are $200 each for child tickets, $350 each for Benefit tickets, $500 each for Patron tickets and $1000 each for SuperStar tickets. You won't want to miss this! Call 313.923.7400 to purchase your tickets today! 22nd Annual Turkey Trot and live performance by Ashlee Simpson.

22nd Annual Turkey Trot and 2nd Annual Mashed Potato Mile

The Parade Company welcomes back Fifth Third Bank as the official sponsor of the 22nd Annual Turkey Trot and the 2nd Annual Mashed Potato Mile! Visit our new expanded Turkey Trot section for online registration! Last year, More than 800 people participated in the Mashed Potato Mile, a one mile run/walk leading up to Michigan's largest 10K run - and "the tradition before the tradition" - the Turkey Trot, in which more than 5,000 runners participated.

The start and finish line for both races will be at Michigan Hall, Cobo Center. Visit www.detroiturkeytrot.org for additional information and a map. Information and online registration is available. Entry forms are available at any of Fifth Third Bank's 78 Metro Detroit locations.

America's Thanksgiving Parade®

Join more than one million spectators curbside on Woodward Avenue and more than 102 million households nationwide this Thanksgiving morning as Detroit's most cherished holiday tradition, America's Thanksgiving Parade® , themed "Giving Thanks," celebrates 78 years of Parade tradition. Fantastic floats, giant inflatables, high-stepping marching bands and sensational stars travel down The Parade route beginning in front of the Detroit Public Library and traveling south on Woodward Avenue to Grand Circus Park .

Grand Marshal Robert Porcher, triple-platinum recording artist and MTV reality star, Ashlee Simpson, multi-talented rap artist, writer, comedian, film star and producer, Nick Cannon, Miss Michigan 2004, Kelli Talicksa, Four We Want Wow! Talent Search winners, The Fred Hill Briefcase Drill Team and the Mid American Pompon All Star Team, amazing animated floats, fiant inflatables and surprise guests!

The Great Big Holiday Adventure

Year after year, kids gear up for their big chance to visit with Santa, The Parade's biggest star! This year, Santa returned to Paradeland the weekend following The Parade! Children of all ages visited with the jolly ol' elf himself; played games; created ornaments, bookmarks, penguins and frames; danced with costumed characters; and snacked on popcorn, hot dogs and cotton candy! Best of all, the more than 5,000 visitors were able to see and photograph the fantastic floats of America's Thanksgiving Parade® up close!

Friday, November 26th from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, November 27th and 28th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Parade Studio located at 9500 Mt. Elliott, Studio A, Detroit. Admission is $5, tickets for activities and food are $1 each. Visit www.theparade.org for a coupon worth $1 off admission.

Back to our Thanksgiving 2004 special section.

America's Thanksgiving Parade is a registered trademark of The Parade Company.