Thousands Cheered As America's Thanksgiving Parade Rolled Down Woodward
POSTED: Monday, October 13, 2008
UPDATED: 2:29 pm EST November 28,
2008
  |
DETROIT -- As millions of Michigan residents celebrated the holidays at home, thousands gathered on the chilly streets of downtown Detroit or fired up their computers and TVs for the annual Thanksgiving Day parade.
Part 1: 2008 America's Thanksgiving Parade Part 2: 2008 America's Thanksgiving Parade Part 3: 2008 America's Thanksgiving Parade Part 4: 2008 America's Thanksgiving Parade Crowds began staking out viewing spots along Woodward from Mack to Campus Martius early Thursday morning. Children were bundled up in hats, mittens and scarves as temperatures hovered around 30.The theme of the 2008 Thanksgiving Day parade was Legends and Lollipops.The theme celebrated Detroit's success and the figures in our community and country that have fostered greatness.The parade has been held for 82 years, and this year's version featured more 75 parade units, including floats, balloons, marching bands, specialty acts, local celebrities and the Parade Company's own Distinguished Clown Corps and Big Head Corps.The Distinguished Clown Corps have enhanced the parades magic for more than two decades.Corporate and community leaders traded their business suits for clown suits and marched down Woodward Avenue to pass candy, beads and smiles, of course!One of the parade's grandest attractions is the collection of over 300 world-renown papier-mâché heads.The Big Heads Corp paraded the colorful artifacts, which were originally purchased in Viareggio, Italy.The Parade Company artists, who have been trained by the Italian artisans, keep the expansive collection in shape.Since 1924, Detroiters have gathered on Woodward Avenue to celebrate the grand tradition of the telling of America's story, through America's Thanksgiving Parade.About 40,000 more people were expected downtown Thursday afternoon to watch the Detroit Lions take on the Tennessee Titans in the annual Thanksgiving Day game at Ford Field.Traffic: Check Parade Street Closures Before Heading Out
Download: Parade Route Map
Forecast: Check Parade Forecast
Hot Shots: Send In Your Favorite Pictures Of The Parade
Instant Feedback: Share Your Favorite Thanksgiving Parade Memories
Images: Moments From Previous Parades
Video:2008 Thanksgiving Parade Floats Roll Out
Copyright 2008 by ClickOnDetroit.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Part 1: 2008 America's Thanksgiving Parade Part 2: 2008 America's Thanksgiving Parade Part 3: 2008 America's Thanksgiving Parade Part 4: 2008 America's Thanksgiving Parade Crowds began staking out viewing spots along Woodward from Mack to Campus Martius early Thursday morning. Children were bundled up in hats, mittens and scarves as temperatures hovered around 30.The theme of the 2008 Thanksgiving Day parade was Legends and Lollipops.The theme celebrated Detroit's success and the figures in our community and country that have fostered greatness.The parade has been held for 82 years, and this year's version featured more 75 parade units, including floats, balloons, marching bands, specialty acts, local celebrities and the Parade Company's own Distinguished Clown Corps and Big Head Corps.The Distinguished Clown Corps have enhanced the parades magic for more than two decades.Corporate and community leaders traded their business suits for clown suits and marched down Woodward Avenue to pass candy, beads and smiles, of course!One of the parade's grandest attractions is the collection of over 300 world-renown papier-mâché heads.The Big Heads Corp paraded the colorful artifacts, which were originally purchased in Viareggio, Italy.The Parade Company artists, who have been trained by the Italian artisans, keep the expansive collection in shape.Since 1924, Detroiters have gathered on Woodward Avenue to celebrate the grand tradition of the telling of America's story, through America's Thanksgiving Parade.About 40,000 more people were expected downtown Thursday afternoon to watch the Detroit Lions take on the Tennessee Titans in the annual Thanksgiving Day game at Ford Field.Traffic: Check Parade Street Closures Before Heading Out Download: Parade Route Map
Forecast: Check Parade Forecast
Hot Shots: Send In Your Favorite Pictures Of The Parade
Instant Feedback: Share Your Favorite Thanksgiving Parade Memories
Images: Moments From Previous Parades
Video:
2008 Thanksgiving Parade Floats Roll Out Copyright 2008 by ClickOnDetroit.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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