'America's Thanksgiving Parade' Only on Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit

Coverage starts at 6 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 23

Recognized as one of the best Thanksgiving parades in the country by U.S. News & World Report Travel, WDIV-TV Local 4 is the official television station of “America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Art Van.” The annual live broadcast from Woodward Avenue is hosted by Local 4’s Devin Scillian, Kimberly Gill, Rhonda Walker, Evrod Cassimy, Ben Bailey, and Chuck Gaidica, and begins at 9 a.m. Thanksgiving morning.  The national broadcast, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., reaches more than 190 major cities across the country.

 

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“Nothing kicks off the holiday season better than starting with a hometown parade right in the heart of our city,” said WDIV Vice President and General Manager Marla Drutz. “This year is extra special, as one of our own is one of the Grand Marshals – the beloved Carmen Harlan. And for those who can’t be there in person, metro Detroiters know they can count on us to bring it to them wherever they are and however they want to view it, on-air or online.”

 

“Local 4 News Today: Special Thanksgiving Edition” coverage begins at 6 a.m. followed at 8 a.m. with “Parade Preview” coverage live from the parade route. Rhonda Walker, Evrod Cassimy, Brandon Roux, Nick Monacelli, Kim DeGiulio, and Chuck Gaidica take viewers behind-the-scenes for an up-close view of all the excitement going on Thanksgiving morning.  Plus, the latest weather forecasts for parade day and up-to-the-minute traffic and parking updates so those headed downtown can avoid delays, road closures and construction.

 

Carmen Harlan, Local 4’s former longtime news anchor, and Grammy-nominated rapper Big Sean are Co-Grand Marshals of the parade. Other celebrities appearing in “America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Art Van include chart-topping Warner Nashville recording artist and Michigan native Frankie Ballard, Emmy award-winning producer and drummer Karriem Riggins, star of Disney Channel’s “K.C. Undercover” Trinitee Stokes and two-time Olympian Johnny Weir. Liam Fennecken of the Tony-nominated Broadway Musical, “School of Rock” will kick off WDIV’s live broadcast.

 

Also appearing are the Mid American All Star Pompon team, the Yankee Air Museum Rosie the Riveter Tribute Corps and the Despicable Me 3 Minions. And, as always, Detroit’s favorite sports mascots -- PAWS, Roary and Hooper -- and Santa Claus.

 

Throughout “America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Art Van broadcast on Local 4 and live streamed on ClickOnDetroit.com, viewers can win special prizes while watching at home. On ClickOnDetroit they can also vote for their favorite high school bands marching in the parade in the “Battle of the Bands” contest, as well as vote for the “Best Choreography around a Float.”

 

On Local 4’s Facebook page, viewers will get a behind-the-scenes look at the parade, in addition to getting important parade information, and photos from the route. Local 4’s news and parade coverage will be live streamed on ClickOnDetroit.com from 6 a.m. to Noon Thanksgiving day so viewers can watch from wherever they are -- anywhere around the world.

 

Parade lovers can vote to make “America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Art Van” the best parade in the country in the USA Today 10Best contest by clicking this link.

 

“America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Art Van” is created and produced by The Parade Company and WDIV-Local 4 is the exclusive television broadcast partner.

 

Thanksgiving Morning Lineup

6 a.m. to 8 a.m.                “Local 4 News Today: Special Thanksgiving Edition”

8 a.m. to 9 a.m.                “Local 4 News Today: Parade Preview”

9 a.m. to Noon                “America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Art Van”