Updated November 05, 2012
America’s Thanksgiving Parade is still one of the nation’s largest. For 2012, its theme is An 86 Year Tradition. As always, the parade will feature papier-mâché heads, The Distinguished Clown Corps, floats, balloons and marching bands.
Information:
- When: The 86th annual America's Thanksgiving Parade begins at 9:05 a.m. on November 22nd, Thanksgiving Day.
- Where: The parade route runs along Woodward Avenue from Mack Avenue to Congress at Campus Martius. Grandstand seats are available from between $30 to $50 (depending on location and whether breakfast is included). The parade will be broadcast on WDIV-TV and WJR 760 AM in Detroit and syndicated nationally.
- Who: The host(s) for 2012 has not yet been announced.
- How: The 86th annual America’s Thanksgiving Parade is made possible through the efforts of over 4500 volunteers.
Satellite Events:
- Hob Nobble Gobble is an annual black-tie fundraiser. This year it will be held at Ford Field on Saturday, November 16th from 6:30 to 10:30 PM. There will be a carnival midway, entertainment, food, and prizes. Special guests include John Cassidy (balloon magic) and Jay Sean. Tickets start at $200 child / $350 adult.
- The 30th Annual Turkey Trot takes place in the early hours of Thanksgiving Day and is Michigan’s largest 10K run. In addition to the 10K Turkey Trot and 5K Stuffing Strut that start in waves beginning at 7:45 AM, the Mashed Potato Mile starts at 7:30 AM in front of Cobo Center. Many of the 10,000 participants who run the challenging city course through downtown Detroit do so in costume. The Parade of Costumes begins at 7 AM. In the past, costumes have ranged from super heroes to Christmas characters.
- A Day in Paradeland allows kids and adults alike to see the papier-mâché heads and floats that participated in the 2012 America’s Thanksgiving Parade. Most years the event is held on the Saturday following Thanksgiving Day, November 24th, and features arts, crafts, entertainment and Santa.
Lodging:
Downtown Detroit has a wide variety of lodging available, including bed & breakfasts, resorts and casino hotels. If you plan to attend America's Thanksgiving Parade, you can search for downtown-Detroit lodging by price, rating or amenities.More Information:
- History of Detroit Parade
- History and Information About Detroit's Papier-Mache Heads
- The Parade Company's Website
