As we inch closer to "America's Thanksgiving Parade presented by Art Van," let's get ready for one of the biggest events in Detroit with 10 fun facts that you may have not known!
- The parade is televised nationally for one hour, from 10 to 11 a.m., to over 165 cities across the U.S.
- When it began, it was known as the Michigan Thanksgiving Parade.
- The Distinguished Clown Corps has been around for 33 years, and features local corporate and community leaders dressed as clowns.
- The parade first went down Woodward Avenue in 1924, which happens to be the same year New York City began its holiday parade.
- The Parade was first televised locally in 1948, and now reaches over 100-million viewers
- In 1943 and 1944, the parade was suspended due to shortages in material from World War II.
- This year's parade features eight new floats.
- For generations, the holiday season did not start until Santa Claus stepped from his float to the Woodward storefront of the now-closed Hudson's Department Store to accept the key to the city. For many, that same tradition still lives to this day.
- The Parade Company which was founded in 1990 has not only managed and planned America's Thanksgiving Parade, but other events such as Windsor-Detroit International Freedom Festival, and all four Red Wings Stanley Cup Championship parades.
- "America's Thanksgiving Parade" shares the title for "second-oldest" parade in the country, tied with New York City, and second to Philadelphia.
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Don't miss "America's Thanksgiving Parade," live on Local 4, November 24th - coverage begins at 6 a.m./Parade begins at 10 a.m.! You can also watch it live streamed on ClickOnDetroit.com