NEWS

Get ready for America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit

Cassandra Spratling
Detroit Free Press
At the Parade Company’s studio earlier this month, volunteer Ron Dershem, 65, of Davisburg paints a replica of "The Spirit of Detroit" for < 137 > the "Plugging in the World" < 137 > a float sponsored by Lear, a new addition to America's Thanksgiving Parade. < 137 > Volunteer Ron Dershem, 65, of Davisburg paints "The Spirit of Detroit" as a part of the "Plugging in the World" float sponsored by Lear Corporation, a new edition to America's Thanksgiving Parade at the Parade Company' s studio in Detroit on Nov. 11, 2014. < 137 > < 252 > < 137 > Olympic Gold Medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White will be the grand marshals for America's Thanksgiving Parade on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014. < 252 > < 137

Move over, hard-hats, some big heads are set to parade down Woodward Avenue this Thursday.

Construction of the new M-1 railway system along Woodward Avenue will make way for floats, celebrities, clowns and, yes, some really big heads, when America's Thanksgiving Parade steps off at 8:50 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning.

"The 2014 edition of America's Thanksgiving Parade presented by Art Van is actually going to be bigger, bolder and better than ever," said the Parade Company president and CEO Tony Michaels. "Not only do we urge everyone to come down for the parade, but also to take in the progress of the city of Detroit, which is so exciting to see."

Olympic ice-dancing gold medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White, this year's grand marshals, will be among a bevy of celebrities joining this year's parade, themed "Walking on Sunshine."

Four new floats will be among the 21 floats, 13 bands, and more than 100 clowns that will lead the way for Santa's official Detroit visit.

Royal Oak natives Davis and White, who in February became the first American team to win the Olympic gold medal for ice dancing, say they're looking forward to being leaders of a parade they've watched on television since childhood (an estimated half-million people are expected to watch this year).

"It's always been a part of our family tradition to watch the parade on TV before watching the Lions on Thanksgiving Day," says White, whose trademark thick head of wavy hair became so popular, it has its own Twitter handle.

Will spectators get to see it?

"It depends on how cold it is if I have to wear a hat or not," White says.

But you can follow his hair on Twitter @CharliesCurls.

Though cold temperatures may call for bundling up, winter weather is something both enjoy.

"I love the cold," says Davis, who also won TV's "Dancing with the Stars" in May. "Ever since I was a little girl, I've loved chillier weather. I love the sort of coziness of it all, but there's also something so energizing about cold weather that I'm naturally drawn to it."

The ice-dancing champions share a love for many things. In separate interviews, each one said they enjoy classical music, and their favorite holiday song is Bing Crosby's "White Christmas."

But asked to name their favorite Detroit spots, it was all about sports for White: Ford Field, Comerica Park and Joe Louis Arena. "And we've been fortunate enough to skate at Campus Martius Park and it's really quite beautiful there," he says.

Davis' choice stops are the Whitney, the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Fox Theatre.

The more than 3-mile parade will go past several of the favorite places for both of them.

When it comes to the parade they are, as usual, in harmony.

"Charlie and I have always lived in metro Detroit," Davis says. "To be a part of a tradition that's very much a part of the city we grew up in is really exciting for us."

The hectic holiday gives them a chance to break from a busy performance schedule to slow down and relax.

"Last year, around this time, we were so focused because we knew we'd be headed to the Olympic Games shortly afterward, so this year we're so excited to fully embrace the holiday spirit," Davis says. "I can't think of a better place to be than home for the holidays."

Parade Route for the 2014 America's Thanksgiving Parade

Parade particulars

The approximately two-hour, 3-mile America's Thanksgiving Parade steps off at 8:50 a.m. at Kirby and Woodward. It heads south down Woodward and ends at Congress, just beyond Campus Martius in downtown Detroit.

WDIV-TV (Channel 4) will broadcast live from the parade, beginning with a special Thanksgiving edition of its news program at 6 a.m. Parade coverage will be from 9-11 a.m. It will be nationally broadcast to 140 cities from 10-11 a.m.

The parade also will be broadcast live on WJR-AM (760).

'Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming'

Here's a sample of Detroit-area singer Cassaundra Fitch singing "Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming," which she'll sing as the parade kicks off Thursday morning. The song written and produced for her by noted artist, Dan Yessian, is an up-beat pop song that celebrates Detroit's revitalization.

Parade by the numbers

■ Number of bands: 13

■ Number of balloons: 8

■ Number of papier-mâché heads (Big Heads): 150

■ Number of Distinguished Clown Corps members: More than 180

■ Number of volunteer clowns: 100

■ Number of floats: 21

■ Number of beads: 300,000

■ Number of runners in Turkey Trot: 20,000

Street closings

■ Woodward Avenue from West Grand Blvd. to Warren will be closed from 6 p.m. Wednesday to 2 p.m. Thursday.

■ Woodward Avenue from Warren to Jefferson will be shut down beginning at 3 a.m. Thursday until the conclusion of the parade.

■ Emergency vehicles only will be allowed to cross Woodward Avenue at Warren, Mack/Myrtle, Alexandrine, Montcalm and Adams.

This year, the parade is being held in a construction zone as a result of the M-1 Rail. Along Woodward Avenue, there are three locations (called pinch points) where parade viewing will be restricted:

■ Woodward from Putnam to Warren (viewing only from east side of Woodward)

■ Woodward from Alexandrine to Watson (viewing only from west side of Woodward in certain locations)

■ Woodward from Winder to Montcalm (viewing from east side of Woodward only. No viewing will be allowed on the I-75 overpass).

The following streets will have limited access beginning at noon Wednesday through the end of the parade:

■ Amsterdam/Piquette from Cass to John R

■ Harper from Cass to John R

■ Palmer from Cass to John R

■ Ferry from Cass to John R

■ Farnsworth/Putnam from Cass to John R

The following streets will be closed from 6 a.m. to approximately 10 a.m. Thursday to accommodate the Turkey Trot — a 1-mile, 5K or 10K run or trot before the parade.

■ Fort Street from Trumbull to Woodward

■ Congress from Shelby to Randolph

■ Larned from Shelby to Randolph

■ Shelby from Congress to Michigan

■ Michigan from Cass to Woodward

■ Monroe from Woodward to Randolph

■ Lafayette Blvd. from Trumbull to Griswold

■ Washington Blvd. from Adams to Congress

■ Atwater from Civic Center Drive to Third

In addition, the southbound Lodge exits at West Jefferson/Cobo and Larned Street (Exits 1A & 1B) and the northbound Lodge exit at West Jefferson (Exit 1A) will be closed during the Turkey Trot. The Larned exit will not reopen until after the parade ends.

People can ride the Detroit People Mover free from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, courtesy of Michelin North America.

Where to eat along the route

Looking for special places to eat, drink and be merry while or before or after watching the parade in downtown Detroit?

A few to consider are:

Michigan State University's Detroit Center will host a breakfast buffet and party for parade watchers. The "Spartans on Parade for Kids" event will raise money for students in financial need at the MSU Community Music School in Detroit.

Participants can take in the parade from reserved sidewalk seating in front of the school and window views from inside. It includes a breakfast buffet, hot chocolate and coffee, plus crafts and live musical performances from students and teachers.

The event will be 7:30 a.m.-noon. Cost is $40, $25 for children 12 and under.

Tickets are sold only in advance. For tickets or more info visit: www.cms.msu.edu/detroittickets

R.U.B BBQ Pub and Taqo, 18 W. Adams, offers a parade-day brunch featuring breakfast stations, clown face-painting, a live DJ and more from 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

The cost is $24.99, $14.99 for kids 5-13.

For reservations and more info, call 313-964-0782.

Avalon International Breads, 422 W. Willis, will be open from 7 a.m.-1 p.m., offering hot drinks and freshly baked breads and pies.

Addison Eatery, 3111 Woodward Ave. (formerly Atlas Global Bistro), will be open with a special breakfast buffet from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. The cost is $25, $10 15 and under. Individual breakfast items and hot drinks will also be sold on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. For info, 313-832-3111 or addisoneatery.com.

The Majestic Cafe and Theater, 4140 Woodward, will offer a breakfast buffet from 7 a.m.-noon. Cost is $20, $10 for 12 and under. Prime viewing from the windows will be available on a first-come, first-see basis. For info, call 313-833-9700.

Fountain Bistro at Campus Martius, 800 Woodward Ave, will be open 7 a.m.-4 p.m., offering its brunch menu. 313-237-7778.

The Dime Store restaurant, 719 Griswold, will be open 8 a.m.-1 p.m. offering breakfast items and hot drinks, plus its regular lunch menu starting at 11 a.m. For more info, call 313-962-9106.

Two Starbucks locations near the parade route will be open. The coffee shop at 3670 Woodward at Mack will be open 6 a.m.-3 p.m. The Campus Martius Starbucks at 777 Woodward will be open 6 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where to park

The Detroit Municipal Parking Department recommends the following facilities for America's Thanksgiving Parade and the Turkey Trot.

■ Ford Underground Garage: 30 E. Jefferson Ave., 5 a.m.-6 p.m., $10.

■ Joe Louis Arena: 900 W. Jefferson Ave., 4:30 a.m.-1 p.m., $10.

■ Millennium Garage: 423 W. Congress, 24 hours, $10.

In addition, the following facilities are recommended for the Detroit Lions game.

■ Grand Circus Park Garage: 1600-01 Woodward Ave., 24 hours, $20.

■ Premier Underground Garage: 1206-08 Woodward Ave., 5 a.m.-7 p.m., $10.