Thousands of spectators braved near-freezing temperatures and gusty winds to line Woodward Avenue in Detroit for the 99th running of America’s Thanksgiving Parade.
Bundled in winter coats and hats, those in the crowd cheered on the line of marching bands, decorated vehicles, giant balloons and 29 colorful floats as they maneuvered the 3-mile route to downtown, a journey that took about three hours.
Many of those watching the parade in Downtown were in Detroit Lions gear and planning to watch the team battle the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field in the early afternoon after the parade.
This year’s parade theme was “Thanksgiving is Better in Detroit!,” and the grand marshals were Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, whose term ends after this year, and Devin Scillian, the longtime WDIV-TV (Channel 4) news anchor who retired late last year. The parade’s presenting sponsor was Gardner White furniture.
Despite this year’s windier conditions, many large balloons still made appearances.
Detroit resident John Olumba came out to watch with seven of his children. He said they have been attending the parade for many years and it has become a family tradition.
“No matter how warm it is in the days leading up — it’s always cold today!” he said of his Thanksgiving Day weather expectations. “So we’re still having a good time, despite the fact that it’s really cold out today.”
New this year were eight more parade floats plus an additional papier mâché Big Head, this one in the likeness of Detroit Tigers great Kirk Gibson.
What’s more, those watching the parade pass had an opportunity to stroll the recently reopened sidewalk in front of the Hudson’s Detroit building, and could check out the new holiday vendors and giant Teddy bear.
Tim Baise, of Kewadin in Atrium County, made a four-hour drive with his 8-year-old granddaughter so they could watch the parade in person. He said it was the eighth to 10th time that he has made the very early morning trip.
“We come every year,” Baise said. “It’s been cold for a couple years and it’s pretty chilly with the wind.”
Another long-distance traveler was Karen Murtagh, who was visiting from Chicago. She grew up in St. Clair Shores and said she has probably attended the parade 10 times in her life, although this year was her first visit in about 30 years.
Murtagh, her mother and her 10-year-old daughter watched the conclusion of the parade near Campus Martius. She said that she especially enjoyed the regimented performance of the briefcase drill team, which she remembers seeing in the parade years ago when she was a young girl.
“I wanted to show my 10-year-old all the great things in Detroit,” she said. “We go to parades in Chicago all the time, but there’s a really cool energy here.”
Contact JC Reindl: 313-378-5460 or jcreindl@freepress.com. Follow him on X @jcreindl
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: America’s Thanksgiving Parade draws thousands to cold, win in Detroit
Reporting by JC Reindl, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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