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Turkey Trot, Parade Kick Off Thanksgiving 2012

DETROIT (WWJ) - Folks dressed as turkeys, snowmen, super heroes joined the floats downtown early Thursday morning as Thanksgiving 2012 kicked off in Detroit.

Festive costumes were worn by some of those taking part in the Fifth Third Turkey Trot run and walk that drew a crowd of more than 20,000. "I've done this for 29 years," said Kevin Sherwood who dressed up as Captain America.  "I decided to make my best costume ever and it's always fun to work the crowd and say hi to the kids."

The 86th annual America's Thanksgiving Day Parade stepped off at around 10 a.m., with thousands of fans lining Woodward Avenue, traveling through downtown to Jefferson Ave.

"This shows us everything our city can be," said Cindy Pasky from Strategic Staffing Solutions who was walking with her dog.  The company had two floats in the parade.

Click here for more information on the parade.

Speaking live on WWJ Newsradio 950 earlier Thursday, Art Van Elslander, owner of Art Van, said the day kicks off the holiday season and he "loves every minute" of his ride down Woodward on the Art Van float.

After the parade, the focus of Thanksgiving will be on dinner, football and then holiday shopping.  (Black Friday Store Hours - Black Friday Deals)

Happy Thanksgiving!

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