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Detroit Will Be 'Walking On Sunshine' At 2014 America's Thanksgiving Parade

DETROIT (WWJ) - The fine details have finally been revealed for the 88th Annual America's Thanksgiving Parade, set to march down Woodward Avenue on Thursday, Nov. 27.

Ice Dancing Olympic Gold Medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White will serve as co-grand marshals of the iconic parade, which steps off at 9 a.m. at the corner of Woodward Avenue and Kirby and ends just south of Campus Martius Park in downtown Detroit.

This year's theme is "Walking on Sunshine."

"For over eight decades, the parade has been a beloved tradition in Detroit," Tony Michaels, president and CEO of The Parade Company, said in a statement. "We look forward to a spectacular event showcasing our great city and creating lifelong memories for viewers of all ages."

The Parade Company and M-1 RAIL are working together to ensure that the parade route will be in place as it passes by some of Detroit's most notable landmarks including the Detroit Institute of Arts, Orchestra Hall, Comerica Park, the Fox Theatre and Campus Martius Park during its over three mile march along Woodward Avenue.

"We applaud the progress of the M-1 RAIL and appreciate the tremendous amount of work required for a project of this magnitude," said Michaels. "We have created a plan to work together during construction and beyond."

The parade is free to the public, although a limited amount of grandstand tickets are now available for purchase starting at $40.

It is not too early to start planning for parade day with numerous opportunities to become involved including:

• 32nd Annual Fifth Third Turkey Trot

Registration is now open for Michigan's largest 10K run. This annual event, which also includes the 5K Strategic Staffing Solutions Stuffing Strut and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Mashed Potato Mile, is already on pace for a record number of runners this year, with over 22,000 participants expected to run in holiday costume. Registration forms are available at www.theparade.org/turkeytrot.

• The Distinguished Clown Corps

For 31 years, this group of more than 180 corporate and community leaders have traded their business suits for clown suits to make their grand march down Woodward Avenue handing out beads.

• The Big Head Corps

This popular program offers young professionals the opportunity to become involved with The Parade Company, while also gaining a networking experience. With the world's largest and expanding collection of nearly 300 papier-mâché heads, The Parade Company's Big Head Corps will march down the parade route bringing smiles to faces and shedding light on one of Detroit's hidden jewels.

The two-hour parade will be featured on WDIV-TV Local 4, including a one-hour national broadcast reaching more than 140 major cities across the country.

For more information, visit www.theparade.org.

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