America's Thanksgiving Parade Route "Pinched" Due To M-1 Construction [VIDEO]

By Edward Cardenas

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - For America's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the show must go on.

When the bands, floats and dignitaries step off Thursday morning for the 88th edition of parade, they will march down the traditional route on Woodward.

But with M-1 Rail construction, there will be some tweaks -- or "pinch points" -- along the nearly three-mile route.

"We are good to go from Kirby at the DIA all the way south to Campus Martius," said Tony Michaels, president & CEO, The Parade Company. "There  is going to be three pinch points where the parade will narrow a bit, and then it will open back up."

According to parade officials, the first along the route will be from Putnam to Warren Ave. on the west side of Woodward. Sidewalks and viewing on the west side of the street in this area will be obstructed. In this area, the Parade will travel on the east side of Woodward Ave. grandstand seats and curbside viewing are available in front of the Detroit Institute of Arts on the east side of the street.

As the parade progresses, a second pinch point will be from Alexandrine to Watson on the east side of Woodward. The Parade will travel on the west side of Woodward Ave. In this area and there will be curbside viewing on the west side of the street.

The third pinch point is located from Winder to Montcalm on the west side of Woodward and includes the I-75 overpass and ends in front of Hockeytown Cafe. Sidewalks and viewing will be closed to the public in this area.

The Parade will travel on the east side of Woodward Ave. with viewing areas on the east side of Woodward, but will not be allowed on the I-75 overpass.

Pinch points will be  completed at Montcalm and Woodward, the site of Hockeytown Cafe. The remainder of the route is open and construction free.

While Michaels encourages Metro Detroiters to take in the parade, he also wants parade-goers to take in all of the positive changes in Detroit.

"We are urging everybody to not only come down for the parade, but check out the great progress in the city of Detroit," said Michaels. "It is amazing."