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America's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Hosted by Detroit Spartans.

  • Alumni Club/Affinity Group
  • In-Person
  • Community Development
1 of 30 volunteers have pledged their time

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Project Description

Come join the Detroit Spartans at America's Thanksgiving Day Parade! The Parade is looking for multiple volunteers to assist with everything from outside positions such as grand stand ushers and banner carriers, to inside positions such as clown breakfast helpers and volunteer services.

Please note you MUST register at the link below to be a part of the parade, if you do not register directly on the website you will not be allowed to volunteer. Please make sure to read job descriptions before finalizing your selections

https://www.hugheswarevolunteersystem.com/become_a_volunteer/2024-thanksgiving-parade

Report Time: Check-in time for Volunteers can be as early as 5:00 AM on Parade morning, with most volunteers checking in around 6:00 AM. Most Volunteers are finished around 11:30 a.m., with some positions requiring volunteers to be onsite until around 2:00 p.m. Please be aware that the Parade is a rain, shine, or snow event, so please dress for the weather and come prepared to have a great time! Each of the following Parade Day jobs will require:

  • Attendance at the Volunteer Zoom Q & A Orientation Meeting in mid November will be required if you have never previously volunteered
  •  A Costume Fitting (Costume, Jumpsuit or Jacket)
  • Participates must have the ability to walk at least 3 miles
  •  Ability to be outside, standing, walking, in the elements (cold, rain, snow, sunshine) for an extended period of time.

Community Partner - The Parade Company

The Parade Company Accommodations

About The Parade Company

The Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation

The Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation was founded in 1982 for the purpose of staging and perpetuating America’s Thanksgiving Parade® presented by Gardner White, Michigan’s grandest and most cherished civic event.  It is governed by key civic and corporate leaders representing the primary industrial, retail, automotive and institutional organizations that define the greater Detroit community.  Their active involvement ensures that America’s Thanksgiving Parade® presented by Gardner White, remains a vital part of metropolitan Detroit’s cultural community.

The Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation also includes a volunteer corps of 1,500.  These dedicated individuals contribute to the staging of America’s Thanksgiving Parade® presented by Gardner White, under the supervision of Michigan’s Thanksgiving Parade Foundation and a full-time management staff of event, marketing, and creative professionals.

The Parade

The Michigan Thanksgiving Parade, now known as America’s Thanksgiving Parade® presented by Gardner White, was founded in 1924.  For more than 75 years, The Parade has been a one-of-a-kind spectacle of fantasy, holiday spirit and community enthusiasm.  The Parade has grown to include more than 75 parade units, including floats, balloons and marching bands in procession.

America’s Thanksgiving Parade® presented by Gardner White is Detroit’s most visible civic event, a positive demonstration of the best this community has to offer to its people and the greater American community.  Exceptional curbside attendance as well as extensive “live” radio and television coverage, on a regional and national level, combine to create unparalleled marketing and promotional exposure for the City of Detroit.

Our Events

In an effort to expand the reach and impact of America’s Thanksgiving Parade® presented by Gardner White, The Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation also has produced a variety of auxiliary fundraising and community outreach events including Hob Nobble Gobble® presented by Ford, a spectacular black-tie fundraising event; Ford Fireworks, a Detroit Kick-off to summer; the 1998, 1999 & 2002 Red Wings Victory ParadesThe 1998 University of Michigan Rose Bowl Victory Parade; the 1999 Big Balloon Parade staged in Green Bay, Wisconsin; and The Parade Company assisted Australia with their Centenary of Federation Parade on January 1, 2001.

The Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization.  Funding is derived from corporate sponsorships, foundations and individual donations.  The Foundation receives no local, state or federal appropriations.  The Parade Company is the marketing and operating division of The Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation.

Website: https://theparade.org/

Project Date

Nov. 28, 2024

Project Locations and Shifts

Parade Studio
9500 Mt Elliot St
Detroit, MI 48211
  • 6 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    (29 spots available)

Project Coordinator

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