Detroit Marks 100 Years of Thanksgiving Parade

A new exhibit at the Detroit Historical Museum celebrates a century of America’s Thanksgiving Parade with artifacts from the Parade Company archives, historical footage and interactive features. Visitors can explore milestones including Santa’s first parade appearance in 1935, learn about the marching bands, clowns and oversized heads, and sit for a photo on Santa’s throne. Museum admission is free on Sundays.

The parade’s 100th edition is scheduled for November 26. Organizers plan 28 floats, including nine new ones, under the theme “This is 100.” The floats will feature themes from reading education to the Spirit of Detroit.

The Parade Company designs and builds the floats for the roughly three-mile procession along Woodward Avenue. Organizers say the work involves about 2,000 volunteers and takes a year of planning and construction. Each float reflects a sponsor’s message, presented in a family-friendly way.

Tony Michaels, the company’s president and CEO, said the anniversary celebration would feature new floats and brands. He described the parade as a longstanding city tradition that has weathered changes in ownership and difficult periods over its 100 years.

People anticipating the event described it as a chance for the community to gather and share in the parade. The museum exhibit offers visitors a look back at the event’s history as Detroit prepares for this year’s milestone march.