The holidays in Detroit are a time when friends, family and community come together to celebrate tradition and showcase the best the city has to offer. For visitors, views of buildings dressed in lights, the city’s beautifully decorated Christmas tree and the bustling scene of men, women and children filling Campus Martius Park may come as a surprise, but for Detroiters it is tradition.
Playing an important role in continuing the tradition is The Parade Company. Founded in 1984, it is a not-for-profit organization governed by the Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation. It is committed to funding, creating and executing America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Art Van as well as a number of other family events throughout the year. Celebrating 88 years, the parade has been a Thanksgiving morning staple throughout many Detroiters’ entire lives.
It takes a village . . . to raise a float
Ensuring the successful production of the parade and subsequent holiday events requires considerable support from individuals, volunteer groups and the community. That’s where Comerica comes in, providing sponsorship and volunteer support leading up to and during the parade.
“Comerica’s partnership with The Parade Company is part of our ongoing commitment to Detroit and its residents,” said Patricia McCann, vice president and national civic affairs manager, Comerica Bank. “It’s a pleasure to have the opportunity to support such an iconic Detroit institution that impacts so many throughout the community.”
The bank’s partnership with The Parade Company offers Comerica Cares volunteers the opportunity to have a hands-on role in building floats that eventually make their way down Woodward Avenue on Thanksgiving morning. So, to be expected, the Parade Studio is always a popular location for Comerica Cares volunteers. During the bank’s National Days of Service in September, Comerica Cares volunteers helped paint the pieces that would eventually make up a new Motown float.
For the past six years, the Comerica Charitable Foundation has partnered with The Parade Company to host a neighborhood Thanksgiving Dinner for Detroit Public Schools students and teachers. This November, more than 300 students and teachers from Roberto Clemente Academy enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, arts and craft projects and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Parade Studio.
“It’s wonderful to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving and share the tradition of the parade with so many Detroit Public Schools students,” said Janice Tessier, president, Comerica Charitable Foundation. “The dinner also educates the students about what it takes to put on the parade and its long history in Detroit.”
The support doesn’t stop there as Comerica Bank executives also flipped pancakes during the 15th annual VIP Pancake Breakfast at the Parade Studio a few weeks before the parade.
Comerica Cares volunteers dressed in Super Grover costumes served as balloon wranglers accompanying the Super Grover balloon during the parade. Comerica Bank also sponsored this popular balloon.
From building floats to guiding a giant balloon during the parade, as well as spreading a holiday cheer along the way, Comerica and its volunteers are committed to Detroit and giving its communities a holiday tradition of which they can be proud.
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