The city of Detroit has a long standing tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving Day that dates back over 80 years. Home of America’s Thanksgiving Parade, the second oldest Thanksgiving parade in the country, generations of Detroiters line the sidewalks year after year to kick off the holiday season. Founded in 1903, Ford Motor Company has remained a constant in the Detroit community for the past 114 years. During the city’s 91st edition of the parade, Ford has announced that their vehicles will haul over 45 floats in this year’s annual community celebration.
Front and center, Ford will once again be the driving force behind this year’s America’s Thanksgiving Parade. The trio of all-new SUVs - the Ford Expedition, the Ford Explorer and the Ford EcoSport - the smallest of Ford’s sport utility vehicles - will be doing the heavy-duty hauling that only they can do.
Ford has announced plans for a new Mobility One float that will focus on the company's long history of innovation, from the early days Henry Ford, all the way to the advancement of autonomous vehicles.
Two Detroit natives - Grammy-nominated rapper Big Sean - a participant in Ford Fund’s Men of Courage project - and longtime Detroit broadcaster Carmen Harlan will hold the title of Grand Marshall for the event.
“Generations of men, women and children have cherished memories of the parade and the joy and excitement they shared as a family,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund. “Ford is proud to support America’s Thanksgiving Parade, the Ford Fireworks and so many other social activities that enrich our community life and make us all Detroiters.”
The Ford Fund program, which helps provide essential goods to those in need, has partnered with local Detroit organizations to provide assistance to the needy. These projects include:
The Parade Company and Gleaners Community Food Bank - Ford Fund is teaming with these two outstanding groups to provide food to the hungry. Gleaners reports there are more than 670,000 people in southeast Michigan – including 200,000-plus children – who do not know where their next meal will come from. A $20 donation can feed a family for a week. Contributions can be made at gcfb.org or by calling 855.315.FOOD (3663).
Detroit Agency on Aging - Ford is partnering with the Detroit Agency on Aging to provide more than 6,000 Thanksgiving dinners to homebound seniors.
The annual Thanksgiving Day parade in Detroit is broadcasted in more than 170 television markets across the country. The parade begins at 8:50 a.m. at Woodward Avenue and Kirby Street near the Detroit Institute of Arts.