BayToday Picture Play Gallery: Don't look for Ellen

Folks in North Bay who are looking to tune into Ellen or other favourite morning shows broadcast on cable channel 15 (WDIV Detroit) Thursday morning will find the popular talk show host has been pre-empted by an 81-year- old American tradition.

That’s right our American cousins will be celebrating their Thanksgiving holiday Thursday, so instead of the regular broadcast TV viewers can look forward to watching the 81st America's Thanksgiving Parade titled ‘Hats Off Detroit’.

BayToday had a special pre-event tour of the studio to see the larger-than- life floats being readied for the big day and had a moment to speak with Joan LeMahieu, The Parade Company President.

The Parade Company is a not-for-profit organization governed by the Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation to oversee the production on the big holiday spectacular as well as a number of other events including the July 4th celebration Target Fireworks, and Detroit International River Days.

With 12 fulltime staff members and better than 1500 volunteers who work year long, the America’s Thanksgiving Parade is one of the largest parades in the States second only to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York and the Rose Parade in California.

“It takes an incredibly supportive corporate community to put this on every year,” says LeMahieu.

“And we could not put this on without the dedicated support of our volunteers.”

The former Canadian says she is aware that the parade garners attention across the border as she has had a number of interviews with members of the Windsor media, but had no idea it carried into Northern Ontario, although she says the Detroit parade enjoys a healthy audience right across the U.S.

“We have three different audiences, first we have the hundreds of thousands of people who come down and line the streets to watch the parade, and then we have about 800-thousand people who will watch it locally on TV. We also have syndication everywhere including Alaska so that puts us in 102 million households.”

LeMahieu says the parade first appeared in 1924 and due to street construction over the years witnessed a number of route changes, and fortunately last year they were able to return to their roots.

“Each year the staff members meet to discuss themes ... last year we were getting ready for the holidays and found ourselves back in the heart of the city, and because the transition went so well and smoothly we decided this year (the day after the parade)we would say “hats off Detroit,” and salute our city with that theme.”

Grand Marshal Mickey Mouse and Co-Grand Marshal Nate Robertson, Detroit Tigers Pitcher, will lead the magnificent event that features 75 sectional units including floats, balloons, marching bands, along with celebrities Michelle Ray Smith (Ava Peralta on CBS’ Guiding Light), Chloe Greenfield (Sarah on ER and Lily in the movie 8 Mile), and R & B Sensation Paula DeAnda (Hit songs include Easy and Walk Away).

LeMahieu says the parade is an authentic generational event that offers something for everyone from all walks of life.

“I hope everyone comes down or tunes in to enjoy this wonderful spectacle.”

Things kick off with a parade preview special at 8 a.m., and live coverage at 9 a.m.