Thanksgiving Day is expected to bring wind and snow to Detroit, which could force some changes to this year’s America’s Thanksgiving Parade, especially if winds exceed 25 mph.
As of 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, the National Weather Service forecasts snow “likely” between midnight Wednesday and 4 a.m. Thursday in Detroit. The city has a chance of snow and wind around 21 mph with gusts as high as 39 mph on Thanksgiving Day.
Tony Michaels, CEO of The Parade Company, said Wednesday that the balloons in the parade — six giant balloons are to be featured — have a 25 mph wind limit. If the wind meets or exceeds that limit, parade staff might have to switch out the large balloons for smaller ones.
“It could mean, with this level of wind, that a balloon or two might have to sit out the parade, but we’re not sure,” Michaels said. “It’s a gametime decision based on the wind tomorrow.”
Michaels said parade staff made “a couple of repairs” to floats from wind damage Wednesday.
But Michaels said Wednesday afternoon the parade will go forward.
“We’ve been here before,” Michaels said of the weather.
The parade will start at the corner of Woodward Avenue and Kirby Street at 8:45 a.m. Thursday and end at Congress Street. Along with the balloons, it’ll feature 29 floats, according to the Parade Company’s website.
This year’s parade will feature nine marching bands and groups including several dance companies, the Detroit Fire Department’s clown team, Ford Motor Company Pace Cars and the Willow Run Rosie the Riveter Lunchbox Drill Team. It will also feature a Broadway performance from “The Lion King” and celebrity appearances including Dexter Bussey and Sam Richardson.
Mayor Mike Duggan and former TV journalist Devin Scillian are the grand marshals.
