Jim Leyland, Sixto Rodriguez, Paws, Star in 87th America’s Thanksgiving Parade

WDIV-TV Local 4 is the official television station of the 87th America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Art Van. The annual broadcast, live from Woodward Avenue, is hosted by Local 4 anchors Carmen Harlan, Devin Scillian, Chuck Gaidica, Rhonda Walker and Evrod Cassimy, and begins at 9 a.m. Thanksgiving morning.  The national broadcast, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., reaches more than 140 major cities across the country.

Local 4 News Today’s coverage begins at 6 a.m. with a Special Thanksgiving Edition followed at 8 a.m. with a Parade Preview live from the parade route. Rhonda Walker, Evrod Cassimy, Chuck Gaidica, Brandon Roux, Ashlee Baracy and Lauren Podell take viewers behind-the-scenes for an up-close view of all the excitement going on Thanksgiving morning.  Plus, the latest weather forecasts for parade day and up-to-the-minute traffic and parking updates so those headed downtown can avoid delays and road closures.  

Featured performances include “American Idol” winner, current “Biggest Loser” contestant and platinum-selling recording artist Ruben Studdard; Grammy Award-winning songwriter Allee Willis along with the Mid American Pompon All Stars; Local 4’s own Devin Scillian in a duet with Detroit powerhouse Jill Jack; Cash Money recording artist Sarah Lenore; and loyal Lions’ fan and fight song singer Theo “Gridiron” Spight.

Special celebrities appearing in America’s Thanksgiving Parade include Grand Marshal and former Detroit Tigers manager, Jim Leyland; “Project Runway” finalist Melissa Fleis; Disney’s “Teen Beach Movie” star, Garrett Clayton; “Top Chef Masters” winner Douglas Keane; Detroit-born and world-acclaimed singer/songwriter Sixto Rodriguez; and Detroit’s favorite mascots: Paws, Roary and Hooper.

Throughout America’s Thanksgiving Parade broadcast on Local 4, viewers can win special prizes while watching at home. They can also vote for their favorite high school bands marching at the parade, in our “Battle of the Bands” contest, as well as vote for the “best choreography around a float” at ClickOnDetroit.com.  Local 4’s news and parade coverage will be livestreamed on ClickOnDetroit.com from 6 a.m. to Noon Thanksgiving day.

Thanksgiving Morning Lineup

6 a.m. to 8 a.m.: Local 4 News Today: Special Thanksgiving Edition

8 a.m. to 9 a.m.: Local 4 News Today: Parade Preview

9 a.m. to noon: America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Art Van