Jalen Rose, Wendell Anthony named grand marshals of America's Thanksgiving Parade
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Two Detroit icons, Jalen Rose and the Rev. Wendell Anthony, will serve as grand marshals of America’s Thanksgiving Parade on Nov. 24, organizers announced Monday.
The 96th annual parade will return to Woodward Avenue from Midtown to downtown Detroit on Thanksgiving Day.
The Detroit tradition features marching bands, elaborate floats, mounted police, a clown corps and more. Public figures with ties to Detroit are chosen each year to serve as ceremonial leaders of the parade.
Last year's parade also featured a sports-faith pairing to serve as grand marshals — NFL Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson Jr. and Detroit Bishop Edgar Vann.
The event was voted the nation's best holiday parade by USA TODAY in 2019 and took second place in 2021.
Rose, a major sports media figure who often sings the praises of Detroit, was born and raised in the city and attended Southwestern High School and then the University of Michigan, where he was a part of the legendary “Fab Five” that led the Wolverines to back-to-back NCAA championship game appearances. After a 13-year NBA career, Rose is an ESPN analyst, author and philanthropist. In 2011, he established the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy in northwest Detroit, a charter high school that serves more than 400 students.
Anthony, president of the Detroit Branch NAACP, is an alum of Detroit Public Schools, Wayne State University, Marygrove College and the University of Detroit. He also serves on the NAACP National Board of Directors and has been pastor of Fellowship Chapel in Detroit for nearly 40 years. He is a founder of the Fannie Lou Hamer Political Action Committee and the Freedom Institute for Economic, Social Justice and People Empowerment.
“Both are incredible community leaders who exemplify all things great in our city. It is a thrill to honor them in this year’s parade," said Tony Michaels, CEO of The Parade Company, which puts on the celebration every year.
The parade, sponsored this year by Gardner White, takes place 10 a.m.-noon on Nov. 24 and will air live on WDIV-Local 4, with a one-hour syndicated national broadcast from 10-11 a.m., reaching more than 185 television markets across the country, according to a Parade Company news release. Audacy’s 104.3 WOMC will host live radio coverage 10 a.m.-noon overlooking the parade route.
Brendel Hightower is an assistant editor at the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at bhightower@freepress.com. To subscribe, go to freep.com/specialoffer.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Jalen Rose, Wendell Anthony to marshal Detroit Thanksgiving parade
