Tony Michaels, CEO of The Parade Company, said Wednesday that the balloons — six giant balloons are to be displayed in the parade — have a wind limit of 25 mph. If the wind meets or exceeds that limit, parade staff may have to replace the larger balloons with smaller ones.
Michaels said, “With this level of wind, it could mean that one or two balloons could be out of the parade, but we can’t be sure.” “This game time decision is based on tomorrow’s wind.”
Michaels said parade staff made “some repairs” to wind-damaged floats on Wednesday.
But Michaels said the parade will go ahead Wednesday afternoon.
“We’ve been here before,” Michaels said of the weather.
The parade will begin at 8:45 a.m. Thursday at the corner of Woodward Avenue and Kirby Street and end at Congress Street. According to the parade company’s website, along with the balloons, there will also be 29 floats.
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 include a Broadway performance of “The Lion King” and celebrity appearances including Dexter Bassey and Sam Richardson.
Mayor Mike Duggan and former TV journalist Devin Scillian are the grand marshals.
mbryan@detroitnews.com
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