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November 20, 2015 - Hob Nobble Gobble - Detroit, MI

Once again a little bit of Hollywood has come to Detroit. The Hob Nobble Gobble presented by Ford Motor Company. This is a premier fundraising event celebrating 89 years of parade magic in Detroit to benefit the Parade Company, presented by Art Van, Strategic Staffing Solutions, Turkey Trot, and Ford Fireworks.

When you arrive at Ford Field, there is a red carpet on which you are being filmed so those inside can see you on the large screen. Guests are greeted by snowmen, elves, and tons of friendly volunteers from the Parade Company. Once inside you see Rory the Detroit Lions Mascot, a choir, video of last years’ Parades on a large screen playing behind the All City Marching Band, large parade balloons, Big Heads such as Bob Seger and, of course, Clownie himself.

Ford Motor Company has a large 4x4 truck on display near the area where you are handed a swag bag. After walking down what seemed like a million stairs for the women who had on high heels, you are on the football field, feeling like a kid in a candy store. The lights, the music, the swag, the food all re-create that pleasant remembrance from things that are real right now, not just a distant memory.

Santa’s Workshop food station was crammed with desserts, then there was Santa Claus himself (Paul W Smith from News/Talk 760 WJR). A real swag favorite were the large snow globes given out by Art Van. They featured Clownie, are musical, and will be a trigger for a favorite memory for years to come.

In case you wonder what other things there are to do at the Hob Nobble Gobble, there is a carnival midway with rides and games set up for all to enjoy, along with six swag stations where they will punch your ticket for each item you receive, so no going back for seconds! There is music, drinks soft and hard, all kinds of food, on and on.

Primetime Hob Nobble Gobble was aired live on WDIV-TV Local 4 from 8:00-8:30 p.m. Fifty Amp Fuse was on the stage, but we had to leave early to go capture the Tree Lighting before the main act, a special appearance by Tone Loc.

At the end of the night you are taken by shuttle to the main floor to exit. Then the valet retrieves your car and you are given a special surprise, left on your seat by Ford Motor Company. If you want to know what it was you will just have to attend next year’s event!

This year’s parade theme is going to be “So Happy Together” with parade Grand Marshal, actor, and Michigan native Tim Allen and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and native Detroit Honorary Grand Marshal Stephen Henderson.

Don’t forget you can take a magical behind-the-scenes tour of the Parade Company and see the world’s largest collection of papier-mâché heads, designed in Italy and with some having a more modern take by the artists at the studio. Also there are the larger-than-life floats for America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Art Van. Tours are offered year-round and are available for groups of 10 or more by reservation. Details are at theparade.org.

It’s all very, very good and a great way to begin the holiday season in metro Detroit!

http://theparade.org
https://www.facebook.com/TheParadeCo/?fref=ts