ACES

Detroit is home to the second largest Thanksgiving Day Parade - "America's Thanksgiving Day Parade" - second to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Parade, first marching in 1924, stretches along Detroit's famous Woodward Avenue, and passes directly infront of Orchestra Hall. The architecture of the Max M. Fisher Music Center has glass windows alongside Woodward Avenue - perfect for viewing the parade on a blustery, cold, and snowy Thanksgiving Day (like this year!).

ACES (Association of Civic Ensemble Supporters) is an organization of parents involved in building a strong musical foundation for their children. ACES works to enhance their children's musical experiences and opportunities, mainly doing so through fundraising. For their second year, ACES found an incredible opportunity for fundraising - selling tickets for warmth and fun inside The Max for the Thanksgiving Parade! They had activities of all kinds set up, good food, warm drinks, and jazz ensembles (of Civic jazz ensemble members) performing throughout the morning. In addition, ACES set up bleachers infront of The Max and Orchestra Hall for additional viewing opportunities. All in all, a good time was had by everyone - and a big thank you goes out to the ACES family. Without their dedication and support, events such as this would leave a huge void in funding the variety of opportunities for their children.