Detroit Mayor and Longtime News Anchor Picked as Grand Marshals for 99th Thanksgiving Parade

Two city icons will steer Detroit's cherished holiday tradition this year. Mike Duggan and former TV anchor Devin Scillian take the helm of the 99th America's Thanksgiving Parade on November 27, 2025. The announcement came from The Parade Company.

"Thanksgiving Day and Detroit are synonymous, and we are thrilled to have Mayor Duggan and Devin Scillian as our Grand Marshals for America's Thanksgiving Parade presented by Gardner White," said Tony Michaels, President and CEO of The Parade Company according to ClickOnDetroit.

"After nearly three decades of hosting the parade, it's hard to describe the thrill of moving from the broadcast booth to the parade itself," Scillian said. "It's the best day of any year in Detroit, and I'm so honored to help lead the march down Woodward Avenue."

Last winter marked the end of an era when Scillian bid farewell to WDIV Local 4. His 30-year run at the station brought recognition and praise for outstanding news coverage. Now, instead of describing the parade from above, he'll wave to crowds from the street below.

The Mayor's path to public service started in the courts. After earning his law degree at the University of Michigan, he worked as Wayne County's deputy executive. His time running Michigan's biggest city has drawn praise from across the country.

This year's celebration puts Detroit front and center with its theme "Thanksgiving is Better in Detroit." The spectacle mixes time-honored customs with the city's famous football spirit. TV stations in 185 markets will broadcast the event nationwide on Thanksgiving morning.

Viewers can watch the festivities live on WDIV Local 4, Local 4+, and ClickOnDetroit as floats and bands fill Woodward Avenue. The broadcast starts Thanksgiving morning, November 27.