The Motown Museum is making its return to America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year! On Wednesday, November 15, an updated version of the Museum’s float was unveiled at the new Amazon Fulfillment Center in Detroit. This year, Amazon joins the parade for the first time as a sponsor of Motown Museum’s float, and their employees will be walking proudly alongside a replica of the iconic Hitsville USA house on Thanksgiving morning.
The atmosphere at the Amazon Fulfillment Center was packed with excitement as Hitsville NEXT artists, known as “The Fab 5,” performed Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” atop the float – a clever song choice marking the collaboration between Motown and Amazon. The group will board the float on Thursday morning to reprise this performance in the parade.
Several notable figures addressed the audience at the unveiling, sharing their enthusiasm about this collaboration. Ian Conyers, Head of Community Engagement at Amazon, expressed the company’s commitment to supporting the communities where it operates. Tony Michael, President and CEO of the Parade Company, highlighted the significance of Amazon’s involvement in the parade, marking a pivotal moment for both the company and the event. Robin Terry, Chairwoman and CEO of Motown Museum, spoke about how this partnership with Amazon marks a milestone in the ongoing celebration of Motown’s enduring legacy.
In a generous display of support, Amazon announced a $175,000 donation to the Motown Museum. This gift highlights the mutual commitment of both organizations to cultivating community engagement and underscores the Museum’s continuing role as a cultural cornerstone in Detroit.
As the Thanksgiving Day Parade unfolds on Thursday, November 23, viewers can catch a glimpse of the Motown Museum float in action, accompanied by The Fab 5, by tuning into WDIV Local 4 at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. The parade celebrates not only Thanksgiving, but a celebration of cultural impact, unity, and shared commitment to Detroit’s future.