Birmingham Community Honors Veterans at Annual Parade

Good weather, turnout marks the 2013 Celebrate Birmingham Parade.

  Hundreds of Birmingham-area residents honored and represented the community as well as local veterans during the Celebrate Birmingham Parade downtown on Sunday. Waving mini-flags and playing noisemakers provided by those marching on the parade route, children and adults of all ages lined parts of South Old Woodward Avenue and other downtown streets to see more than 50 individuals, groups and entertainers show their spirit and hometown pride. "This is a lot of fun, and not something you see everyday," said Chris, who made her first trip to the annual parade from Madison Heights with her family. They were among the lucky ones to arrive early enough Sunday afternoon to grab a shady bench spot along the parade route to beat the 80-degree …

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Art Aisner

6:54 pm on Monday, May 20, 2013

Nice Courteney! I'm actually in that shot for a moment   more ›

Security at Celebrate Birmingham Parade Everyone's Job

The Birmingham Police Department has people and resources planned and in place for today's celebration, but they want your help too, chief says.

  The Birmingham Police Department will have a strong, visible presence in today's Celebrate Birmingham Parade, and among the crowds anticipated to watch the community procession on South Old Woodward Avenue, Chief Don Studt said Friday. Despite recent tragedies like the Boston Marathon bombings, and last week's mass shooting at a Mother's Day parade in New Orleans that could raise concerns about 'soft' targets, the department has not seen a specific need to address how to deal with crowds in open events downtown. "I think everyone's aware of what's gone on recently in our country and in our world today, and importance of staying vigilant," Studt said. "You always want to be aware of your surroundings and people that are out there to cause…

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Parking at the Celebrate Birmingham Parade

Where to go and how to get there — whether you're participating in the parade or just trying to avoid the crowds — this Sunday.

The Celebrate Birmingham Hometown Parade will take over downtown for a few hours this Sunday, which may make parking, or just getting around town a little tougher, whether you're participating or not.   Where to park: Street parking will not be available along the parade route, which is nearly identical to last year, except it launches from Daines Street and Old Woodward Avenue. The parade then travels north on Old Woodward, turns west on Maple and south on Bates Street before concluding in Shain Park. The closest city parking garages to the parade route are the Pierce Street Parking Garage and the Peabody Street Parking Garage. Plan for Pierce Street Reconstruction The Pierce Street construction project, approved in late 2012, is well …

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What to Know About the Celebrate Birmingham Parade This Sunday

Here's a primer about this weekend's Celebrate Birmingham Hometown Parade Starting at 1 p.m. Sunday.

The Celebrate Birmingham Hometown Parade returns this weekend to start the summer season with marching bands, a whiskers and waggles pet parade, and a special focus on our local veterans. “We’re so excited about this year’s parade,” said Celebrate Birmingham Chairwoman Sandy Debicki. “We’ve worked really hard to make this event even better than years past and we can’t wait to see all the smiling faces as we strike up the band and let the drums roll.” Debicki said between 80 and 100 veterans representing nearly a dozen different veteran's groups from around southeast Michigan plan to attend. "So many of these veterans never get thanked for what they've done and sacrificed for our country, and it's going to be great to thank and honor them …

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Courteney Gettel

2:22 pm on Thursday, May 16, 2013

The award winning 210+ member Seaholm Marching Band will be marching in the parade. Come see the band who just played on the USS Missouri in Hawaii....They are an amazing sight to see!   more ›

How to Get Involved in the 2013 Celebrate Birmingham Parade

Forms are due Friday, April 26 for those who want to participate in the parade or be a sponsor.

There's still time to get involved in the 2013 Celebrate Birmingham Parade, which will be held at 1 p.m. on May 19. The parade, which will bring marching bands, fire trucks and more through downtown Birmingham, is the city's annual celebration of spring. The theme this year is "Red, White & Blue." If you want to participate in the parade, complete and submit a Participate Form by this Friday, April 26. Confirmation letters will be sent out during the second week of May. Sponsorship Forms are also due on Friday. The parade will start on South Old Woodward at Daines, travel north on Old Woodward, west on Maple, south on Bates and end in Shain Park. Find more information about the parade here or contact the Birmingham City Clerk's office at …

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Get Out Your 'Red, White & Blue' for the 2013 Celebrate Birmingham Parade

The annual parade, to be held May 19 in downtown Birmingham, goes patriotic in 2013. Plus, if you're planning on participating this year, you have a month left to sign up.

Save the Date: Celebrate Birmingham Parade Set for May

This year's parade will feature the Whiskers and Waggles Pet Parade and kids activities at Shain Park.

Spring is here which means one thing: parade season is approaching. In early February, the Birmingham City Commission officially set the date for the 2013 Celebrate Birmingham Parade: May 19 at 1 p.m. On that date, everyone from local marching bands and politicians to clowns and fire trucks will march through downtown Birmingham in the city's annual celebration of spring. This year's theme: "Red, White & Blue."  “Participating in the parade is such a fun experience, and it offers vast exposure for teams and organizations,” said Celebrate Birmingham Chairperson Sandy Debicki in a recent release. “It’s a great way to get involved with the community and become a part of a long-standing community tradition.” Last year's parade was the first …

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VIDEO: Marching Bands Entertain Crowds at Celebrate Birmingham Parade

Marching bands from Seaholm and Groves high schools march down South Old Woodward during the Celebrate Birmingham Parade Sunday.

Marching bands from Seaholm and Groves high schools entertained the crowd during the Celebrate Birmingham Parade Sunday in downtown Birmingham. There was plenty to keeps the crowds excited during the annual event, including a Whiskers and Waggles Pet Parade, local politicians and community groups and plenty of loud fire trucks and police motorcycles. In addition, the Junior League of Birmingham hosted an afternoon of games and activities for the kids at the end of the parade route in Shain Park. For more photos of the Seaholm and Groves marching bands, as well as photos of the entire parade, visit Celebrate Birmingham Parade Comes to Town With Marching Bands, Fire Trucks and Plenty of Pooches. Do you have your own photos from the Celebrate…

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Joan Berndt

3:25 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012

How nice to see and hear a traditional Groves HS Band again! Congratulations!   more ›

Celebrate Birmingham Parade Comes to Town With Marching Bands, Fire Trucks and Plenty of Pooches

The Celebrate Birmingham Parade marched through downtown Birmingham Sunday afternoon.

It was a perfect day for a parade in downtown Birmingham, as marching bands, community groups and plenty of Birmingham's furry friends came out for the Celebrate Birmingham Parade. Marching from South Old Woodward to Shain Park, the parade made a comeback this year after being rained out in 2011. This year's parade — themed 'The Good Ole Days' — was highlighted by the first annual Whiskers and Waggles pet parade, replacing the traditional basset hound waddle, which moved to Canterbury Village in Lake Orion last year. After the parade, the party moved to Shain Park where the Junior League of Birmingham had a variety of games and activities — from sack races to martial arts demonstrations – set up for kids of all ages. The Birmingham …

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Need To Know: Celebrate Birmingham Parade is Coming to Town

Here's everything you need to know about this weekend's parade if you're watching, participating or just trying to avoid the crowds.

Birmingham will be celebrating the good ol' days this weekend, with the return of the Celebrate Birmingham Parade. The parade returns after heavy rains canceled the annual event last spring. This year's parade ushers in the start of the summer season in Birmingham, featuring marching bands, a whiskers and waggles pet parade and plenty of loud trucks for the little ones. Heading downtown to watch the parade this weekend, or maybe you're marching in it? Here's what you need to know before you go: Parade route: The Celebrate Birmingham Parade will follow a new route this year, beginning on South Old Woodward at Brown Street. The parade then travels north on Old Woodward, turns west on Maple and south on Bates Street. The parade will end in …

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