When Oxford resident Kathie Schafnitz was a little girl, her grandfather always took her to the Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Every year she watched in amazement as the colorful floats would ride by and gigantic balloons would blow in the breeze.
Although she’s not a little girl anymore, Schafnitz is living out her childhood dream of being a part of the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Thanks to The Parade Co., a Detroit-based non-profit organization responsible for producing America’s Thanksgiving Parade, Schafnitz and other parade lovers can bring their dream to life by helping make floats, carrying balloons and just about anything else you can think of.
This year is Schafnitz’s second year volunteering at The Parade Co. and, although some thought it odd, it was how she wanted to spend her retirement.
‘My kids always heard me say that when I retire I want to work on the floats for the Thanksgiving Day Parade,? she said.
Schafnitz said she tries to spend one day a week at the parade warehouse in Detroit doing whatever anyone wants her to do.
‘I’m not an artist in any way,? she laughed. ‘I just do what they tell me to do.?
Schafnitz has helped create giant paper mache heads, paint items for floats and is a balloon handler during the parade.
She considers carrying the balloons in the parade the ‘final culmination? of all her work and that it’s like having a ‘high.?
She’s keeping specifics under wraps, but she said the ‘Everyday Hero’s? float commissioned by DaimlerChrysler pays tribute to fire fighters, police officers and EMS workers and is reminiscent of the time she spent at her grandfather’s fire station after the parade.
‘It’s just kind of a full circle thing,? she said.
Other Oxford residents volunteering at The Parade Co. are Steve and Lori St.Germain, who have been a part of the parade for the last three years.
‘We like to volunteer for things that are fun,? Lori said.
Like Schafnitz, the St.Germains start Thanksgiving Day at 6:30 a.m. holding the balloons and said mother nature is always a key factor in how well they perform that day.
‘The wind is always a challenge,? she said.
The St.Germains have carried the toy soldier and clown balloons in past parades and will be handling a star balloon with Schafnitz on Thursday morning.
Lori said she and her husband like volunteering at The Parade Co. because there’s not much commitment needed from them and the schedule works around their busy schedules. ‘It’s really only about a three meeting commitment,? she said.
Lori said carrying the balloons has become a sort of ‘family affair.? Her sister and her boyfriend help carry the balloons and her children have even expressed interest in helping out someday. ‘It’s just a fun thing to do,? she said.
The Parade Co. invites visitors to spend an afternoon at the studio to explore and photograph floats up close and personal. There will be face painting, games, prizes, and arts and crafts, along with entertainment and treats. Admission is $5 per person. Age 2 and under are free. Tickets for activities and food are $1 each. The studio/warehouse viewing will be open: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Nov. 26, Noon-5 p.m., Nov. 27, Noon-5 p.m., Dec. 3 and Noon-5 p.m., Dec. 4. For information and directions contact (313) 923-7400 or visit www.theparade.org.