U-Matic

Xmas lights/deco #3
New Center/Ren Cen
1. New Center Area Xmas Lights
2. Ren Cen Decorations
3. Thanksgiving Day Parade - 11-25-88
11-27-88

U-Matic tape containing video shot of Christmas decorations both in the New Center area and in the Renaissance Center, followed by footage of the 1988 Thanksgiving Day parade.

The tape begins with footage of Christmas-themed window displays in New Center. Between shots of the windows, a man in a Santa Claus costume is filmed crossing Grand Boulevard with the Cadillac Building in the background. Several shots of lights on trees along the road's median. The entrance to the Cadillac Building is shown--a large wreath hangs above it, and garlands wrap its columns. The camera also lingers on "A Christmas Carol" themed display, before moving on to show a tree in front of New Center One, and a series of window displays in the Cadillac Building. Next, the camera rotates to show the lights in New Center Park, on the south corner of West Grand Boulevard and Second Avenue, as well as along the median of Grand Boulevard. Several more close-ups of window displays close out this section of the tape.

After a cut, filming resumes inside the Renaissance Center where large ornaments are hung in its atrium, and a large Christmas trees, each decorated to a different theme--are set up in the atrium's balconies. The camera also captures Christmas-themed displays in the building's shops. During one shot, an off-camera woman can be heard discussing the trees and the involvement of the Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau. Violin players perform as the camera pans around a display of reindeer and Christmas trees in the building's lobby.

The final section of the tape contains footage shot at the 1988 Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade, primarily in the vicinity of the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Woodward Avenue. The footage begins with the Captain Detroit balloon overhead. Next, a fleet of tiny cars, emblazoned with the names of organizations including the Boys and Girls Clubs and the Michigan Teamsters, passes. They are followed by a flat featuring a model of the city's skyline. A woman in a fur coat waves to the crowd from the front of the float.

A float, sponsored by McDonald's and Hudson's, titled "Children on parade" in the shape of a giant wagon appears next. A person in a Mac Tonight costume leads the float. Several of the costumed characters with large heads, wearing different international folk costumes follow behind the float. As they approach, the camera pans around to show spectators on Jefferson in front of the Millender Center, and along the foot of Randolph Street. Numerous members of the crowd hold balloons printed with the Unisys logo.

Next, two men with a Detroit Edison banner printed with "Runner-Up" march ahead of the Novi High School marching band. The band performs "Jingle Bells," and camera films them as they pass from the center of Jefferson Avenue.

After a cut--with the sounds of the band still audible in the background--a line of horse-drawn carriage are filmed, each carrying Big Head Corps characters. Charles Lindbergh, Joe Louis, Rosa Parks, Bob Seger, and Henry Ford are among those represented in costume.

A Michigan Bell-sponsored float, in the shape of a large sled holding a basket of bells is then filmed. Several clowns and other costumed characters march along with the float. A group of people in flower and bee costumes march ahead of the AAA float. The AAA float represents Boblo Island, and features rollercoaster cars, and a miniature Ferris wheel. Boblo's mascots Bobbie the bear and Louie the lion ride in the front car of the rollercoaster.

The camera again focuses on the crowd along Jefferson Avenue, as an equestrian group passes. They are followed by a Budweiser-sponsored cheerleader squad, and then a University of Detroit Titans basketball float. The float is pulled by a Ford tractor, and consists of a group of large birds in a next, ahead of a group of basketball players and a small basket. The name of Coach Ricky Byrdsong is on the side of the float in large lettering, and speakers play the Jackson 5 cover of "Rockin' Robin."

The camera then turns to the foot of Woodward Avenue, where a pair of large fish-shaped balloons turn left onto Jefferson. Next the Spain Middle School marching band is filmed as they pass along Woodward Avenue, north of Jefferson. The group performs "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." A Native-American themed float follows the band. At the front, a man in a feather head-dress, and a woman in a pageant crown and sash wave from inside of a large feather head-dressed shaped platform. Another platform follows behind. This one includes two upright-portions. The first has a showing a scene of trees and a river on one side, and a giant blackjack hand consisting of an Ace and a Jack on the back. The other has a sign reading "Land of Peaceful Waters, Running Horses," on the front, and a map of Michigan on the back. A woman dressed as a casino dealer, a person in a chipmunk costume, and a group of children seated on a small horse and a canoe ride on this portion of the float. They are followed by a Huron-Clinton Metroparks float with a paper snowflake theme. Next, a Metro 25 truck carries a balloon in the shape of the company's dog mascot on its bed. As the truck passes beneath the People Mover track, the balloon's handlers lean it forward to clear the track. Although the balloon clears the track, it begins wobbling as the truck approaches Jefferson. The camera cuts away, and in the next shot, the balloon has fallen sideways off of the truck bed and onto Woodward. As the handlers right the balloon, the crowd cheers. The camera then pans over to a baton twirler who performs ahead of the Murray-Wright High School marching band. After a brief cut, the Murray-Wright marching band, color guard, and ROTC group are filmed marching past. They are followed by a circus train-themed float, which the camera remains zoomed in on very close. Clowns and several of the animal themed members of the Big Head Corps march behind the float. Next, the Clownie balloon approaches. The balloon's handlers coordinating to lower the balloon under the People Mover track.

After a cut, group of Fairlane Community trolley buses decorated with garlands pass ahead of the Lansing Eastern High School marching band. The marching band is followed by a City of Lansing float representing the Riverfest Electric Parade, with a grouping of giant marching band instruments.

After another cut, a large dog balloon is lowered beneath the People Mover track. The balloon is followed by a color guard and marching band in black and white uniforms. The members of the color guard carry flags separated horizontally into black, yellow, and red fields.

After another cut, the camera captures the Santa's Workshop float on Woodward Avenue. Mrs. Claus rides on the float. The floral base of the front of the float reads "Charlevoix." She is followed by the Michigan Black Horsemen's Association, who ride on horseback in matching long coats, and cowboy hats.

Following shots of the crowd gathered in front of the Spirit of Detroit statue, an art-themed float, sponsored by K-Mart, passes. This float features a large paint palette, the Mona Lisa, and the drama masks. A large group of the Big Head Corps costumed characters march behind it.

After another cut, the Mistle Toad float approaches the foot of Woodward Avenue. This float consists of a large frog in a suit, ahead of a grouping of mushrooms, acorns, and leaves. Next, a cheerleader squad stops to perform a routine for camera crews. As the camera zoom into the floats waiting behind the group, the tape ends.

The recording is on a 3M UCA-60 tape with a handwritten 3M label on its top. The tape is housed within a black plastic latching U-Matic case with a handwritten 3M label on its front.