Television stars, musical artists and a host of entertainers are set to arrive in Houston to help kick off the holiday season for the 59th annual H-E-B Holiday Parade on Thanksgiving Day.

The Parade, featuring a “Hooray for Hollywood” theme, is set for Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008 at 9 a.m. in Downtown Houston.  Corky Ballas, former contestant on ABC’s Dancing With The Stars , will be the 2008 Grand Marshal.

Catch the excitement of floats, giant balloons, bands, dancers and more! Watch the parade live on Channel 11 at 9 a.m.

http://www.hebparade.com/

The parade begins at 9 a.m. Thursday.

Mitchel Musso, the 17-year-old originally from Rockwell, Texas, known for his role of as Oliver Oken on Disney Channel’s “Hannah Montana,” will perform with his band along the parade route.  Musso is the voice of Jeremy in Disney’s “ Phineas and Ferb.” Other acting credits include his portrayal of Raymond Figg in the Disney Channel Original Movie, “ Life Is Ruff,” as well as a guest-star role on FOX Network’s “Stacked” and “Oliver Beane.” Musso was the voice of DJ in the Academy Award-nominated film, “ Monster House.”  A regular at the Disney Channel Games, Musso also starred in the TV movie “ Walker, Texas Ranger:  Trial by Fire” alongside Chuck Norris.   

Deborah Duncan, one of Houston’s most recognizable local personalities, and host of KHOU-TV’s Great Day Houston will delight the crowd with her stellar vocals.  Duncan is the recipient of many local and national awards for television excellence, including two Emmy Awards, two Gracie Allen Awards and a Telly Award, among others. 

The 2008 H-E-B Holiday Parade will also feature performances by the cast of White Christmas presented by Theatre Under the Stars, The Gift of Christmas Live – A Moody Gardens & Island Star Performances Christmas spectacular, Houston Texan cheerleaders, 250 UCA cheerleaders, Ambassadors International Ballet Folklorico, among others. Local and regional marching bands participating in this year’s parade include:  Rice University’s Marching Owl Band, Willowridge High School’s Mighty Eagle March Band and Wings Drill Team, Morton Ranch High School’s Maverick Marching Band, and many other groups.

Early bird pricing for reserved Grandstand Seats in the TV Zone is $18 through Nov. 17.  After this date, grandstand seats will be $22.  Reserved Turkey Seats are $11 through the Nov.17 and then $14 after Nov. 17.  ClicknPrint tickets are available at www.hebparade.com.  For more information about the parade, including the route, reserved seating, featured entertainment or volunteer opportunities, please visit www.hebparade.com or call (713) 654-8808.

Sponsors for the 59^th Annual H-E-B Holiday Parade include:  H-E-B Grocery Company, The Arrow Classic Rock, 93.7 FM, Borden Milk Products,  The Children's Place, GMC/Pontiac, Hilton Americas Houston Hotel, Houston Astros, Houston Chronicle, JELL- O, Keystone Concrete Placement, KHOU-TV, Channel 11, Majic 102.1 FM, KTRH 740 AM, Laz Parking, Mega 101 FM, McDonald's, Miri Piri Gatka Dall, Moody Gardens “The Gift of Christmas”, Praise 92.1, Radio Disney 1590 AM, Starbucks Coffee Company, Sunny 99.1 FM, Theatre Under the Stars, Wells Fargo

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About the Parade (Editor’s Note)

Houston’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1949, when Santa arrived at Union Station and rode his sleigh to the downtown Foley's. That led to a 44-year tradition – the Foley's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  In later years, Bank United and Washington Mutual each claimed the title sponsorship. In 2006, H-E-B was named the new title sponsor of the parade. The Parade also received a new look and logo, and is now referred to as the H-E-B Holiday Parade.

The H-E-B Holiday Parade is produced by the Houston Festival Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.  Proceeds from reserved seating ticket sales benefit the Festival education programs reaching more than 1,471 public schools each year and the Houston Chronicle Readers are Leaders literacy program.