“Celebrate Community!” is the theme for the Comerica Bank New Year’s Parade on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 1, 2009, in Downtown Dallas. . The family-friendly event will help kick off New Year’s celebrations in the DFW Metroplex while welcoming thousands of visitors in town for the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic.

The parade will begin at Ross Ave. and Harwood and will head down Ross Ave. before turning on Lamar and Houston Streets to conclude at the American Airlines Center.

Parade participants will include the two university bands participating in the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic, the Kilgore Rangerettes, more than 15 high school bands from across the country, and a number of floats and equestrian units showcasing North Texas cultural and entertainment attractions.

The parade is presented by the all-volunteer J. Curtis Sanford Parade Committee, a Texas non-profit corporation. All parade proceeds will benefit the Field Scovell Scholarship Foundation.