metro »

Clowning
Around

OTHER BUSES AVAILABLE

%DW0LW]YDKÝ%DU0LW]YDK

6WDUWLQJDW

Shari S. Cohen
Contributing Writer

The Parade Company

Kanter reaches
Grand Jester
status after 30
years in parade.

The extended Kanter family
participated in last year’s parade.

A

fter 30 years of “clown-
with replacements every five years.
ing around” at America’s
“After 15 years, you get a red Superman
Thanksgiving Parade in
cape and, after 25 years, a blue cape
Downtown Detroit, Austin Kanter,
with a silver lining. There are only four
88, achieves “Grand Jester” status this
or five of those,” Kanter says.
year. It’s an honorary title with a spe-
Along with being the longest-serving
cial hat that is awarded to the
active clown, Kanter leads the
longest continuously serving
largest family group of clowns
Thanksgiving Parade clown.
— eight last year, including
While he appreciates the rec-
his twin grandsons and their
ognition, bringing smiles to
wives. This year, his daughter
parade spectators is what really
and seven grandchildren will
matters to him.
accompany “Papa Audie” on
The cadre of 100-150 volun-
the parade route. His young-
teer clowns march along the
est grandchild will be a junior
Austin Kanter
parade route that covers almost
jester.
three miles from Midtown to
“We are the only family
Downtown Detroit, waving and tossing
with so many people this year and last.
out Mardi Gras-style beads to a happy
It’s a family charitable enterprise,” says
crowd that reaches a million or more.
Kanter, who is in the insurance and
“Fans fight for them,” Kanter says,
money management business.
adding that a supply float replenishes
Twin grandsons, Jason Kanter, 31, of
their stock along the way.
Chicago, and Joshua Kanter, 31, of New
Over the years, Kanter estimates
York, began participating when they
there have been about 2,000 parade
were 8 or 10. They remember start-
clowns — known as the Distinguished
ing in the young children’s group and
Clown Corps — each of whom donates
then becoming junior jesters in middle
$1,000 to the Parade Company, the
school. In 2004, they became “official
nonprofit organization that organizes
distinguished clowns.”
the event. Art Van is the presenting
“The tradition of the parade is amaz-
sponsor.
ing and so is being able to join our
“In the beginning, there were a lot of
grandfather,” Joshua says.
Jewish businessmen who were clowns,”
“The parade is a magical moment for
Kanter says. “There are probably 20
Downtown, and my grandfather created
now who are doing a good thing for the very large clown shoes to fill. It’s special
community.”
to see the smile on his face,” Jason adds.
Kanter, a West Bloomfield resi-
“Being a clown allows us to be thank-
dent, began his clown career years
ful for all that we have, including being
ago through a personal contact at the
able to bring that joy to the people at
Parade Company.
the parade,” Joshua says.
“Austin and his grandkids exemplify
“I came Downtown to the parade as
what America’s Thanksgiving Parade
a child and thought it was important
is all about: family and tradition,” said
for this parade to be perpetuated after
Tony Michaels, president/CEO of the
Hudson’s left Detroit,” he explains.
Parade Company. “Austin is the longest-
“Even when Detroit was in the dol-
standing member of the Distinguished
drums, everyone was smiling and that
Clown Corps and the first in parade
is marvelous.”
history to reach the 30-year milestone.
The Clown Corps gathers early on
We are appreciative of his support,
parade day for breakfast and profes-
along with his family’s throughout the
sional makeup application. Costumes
years.”
are provided by the Parade Company,

%RRNQRZIRU\RXU
+ROLGD\ 1HZ<HDUV
3DUWLHV



PRWRUFLW\SDUW\EXVFRP

+LJKODQG5G:KLWH/DNH0,
LQIR#PRWRUFLW\SDUW\EXVFRP

*

2134620

18 November 17 • 2016

