Art Van Furniture Named Official Presenting Sponsor Of America's Thanksgiving Parade®

WARREN, Mich., Oct. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Family-owned and operated Art Van Furniture formalized its long-standing love of Detroit's annual tradition by announcing it is the presenting sponsor of America's Thanksgiving Parade®. The exclusive sponsorship was unveiled at a press conference in midtown Detroit by Art Van Elslander, founder and chairman of Art Van Furniture, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, and Tony Michaels, President and CEO of The Parade Company. The parade is now known as America's Thanksgiving Parade® presented by Art Van Furniture.

Art Van Furniture has been an active annual supporter of the parade since its founder, Art Van Elslander, wrote an historic check nearly a quarter of a century ago to ensure the parade would continue as an annual tradition in the city of Detroit.

"There is nothing that brings our families and communities together like a parade," said Van Elslander. "This is one of Detroit's real treasures, and I couldn't be more proud to be a part of it."

The iconic Detroit event has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report Travel as one of the best Thanksgiving parades in the country, and is broadcast to over 140 cities nationwide each year. During this year's event, Art Van Furniture will unveil its new "Art Van Wonderland" float in celebration of the company's spectacular holiday destinations at its Warren and Grand Rapids flagship stores. As in previous years, members of the Van Elslander family will proudly participate by walking the Woodward Avenue parade route and waving to the over one million spectators watching in person and on television.

"This is our way of thanking all of the Michigan families who have supported Art Van Furniture for nearly six decades," continued Van Elslander. "We hope that when people line up on Woodward Avenue this year, the entire country will see how much we all believe in the parade, the city of Detroit, and in creating lasting memories for children and families."

About Art Van Furniture
Art Van Furniture is the Midwest's largest furniture retailer and America's largest independent furniture retailer. The company operates 35 stores throughout Michigan, three stores in Chicagoland, one store in Toledo, Ohio, a full service e-commerce website, plus 11 freestanding Art Van PureSleep bedding stores in Michigan and Ohio. Founded in 1959, the company is family-owned and headquartered in Warren, Michigan. Visit artvan.com for more information.

About The Parade Company
Founded in 1984, The Parade Company is a not-for-profit organization governed by the Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation whose board of directors is comprised of key civic and corporate leaders in the greater Detroit region.  The Parade Company is celebrating 87 years of Parade tradition in Detroit and is committed to funding, creating and executing the best family events in Michigan. The Parade Company staff, board of directors and thousands of parade volunteers work year-round to bring a wide variety of magnificent events to the City of Detroit and the region including the Ford Fireworks and America's Thanksgiving Parade® presented by Art Van Furniture. Follow The Parade Company on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Art Van Furniture