2012 Grand Marshals Announcement

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Anne Carroll, Marketing Director – Christmas in St. Louis – 314-345-9908 –  [email protected]

Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Jeffrey Bonner, Adrian Bracy Named Honorary Grand Marshals For 2012 Ameren Missouri Thanksgiving Day Parade

ST. LOUIS – October 9, 2012 – Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Jeffrey P. Bonner and Adrian E. Bracy have been named Honorary Grand Marshals of the 2012 Ameren Missouri Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“We are honored and truly thankful to have Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Jeffrey Bonner and Adrian Bracy serve as our grand marshals,” said Steve Peirce, president of the Christmas in St. Louis Foundation. “All three are talented, caring and giving people who represent the best in all of us.”

Now in its 28th year, the parade will begin at 8:45 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 22 from the corner of Washington Avenue and Fourth Street in downtown St. Louis. It will be broadcast live (starting at 8 a.m.) on KMOV-TV Channel 4’s “Great Day St. Louis.”

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Hailing from East St. Louis and considered one of the greatest athletes of all time, Joyner-Kersee was voted Female Athlete of the 20th Century and ESPN named her one of the 50 Greatest Athletes. She was the first woman to win back-to-back gold medals in seven events on her way to capturing six Olympic Medals (three gold, one silver, and two bronze) in four consecutive Olympic Games. Off the track, Joyner-Kersee continues to give back to East St. Louis and the St. Louis communities. Her world-class philanthropic deeds are praised worldwide.

Jeffrey P. Bonner

Appointed President and CEO of the Saint Louis Zoo in 2002, Dr. Bonner is the immediate past Chair of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and recently chaired the Amphibian Ark, the International Species Information System, and the Madagascar Fauna Group.

He is a Burgess Fellow, Traveling Fellow, Fulbright Scholar, President’s Fellow and a recipient of the National Research Service Award. Dr. Bonner is the author of numerous articles and books including “Sailing with Noah, Stories from the World of Zoos.”

Adrian E. Bracy

As Chief Executive Officer for the YWCA Metro St. Louis since 2009, Bracy leads the non-profit organization’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. No stranger to St. Louis, Bracy worked for more than a decade as an executive for the St. Louis Rams before becoming chief financial officer for the Arizona Cardinals in 2007.

Since her return to St. Louis three years ago, Bracy continues to inspire and make a difference in the lives of women and girls in the region while serving on numerous non-profit boards.

Alternative Transportation

With extended hours of operation and additional trains to accommodate holiday events, MetroLink metrostlouis.org is a convenient alternative to driving and allows guests to avoid the cost of parking and traffic. Metro will continue MetroLink service until the downtown stations are cleared after events.

2012 Ameren Missouri Thanksgiving Day Parade in 28th Year

The annual Ameren Missouri Thanksgiving Day Parade is hosted by Christmas in St. Louis along with presenting sponsor Ameren Missouri and the City of St. Louis. The parade charitable recipients are the Joshua Chamberlain Society and the National Children’s Cancer Society.

Christmas in St. Louis christmasinstlouis.org is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to promoting activities that inspire people to show their unique holiday spirit while enhancing the texture and heritage of the St. Louis community. For more information, follow us on facebook.com/ChristmasInStLouis.

In addition to dozens of magnificent floats and colorful helium balloons, the parade will feature area marching bands and the annual Battle of the Bands Contest. As a Christmas in St. Louis partner, the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission’s Holiday Magic team will once again participate in this year’s parade. The Holiday Magic mascot, Snowflake, will also be on hand.

MEDIA NOTE: For photography of the Parade, send e-mail to [email protected]

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