While planning for this year's Thanksgiving morning, I found myself chuckling at the calendar. It turns out that the parade on Woodward is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

Every year, I watch it on TV and tell myself that I have to go next year. But with the number being 100, I realized I can't make excuses this time. It feels a bit wasteful to spend a once-in-a-century number on the couch.

So, I spent the whole week digging through the official site and local news articles. I'll summarize what I've confirmed, rather than rumors or guesses. If something hasn't been announced yet, I'll be honest about that.

The date is Thursday, November 26, Thanksgiving Day morning. According to the official site, the parade starts at 8:45 AM at the intersection of Kirby and Woodward.

From there, it goes south along Woodward for 3 miles and ends near Congress. It takes about an hour and a half for the parade to reach the end.

Here's the first tip: If you stand near the starting point, you can see the parade early and leave early.

On the other hand, if you stand at the southern end, you can see the entire finale, but you'll have to wait longer. If your kids have low stamina, I would definitely choose the northern spot. It's not easy for adults to endure over an hour in the cold.

The second tip is timing. People start claiming prime spots along the road with blankets and chairs early in the morning.

Honestly, I love my sleep, so I hesitated at this point. However, with an 8:45 AM start, I think arriving at least one or two hours early would give me a shot at a good spot near the front.

The third tip involves spending a little money. Paid viewing areas, or grandstands, will be set up along the route.

According to the official site, online sales will be available until Monday, November 23, or until sold out. Since it's the 100th anniversary, they might sell out quickly, so if you're interested, don't wait.

I won't mention the prices here since I've only seen numbers from third-party sites. Be sure to check the official page directly.

Also, one of the viewing areas doesn't have seats, so you're advised to bring your own chairs or wheelchairs. Make sure to read the area descriptions carefully to avoid standing after purchasing tickets.

Whether you have tickets or not, check the official site for the seating map before you go. This way, you can avoid spots with obstructed views when claiming your roadside position.

The fourth tip is parking. This is where many people ruin their morning mood.

Last year, the city recommended nearby paid parking lots like the Ford underground parking or Eastern Market parking. Parts of Woodward were closed off starting the day before the parade.

This year's road closures and parking information haven't been fully released yet. It's a good idea to check the city's announcements a few days before the event and, if possible, reserve a parking spot in advance. The thought of circling around looking for a spot on the morning of the event is exhausting just to think about.

Public transportation is also a variable. City buses are expected to be delayed starting at 6 AM on the day, and several routes will be detoured from 7 AM to 5 PM.

In previous years, the People Mover operated for free, and many people got off at Grand Circus Park or Broadway station and walked. It's still unclear if that will happen this year, so be sure to check before you go.

The fifth tip is clothing. The morning of late November can be much colder than you expect.

Make sure to bring gloves, hats, hand warmers, and even a cushion to sit on. Last year, just watching people on TV made me shiver from the cold.

Bringing a warm drink in a thermos is a good idea, but if you drink too much, finding a bathroom becomes an issue. Leaving your spot in the crowd can feel like giving it up. So, knowing the locations of nearby bathrooms beforehand can be surprisingly helpful.

Also, pack snacks that won't make a mess. Crackers or bars that can be eaten with gloved hands are the most convenient on the street.

Lastly, watching from home is not a shameful choice at all. Local station WDIV broadcasts live every year and has been streaming online as well.

I haven't seen the broadcast schedule for this year yet. There's a high possibility of pre-broadcasts starting early in the morning like last year, so check the schedule for the day.

In the afternoon of Thanksgiving, there's also a Lions game, so the whole neighborhood will be buzzing all day. Watching the parade, coming home to roast turkey, and catching the game will make for a full day. Just keep in mind that the city will be crowded all day, so plan your return trip accordingly.

I've ultimately decided this: near the northern starting point, arriving before 7 AM, with two chairs and one thermos.

I wanted to see the parade that has been going on for 100 years pass right in front of me at least once. Even if my nose turns red from the cold, I think I'll cherish the photos from that day for a long time. A number like 100 won't come around again.

If there are any of you who go every year and know of a hidden gem, please let me know. I'm really going this year.