DALLAS, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Dallas' newest corporate citizen is inviting North Texans to "Celebrate Downtown!" at the Comerica Bank New Year's Parade. Comerica Bank today announced its title sponsorship of the parade, which is scheduled for Monday afternoon, Dec. 31, 2007, in Downtown Dallas. Mayor Tom Leppert, DOWNTOWNDALLAS President John Crawford, Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau President/CEO Phillip Jones and other dignitaries joined Comerica Chairman & CEO Ralph Babb to unveil the new parade logo and "Celebrate Downtown" parade theme during an event at Comerica Bank Tower.
J. Curtis Sanford Parade Committee organizers expect that the Comerica Bank New Year's Parade will have approximately 60 entries with some 3,500 participants, including the university marching bands and cheerleaders participating in the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic, the Kilgore College Rangerettes, high school drill teams, more than 15 high school bands from across the country, equestrian units, and floats and specialty entries celebrating North Texas organizations and attractions. The 1.5-mile parade route will start at the Comerica Bank Tower at Ervay and Elm and will continue down Main, Lamar and Houston Streets before ending in front of the American Airlines Center.
The parade will benefit the Field Scovell Scholarship Foundation, which provides thousands of dollars in college scholarships annually for North Texas high school graduates with leadership abilities, strong moral character, financial need and a connection to sports.
"Comerica Bank is proud to call Dallas home, and there's no better way to celebrate our new headquarters than with a parade through the streets of Downtown Dallas," said Ralph Babb, chairman and CEO, Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank. "The Comerica Bank New Year's Parade will be a great way for families to ring in the new year while welcoming thousands of visitors in town for the annual AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic."
"Today's announcement underscores Comerica's strong commitment to Downtown Dallas," said Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert. "On behalf of the citizens of Dallas, I thank Ralph Babb and Comerica employees for embracing our city and for making Downtown Dallas the place to be on New Year's Eve."
The volunteer-led J. Curtis Sanford Parade Committee is named for Cotton Bowl founder and Dallas oilman J. Curtis Sanford, who spent his own money to start the New Year's Day football game in 1937 to highlight Dallas. Sanford's widow (Betty), daughter (Betty Crawford) and son-in-law (John Crawford) attended the press conference and commented on how the Comerica Bank New Year's Parade aligns with the Cotton Bowl founder's original intentions.
"The J. Curtis Sanford Parade Committee and the Comerica Bank New Year's Parade continue Mr. Sanford's vision to showcase Dallas to others across the country," said John Crawford, president, DOWNTOWNDALLAS. "The parade theme appropriately celebrates the renewal and revitalization of the Central Business District. It's a great time to work, live and celebrate in Downtown Dallas."
According to the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Comerica Bank New Year's Parade should help boost the local economy during a crucial week for local hotels and restaurants.
"A free, large-scale community event like the Comerica Bank New Year's Parade gives visitors a good reason to arrive earlier, support our economy as they shop and dine, and experience the exciting new developments in the urban core of Dallas," said Phillip Jones, president, Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau. "The Comerica Bank New Year's Parade will be a great annual event for local residents and for the thousands of guests in town for the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic."
"The Field Scovell Scholarship Foundation is grateful to Comerica Bank and to the entire Sanford Parade Committee for their efforts to recognize deserving young students in North Texas," said Sue Scovell Lavender, daughter of Field Scovell. "The parade celebrates two of my father's great passions - education and Cotton Bowl Week in Dallas."
Parade organizers announced that the First Baptist Church of Dallas has committed to provide 250 volunteers for the parade. Additional volunteers are still needed. For information on the Comerica Bank New Year's Parade, including sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, go to comericabankparade.com .
About Comerica Bank
Comerica Bank is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated, a financial services company headquartered in Dallas and strategically aligned into three major business segments: the Business Bank, the Retail Bank, and Wealth & Institutional Management. Comerica focuses on relationships and helping businesses and people to be successful. In addition to Dallas, Houston and Austin, Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Michigan, California, Florida and Arizona, with select businesses operating in several other states, and Canada and Mexico. Comerica Incorporated reported total assets of $60 billion at September 30, 2007. To receive e-mail alerts of breaking Comerica news, go to http://www.comerica.com/newsalerts .
CONTACT: Wayne Mielke, +1-214-462-4463, wjmielke@comerica.com
