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she is really proud of the job the
Foundation does organizing the
parade every year, although she wor-
ries that people do not realize the
parade is a foundation endeavor.
“The Foundation people work hard
on it. They start right after the parade
planning for next year,” she said. “I
love Northville. It is a real piece of
Americana. I haven't missed this
parade in 20 years, long before I was a
part of it,” she said.
The pair agreed that after working
together on the commentary, they have
a better idea of what to expect from
one another, although Demray still
works to have all the details of each
float, exhibit or group at his fingertips
while Berry continues to add her spe-
cial brand of wit to the event.
Demray's work at the microphone is
only part of his participation in the
parade where his entries every year
have become something the crowd
anticipates. He has sent some of his
Volkswagen Beetles down the parade
route carrying Betsey Floss, Miss
Gingivitis, the Sugar Bug and the Tooth
Fairy. He buys back the candy children
collect during the parade and donates
it “to a needy landfill inwesternWayne
County.
The characters have become a
mainstay
although
Demray's
PlaqueMan did accost Berry one year
during the event.
While the pair admit that they do
like to “push the envelope a little bit”
as Demray didwith his rendition of the
Red Skelton classic interpretation of
ThePledge of Allegiance one year, they
sometimes wonder if anyone is really
listening.
“Every year, we wonder if we are
going to get booted,” Demray said. “We
wait until the end of the parade to see
if somebody will come over and ask us
if we are going to do it next year.”
According to Jessica Striegle, the
executive director of the Northville
Community Foundation, Berry and
Demray have nothing to worry about
on that front.
“We are thrilled to have Lisa and
Bill back as our parade emcees again
this year. They are both so talented as
individuals and together they bring a
lot of fun and personality to the parade
experience,” she said.
“They do such an awesome job and
we are lucky to have had them as our
emcees for somany years.”
I love Northville.
It is a real piece
of Americana. I haven't
missed this parade in 20
years, long before
I was a part of it.
”
Announcers
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