Stevie Wonder, the iconic and legendary Grammy Award, Academy Award and Golden Globe Award winning American singer, songwriter, musician, producer, philanthropist and human rights activist was announced as the 2014 grand marshal of the 83rd Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade.
The Hollywood Christmas Parade, the largest Christmas celebration in America, presented by The City of Los Angeles and Associated Television International, will begin on the streets of Hollywood on Sunday, Nov. 30 beginning at 5 p.m. The live event will begin with a superstar-studded concert prior to the start of the parade proper at 6 p.m. The parade will benefit Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.
“I am deeply honored to be serving as grand marshal of the Hollywood Christmas Parade, as 2014 is a historic one in the annals of American history, and represents the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a landmark piece of legislation in the United States guaranteeing all citizens equal protection of the laws under the Fourteenth Amendment.
“It is my privilege to give back and to be a part of an American tradition like the Hollywood Christmas Parade,” said Wonder.
The parade will be hosted by Laura McKenzie, Erik Estrada and Montel Williams.
“We are tremendously honored to have Stevie Wonder, a true American icon who is arguably the most influential singer/songwriter of the last 50 years, to once again join us for The Hollywood Christmas Parade this year as grand marshal,” said Jim Romanovich, president, Worldwide Entertainment, Associated Television International. “His musical brilliance has become the soundtrack to our lives while his humanitarian achievements have set the bar to a new height all others must now reach.”
Taped for both national and local telecasts, each year the parade features thousands of participants, including celebrities from film, television and stage, award-winning bands from around the country, colorful equestrians, ornate floats, spectacular live celebrity performers, festive towering balloons, popular characters/novelties, the world’s largest grandstand red carpet and, of course, Santa Claus.