MID-AMERICA HOLIDAY PARADE KICKS OFF THANKSGIVING MORNING IN DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS

Grand Marshal Dr. Robert Archibald Joined by Lewis & Clark Re-enactors & Sesame Streets Grover

St. Louis, Missouri... (PRWEB) November 12, 2003 --Dr. Robert Archibald, President of The Missouri Historical Society, will be Grand Marshal of this years Mid-America Holiday Parade, leading more than 125 spectacular marching units, including a tribute to the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery" and a special treat for kids of all ages -- fuzzy, fun-loving Grover from TVs popular Sesame Street."

Fourteen brass bands and 11 giant inflated balloons, plus extravagant floats, dance teams, police officers, firefighters, military personnel and at least one Elvis impersonator, will rock downtown St. Louis when The Mid-America Holiday Parade gets underway at 8:35 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning, sponsored by the non-profit Christmas In St. Louis organization.

Dr. Archibalds laudable contributions in our community, and his upcoming leadership role in promoting the bi-centennial of the Lewis & Clark expedition and centennial of the 1904 Worlds Fair in 2004, are among the reasons why the Board of Directors of Christmas In St. Louis is honored that he will appear as this years Grand Marshal," said Toby James, Mid-America Holiday Parade Chairman.

In a rollicking, fun-filled holiday celebration, St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay; St. Louis Police Chief Joseph Mokwa; St. Louis Fire Chief Sherman George; and thousands of kids and clowns will walk, run, dance and ride in a noisy pageant that will be broadcast live by KSDK-TV News Channel 5. The Budweiser Clydesdales, The St. Louis Rams Cheerleaders, Fredbird and Santa Claus, plus plenty of surprises, will distinguish the parade.

This year's Mid-America Holiday Parade will showcase an outstanding display of entertainment, music of all varieties and proud patriotism involving thousands of marchers and hundreds of volunteers who make it happen," said James.

Tens of thousands of people in all walks of life, along with families, friends and relatives, traditionally turn out for the Mid-America Holiday Parade, which is the second-largest televised holiday parade in the United States," he said.

Originating at Broadway and Spruce Streets downtown, The Mid-America Holiday Parade will march north on Broadway, then west on Market Street to Union Station, ending at 20th Street, continuing for about two hours. It will be broadcast live from 9-11 a.m. by KSDK-News Channel 5 to cities across the Midwest, reaching millions of households.

AmerenUE, which provides energy services to 1.8 million customers in Missouri and Illinois, will sponsor the Marching Band Contest at this year's Mid-America Holiday Parade. Winners will be announced following the parade on the website www.ChristmasInStLouis.org.

In addition to hosting The Mid-America Holiday Parade, the Christmas in St. Louis organization supports charitable enterprises and promotes special activities each holiday season, including the magnificent "Holiday Festival of Lights" that will occur this year on Friday, November 21 at Kiener Plaza in downtown St. Louis, marking the official start of the holiday season throughout greater St. Louis.

Dr. Archibalds bio is attached. For more information, please see the website www.ChristmasInSt.Louis.org.

Biography - Robert Archibald, Ph.D.

Dr. Robert Archibald is President of the Missouri Historical Society in St. Louis, Missouri, which operates the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park, and the Missouri Historical Society Library & Research Center with a staff of more than 150 people and a budget of over ten million dollars. The renovation and expansion of the museum facility, the historic Jefferson Memorial Building, and its capital campaign were under his leadership, as is the strategic plan to increasingly involve the Society with the community. He is active in museum, civic, and professional groups, including the American Association of Museums Board of Directors and as Chair of the American Association of Museums - Museums and Community Initiative. He has also served as president of the American Association for State and Local History.

Dr. Archibald also serves as President of the National Council of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial, the organization designated by Presidential proclamation and Congressional declaration to coordinate the national Bicentennial commemoration. In this post, Archibald oversees the National Heritage Signature Events, the Corps of Discovery II, and the Ad Council Public Awareness Campaign designed to promote the themes of the Lewis & Clark expedition.

In February of 2002, he was appointed to serve as co-chair of the Missouri Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission by Missouri Governor Bob Holden. Under the leadership of Archibald, the Missouri Historical Society is mounting a major exhibition to commemorate the expedition bringing together for the first time since the end of the expedition in 1806, rare handwritten journals, maps, equipment, American Indian artifacts, and scientific specimens. Lewis and Clark: the National Bicentennial Exhibition will premiere in St. Louis in January 2004 and will travel over a two-year period to Philadelphia, Denver, and Portland, Oregon, before the showing at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Archibald regularly serves as a consultant to museums and historical associations and writes and speaks on pertinent topics in history and on issues regarding the humanities, memory, environmental responsibilities, community values, and museum practices. His most recent book is A Place to Remember: Using History to Build Community.

In St. Louis Dr. Archibald has assumed an active leadership role in many efforts and associations and in April 2003 was chosen by the voters in a city-wide election to serve a 4-year term on the St. Louis School Board. In May of 2003, Maryville University awarded him an honorary doctorate of humane letters and in August of 1998 the University of Missouri-St. Louis presented him with an honorary doctorate of letters.

He earned his doctorate at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. His graduate and undergraduate degrees are from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, and in 2000 his alma mater honored him with a Distinguished Alumni Award. He served as the director of the Montana Historical Society and of the Western Heritage Center in Billings, Montana, and has taught university courses in Michigan, New Mexico, Montana, and Missouri.

The Missouri Historical Society can be reached at 314 746 4599.

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