Happy Thanksgiving!

Be sure to tune in to NBC at 9 a.m. to see Miss America's return to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

For the first time in nearly 8 years, Miss America 2009 Katie Stam has been invited to participate in one of America's most beloved traditions, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Katie will be riding aboard the Statue of Liberty float. Joining her on the float will be the ING New York City Marathon 2009 men's champion, Meb Keflezighi, the first American men's winner of the race since Alberto Salazar in 1982.

Witness the excitement as Macy's presents their 83rd Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, Nov. 26, live on NBC from 9 a.m. - Noon EST*. This year, the parade will move from its traditional march down Broadway to a new route along 7th Avenue in New York City. The parade will feature 1,500 dancers, cheerleaders, singers and performers; 15 giant character balloons; 800 clowns; 35 novelty or ornament balloons, balloonheads and balloonicles; 24 floats; 10 marching bands; and a slew of celebrity performers.

Along with Katie, other performers in the parade include: Bello, Andrea Bocelli, Keke Palmer, Grandma and the cast of the Big Apple Circus, the cast of Hair, Boys Like Girls, DJ Lance Rock and the cast of Yo Gabba Gabba!, Kermit the Frog

and Tiffany Thornton, the cast and Muppets of Sesame Street, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots, the cast of Billy Elliot, Sarah Hughes, Jane Krakowski, the cast of Bye Bye Birdie, Ziggy Marley with Judah Marley, the Radio City Rockettes, Katharine McPhee, Mitchel Musso, The Pizzarelli Quartet, the cast of Shrek the Musical, and Jay Sean.

For more info please visit the Macy's Day Parade Website.

Former Miss USA, Tara Conner will also be in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Miss USA, Kristen Dalton will spend the day with the USO.

MISS USA 2009 KRISTEN DALTON GETS CALLED TO DUTY BY THE USO

ServiceNation Announces Miss USA will be an Ambassador

New York, NY – November 11, 2009 – On Veterans Day, Kristen Dalton, Miss USA 2009, visited the historic Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum where she announced that she has been called to duty by the USO and will spend the Thanksgiving holiday by giving back to military men, women and their families at Fort Drum Installation Base, home of the 10th Light Infantry Division. The mission of the 10th Mountain Division is to train and make ready for deployment of almost 80,000 army troops annually.

With over 30,000 military men, women, staff members and their families who are based in this New York State camp, Kristen will serve up holiday meals, visit with enlisted soldiers and their families as well as host a movie night.

“I can’t think of anything I want to do more this Thanksgiving than visit our troops. These men and women have given so much for this country and I am honored to be spending this very special holiday with them,” said Kristen Dalton. “I urge all Americans to find a way to volunteer and give back in their honor.”

ServiceNation, the groundbreaking nationwide campaign to advance service and volunteerism also announced today that Miss USA will be an Ambassador for their organization. Miss USA will travel the nation encouraging Americans to volunteer and champion service as a core element of citizenship. To find out how you can serve, visit www.servicenation.org