Gradkowski chosen to lead holiday parade

10/2/2018

Former University of Toledo and NFL quarterback Bruce Gradkowski has been chosen to be the grand marshal of The Blade Holiday Parade in November.

The 31st annual parade will begin at 10 a.m. Nov. 17 in downtown Toledo and include more than 80 group participants, including color guards, giant balloons, clowns, marching bands, and dance teams. Santa Claus will be in the parade and appear afterward at Imagination Station.

Prior to the parade will be the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Relay 5K at 8:30 a.m. and the Family Fun Run at 9:15 a.m. Both will start at The Blade parking lot at 541 N. Superior St.

After a record-setting career with the Rockets, Mr. Gradkowski played 11 seasons in the NFL for Tampa Bay, Cleveland, Oakland, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh. He is the color analyst on the UT football radio network and is a co-host on a weekly SiriusXM NFL Radio show.

Mr. Gradkowski is a local restaurant owner and recently received a 20 Under 40 Leadership Recognition Award from Leadership Toledo, which honors individuals who have distinguished themselves in their career and/​or as a volunteer in the community. He is also a community ambassador for ProMedica.

For more information or to participate, go online to bladeparade.toledoblade.com.