Storm
Bird to ride in Macy's Parade

By Jayda Evans
Seattle Times staff reporter

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It's on everyone's checklist if you're visiting New York this time of year: The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade ranks with the Statue of Liberty as top things to see in the big city.

Unless you are a New Yorker.

"What everyone else says you have to do are things some New Yorkers have never done," said Storm guard Sue Bird.

Bird, who won the WNBA championship and an Olympic gold medal with Team USA this year, was asked to be part of the 78th annual parade. She'll ride the "Spirit of America" float with former University of Connecticut teammate and fellow Olympian Swin Cash (Detroit Shock), with the parade televised today on Ch. 5 at 9 a.m. Gold medalists Justin Gatlin and Shawn Crawford (track), Misty May (volleyball) and Carly Patterson (gymnastics) will also be on the float.

Bird, 24, is accustomed to parades, but this is her first time attending or being featured in the Macy's Day Parade.

"I have been to the Statue of Liberty, though," she said with a laugh. "I've watched the parade on TV. It's the biggest parade, and in our country everybody knows about it. It really marks the beginning of Christmas in New York, and tomorrow is the first shopping day, so I will not be in New York because it'll be insane."

Bird, who was born in Syosset, N.Y., will return to Seattle after spending the holiday with her family. She'll travel to Russia on Dec. 30 to play on the same professional team as Storm teammate Kamila Vodichkova.

Cash, whose WNBA season ended when she tore an ACL, is off crutches and continuing her rehabilitation. She said she's going to spend the holiday in Pittsburgh. But before that she'll get to hear one of her favorite musical artists, Fantasia Barrino from "American Idol," who will sing to the crowd from the float.

"It's just an overwhelming feeling of tradition," Cash said.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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