CHARLOTTE, NC (Press release) — The 75th-anniversary Novant Health Thanksgiving Parade will step off on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 24 at 6:00 p.m. The floats, units and bands will be illuminated to celebrate the 75th Anniversary in style. 2020’s Parade was a 100% made-for-TV event, to preserve this remarkable tradition and to keep our community safe in the middle of the COVID-19 lockdown. This year, the Parade will observe this milestone anniversary in person, with lights, music, and ingenuity, on Thanksgiving Eve.
PARADE FACTS
- Route is approximately one mile long, from 9th to Stonewall streets
- More than 500 community volunteers support the parade as balloon handlers, costumed characters, marshals and logistical support
- All of the parade floats are built locally using original designs
- The parade is produced by Charlotte Center City Partners
- Typically, 3,500 people participate (volunteering, walking, marching or riding) in the parade
STREET CLOSURES
Monday, Nov. 22 at 6:00 p.m.
- South Tryon Street from Stonewall Street to MLK Boulevard
Tuesday, Nov. 23 at 10:00 p.m.
- North Tryon Street from 9th Street to 11th Street
- 10th Street from Church Street to Tryon Street
- Montford Point Street from College Street to Tryon Street
Wednesday, Nov. 24 at 5:00 p.m.
- 9th Street from College Street to Church Street
- 11th Street from College Street to Church Street
- Hill Street from College Street to Tryon Street
- Tryon Street from Morehead Street to 10th Street, including all cross streets in between (Hill, Stonewall, Levine, MLK, 3rd, 4th, Trade, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th between College and Church streets)
Streets will reopen on a rolling basis after the parade concludes and at the discretion of CMPD.
HELPFUL TIPS
- Members of the public are encouraged to wear masks when they are unable to practice social distancing; parade participants have additional COVID-19 protocols in place.
- Parking is available throughout Uptown at prevailing market rates. Attendees are encouraged to allow extra time to arrive and park to allow for street closures.
- Attendees are encouraged to use light rail, streetcar, bus, Joy Rides or other modes of alternative transportation to access Uptown.
- Tickets are not required to attend the parade! It is free and open to all. However, VIP tickets, which guarantee seats along a specific section of the parade route, are still available. More information is available at www.novanthealththanksgivingparade.com.
- The Parade takes approximately two hours; it is expected to conclude around 8:00 p.m.
PARADE UNITS
- Grand Marshal: Dr. David Priest; SVP and Chief Safety, Quality and Epidemiology Officer, Novant Health
- More than 100 organizations participate in the Parade
- 28 specialty units
- 12 floats
- 15 Marching bands
- Eight balloons
- Eight “segwalloons,” cold air balloons wrapped around Segways, a patent-pending design unique to Charlotte
- One 5-foot-6 walking turkey, Queen Charlotte
