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Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade

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The Novant HealthThanksgiving Day Parade, previously known as the Carolinas' Carrousel Parade and in 2008 and 2009 as the Carolinas' Thanksgiving Day Parade, [1][2] is a Thanksgiving Day parade held in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina. The parade was founded in 1947, and in 2013 Novant Health became the parade's title sponsor, taking over sponsorship from Belk.

Starting in 1967, Carolina's Carrousel, Inc. has held a scholarship program for students recognizing those with outstanding academic achievements and community involvement. From 1998 to 2012 scholarships were also awarded to outstanding marching band students. The Carrousel Queen title was awarded to the high school senior girl with the top scholarship in the program; however, the title was changed to Carrousel Scholar in 2011.[3]

Traditionally, Carolinas' Carrousel Parade was one of the few Thanksgiving Day parades held in the afternoon as opposed to the morning (although the first several parades were held in the evening). However, the parade was moved to mornings beginning in 2008. The parade is the largest gathering of Carolinians and has been named as the fourth-largest in the United States, with an estimated 100,000 spectators.[4][5] The parade is also televised with tape-delay on WBTV.[6]

History

Founded in 1947, the parade was created by local businessmen to attract shoppers to uptown Charlotte and has become a staple holiday event in Charlotte.[7]

The impact of the parade continued with the creation of the scholarship program in 1967.[7]

The marching band competition started in 1981.[7]

In 2005, the parade nearly doubled the number of floats to 23, and board members were hoping to make televise the parade nationally.[8]

The 2007 parade had a professional production team, Charlotte Arrangements. The President of Charlotte Arrangements, Clarke Allen, expected a parade much like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade; however, light poles prevented the large balloons. Therefore, to improve the parade, the 2007 event had 104 floats and entertainment such as dancers.[9] In 2007 the parade also celebrated its 60th anniversary and the introduction of a new sponsor, Belk who then became the title sponsor in 2010.[7]

The 2008 parade was the first to start in the morning rather than the traditional afternoon start time; the previous parade was the last to be broadcast live.[9][10]

In Summer 2013, Carolinas Carrousel announced the parade would not happen in 2013; however, Novant Health took over as sponosr in August and the parade was able to continue as normal. Charlotte Center City Partners began producing the now Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade and brought new life to the annual parade.[7]

The first Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade started at 9:30 and provided more live entertainment. In addition to Novant Health taking over as sponsor, the parade offered more live performances at Levine Center for the Arts.[11]

References

  1. ^ http://www.charlottecentercity.org/news/article/220/thanksgiving-day-parade-renamed-belk-carolinas-carrousel-parade/
  2. ^ http://www.carrouselparade.org/history.htm/
  3. ^ CarrouselParade.org
  4. ^ http://travel.usnews.com/features/Americas_Best_Thanksgiving_Day_Parades/
  5. ^ http://www.carrouselparade.org/
  6. ^ http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/11/04/4440276/charlottes-thanksgiving-parade.html#.U3oyENJdXxA
  7. ^ a b c d e http://www.carrouselparade.org/history.htm
  8. ^ Steve Lyttle,"Marching On - And Up - New Leadership, More Floats Have Parade Organizers Thinking Big," The Charlotte Observer, November 24, 2005, p. 1B.
  9. ^ a b Celeste Smith, "Big-City Feel Energizes Parade - More Floats, Professional Production Enahnce Uptown Event," The Charlotte Observer, Friday, November 23, 2007, p. 1B.
  10. ^ Jeff Elder, "Documentary Guru Here Helpin' Tout Area History," The Charlotte Observer, May 22, 2008, p. 1D.
  11. ^ Steve Lyttle, "2013 Thanksgiving parade will have new look: Charlotte event will offer more live entertainment and start earlier this year," The Charlotte Observer, November 5, 2013, p. 1B.</
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