Preserving the history of the Mooresville Christmas Parade

Did you know that only three of Mooresville’s Christmas Parades have gone up Main Street instead of down?

It happened because of road construction and parking lot issues. Once in the 1960s, the mill parking lot was under construction. The other two times were recent because of road widening and curbs added on Main Street.

It’s trivia to some, and history to others – such as Andy Poore, historian at the Mooresville Library. Poore described the parade as a community event that brought farmers into town with their tractors and hay wagons, building the community, to get past the evils of World War II and boosting everyone’s spirits.

Preserving the history of the parade is a priority. On Aug. 3, 1999, the Mooresville Christmas Parade became a nonprofit organization as a result of the work of Ron Brown, Wayne Frick, Russ West, H. Mike Cook, Nick Carrington, John Amon and Bob Amon.

“The first one was held in 1944. It may or may not have been held in 1945, but we’re calling this year’s parade the 68th parade,” Brown said. “The Jaycees kept the parade going through the 1950s until there were two people left. Then we stepped in to keep the tradition.”

The parade is always the Tuesday afternoon before Thanksgiving. In the past, Brown said, each of the neighboring towns (Statesville, Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson and Mooresville took one half-day of the week off and closed their businesses. Tuesday was Mooresville’s half-day.

“That’s why it’s held on Tuesday: It didn’t interrupt business,” Brown said. “Everybody has changed their parade to weekends, but I understand their crowds have diminished. Last year 12,000 to 15,000 people attended the Mooresville parade, and this year there will be about 3,500 people in the parade.

“If it’s bad weather, our crowds are diminished, but the parade goes on rain or shine. We have great-grandparents who participated in the parade and now their great-grandchildren are in it. People arrive at 10 a.m. for a 3 p.m. parade.”

Brown added, “As a country we’ve lost a lot of traditions. I’m just glad we continue this tradition.”