Thanksgiving Day parade enlivens Tryon Street
| Charlotte began celebrating Thanksgiving with a parade in 1947. This year, parade officials expected 100,00 people to gather Thursday along the mile-long Tryon Street route. Fifteen floats, eight giant balloons including a 50-foot version of the Muppets character Animal, 12 marching bands, among them five high school bands, and Santa Claus began the trip as the Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade kicked off at 9 a.m. Former Carolina Panthers stars Jonathan Stewart, acting as grand marshal, and Steve Smith, honorary marshal, were also in attendance. “It’s special because we’re celebrating 72 years of memories,” said Vica Bondurant, vice president of marketing and communications for Center City Partners. |
This story was originally published November 28, 2019 at 2:00 PM.