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HISTORY & MISSION
The Carolinas' Thanksgiving Day Parade has evolved over more
than six decades as a regional tradition and highlight of the
Holiday Season. Founded in 1947 by four local businessmen to
attract holiday shoppers to downtown Charlotte, the Thanksgiving
week events have become so much more. The Parade and its
ancillary events are produced by an independent, volunteer,
non-profit, charitable organization, Carolinas' Carrousel, Inc.
The Carolinas' Carrousel, Inc. is committed to enhancing the
regional area's community life through quality family-oriented
entertainment. The organization’s events officially announce and
celebrate the beginning of the holiday season. In addition, it
promotes artistic excellence through awards to area high school
students and marching bands. The Carolinas' Carrousel, Inc. also
exists to offer business, industry and the local citizenry the
opportunity to participate in showcasing the region and to
encourage academic excellence in the future leaders of the area.
Giving Back – Carolinas’ Carrousel, Inc. is proud to lend its support to Second
Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. Parade attendees will have the opportunity to make
a difference in the lives of many in need throughout our region by making a
donation to Second Harvest on Thanksgiving Day. Along the parade route will be
opportunities for spectators to drop off donations of canned and pre-packaged food
to this great cause and help thousands of people right here in our community.
Want to get more involved?
Parade participation
Sponsorship opportunities
Volunteer
Some Historic Parade
Milestones:
|
1947 |
First
"Charlotte Christmas Festival" was held in early
November. Among key founders were John Belk and George
Ivey. That year's twilight parade drew a crowd of
125,000. |
|
1950 |
Name
changed to Carolinas' Carrousel. 500,000 people watch
popular cowboy star, Hopalong Cassidy lead the parade. |
|
1952 |
Date
changed to Thanksgiving Day so schoolchildren and
workers could attend. |
|
1954 |
First
daylight parade. |
|
1957 |
Santa's
float breaks down, leaving Santa behind. |
|
1961 |
Wettest
Carrousel on record. |
|
1967 |
Scholarship awards program was started. |
|
1968 |
Twenty-seven (27) minutes of the parade were nationally
broadcast on CBS.
North to South route is adopted to take advantage of
sunlight for television. |
|
1981 |
Marching
Band competition was added to the Parade format. |
|
1982 |
Scholarship awards increased in Representatives
Division. |
|
1998 |
Scholarship awards
increased in Representatives
Division.
Marching Band
Scholarship awards
added to the program. |
|
2000 |
Robert L. Maddox Music Scholarship established
($2,000). |
|
2007 |
Parade celebrates its 60th anniversary.
Charlotte-based retailer Belk becomes the parade’s
presenting sponsor. Scholarship program is re-named the
John M. Belk Scholarship Fund. |
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