Novant_Health_Thanksgiving_Day_Parade
Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade
Parade in Charlotte, North Carolina, US
The Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade, previously known as the "Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade" from 2013 until 2020, Carolinas' Carrousel Parade and in 2008 and 2009 as the Carolinas' Thanksgiving Day Parade, [1] is a Thanksgiving Day parade held in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, the night before Thanksgiving Day. The parade was founded in 1947, and in 2013 Novant Health became the parade's title sponsor, taking over sponsorship from Belk. It was moved from Thanksgiving Day to Thanksgiving Eve in 2021.
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.[2]
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.[3][4] The parade was also televised with tape-delay on WBTV.[5] In 2016, it was streamed live on the station's web site.[6] The live and delayed broadcasts moved to WCCB in 2023.[7]