CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The countdown is on for the annual Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade. Crews are already hard at work and dusting off some of the famous floats.

What You Need To Know

• After going virtual in 2020, the Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade is back in person this year to mark the 75^th anniversary of the parade
• Preparations for the parade typically start a year in advance, and things kick into high gear in August or September
• This year’s parade will be held November 24, the evening before Thanksgiving

Brian Blackwelder, one of the float designers and primary builders, has worked on the parade for 12 years, but his love for the holidays started when he was a child.

“I used to watch the Carousel Parade as it came through Charlotte and always hoped that some day, in some strange way, I could be part of it,” he said.

The pandemic forced the 2020 parade to go virtual with a “best of” series aired on television.

 “It was, you know, it was devastating,” Blackwelder said.

Robert Krumbine, the chief creative officer for Charlotte Center City Partners, said, while he knew a virtual parade was the safest way to celebrate the holiday, it wasn’t the same.

“We created a great television show. But it certainly doesn’t replace the excitement of a parade with people on the sidelines and marching bands and all of the good stuff,” Krumbine said.

This year marks the 75^th anniversary for the parade, and Blackwelder said preparations kicked into high gear over the summer.

He said, while it feels great to be back at work, he’s more excited for the parade to once again take over Tryon Street.

“When I see a small kid on his mom or his dad’s shoulders and that glowing smile lights up, it’s worth every hour, every minute,” Blackwelder said.

You can buy tickets to get the best seat in the house for this year’s parade. For more details or to buy tickets, click here.