RALEIGH, N.C. — The Raleigh Christmas Parade this year welcomes the return of motorized floats. 

What You Need To Know

  • For the first time, participants this year must sign a waiver to be a part of the Raleigh Christmas Parade

  • The Raleigh City Council signed off on new safety guidelines for motorized parade vehicles

  • Updated rules require that all vehicles be licensed in North Carolina and operators be 25 or older

  • The new policy reflects efforts to make the event safer after a girl was killed in a crash with a parade vehicle two years ago

The city opted not to have a motorized parade last year after an 11-year-old girl was killed in a crash by a parade vehicle in 2022.

With renewed safety measures in place, the event organizer and participants say this is going to be a special year.

The city has a waiver form for all participants and a new safety policy for all motorized vehicles in the parade Saturday morning through downtown Raleigh.

(Greater Raleigh Merchants Association)

Nothing quite says 'tis the season like running the Raleigh Christmas Parade for Jennifer Martin.

“Safety is always a top priority for any of our events, and especially for the Christmas parade,” Martin said.

Martin is the executive director of the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association.

“There should just be a great day at pageantry, fun and just really reminding the community about what this is about and bringing people together,” Martin said.

The 2024 parade has all the bells and whistles of past years, and then some.

This summer the Raleigh City Council unanimously approved a motorized parade policy. The objective is establishing vehicle safety measures for motorized parades including:

  • Proof of insurance from each vehicle operator and for each vehicle
  • Vehicle operators must be well-rested, healthy and alcohol- and drug-free for 12 hours before the parade
  • No distracted driving
  • No throwing items
  • Drivers must be at least 25 years old

According to Wake County Court documents, Landon Glass was 20 at the time he fatally struck Hailey Brooks, 11, after his brakes failed during the 2022 Christmas parade.

Tara Needham is one of the participants who doesn’t mind the new approach from the city.

“I’ve had horses since I was 14 years old,” Needham said, introducing four miniature horses. “This is Kiwi, Taz, Peaches and Lola.” 

Needham founded the Stampede of Love, an equine therapy nonprofit organization helping people of all abilities navigate the world.

The Californian-turned-North Carolinian has participated in the parade for several years.

“I love the excitement,” Needham said. “When you get going, it's insane how many people come out for this.”

The city policy also sets ground rules for how the event organizer is holding participants accountable such as:

  • A safety inspection must be presented within 30 days of the parade
  • An inspection of a vehicle’s brakes, tires, lights, horn and emissions must be conducted, and registration must be confirmed
  • A valid North Carolina license plate must be shown
  • Towed vehicles and trailers must be secured
  • All 14 points of day-of-parade inspection must be completed before leaving the staging area

Needham embraces these new measures, especially after attending meetings about the parade.

“They have really gone above and beyond to prepare for this event,” Needham said.

Brooks' family is promoting the Shine Like Hailey Parade Safety Act. The state House bill would impose safety requirements for the operation of a parade vehicle, including police or fire department inspection. 

The Raleigh parade starts at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.