CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte’s 76th annual Thanksgiving Eve Parade ushered in the 2022 holiday season on Wednesday night.
But in the center of fun and entertainment, safety took a renewed focus.
This past weekend, an 11-year-old girl was killed in Raleigh’s Christmas parade when investigators say a float driver lost control of a truck and hit her.
In Charlotte, parade organizers say no volunteers drive their floats, and other rules are in place to ensure the safety of participants and patrons.
What You Need To Know
Charlotte's Thanksgiving parade does not use volunteers as drivers
Other safety measures are in place to protect volunteers, performers and patrons
Parade is in its 76th year
“Safety has been important to us every single year. And it’s really vital that people who come are comfortable — when they come they know they’re going to have a safe and comfortable experience,” said Moira Quinn with Charlotte Center City Partners.
Quinn remembers coming to the parade with her parents and siblings growing up and says Charlotte Center City Partners is in its ninth year of putting on the parade.
“We have a 1,000 volunteers who are part of this parade today. So, a lot of them you’re going to see walking, as costume characters, some of them are putting together these floats,” Quinn added.
The people tasked with moving the floats down Tryon Street will be professionals, as they have since the organization took over parade planning.
“Our floats are pulled by James River Equipment tractors. These are professional tractors and these are professional drivers. We don’t have volunteer drivers, we have drivers who are professionals,” Quinn said.
The parade’s 12 floats are also owned by the organization, are inspected and have weight limits for the annual parade.
“We never let anybody walk in front of a float or walk in front of a vehicle of any sort,” Quinn added.
It is all part of the effort to make sure Charlotte’s 76th annual parade, and all the ones after it, are as safe as possible.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is tasked with ensuring the safety of the parade route and cross streets, according to Quinn.