Head to Uptown Charlotte for the Carolinas’ Thanksgiving Day Parade

November 17, 12:47 AMCarolinas Travel ExaminerPaul McDaniel

Previous Next

1 comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Carolinas Travel Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

(Carolinas' Carrousel, Inc.)

Most people have specific traditions for what they do on a particular holiday. Thanksgiving is no exception. One common tradition that most have on Thanksgiving is a large meal with family and friends.  Some include other traditions as well, such as watching a Thanksgiving Day parade. The most famous of such parades includes the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, in which thousands of people line the streets of Manhattan and millions more tune in to watch the parade on their televisions. I personally find myself flipping on the TV on Thanksgiving morning to watch this spectacular parade. In fact, I’ve even traveled to New York City to view the parade live, which included braving the crowds and the cold weather!

Well, if you’re looking for a live Thanksgiving Day parade to watch but don’t want to travel to New York on Thanksgiving, then head no further than Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina. The Carolinas Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place again this year beginning at 10:00 AM Thanksgiving Day morning (Thursday, November 27, 2008). Thousands of people have turned up over the years to watch this parade live ever since its first year in 1947. In fact, the parade has become one of the largest annual gatherings of Carolinians. Participants include people and organizations from both North and South Carolina.

If you’re a Charlottean or live in the surrounding region, but have never been to this parade before, why not start a new family tradition this year? People of all ages will certainly have a wonderful time. You can show up to watch the parade in the morning and still have plenty of time to enjoy the remainder of your Thanksgiving day with friends and family and the big Thanksgiving feast.  However, if you prefer to stay at home as you prepare your Thanksgiving meal, but would still like to see the parade, then simply tune in on TV as the parade is telecast regionally on WBTV, Channel 3 (CBS). 

Important Information for planning your trip to the parade:

The Parade route in Uptown Charlotte begins on Tryon Street at 9^th Street, turns left onto 3^rd Street and ends between Davidson Street and McDowell Street on 3^rd Street.

You can make your journey to Uptown Charlotte more pleasant and smooth (and more fun), by taking public transportation – either a CATS Bus (to Uptown Charlotte) or LYNX Light Rail Blue Line (exit at Third Street Station for main parade route).