As the season of festivities, songs, gift-giving and gathering approaches, the jolly spirit of Raleigh awakens. For the past 80 years, the city of Raleigh has hosted its annual Christmas Parade in a celebration of holiday spirit. Even for those who are more of a Grinch, the community feels as if there is nothing to lose but everything to gain by tuning in on television to the city’s share of cheerfulness and delight.

The upbeat parade is an instant mood brightener due to its celebratory contents like marching bands, giant balloons, dancers and all things alike. Raleigh’s Christmas Parade holds a special place in the heart of Shannon McCall, a long-time attender of this memorable event.

 “As a Raleigh and Christmas lover, it’s the perfect event for me to attend,” Shannon said. “Especially at this time of year, when work gives me a hard time, the parade uplifts me greatly. I also love seeing others being joyful despite the hard times some may undergo: it gives me hope and delight.”

Shannon will be attending this year’s upcoming parade for her 12th appearance, and her love for the event’s performers never gets old. 

“I especially enjoy the entertainers,” Shannon said. “[Someone] dancing or just standing around somewhere dressed as an elf never fails to make me smile.”

Every little detail of this parade shapes it into a beaming celebration, so it’s always important to understand and praise the work put in behind the scenes. Jennifer Martin, Executive Director for Raleigh’s Christmas Parade, speaks on how the event continues to grow and enhance with each new year. 

“Over the years, we have seen the floats get more colorful, the balloons increase in size and how many are a part of the event,” Martin said. “We see the participants dressing up in fashion, we see better photos and broadcasts due to better cameras and technology. But one thing that remains the same is the community’s love for this parade and the energy that surrounds it.”

With this year being Martin’s 16th year as the Executive Director, she has many memorable stories within the parade, some laughable and others touching. 

“Last year, a little girl saw Santa and started shaking the bells in her hand and shouting, ‘Santa, I have your bells!’” Martin said. “Another year, a child who lost his parents and was now being raised by Grandma had stopped talking, stopped smiling, but once he got on the float and left the start line, he came alive. These stories are always my favorite and what keeps me going.”

With all this happiness and satisfaction within the parade, one might wonder how it feels to cause a smile. In the company of thousands of performers enlisted each year, Diya Wolborskey, a talented dancer within the parade, talks about how it feels to brighten faces in the crowd. 

“Creating happiness for others brings greater joy than having others create it for me,” Wolborsky said. “Making a group of kids smile when I dance is an unbeatable feeling, and I am so grateful I have this opportunity to perform in this parade.”

As Raleigh’s Christmas Parade is the biggest Christmas parade from Atlanta to Washington, D.C., it’s important to take precautions when dealing with such a large event. Safety always matters when conducting the giant floats, clearing all potential threats and overall managing to make sure things always remain under control. The Raleigh Fire Department is in charge of all things welfare, and has done an excellent job in maintaining safety in the past years of the parade. Chief Herbert Griffin speaks on the department’s responsibility for ensuring things play out smoothly. 

“The three months leading up to the parade are dedicated entirely to preparation,” Griffin said. “It’s a massive job, but it’s mandatory to maintain everyone’s safety.”

In closing, Raleigh’s Christmas Parade continues to be a symbol of hope and positivity within the city. This event has notably been Raleigh’s most successful festivity, dating back to 1945. Whether it is tuned in on TV or attending the main event, the community believes it is worth the pure glee and holiday spirit it evokes among all those watching.

“It’s a great parade to attend, whether going yourself or with someone else,” Shannon said. “It definitely lightens my mood.”