The 74th Annual Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade Goes Virtual
The Miles of Smiles will be a TV-only Event in 2020
CHARLOTTE – (August 18, 2020) –This year marks the 74th anniversary of the Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade. The annual celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday, and one of the longest-running events in the City of Charlotte, will move to TV in 2020. The decision to cancel the in-person parade comes after discussion with health authorities, public officials, and other industry experts. The uncertainty of COVID-19 conditions and public safety protocols in effect at the time of the parade drove the decision.
“Today marks 100 days from the Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade. While we’re saddened that the parade won’t be live in Uptown this year, we know that moving the event to a TV special is what’s best for the community,” said Robert Krumbine, chief creative officer at Charlotte Center City Partners. We can all celebrate this long-standing tradition with family and friends in the comfort of our homes and we will welcome in the holiday season to Charlotte in the safest way possible. The best part about the parade has always been its ability to bring the community together, whether in person or virtually. Just know that the 75th anniversary event next year – the diamond anniversary – will be spectacular!”
“The Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade has kicked off Charlotte’s holiday season for nearly 75 years. While we’ll miss celebrating in person this year, a virtual parade is the best way for us to keep our neighbors and loved ones safe,” said Jesse Cureton, executive vice president and chief consumer officer for Novant Health. “Time spent with friends and family is what makes the parade and our holiday traditions special. This year’s virtual celebration will showcase some of our favorite memories from previous parades as we look forward to the holiday season.”
The parade will air on WBTV on Thanksgiving Day. The broadcast will feature “best of” segments from years past including floats, marching bands, balloons, and other performances. Local and regional performers are a staple of the Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade and they will continue to be featured during the TV special. Additional segments might include, but are not limited to, virtual all-star performances, parade history and fun facts, community giving back, highlighting front-line heroes, and even healthy cooking features.
For more information, visithttp://novanthealththanksgivingparade.com/.
About the Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Novant Health Thanksgiving Parade is a Charlotte tradition that dates back to 1947. The parade takes place each year in Uptown Charlotte as the official kick-off to the holiday season. In 2012, it was named by U.S. News & World Report as one of America's Best Thanksgiving Day Parades. For more information, visit www.novanthealththanksgivingparade.com.
About Novant Health
Novant Health is an integrated network of physician clinics, outpatient facilities and hospitals that delivers a seamless and convenient healthcare experience to communities in Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia. The Novant Health network consists of more than 1,600 physicians and over 29,000 employees that provide care at nearly 700 locations, including 15 hospitals and hundreds of outpatient facilities and physician clinics. In 2020, Novant Health was the only healthcare system in North Carolina to be included on Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity list. Diversity MBA Magazine has also ranked Novant Health third on its 2019 list of “Best Places for Women & Diverse Managers to Work.” Novant Health provided more than $993.2 million incommunity benefit, including financial assistance and services, in 2019. For more information, please visit our website at NovantHealth.org. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
About Charlotte Center City Partners
Charlotte Center City Partners envisions and implements strategies and actions to drive the economic, social and cultural development of Charlotte’s Center City. The organization’s vision is to help create a viable, livable, memorable, and sustainable Center City with modern infrastructure, a tapestry of unique neighborhoods, and a diversity of thriving businesses. For complete information about Charlotte Center City Partners, visit www.charlottecentercity.org.
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