The holiday season is back—and so is the Raleigh Christmas Parade!
posted by Jacqueline Leibman | November 23, 2021 | In NewsJacqueline Leibman
Despite a chilling 30°F morning, the Raleigh Christmas Parade drew a large crowd, bringing much needed joy to those who attended and watched from home.
There were smiles all around as the 77th Annual ABC 11/LeithCars.com Raleigh Christmas Parade took place in the capitol on November 20. This year’s parade was even more special as people were once again allowed to gather street-side to watch the event live—something that could not occur last year due to COVID-19.
More than 115 entries consisting of marching bands, dancers, classic cars, and Santa Claus himself, started at the corner of Hillsborough Street and Glenwood Avenue, moving through the 1.4 mile route around the NC State Capitol and finished along Fayetteville Street.
The main stage took place in front of the WTVD-ABC11 studios, the parade’s official broadcasting host. While there was a large crowd present, even more were able to enjoy the festivities from the comfort of their homes.
For the past seventeen years, we’ve watched the local news with Amber Rupinta along with her fellow WTVD-ABC 11 newscasters. Today, she joined them via parade float in hosting the Raleigh Christmas Parade broadcast.
This year’s festivities meant more to her, as she lost her father, U.S. Navy veteran, Larry Rupinta, on Thanksgiving last year due to complications from COVID-19.
“The holidays in general can be tough on anyone who has experienced a loss,” Rupinta said. “The parade return is a light to me and hopefully others that we’re coming out of a dark time. The simple return to community is much needed after so much loss and time apart. I was proud to see so many people cheering along the streets of Raleigh.”
Fort Bragg’s own 82nd Airborne Division was honored collectively as the Parade Grand Marshal. A float consisting of thirteen paratroopers wearing the newly issued Army Greens were joined overhead by two Apache helicopters and two Black Hawk helicopters, which included a Med Evac.
Special guests included ABC News correspondent, Will Reeve, son of the late Superman actor, Christopher Reeve, and an original Christmas song from Gospel singer, Shirley Caesar.
On any other day, the sight of miniature horses, tractors, storm troopers, and the Grinch riding a motorcycle in front of the Wake County Courthouse would cause heads to turn but today it was a welcomed sight.
HBCUs were represented by St. Augustine’s University’s royal court, accompanied by their Superior Sound Marching Band as well as Shaw University’s Platinum Sound Machine Band.
The parade also proudly showcased the diversity of the state including members from HT Ranch and Stables along with riders from the documentary series, Black Country—a Regional Emmy Award Winner for Entertainment which told the stories of Black cowboys and cowgirls and Black experiences of living in the country.
There were also representatives from the Eastern North Carolina Chapter 37 IH Tractor Club, Raleigh’s International Food Festival, and the Chinese American Friendship Association.
Presented by Shop Local Raleigh, the parade, which occurs before Thanksgiving, marks the beginning of the holiday season. Organized by local shops and merchants, the event provides exposure for local businesses as the holiday spending season begins.
Despite a brief hiatus during WWII and virtually last year due to the COVID pandemic, the event has taken place downtown every year since its debut in 1939. It is one of the state’s largest events drawing 65,000 visitors and is the largest parade between Atlanta and Washington, D.C.
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