CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A Charlotte tradition on the brink of extinction is returning with a new name and a few changes for Thanksgiving.
North Carolina's largest city is scheduled to hold its annual Thanksgiving parade on Thursday.
It was formerly known as the Carrousel Parade. Now, the event carries the name of sponsor Novant Health, which replaced Belk after the retail chain announced last year that it was pulling its sponsorship to focus on its commitments to breast cancer and other educational initiatives.
Organizers had canceled the parade because of a lack of financial backing before Novant Health stepped in to provide support.
Hundreds of performers, bands, and new larger than life floats were in today's parade. Organizers said they wanted to take the parade to another level and they did just that.
This year's parade features 15 high school and community marching bands, 15 floats, 13 flying balloons and nine live performances, a change from previous parades.
Crews spent hours earlier in the week preparing for the event that thousands attended.
People who braved the cold to watch this told me they're thankful the event wasn't canceled.
"Somebody would have some little empty feeling of something’s missing so I think it's great they do have it. We'd miss it if it wasn't here,” said participant Michelle Trombley.
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