Thanksgiving Day Parade Renamed Belk Carolinas’ Carrousel Parade

Charlotte-based retailer Belk has signed on as the title sponsor of the newly renamed Belk Carolinas’ Carrousel Parade, the fourth largest Thanksgiving parade in the United States. Belk is a long-time supporter of the parade and has been its presenting sponsor for the past three years.

“Parade organizers changed the name of the parade to Carolinas’ Thanksgiving Day Parade at its 60th anniversary in 2007,” said Linda Healy Vespa, executive director of Carolinas’ Carrousel, Inc., the non-profit organization that produces the parade. “However, long-time parade enthusiasts have continued to refer to the event as the Carrousel Parade. Belk’s interest in becoming our title sponsor prompted us to re-think the name of the parade and we have decided to go back to the familiar Carrousel name in our new branding efforts.

“I look forward to working closely with Belk and our other generous sponsors to make our parade even bigger and better.”

Kathy Bufano, Belk, Inc. president of merchandising and marketing, said, “Belk is proud to continue its long association with and support of the Carolinas’ Carrousel organization and the annual Thanksgiving Day parade. The late John M. Belk, former Charlotte mayor and our former chairman and CEO, was one of the parade’s founders in 1947, and since then the parade has become a wonderful family tradition and an exciting way to usher in the holiday season for thousands of people across the greater Charlotte region. Belk is delighted to help keep the great Carolinas’ Carrousel legacy going strong by serving as the parade’s title sponsor this year.”

“We are proud and honored that Belk is lending its name to this event,” said Jon B. Hannan, Charlotte Fire Department chief and president of the board of Carolinas’ Carrousel, Inc. “As a native Charlottean, I grew up watching and marching in the parade. It’s a time-honored holiday tradition that has grown in scope and size since it began in 1947. Belk’s enthusiastic support reflects the parade’s importance to the region and ensures its vitality for years to come.”

The parade also receives vital support from other sponsors, including its longest-serving supporter Autobell Car Wash, the Charlotte Convention and Visitors Bureau, Fifth Third Bank, and CPI Security Systems.

For information on becoming a sponsor or participating in the 2010 Belk Carolinas’ Carrousel Parade, contact Carolinas’ Carrousel, Inc. at 704-525-0250 or info@carrouselparade.org.