"Speak Out" is an expression of opinion from the Editorial Board of WBTV, and is presented by General Manager, Nick Simonette.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving…a time when we traditionally take stock of our many blessings.
And while 2009 has been a challenging year, there is still much for which to be thankful.
One example we'd like to acknowledge is the Carolinas' Thanksgiving Day Parade.
It was begun as the Carrousel Parade in 1947 as a way to draw shoppers into uptown Charlotte.
"Come watch the parade, then stick around to visit the local merchants."
But before long, the Parade was moved to Thanksgiving Day, so that workers and their families could all enjoy the festivities on a holiday.
Some 60-plus years later, we're still doing that – more than 100,000 strong.
We come for the music and synchronization of the marching bands.
We come for the elegance of the floats and to acknowledge the high school reps who ride upon them.
We come for the clowns, for the motorcycles, for the novelty acts we won't catch anywhere else.
But mostly, we come to be together as families and to share the excitement with our fellow Carolinians.
For at least one day, we put aside our differences and enjoy seeing other friends and neighbors glide down the street.
It's a tradition, and blessing, we hope continues for decades to come.
The Carolinas' Thanksgiving Day Parade runs south along Tryon Street, beginning at 10am.
But if you can't make it out in person, we invite you to join us for the broadcast here on Channel 3 at 1:00.
And from all of us at WBTV, we wish you a very, very Happy Thanksgiving.
