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The Greater Raleigh Merchants Association and City of Raleigh have come to an agreement to hold the 79th annual Christmas Parade with nonmotorized vehicles (read: a procession that includes zero vehicles), featuring marching bands, performers, costume characters, giant balloons, musical acts and more. The agreement came a day after the City announced the 2023 Christmas Parade would be canceled out of respect for the Brooks family in the wake of the tragic death of 11-year-old Hailey Brooks, who was struck and killed by a truck hauling a float at the 2022 holiday parade. The problem? The Brooks family says they weren’t consulted at all, thus sparking an about-face by the City. While everyone expected there would be a focus on improved safety protocols and inspections after last year’s tragedy, no one—including the Brooks family—expected for Raleigh to forgo the longtime holiday tradition, especially given this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade went off without a hitch. If anything, the outcry is for a parade to honor Hailey.
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