It was announced in October that Clay Aiken will be a special guest in the Raleigh, NC Christmas parade. Since this is the 75th Annual parade, the event will be the biggest and best yet!
ABC11 posted:
Are you ready for the holiday season? Because we are! Whether you’re in downtown Raleigh or watching on your couch, the 75th Raleigh Christmas Parade is the place to be on Saturday, November 23. The weekend before Thanksgiving, it’s the biggest party of the year to kick off the holiday shopping season.
9 a.m. – Live TV coverage starts on ABC11:
Raleigh Diamond 75th Parade Celebration – Hosted by Clay Aiken and Amber Rupinta
The event on November 23 lasts all day. After the parade, there will be a post-parade party at Christmas Village. In the evening, the Raleigh Tree Lighting will take place. According to ABC11, there will be live music & family fun.
When I heard about this event, I remembered that Clay was the Grand Marshall of this parade back in November – 2003. It was fun to find an old mention of the parade on WRAL.
Santa got big cheers, but the loudest ovation of the day came for Raleigh’s Idol Clay Aiken. Grand marshal of the 59th Annual Raleigh Christmas Parade, Aiken drew a crowd of 100,000, over double the usual attendance rate. Fans began lining the streets the night before and had packed both sides of the parade route by 8:30am for the 10am start.
Yes…that sounds like Clay.
I was able to find a few pictures of the 2003 parade…I even found a short video.
I hope you enjoy the following video!
Have a great week-end!
What I wouldn't give to be in Raleigh for this great parade! Not possible though so I hope there will be clack for all of us to check out!
Thank you for the photos and video from his Grand Marshall Parade in 2003!
Haven't seen this in a long time! What a thrill! Can't wait until the 23rd! Thank you, CANN!
Thank you for all the pictures and the video. Since I do not live in Raleigh or in South Carolina I have not seen this before. I looks like it was a great parade. I can not believe that was back in 2003. I wish I live there so I can see Clay this year in 2019. Thank you again.
WOW! I never saw this before. I hope Clay brings out a crowd again this year for the parade. So good to see him back in his hometown of Raleigh.
wow what a parade that was clay in his hometown as the grand marshail I sure hope that omc brings anther crowd out this year for the parade it sure is good to see clay back in his hometown in raileigh