The Kannapolis Christmas Parade will be held at 6 p.m., on December 13, in downtown Kannapolis. Once again, the parade will start at the intersection of Laureate Way and Main Street and travel down Laureate Way, and down West Avenue.
With over a hundred entries and numerous marching bands featuring Christmas lights and decor this well-known nighttime parade is a holiday tradition you do not want to miss. It is one of the oldest nighttime parades in North Carolina.
The parade route offers many areas to watch the parade comfortably with the beautiful backdrop of the North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis City Hall & Police Headquarters and West Avenue. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season.
Former Kannapolis Mayor Darrell Hinnant will serve as the Grand Marshal of the Parade. Mayor Hinnant served the residents of Kannapolis for 24 years. He was first elected to the Kannapolis City Council in 2001 and served as a Council Member until 2013 when he was elected Mayor. He served three terms as Mayor, making him the longest serving Mayor in the history of Kannapolis.
A native of eastern North Carolina, he earned a BA and MAT in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and an Executive Management Certification from Duke University.
Mayor Hinnant was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest public service award by Governor James Martin.
During his professional career, Mayor Hinnant has held executive positions in several national companies including Rollins Environmental Services, SouthEastern Labs, Radiator Specialty Co., and Executive Director of the N.C. Hazard Waste Commission. He also taught wastewater treatment operator classes for the State of North Carolina.
He has been active in many state and local organizations including serving on the boards of Metro Mayors Coalition, Centralina Council of Governments, Cabarrus College of Health Sciences, Water & Sewer Authority of Cabarrus County, and CK Rider Transit Authority.
Mayor Hinnant volunteers for many community groups and teaches a weekly Sunday School class. When he is not serving the community, he enjoys time with his wife, Mary, his two children and seven grandchildren.
The parade will begin at the intersection of Main Street and Laureate Way at the parking deck of the North Carolina Research Campus, travel down Laureate Way past Kannapolis City Hall & Police Headquarters, turning on West Avenue at the Gem Theatre and traveling down West Avenue ending at the intersection of Vance Street and West Avenue.
The parade is sponsored by the City of Kannapolis. Cash awards will be presented in the categories of bands, churches, civic organizations, and schools.
Come early and shop and dine at the dozens of downtown businesses who will be open and see the holiday model train display in the Swanee Theatre. After the parade visit the Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express at Village Park.
There are many great free parking options. See you next weekend!
Parade Route and Parking Map - City of Kannapolis > Government & Departments > Parks & Recreation > Kannapolis Christmas > Christmas Parade
Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express at Village Park Information – www.kannapolisnc.gov/christmas
Downtown Kannapolis Business Map – www.discoverkannapolis.com
Street Closure Information for the Day of the Parade:
- West Avenue and A Street will close at 6 a.m. on Saturday, December 13 for all vehicle traffic. A portion of Cannon Baller Way and the parking lot at Lee’s Warehouse will also close at 6 a.m. on December 13.
- Main Street, between Dale Earnhardt and Loop Road, will close at 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 13 and the parade entrants will begin lining up.
- Main Street will become one way heading from Dale Earnhardt to Laureate Way beginning at 3 p.m. on December 13 for parade entry traffic only.
- There will be no access to Main Street from any side streets, including Laureate Way and MLK Ave. during the parade.
- Laureate Way will close to traffic at 5:30 p.m. on December 13.