The 80th Annual Raleigh Christmas Parade will take place Saturday morning, but this year will feature some new safety protocols for participants.
These changes come in the wake of the tragic death of Hailey Brooks in 2022, when she was struck by a truck during the parade.
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This will be the first time since then that vehicles are allowed to participate in the parade again.
As part of the new safety measures, vehicles will undergo inspections, and drivers will have to meet age requirements.
All participants are also required to sign a waiver releasing the City of Raleigh from any legal responsibility in case of an incident.
The focus on safety is a key reason Theater in the Park Managing Director Brent Simpson is scaling back their involvement.
“We decided to limit the number of participants,” Simpson said. Typically, their group includes 65 performers. This year, only 10 key characters will take part.
The group’s cast from A Christmas Carol has long been a staple of the parade. This year, however, they decided to make changes.
“It was a concern for us. Our folks were close to where the incident happened that morning, but I’ll say this about the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association, they’ve really stepped up,” Simpson said.
This year’s parade will feature over 100 vehicles, antique cars, and floats, along with 50 walking groups.
Additional measures include vehicle inspections, age requirements for drivers, and new spacing rules between floats and vehicles.
“They’re vetting all the drivers, they’re vetting the floats, they’re doing all that,” Simpson said. “It takes more effort, but I think it’s worth it. The safety of everyone involved is what matters most.”
While organizers typically hold a debriefing meeting each year, they plan to place even more emphasis on safety moving forward, ensuring each year’s parade is safer than the last based on what they learn.
Brooks family continues honoring Haley's legacy 2 years later
As thousands of families prepare to attend the Raleigh Christmas Parade on Saturday, Hailey Brooks’ family will not be one of them.
Between memories of the 2022 parade, where Hailey was killed after a truck lost control and hit her, and what would’ve been Brook’s 13th birthday this year, it’s been an emotional toll on her parents, April and Trey Brooks.
While the two will be out of town, they continue honoring Hailey’s legacy with the Shine Like Hailey Foundation.
The foundation was founded in 2023 to help spread the good April and Trey said their daughter embodied by providing scholarships to “enable young people to experience the world through dance.”
The foundation’s outreach included more activities that affect other’s lives, including feeding families at the Ronald McDonald House, providing blankets and stuffed animals to children in hospitals and providing toys to younger victims of Hurricane Helene.
More recently, Brooks’ family took a mission trip to Jamaica donating medical supplies to children in need. The Brooks family told WRAL News they have a “big surprise” coming in 2025.
Those wishing to help or donate to the foundation can do so here.