Recently, ABC 11 hosted its classic Raleigh Christmas Parade, marking the 81st year of the floats lining the streets. This year’s parade was a smashing success, and many of our own students even took part in it.

Leesville is a long-time participant in the parade and this year, our band, color guards, and dance team took to the streets.

Hannah Allen, senior who participated in the parade, expressed how this year with the Dance Team felt even more special as it was her last year. Allen said, “[The parade] is special to me just because I’ve done it every year, so it feels like a tradition for my family and me.”

Allen has not only been in the parade with her team, but she has also participated in past years with her dance studio and with the cast of A Christmas Carol.

Smiles lined the crowded streets as Allie DiMizio, sophomore, passed and high-fived every person she saw. DiMizio has been performing in the parade with her studio, Stage Door Dance Productions, for the past 5 years.

DiMizio said that her favourite part of the parade is “how friendly everyone is, and how it’s this big thing that’s so special that we get.” Not a lot of other cities have something like this, so for Raleigh, it’s very special.

The parade has been and always will be a special part of the Raleigh community that will continue to bring joy to families as the years go on.