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| Cleveland Christmas Parade 2013 Date and Time © Katrena |
Cleveland, NC, a small southern town located near Highway 70 between Statesville and Salisbury, hosts their annual Christmas parade on the first Saturday in December. In 2013, the date for the Cleveland Christmas parade is slated for December 7 at 2:00 p.m. Expect to hear sirens as the parade begins at the former YMCA building and will travel down Main Street, turning left to end at Cleveland Elementary School.
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| Fun Christmas Parade in Small NC Town © Katrena |
This Christmas parade is one of my favorites because my sister and mother were instrumental in starting the tradition. People who have been to this parade before know to bring a bag, large pockets, a Halloween bucket, or even an umbrella...not because it might rain but because you'll need somewhere to stash all the loot. Expect to see lots and lots of candy at this parade. My kids particularly like this feature!
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| Fun Christmas Parade With Lots of Candy! © Katrena |
You can expect to see lots of floats, beauty queens, tractors, Freightliner trucks, clowns, and of course Santa. I can only remember one year that West Rowan high school did not have a big showing in the parade, but they had a great reason – they were in the playoffs! West Rowan Middle School and sometimes other area schools also join the parade.
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| Christmas Parade in Rowan County Near Freightliner Plant © Katrena |
Cleveland's Christmas parade is sort of like the box of chocolates tradition because you never know what you're going to see. Where else might you see someone handing out potted possum...or throwing corncobs from an outhouse....or riding a bull...or see Santa on a Harley? My family particularly likes to see the live animals in the parade.
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| Christmas Parade with Horses © Katrena |
December weather in the Piedmont of North Carolina can vary greatly. I've been there for parades in snow and sleet and I've been there in the rain. A few years have been warm enough to wear shorts and a t-shirt. Check the weather report that day and dress accordingly. Make sure to bring a chair or blanket and of course something for storing all that candy!
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| Christmas Parade in Cleveland NC © Katrena |
Note: All of my Cleveland Christmas parade photos are from 2012. Feel free to share your own memories of the Cleveland Christmas parade in the comment box at the bottom of this article.
Readers may also wish to read:
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| Fun Family Holiday Activities in North Carolina © Katrena |
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| Cleveland Christmas Parade © Katrena |
