by Paige Turner
Officials from Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Piedmont Natural Gas and Tootsies gathered Sept. 20 to gear up for the 65th annual Piedmont Natural Gas Nashville Christmas Parade presented by Tootsie’s.
This year, paradegoers and TV viewers can expect a star-studded entertainment roster, giant inflatable balloons, custom floats and an appearance by the star of the show, Santa Claus.
“Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt is thrilled to again partner with the Nashville Christmas Parade this holiday season,” said Julie Carell Stadler, parade co-producer and daughter of the late Monroe J. Carell Jr. and Ann Scott Carell.
“This favorite holiday tradition has brought joy to children and their families for decades and now touches even more lives by benefitting Children’s Hospital.”
The parade kicks off the holiday season in downtown Nashville Saturday, Dec. 1, at 8:30 a.m. WKRN-TV will provide live coverage, and Timeless Syndication will make the parade available for TV stations and other outlets across the country through the holiday season.
“Piedmont Natural Gas is excited for this year’s event,” said Stephen Francescon, community relations manager for Piedmont Natural Gas. “The parade is a great way to bring the spirit of the holidays to Nashville, and we hope everyone in the community comes out to enjoy the fun.”
The event will support Children’s Hospital. As a nonprofit organization, Children’s Hospital provides pediatric specialty care to all children, regardless of the family’s ability to pay. With a four-floor expansion now underway, Children’s Hospital will be able to care for even more young patients in the region and beyond.
The parade also will support Piedmont’s Share the Warmth, an energy-assistance program that helps local low-income families pay their energy bills at any point during the year, regardless of the energy source used in the home.
The parade is being produced by Tennessee Holiday Productions. Executive Producers are John Best, Pamela Bolling and Julie Carell Stadler.
To stay up to date on parade happenings and announcements, visit the Nashville Christmas Parade website at nashvillechristmasparade.com or Facebook page at facebook.com/nashvillechristmasparade.
The event is free to the public. Reserved seating will be available for purchase starting in October at nashvillechristmasparade.com. For VIP packages, please contact Robin Puryear at communitydevelopment@vumc.org.
