Officials from Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt recently announced the entertainment lineup for the 93rd annual Nashville Christmas Parade to be aired virtually on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 9 a.m. on WKRN-TV.
This year, the one-hour virtual program will feature entertainment from CeCe Winans, Danielle Bradbery, for King & Country, Jimmie Allen, Louis York and The Shindellas, Oak Ridge Boys, Lauren Alaina, Melinda Doolittle, Mitchell Tenpenny, the Nashville Children’s Theatre, Sandi Patty, Shy Carter, Benita Washington and Radio Disney Country Artist Runaway June, who will be introduced by Radio Disney Country special correspondent Lindsay Ell. Dolly Parton will also give a special holiday greeting during the parade program.
WKRN anchors Nikki Burdine and Neil Orne and meteorologist Meaghan Thomas from “Good Morning Nashville” will serve as TV hosts for the parade, and this year’s Hometown Heroes spotlight will be dedicated to the hospital’s front-line workers.
In addition to these star-studded appearances and inspirational heroes, viewers will enjoy historic highlights from previous parades and touching patient stories from the children of Children’s Hospital, including that of this year’s Child Ambassador, Grace Hamilton, a 12-year-old cancer survivor who battled high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia when she was just 5 years old.
There will be memorable moments from local marching bands and, new this year, a virtual marching band performance from the Golden Rams Marching Band from West Chester University in Pennsylvania.
Of course, Santa Claus will make his special annual appearance as well.
“We are so glad that we were able to discover a safe way to continue the tradition of the Nashville Christmas Parade this year,” said Julie Carell Stadler, parade co-producer and daughter of the late Monroe J. Carell Jr. and Ann Scott Carell.
“The parade has brought joy to children and their families for decades and touches even more lives by benefiting Children’s Hospital,” Stadler added. “It really is the kickoff to the holiday season for locals and visitors to Nashville, and I think people will be really pleased with how we are making it happen this year.”
The parade is being produced by Tennessee Holiday Productions. Executive producers along with Stadler are John M. Best and Pamela Bolling. WKRN-TV will again air the program, and Timeless Syndication will make the parade available for TV stations and other outlets across the country in the weeks to follow.
The parade is produced annually in support of 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 the new Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital Vanderbilt Surgery and Clinics Murfreesboro, the hospital is expanding its capacity, providing the opportunity to care for even more children in the region and beyond.
The Nashville Christmas Parade debuted in 1927 and has been an annual tradition every year, except during the war years. This year’s parade program is made possible by the continued support of sponsors.
To learn more, visit the Nashville Christmas Parade website at www.nashvillechristmasparade.com or Facebook page at facebook.com/nashvillechristmasparade.