Raleigh Christmas Parade permit denied by city after dancer’s death
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Raleigh Christmas Parade Coverage
On Nov. 19, 2022, the driver of a truck towing a float in the Raleigh Christmas Parade apparently lost control of the vehicle. A young girl died after she was struck. This is ongoing coverage by The News & Observer.
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The city of Raleigh has denied the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association’s request for a permit for the Raleigh Christmas Parade.
“The decision was made out of an abundance of caution for parade participants and spectators, as well as respect for Hailey Brooks’ family and friends,” according to a city statement.
The parade was scheduled for Nov. 18, according to Shop Local’s website.
Jennifer Martin, executive director of the merchants association, said the group was “deeply saddened” by the city’s decision given that other parades were allowed to continue.
“The parade has been a Raleigh tradition for 78 years that brings the community together and provides joy to hundreds of thousands and allows families near and far to make countless memories,” she said in a statement.
Family of Hailey Brooks disappointed
The Brooks family disagreed with the city’s decision, according to a statement sent by their attorney, Jason A. Miller, to ABC11, The News & Observer’s media partner.
”The Brooks family is disappointed that the City of Raleigh chose to cancel its 2023 Raleigh Christmas Parade rather than adopt basic safety measures to protect the community,” the family’s statement said.
“The city did not reach out to the family before making this decision,” it continued. “If consulted, the Brooks family would have urged the city to proceed with the parade after implementing basic, common-sense safety protocols that should have been in place in 2022, such as those proposed in the Shine Like Hailey Parade Safety Act.
“It has been 10 months since Hailey Brooks was killed, and it is time for the city to honor her by enacting protections for the safety of this community — not by canceling the parade.”
Hailey, 11, was killed during last year’s parade after Landen Glass, then 20, lost control of his vehicle while it was pulling a float in the parade.
Glass was initially charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, careless and reckless driving, improper equipment, unsafe movement and carrying a firearm in a parade. In March, a grand jury elevated his charges to felony involuntary manslaughter.
Difficult decision, says Raleigh mayor
This was a difficult decision for many reasons, Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin said Thursday.
“With pending lawsuits and state legislation regarding parades, we felt this decision was best for the community,” she said. “Our goal is to work with partners on events that celebrate the upcoming holidays, and ensure that we have appropriate rules and precautions in place for 2024, when we hope to continue this wonderful Raleigh tradition.”
The city’s statement also acknowledged people would be disappointed.
“[T]his was not an easy decision for anyone,” it stated. “The Christmas Parade is a Raleigh tradition for kicking off the holiday season, and an important way to recognize our small businesses. Several City of Raleigh departments are working with partners on a variety of events and activities that everyone can enjoy. We are also looking for ways for our small businesses to participate.”
The city can deny special event permits for a number of reasons, said Assistant City Manager Evan Raleigh.
“We did not feel comfortable with the risk assessment with this particular event,” he said. “We just weren’t willing to take that risk on this year given the size, complexity (and) number of floats.”
State legislation stalled
Earlier this year the North Carolina House passed the “Shine Like Hailey Parade Safety Bill.” The bill requires parade organizers in cities with more than 35,000 residents to inspect vehicles within seven days of the parade and require anyone driving in the parade to be at least 25 years old.
The bill has not been voted on in the Senate.
Locally, changes were already being made to improve safety at this year’s parade.
The merchants association planned to require all drivers be at least 21 years old and possess a valid driver’s license. A passenger over the age of 21 was also being required to ride with every driver.
Drivers were expected to provide proof that their vehicle has passed inspection and has proper safety equipment, including but not limited to properly functioning brakes, lights, horn, steering mechanism, windows and windshield wipers, directional signals, tires, mirrors and exhaust systems.
Another new requirement was proof of insurance for drivers.
“There are thousands of local youth that participate in this annual event and when considering if we should hold a parade in 2023, we knew that we had to continue the event as our youth deserve every opportunity that we can provide for them,” Martin said in a statement.
“We also understand that for many children, the Raleigh Christmas Parade is the only way they will see Santa. Our association has spent countless hours working to plan a parade that would be like one never seen before, one that would bring the community back together, provide a space for unity, one of healing and one where the community will be provided a safe environment.”
The association is “ready, willing and able to continue this tradition” as soon as the city of Raleigh “allows it to return,” she said.
After Hailey’s death, her parents filed a wrongful death suit against the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association, Shop Local Raleigh, Glass, CC & Co. Dance Co. and D&L Floats. The city was not named in the suit.
This story was originally published September 14, 2023 at 3:05 PM.
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