Get Details On The 2005 WRAL Raleigh Christmas Parade

Presented by the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association, this annual event is the largest parade between Atlanta and New York. Approximately 60,000 people will line the street, in addition to thousands more watching at home.

The parade is hosted by WRAL-TV morning news personalities Bill Leslie, Lynda Loveland, Valonda Calloway and Mark Roberts. WRAL will utilize eight camera positions for its broadcast, including aerial shots provided by the Sky 5 Helicopter. The broadcast will also include personalities from MIX 101.5, expanded two and a half hour coverage, new floats, dozens of bands, marchers, twirlers, entertainers and a special surprise at the end of the route.

The parade route was changed this year to accommodate construction of the downtown convention center. The route is 1.2 miles long, starting at the corner of Hillsborough and St. Mary's Street. The parade travels east on Hillsborough Street, then turns south at the Capitol on Salisbury Street before ending at the intersection of Salisbury and Davie Streets.

WRAL-TV Raleigh Christmas Parade Replays on the WRAL NewsChannel: Thursday, November 24, 4 p.m., Friday, December 2, 1 p.m., Saturday, November 19, 3 p.m., Friday, November 25, 3 p.m.

For the 32nd time, the event will be produced and aired by WRAL-TV. New this year, the event will also be simulcast on WRAL.com, FOX50 Digital, MIX 101.5 and affiliated radio stations across the state. For the 6th consecutive year, WRAL will produce and present the parade in High Definition -- television's most advanced format. The station will also replay the parade broadcast three times, including a special holiday presentation on WRAL-TV at 6:30 a.m. on Christmas Day.