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So, everyone on this forum did a wonderful job giving me tips for the fair and we had a great time at out first NC fair. Now I see the Xmas parade is next weekend-already! Can anyone tell me good places to park, sit, etc. I really need specifics since we dont live IN Raleigh and have not learned that area at all yet.
How long before the parade do we have to show up, are there restrooms or outhouses for the kids? Where we come from, people would stake out their spots the night before and set up chairs and rope sections off so they could "reserve" the best spots. I found this irritating. Do people do this here?
I think you will get lots of different tips! I've been both right downtown on Fayetteville St. and near the beginning at Hillsborough St. I prefer the latter, which surprised me. To me, it was really easy to get parked on a side street (though I still arrived an hour before the parade) and get a spot on the sidewalk. The church right there, Hillyer(?), has kids walking around selling donuts, which is fun. I liked the open air feeling better, though the buildings downtown to make for a cool back drop. Also, you never missed a performance because they pretty much all stop and perform first thing as they start the parade!
As for bathrooms, I'm not sure in that area. It might be easier to use a bathroom at the coffee shop on Fay. St. but of course you'd probably have to buy something. So maybe for kids the actual downtown spots are better because of bathroom availability.
I have no idea on the one in Raleigh but from previous posts I gather you live in the same vicinity as myself. Both Archer Lodge and Clayton put on Christmas parades as well, they are worth checking out! Archer Lodge is on Nov. 25 and Clayton on Dec. 8.
I have no idea on the one in Raleigh but from previous posts I gather you live in the same vicinity as myself. Both Archer Lodge and Clayton put on Christmas parades as well, they are worth checking out! Archer Lodge is on Nov. 25 and Clayton on Dec. 8.
Thanks-I wish I knew where to find all this info out!
Christmas parade before Thanksgiving??? Bah, humbug!
I thought that was strange too, but really want to take the kids to one-trying to find things that they are used to so being so far away from home wont be so hard. So, if we have to go before Thanksgiving, I'll do it, but I do think it's early.
So, everyone on this forum did a wonderful job giving me tips for the fair and we had a great time at out first NC fair. Now I see the Xmas parade is next weekend-already! Can anyone tell me good places to park, sit, etc. I really need specifics since we dont live IN Raleigh and have not learned that area at all yet.
How long before the parade do we have to show up, are there restrooms or outhouses for the kids? Where we come from, people would stake out their spots the night before and set up chairs and rope sections off so they could "reserve" the best spots. I found this irritating. Do people do this here?
No, I don't think people rope off any sections or try to reserve any spots -- certainly not the night before. The last time I went was a couple years ago. I don't think it has changed.
I can't even remember the places where we watched the parade. We never had a problem seeing it. I don't think we ever showed up earlier than a half hour early. Of course, if you want to be absolutely positively sure you get a spot up close, you should show up earlier.
It always felt very small-townish, which was great.
There are YouTube videos of the parade, so you can see what the crowds look like and what to expect. Have fun!
I saw 2 porta-potties in one of the YouTube videos. But I wouldn't count on them being available everywhere.
Last edited by lovebrentwood; 11-10-2012 at 09:17 PM..
Our church (First Baptist) is on the corner of Hillsborough and McDowell, right on the parade route. You can park in any the blocks off Hillsborough and walk over near our church. (Beware they start blocking off Edenton about an hour before the parade) We give away hot chocolate (free!) and let people use our bathrooms.
Lovebrentwood-Thanks! Sounds like maybe it isnt as big and crazy as we're used to (that's a good thing)!
UsedtobeVANC-thanks-sounds like a place we have to be near. We normally purchase hot chocolate (last weekend in November in WI!) and then the kids always have to go, so hot chocolate and a bathroom in the same place!!! We'll be in the vicinity.
Thanks again everyone!!
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Archer Lodge is on Nov. 25 and Clayton on Dec. 8.
