Emotional Overflow as Raleigh Gears Up for Christmas Parade Amid Memorial of Past Tragedy

The city of Raleigh, North Carolina, is set to host its annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, November 23, 2024. As residents and visitors prepare to partake in the holiday festivities, the event carries a poignant undertone for some local families. Friday evening’s preliminary activities, including a tree lighting ceremony commencing at 6:00 p.m., will precede the main parade on Saturday.

For many, the parade represents a cherished holiday tradition. However, for the family of Hailey Brooks, it is a reminder of a tragic event. In 2022, young Hailey Brooks was fatally struck by a truck during the parade, creating a painful association with the celebration for her family. As her parents, April and Trey Brooks, come to terms with their loss, they will abstain from this year’s event, choosing instead to focus on the foundation they established in Hailey’s honor.

The «Shine Like Hailey Foundation» was founded in 2023 and honors Hailey by fulfilling dreams of young children, particularly in dance, through scholarships. «We were initially funded through an outpouring of generosity from more than 1,400 families, friends, and strangers,» the Brooks family shared, emphasizing that this movement stands as Hailey’s enduring legacy.

The foundation’s endeavors extend beyond scholarships, involving various charitable efforts such as feeding families, providing essentials to hospitalized children, and supporting the victims of Hurricane Helene. The Brooks family has also been active in advocating for increased safety measures in parades, leading to changes such as the removal of vehicles from Raleigh’s parade lineup.

In addition to the foundation’s current undertakings, the Brookses recently embarked on a mission trip to Jamaica to provide medical supplies to children. They anticipate revealing a «big surprise» in 2025 as part of their ongoing philanthropic efforts.

The Raleigh Christmas Parade, which historically began in 1939, was halted briefly during World War II but has resumed annually since 1945. Those unable to attend in person can view the parade from home via ABC11 broadcasts or online streams on platforms such as the ABC News Hulu hybrid channel.