Kannapolis Christmas Parade to feature 5 bands

KANNAPOLIS — Five marching bands will appear in the Kannapolis Christmas Parade, including first-time parade participants Winston-Salem State University.

The Kannapolis Intimidators baseball team is organizing the Dec. 5 parade.

"We think we've gathered what is probably the best and most diverse group of marching bands the parade has seen in many years," Kannapolis Intimidators Vice President Tim Mueller said in a statement. "I think those who attend the parade will enjoy the variety and talent of all the performers."

The five bands confirmed for the parade are the A.L. Brown Marching Wonders, the Northwest Cabarrus Marching Band, the Central Cabarrus Marching Vikings, the South Rowan Marching Raiders and the Red Sea of Sound Marching Band from Winston-Salem State University.

CMC-Northeast has agreed to become the title sponsor of the event.

"It is a great way for us to promote our various assets including the Jeff Gordon Children's Hospital," Gayle Deal, executive director of business and community relations at CMC-NorthEast, said in a statement. "As an organization, it is also a goal for us to support community events that are important to local families."

The parade will begin at 4 p.m., Dec. 5. The deadline to register participants is Wednesday.

After the parade, the city will host the annual tree lighting, with fireworks, in Village Park at 7 p.m. Activities will begin at 6:30.

For more information about the parade or to register, visit http://christmasparade.wordpress.com or call 704-920-4343.