Specialty Units

March in the parade with a group as a specialty unit!  

Specialty units offers an excellent opportunity to let your creativity show. Specialty Units are more than just walking groups. Specialty Units add creative entertainment to the parade. We are looking for groups that will entertain attendees throughout the parade route as well as add value to the overall parade experience. This is a competitive application as the parade has limited slots. We are looking for specialty units that are unique, organized, and can incorporate special lighting elements into their performance. Units included in this category may include, but are not limited to:  

• Community Organizations and Neighborhood Groups
• Talent Able to Perform While Walking
• Cultural, Heritage, and Community-Based Dance Groups
• Majorette Teams

Please read below for information on each category, what we are looking for, and any special requirements.

Community Organizations and Neighborhood Groups  

Community organizations and neighborhood groups are invited to bring their unique flair and creativity to the parade as a specialty unit! Whether it’s donning vibrant costumes, showcasing support for a meaningful cause, or engaging the crowd with an interactive activity, these groups have the chance to shine. Add a touch of magic with lights, music, or themed displays to captivate the audience and bring your community spirit to life.

Talent Able to Perform While Walking 

Calling all talented performers ready to dazzle and delight while on the move! We’re seeking dynamic individuals or groups who can entertain the crowd as they walk the parade route. Whether you’re a juggler, stilt walker, dancer, unicyclist, or have a unique talent that wows, we want to see your creativity in action. This is your chance to showcase your skills, bring joy to the audience, and add unforgettable energy to the parade.

Cultural, Heritage, and Commuity-Based Dance Groups 

We are looking for dance groups that are uniform, organized, and can incorporate special lighting elements into their performance. This is a competitive application as the parade will include four (4) performances on live television. Please note: We will not be accepting application from competitive dance studios.

Majorette Teams 

We’re excited to introduce a dynamic new addition to our parade—the Queen City Majorette Team! This is a fantastic opportunity for talented young dancers to showcase their skills, bring energy to the streets, and be part of an unforgettable experience.

Here’s how it works:

• Who Can Apply: Majorette dance groups and teams (not affiliated with large studios) are encouraged to apply.
• The Process: Teams will submit the Specialty Unit Application as a "Majorette Team." After applying, participants will receive details about an upcoming dance workshop and auditions.
• Dance Workshop & Auditions: This September (exact date coming soon), we’ll host two workshops and an audition day to select dancers for a single, unified performance group. There will be a fee of $25 per dancer to audition.
• The Parade Group: The chosen dancers will come together to form a large, entertaining unit to wow parade attendees!

This initiative aims to give everyone a chance to shine, foster community among dancers, and highlight the incredible talent of our young performers. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of something spectacular!

Please note that the specialty units do NOT include the following:

• No animals are allowed in the parade  

• No third-party floats are allowed in the parade  

• No mechanical vehicles are allowed in the parade. This is a rule change from previous years due to safety concerns.

Applications

 Applications for the 2026 Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade will close on August 31, 2026, with selected participants being notified by mid-September 2026. For any inquiries, please contact Ashley Everett at AEverett@charlottecentercity.org.