The city of Concord has officially announced Suzanne Howard as the Special Guest for the upcoming 97th Concord Christmas Parade, an event steeped in tradition and local joy. Howard, a renowned figure in the community, has dedicated over two decades as the co-host and familiar voice of the festivities. Her relationship with the parade, however, stretches back almost four decades, a testament to her longstanding commitment to this annual celebration.
For Howard, the Concord Christmas Parade has been a fixture since her childhood, with memories marching as a young baton twirler and riding on a homemade bobsled. She seamlessly transitioned from spectator to a cornerstone of the event after marrying her husband, John Howard, who had been involved with the parade since 1965. It wasn't long before she started to regularly volunteer and eventually, share to co-hosting duties with Teresa Padgett, a role she has held for over twenty years.
This year, as the community prepares to honor Howard, her voice will be absent from its usual post during the parade. Instead, she will grace the event in person, riding down the familiar streets of her hometown, greeted by faces old and new. Her work spanning behind-the-scenes tasks, from reviewing applications to ensuring the parade's succession, has finally brought her this well-deserved moment of recognition.
In Howard's place, Macie Melton, entrepreneur and social media advocate for local businesses via her platform The Downtown Dirty, is set to join Padgett as a co-host of the parade. According to a press release by the City of Concord, the decision to have Melton step in nods to her efforts in promoting Cabarrus County's small businesses.
Community members and visitors alike can look forward to the parade, which is scheduled to kick off at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. For those unable to attend in person, the parade will be streamed live on the City's YouTube channel, ensuring no one misses out on the excitement. More details about the event are accessible on the City of Concord's website.
