Annual Nashville Christmas Parade Announces Talent Roster at Kick-Off Event

Nashville, Tenn. – Officials from Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt gathered this morning at the parade’s annual kick-off event to announce the talent roster for the annual Nashville Christmas Parade.

This year, paradegoers and TV viewers will enjoy entertainment from Radio Disney Country and Big Machine Recording Artist, Avenue Beat, Billy Gilman, Bianca Ryan, Farewell Angelina, Lucas Hoge, Francesca Battistelli, Ana Cristina Cash, The Swon Brothers, JT Hodges, “The Voice” Finalist Kirk Jay, Brett Kissel, Nolan Sotillo, Amber Leigh with the Wildhorse Saloon cast, Nashville Children’s Theater’s “I Can’t Wait for Christmas” cast, Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders, the cast of “Aladdin & His Winter Wish”, the General Jackson Showboat cast, Miss Tennessee Volunteer Kerri Arnold, Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Payton May, Miss Tennessee’s Outstanding Teen Taylor Parsons and Miss Nashville Addison Grace Hadley.

Hayley Orrantia, a Radio Disney Country Artist and star of ABC’s “The Goldbergs,” will be representing Radio Disney Country as emcee at the parade. WKRN Anchors Nikki Burdine and Neil Orne and Meteorologist Jared Plushnick from “Good Morning Nashville” will serve as TV hosts for the parade. Lily Hensiek, a two-time cancer survivor and advocate, will be the parade’s 2019 Hometown Hero.

In addition to these star-studded acts and inspirational heroes, the audience can expect giant inflatable balloons, custom floats, the world-famous Clydesdales and an appearance by the star of the show, Santa Claus. The Clydesdales will make their way to Nashville the week of the parade and even stop by Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt to greet patients and families.

“Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt is thrilled to again partner with the Nashville Christmas Parade this holiday season,” said Julie Carell Stadler, parade co-producer and daughter of the late Monroe J. Carell Jr. and Ann Scott Carell. “This favorite tradition has brought joy to children and their families for decades and now touches even more lives by benefiting Children’s Hospital.”

The parade will kick off the holiday season in downtown Nashville Saturday, Dec. 7, at 8:30 a.m. WKRN-TV will provide live coverage, and Timeless Syndication will make the parade available for TV stations and other outlets across the country in the weeks to follow.

The event and its festivities support Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. As a nonprofit organization, Children’s Hospital provides pediatric specialty care to all children, regardless of the family’s ability to pay. With a recently completed Pediatric Heart Institute, the hospital is expanding its capacity, providing the opportunity to care for even more children in the region and beyond.

“Piedmont Natural Gas is excited for this year’s event,” said Stephen Francescon Jr., community relations manager, Piedmont Natural Gas. “The parade is a great way to bring the spirit of the holidays to Nashville, and we hope everyone in the community comes out to enjoy the fun.” Piedmont Natural Gas is a longtime sponsor of the Nashville Christmas Parade.

Again, this year, the parade is being produced by Tennessee Holiday Productions. Executive Producers are John M. Best, Pamela Bolling, and Julie Carell Stadler.

The Nashville Christmas Parade debuted in 1927 and has been an annual tradition every year, except during the war years.

To stay up to date on parade happenings and announcements, visit the Nashville Christmas Parade website at www.nashvillechristmasparade.com or Facebook page at facebook.com/nashvillechristmasparade.

The event is free to the public, and reserved seating is available for purchase at www.nashvillechristmasparade.com/. For VIP packages, please contact VIP Experience chair Robin Puryear.

About Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt is one of the nation's leading children's hospitals, treating and helping to prevent a full range of pediatric health issues from colds and broken bones to complex heart diseases and cancer. Children’s Hospital’s physicians are nationally recognized innovators in their fields who are discovering new ways to cure and prevent a host of childhood diseases. Their work is preventing and finding new treatments for diseases such as premature birth, cancer, heart disease, spina bifida, trauma and many other conditions, and is an investment in the future. Achieving 10 out of 10 nationally ranked pediatric specialties in 2019, Children’s Hospital was again named among the nation’s “Best Children’s Hospitals” for the 13th consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report.

Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, a nonprofit organization, opened in 2004, expanded its physical space in 2012, and is adding four new floors encompassing 160,000 total sq. ft. The new expansion helps to advance the size and scope of the hospital's mission.

For more about Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt: ChildrensHospitalVanderbilt.org

A special thank you to all the parade partners and sponsors: