CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - The primary financial sponsor for Charlotte's annual Thanksgiving Day parade is withdrawing its sponsorship after this year.
The Charlotte Observer reports that Belk is pulling its sponsorship from the Carolinas' Carrousel Parade, but officials with the event say they expect to have new sponsorship soon.
Vice president of communications Jessica Graham said the Charlotte-based chain will invest more of its charitable resources into its commitments to breast cancer and other educational initiatives.
Belk was a partial sponsor for several years before becoming primary backer in 2010, when its name was added to the title of the event. The parade celebrates its 65th anniversary this year.
Carolinas Carrousel executive director Linda Healy Vespa said the organization is confident that one or more companies will step up for 2013.
