City of Concord Announces Grand Marshal and Special Guest for 98th Concord Christmas Parade

The City of Concord will honor former Mayor Bill Dusch and former City Council Member J.C. McKenzie during the 98th Concord Christmas Parade, presented by Eli Lilly. Dusch will serve as Grand Marshal, and McKenzie is the parade Special Guest.

The Concord Christmas Parade is one of North Carolina's longest running historic downtown parades. It is a treasured tradition that brings more than 20,000 visitors and residents together each year to enjoy the magic of the season as children wait with wonder and anticipation to see Santa on his sleigh.

The parade will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, starting on Church Street at the intersection with Lake Concord Road. The parade route continues over two miles down Church Street, Buffalo Avenue, and Union Street, ending at the intersection of Union Street and Corban Avenue.

The judges' stage will be on Union Street at the intersection with Barbrick Avenue. Mayor Steve Morris and members of City Council will ride on the Concord Fire Department's Parade truck, a 1963 Seagraves Engine, stopping at the stage to present proclamations and honor Dusch and McKenzie for their extraordinary contributions and dedicated service to the community.

A timeless tradition passed down through generations

A native of Concord, Dusch grew up attending the Concord Christmas Parade. He and his wife, Debbie, would bring their children to the parade every year, and now enjoy watching the parade with their grandchildren.

Dusch has countless memories of watching friends and relatives march in the parade with their sports teams and bands, along with memories of riding on elaborately decorated floats and with City Council on the Concord Fire Department truck. As an avid runner, and lovingly known as Concord's "marathon mayor," he has also participated in numerous Santa Scramble 5K runs that follow the parade route.

After a lifetime of parade memories, being named the Concord Christmas Parade Grand Marshal "is a true honor that I will cherish," said Dusch.

A lifetime and legacy of service

Dusch has more than 30 years of service to the community as a business owner, volunteer, mentor, and public servant. He was a member and chairperson on numerous City boards and commissions, including the Historic Preservation Commission, the Planning & Zoning Commission, the Board of Adjustment, and the Concord Downtown Development Corporation. He served as Concord's Mayor for eight years from 2017 to 2025.

Beyond public service, Dusch is a longtime supporter of many nonprofit organizations working to improve the lives of children and families throughout Concord and Cabarrus County. He currently serves on the board for the Cabarrus Arts Council, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas, Artium Cabarrus Healthcare Foundation, and Rowan Cabarrus Community College.

Dusch has been married to his wife, Debbie, for 48 years, and they have two adult children, Elizabeth and Christopher, and three grandchildren. He is an active marathon runner, having completed a full marathon with his wife in all 50 states and six continents with the seventh and final continent planned for 2027. In total, he has completed 115 full marathons. He is also a commercial pilot and current flight instructor.

'Something I will remember for the rest of my life'

McKenzie is a longtime resident of Cabarrus County who was first elected to Concord City Council in 2017 and served two terms. During his eight years on City Council, he served on the Concord Kannapolis Transit Commission, the Transportation Advisory Council, and on the Planning Technical Team updating Concord's Development Ordinance.

McKenzie is best known for his visionary leadership and dedicated work on behalf of residents struggling to secure affordable housing and achieve greater financial independence. He was instrumental in the 2019 formation of the Concord Family Enrichment Association (CFEA), now known as WeBuild Concord - the City's affordable housing nonprofit initiative that has already assisted over 170 people. McKenzie previously served as Board Chair and continues to work with the organization as Board Chair Emeritus, helping residents achieve their dream of homeownership.

For McKenzie, his eight years on City Council was one of the most rewarding experiences of his life. When Mayor Steve Morris and City Council invited him to be their special guest at the Christmas parade, he was humbled and "beyond surprised."

"It is truly a special honor to be recognized by the peers you have worked with for two terms. This is something I will remember for the rest of my life," said McKenzie.

Prior to serving on City Council, McKenzie spent his career as an electrical contractor and formerly owned McKenzie Electric, a Concord-based industrial electrical contracting company that served clients throughout the southeastern United States. He is also a past president of the Concord Rotary and served three years as Assistant Governor of Rotary District 7680.

McKenzie and his wife, Pam, have three sons, two daughters-in-law, two granddaughters and three grandsons.

Watch the parade in person and online

The 98th Concord Christmas Parade will be livestreamed on the City of Concord YouTube channel for anyone who cannot make it in person and wants to join the celebration virtually. A recording of the parade will also be available on the City's YouTube channel immediately following the event.

For more information on the City of Concord's 29th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony being on Friday, November 20 at 6 p.m., and the 98th Concord Christmas Parade, visit concordnc.gov/Christmas.

Former Mayor Bill Dusch (right) with former City Council Member J.C. McKenzie receiving the Keys to the City at the December 2025 City Council Meeting