Wake sheriff will be missing from Raleigh Christmas parade

But he won't be marching this year when the parade takes over Fayetteville Street on Nov. 17. Harrison said he was informed last week that he didn't meet the Sept. 17 deadline to apply to enter.

Until last year, Harrison says, he doesn't recall having to officially apply. In 2017, Harrison said the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association reminded his team to officially enter, but that didn't happen this year.

Jennifer Martin, executive director of the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association which puts on the parade, said that the time limit for the parade broadcast puts a cap on how many groups can enter.

She told WRAL News, "We regret that due to the time constraints of a live broadcast, we are unable to extend an invitation to every applicant for the parade. The parade is an event that’s well-loved by the community and receives more requests for entries than space allows. When potential applicants apply after the parade deadline, they are placed on a waiting list in case an opportunity should become available for participation.

There are 110 official entries slated to march or roll down the street.

"I know they have a tough job trying to figure out who to put in the parade and who to take out, but it's very disappointing on our part, not my part, but the people I look after," Harrison said.

The sheriff's department uses the parade appearance as a day out for homebound elderly in the Citizens Well Check Program. Harrison's team picks up participants, feeds them and features them on their float in the parade.

This year, that won't happen.

"We've been in it every year. The elderly people's what I'm looking after," he said.