November 12, 2008

Charlotte, NC -- The City of Charlotte will observe Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 27 as a holiday. All administrative offices will be closed.

Solid Waste Services will not provide residential garbage, recyclable, yard waste or bulky item connection on Thanksgiving Day. Thursday customers will receive service on Friday, November 28, and Friday customers will receive services on Saturday, November 29.

Buses operated by Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) will operate on a Saturday schedule during Thanksgiving Day. No express service will operate on that day except for the 77X North Mecklenburg express which will operate according to its Saturday schedule. For additional information on CATS services during the holiday contact Customer Service at 704-336-RIDE or visit the CATS website.

The Thanksgiving Day Parade will begin at 9:45 a.m. at Ninth and Tryon streets. Staging will begin earlier, and Center City traffic will be impacted prior to, during and following the parade. If you are planning to attend the parade or be in Center City on Thanksgiving morning, plan for traffic delays.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport also anticipates a busy holiday season. If you are anticipating a trip during the holiday, plan on delays and give yourself additional time. Travelers are reminded to:

• know the latest security regulations and pack accordingly
• anticipate and plan for longer wait times at check-in and security checkpoints
• allow additional time to find a parking space and get to the terminal

For up-to-date parking conditions at the Airport call 704-FLY-5555 or visit the airport website.

And remember to properly dispose of grease from your Thanksgiving Turkey. Keep a jar handy to collect your kitchen grease and oil.  Just fill it up, tighten the lid and dispose of it in your trash.  For more tips on kitchen grease call 704-391-4685 or visit the Utilities website.