Alumni Association announces Homecoming 2023 Parade Grand Marshal, Charles Edward Hall, ‘73

MURRAY, Ky. – The Murray State University Alumni Association has announced that Murray State alumnus Charles Edward Hall, ‘73, will serve as Parade Grand Marshal for Homecoming 2023.

Hall spent 36 seasons playing the role of Santa Claus in the hottest holiday ticket in New York, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. He officially retired at the end of the 2022 holiday season. 

Hall remembers Murray State Homecomings-past as most Racers do, spending time having fun with friends and taking in the excitement of the parade. Though he has lived a life in the theater, playing the part of Grand Marshal was something that had never occurred to him.

“It is a role I have not played,” said Hall. “I feel honored to be asked.” 

Hall graduated from Murray State in 1973 with degrees in theater and speech communication. Not long after, he went on to star in his first broadway role as the Wicked Witch in “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Later he would claim his role as Santa Claus, entertaining people from around the world by the thousands alongside the famed Radio City Rockettes. 

Retirement led him back to his Forever Blue and Gold home in western Kentucky, but he frequently commutes back to New York for work.

“I've spent my life on Broadway and around the world performing,” said Hall. “And, it's been wonderful. Now my focus is on my book.”

Hall’s book titled, “Santa Claus Is for Real: A True Christmas Fable About the Magic of Believing" was released by Simon & Schuster in December of 2022.  

His life on Broadway and around the world ultimately led him back to his old Kentucky home, and made him realize he hadn’t experienced a traditional Kentucky Christmas in many years.

“I'm really looking forward to having a Christmas in Kentucky, and being the Parade Grand Marshal is the cherry on top,” said Hall.

The Murray State Student Government Association hosts the annual Homecoming Parade which travels along Main Street from downtown Murray to Murray State’s campus. The parade will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14. This year’s parade theme is  “Racer Road Trip.”

The 2023 Homecoming Parade will be streamed live at murraystate.edu/streaming.

Visit murraystate.edu/homecoming to learn more about Homecoming 2023, which takes place Oct. 12-15.