DURHAM -- Today's downtown holiday parade and tree lighting ceremony will take place rain (or snow) or shine, according to city spokeswoman Cyndi Booth.
The evening parade kicks off at 4 p.m. at Jackie Robinson and Blackwell streets near the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and the American Tobacco Historic District.
Blues icons John Dee Holeman and Cool John Ferguson will be the parade marshals.
The parade will feature floats, bands, drill teams, schools, non-profit organizations, elected officials and corporate participants.
A pre-parade show will be held from 3-4 p.m. at the CCB Plaza, 201 Corcoran St.
At the completion of the parade, Santa Claus and Wool E. Bull will visit visitors at the lighting of the city's 40-foot tree. The parade route begins at Robinson and Blackwell streets, travels up Blackwell across Pettigrew, crosses the railroad tracks, continues north past the CCB Plaza onto Foster Street. It ends at the Foster and Geer streets.
Visitors are warned not to park along the parade route. No parking will be permitted on the following streets:
- Blackwell Street between Lakewood Avenue and Pettigrew Street
- Ramseur Street between Corcoran and Mangum Streets
- Mangum Street between Ramseur and Morgan Streets
- Morgan Street between Mangum and Foster Streets
- Foster Street between Morgan and Geer Streets
Parking is available in parking garages and lots in downtown Durham as well as along some city streets. Centre Garage, Church Street Garage, Chapel Hill Street Garage, Corcoran Street Garage, North and South Deck Parking lots are available. All parking decks are $2 per car, except the North Deck ($4) and the South Deck ($5).
The parade staging will begin at 2:30 p.m. and the streets surrounding the staging area will be closed. All other streets along the perimeter of the parade will close at approximately 3:30 p.m.
The city will provide free shuttle service back to the starting point of the parade at Blackwell and Jackie Robinson streets. The shuttle pick up location is at the corner of Corporation and Morris streets. It will run every 15 to 20 minutes from 5-6:30 p.m.
