Durham lights tower to signal start of holiday season

Durham, N.C. — The holiday lights went on in Durham Friday night at American Tobacco Campus.

Organizers said more than 1,300 people joined WRAL's Ken Smith for an evening of music, lights and falling snow.

The flakes were manufactured, but the goodwill was real. Visitors brought donations to feed the beneficiaries of the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle's BackPack Buddies program.

Luminarias provided by Girl Scout Troop 514 lit the way to the Lucky Strike water tower – centerpiece of the campus. The Welkin Ringers handbell choir from Aldersgate and Mt. Sylvan United Methodist churches rung in the start of an hour-long celebration.

Members of the Durham School of the Arts Concert Chorale and Advanced Middle School Chorus, and singers from Morehead Montessori Magnet Elementary School and the Club Boulevard Arts & Humanities Magnet School provided musical entertainment.

The holiday festivities continue Saturday with a parade at 4 p.m. The floats and bands will step off from the corner of Blackwell and Jackie Robinson streets near Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

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Latest Comments

If you haven't been to Main St Durham lately, you should check it out.

larky74406
December 4, 2009 5:31 p.m.

Hey, we woke up on the right side of the grass this morning. Its not all about the presents anyway. And what avenger said :)

daisymom
December 4, 2009 4:52 p.m.

"Who is really thinking about Christmas this year with lay-offs and no job? But with the way the economy still is, many will go off the top over buying gifts. Remember, its the thought that counts and not how much you paid for it, or where you bought it. Remember the gifts that was given to the baby Jesus. We should all do the same. Why be in debt come January, when you could have done the simple things of giving." -wildcat

I feel where you are coming from but we all need to be thankful we are able to see another Christmas. We are able to spend time with out families and friends. Some folks are going through difficult times but at least there is a brighter day ahead. Always think positive, never negative! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

007KnightRider
December 4, 2009 4:21 p.m.

Who is really thinking about Christmas this year with lay-offs and no job? But with the way the economy still is, many will go off the top over buying gifts. Remember, its the thought that counts and not how much you paid for it, or where you bought it. Remember the gifts that was given to the baby Jesus. We should all do the same. Why be in debt come January, when you could have done the simple things of giving.

wildcat
December 4, 2009 4:10 p.m.