Heading to the Raleigh Christmas Parade Saturday? We have tips on where to see it, what to do downtown when it's over

It's nearly time! As it's done for more than 70 years, the Raleigh Christmas Parade will make its way through downtown Raleigh starting at 9:40 a.m., Saturday.

Said to be one of the largest parades on the East Coast, the event features 115 entries and runs more than two hours as it travels down Hillsborough Street, weaves around the State Capitol Building and, finally, heads down Fayetteville Street. Tens of thousands of people line the streets - many people deep in some places - to see the bands, floats, balloons, entertainers and, of course, Santa Claus, himself.

Can't wait!