Holiday festival to replace Durham parade

Since the 1940s, people have lined the streets of downtown to watch the Durham Holiday Parade, but dwindling attendance and participation prompted city leaders to switch this year to a downtown festival they are calling the Holiday Fun Fest.

“We wanted to revamp the event to make sure we kept the components of the parade but provided a more inclusive event,” said Cynthia Booth, with the Durham Parks and Recreation Department.

The Fun Fest will include a parade with Santa Claus and bands, but it won’t be as big as it used to be, she said. Added to the celebration are snow sledding, a petting zoo, food vendors and a tree-lighting ceremony.

The city will also use the event to collect food for the needy and to send holiday messages for troops serving overseas.

The Fun Fest is set for 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at CCB Plaza, 201 N. Corcoran St. Events will also be happening at the Durham Armory, at 212 Foster St.