You won't see a lot of floats or convertibles in Durham's longest running Independence Day celebration. With the exception of one fire truck, the Fourth of July parade in the Watts Hospital-Hillandale neighborhood remains pretty homegrown.

The parade features children of all ages on decorated bikes, scooters and skateboards. Others wave flags representing different countries from around the world. Some people walk their pets along the parade route while others serve drinks and refreshments. The parade is run by the Watts Hospital-Hillandale Neighborhood and takes place at Oval Drive Park, 2200 W. Club Blvd. 

This year marks the 60th annual Independence Parade and it has certainly evolved over the decades. The parade was founded when Tom and Alice Walker were looking for a way to keep their young children entertained and decided to host a small, neighborhood parade.

About a dozen kids took part in the event back in 1949, but since then as many as 1,000 people can be seen at the parade each year.

"It's a real hometown parade", said Meredith Emmett, president of the Watts Hospital-Hillandale Neighborhood Association. "People come back for July 4th weekend, but they might not come back for Thanksgiving or Christmas."

This year the parade will be combined with the Centennial Celebration of the Watts Hospital-Hillandale Neighborhood. Before the parade begins, a new sign will be dedicated for the neighborhood and a newly installed flagpole will be dedicated in Oval Drive Park to Tom and Alice Walker, the founder's of the parade.

Emmett says everyone is encouraged to come and take part in the annual celebration. It will begin at 10 a.m and end at noon. Parking will be available throughout the Watts Hospital-Hillandale Neighborhood.