On Saturday the City of Durham will officially kick-off the holiday season at Durham's Annual Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Celebration.

The evening parade will begin at 4 p.m. on the corner of Jackie Robinson and Blackwell Streets (near the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and American Tobacco Historic District). Dr. Charles "Chuck" Davis will be the Grand Marshal. Additional parade dignitaries include Mayor William V. "Bill" Bell and Durham elected officials.

Keep an eye out for NBC17's Josh Green and Paul Matadeen, who will appear in the parade.

Bring your family and friends to enjoy live entertainment, take in the sparkle of lighted floats, and cheer on bands, drill teams, schools, non-profit organizations, elected officials and corporate participants as they make their way through downtown Durham. The event will take place rain or shine.

PRE-PARADE CELEBRATION

Participants can enjoy music from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. at the CCB Plaza (201 Corcoran Street, home of MAJOR the big bronze Bull). Please see below for a list of the pre-parade performances:

2 p.m. Durham Chorale & Choraleers

3 p.m. Nazereno

3:35 p.m. Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble

4:45 p.m. Professor Jazz

6 p.m. PearsonSong

PARADE ROUTE

The parade route begins at the corner of Jackie Robinson and Blackwell Streets, and will travel up Blackwell across Pettigrew, cross the railroad tracks, continue north past the CCB Plaza onto Foster Street and will end at the corner of Foster and Geer Streets.

PARKING

With such a large influx of people into the downtown area, residents and visitors are encouraged to evaluate their parking plans. To avoid being towed during this event, drivers should not park along the parade route. No parking will be permitted on the following Durham 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 various parking garages and lots in downtown Durham as well as along some city streets. Free parking will be available at the Church Street Garage located at 109 South Mangum Street. There is also parking available for a $2 event fee at the Centre Garage (300 West Morgan Street) and the Corcoran Street Garage (101 East Corcoran Street).

STREET CLOSURES

The parade staging will begin at 2:30 p.m. and the following streets will be blocked in the staging area:

· Blackwell Street between Lakewood Avenue and Pettigrew Street

· Jackie Robinson Drive/Willard Street between S. Mangum and Jackson Streets

· Morehead Avenue between Duke and S. Mangum Streets

FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE

DPR 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 the Measurement Incorporated parking lot on Morris Street between Hunt and Corporation Streets. The shuttle will run every 15 to 20 minutes from 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION

Join Mayor William V. "Bill" Bell and Durham's elected officials as they light the tree immediately following the parade at the CCB Plaza.