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The Watts Hospital-Hillandale neighborhood parade is the oldest Fourth of July celebration in Durham.

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It all started on July 4, 1950. When the neighborhood kids complained of having nothing to do, Alice and Tom Walker organized a parade. With crepe paper, little flags, and whatever they could find, the kids decorated their trikes and wagons. Beginning in front of the Walkers' house at 2223 W. Club, the kids marched a block down the sidewalk and back. It was so much fun, they did it again. Back in the Walkers' yard, they recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang "My Country ‘tis of Thee" and other patriotic songs. Afterward, Alice produced cold soft drinks — a treat in those days.  The Walkers thought the little event was just a one-off affair, but the kids remembered and a tradition was born.

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Each year thereafter, the event grew. Soon the sidewalk was too small to hold the marchers and the parade spilled onto Club Boulevard where it has started ever since. For many years now, police officers and sheriff’s deputies stop the traffic.  A firetruck from the Ninth Street Station leads the marchers.

 

In the early years, the Walkers supplied proper U.S. and North Carolina flags for the color guard. Tom Walker urged folks to bring the flag of their home state or country to emphasize the principle of e pluribus unum, “from many, we are one.” That first U.S. flag had just 48 stars.  When Alaska became a state in 1959, Tom got a 49-star flag to lead the parade.  When Hawaii became a state the next year, Tom added a 50-star flag. Those delicate flags still lead the parade – carried by a color guard of children and adults picked from the crowd on the spot. It could be you.

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Today, more than seven decades later, the essential elements of the event remain unchanged. There are flags.  There is a parade along Club to Alabama to Woodrow and back to Oval Park.  People recite the Pledge and sing songs together with leadership from David Dodson and Florence Nash and their friends in the O.K. Chorale.  We finish up with an ice-cold bottle of Coca-Cola or whatever beverage you bring.

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Early in the morning, volunteers gather in Oval Park to hang flags from tree to tree. Flags from every state, from dozens of countries. Some are huge. One is well over a hundred years old and has just 45 stars. 

 

What began with a handful of neighborhood kids more than years ago is now a major Durham event attracting hundreds of participants. The event has happened every July 4 since 1950 – rain or shine and always hot.  It is an event for families and children.  There are no convertibles, no floats, no brass bands, no fireworks. Instead, there are friends, neighbors, and dogs marching and others watching the parade and a yard party or two.

 

From all around, we march and celebrate on the Fourth. Gather at the intersection of Club and Oakland at about 9:50 a.m. The parade starts at 10. Unfurl your flags, wear your red, white, and blue, and decorate your trikes and scooters and dogs. Invite your families, your friends, your co-workers. There is room for everybody. It’s the neighborhood Fourth of July celebration and everyone is welcome!

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Check out these photos of the 4th from 2011 courtesy of Don Moffitt.