Schedule Announced for Durham 150 Opening Celebration April 13

This year Durham is celebrating its 150th birthday and you can expect to see many celebratory events throughout the year.

Save the date: The Durham 150 Opening Celebration Presented by Aetna will take place on Saturday, April 13th, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the American Tobacco Campus.

This is a free event that includes lots of entertainment, as well as exhibits and interactive activities that will showcase the past, present and future of the Bull City.

Neighborhoods at Durham 150 Opening Celebration at American Tobacco Campus

Throughout ATC, there will be designated “neighborhoods” or themed areas where attendees can learn more about Durham’s past, present, and future. Attendees can pick up a neighborhood ticket at info booths to be stamped as they visit each of the four areas. Those
who collect all four stamps and turn in their ticket before 1:30 p.m. will be entered to win prizes.

Winners must be present for the raffle drawing of stamped tickets happening at 1:45 p.m. at the main stage. The top prize includes a two-night stay at the Marriott City Center, four tickets to see Aladdin at DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center), and a gift card to Pizzeria Toro.

Second and third place prizes include tickets to the Carolina Theatre and the Durham Bulls as well as gift certificates to Pie Pushers and Mellow Mushroom, two free boat rentals from Frog Hollow Outdoors, and rental vouchers from Pedego Electric Bikes.

Interactive Engagements

In addition to the specific neighborhood areas, there will be interactive engagements located throughout the campus. The Durham 150 Photo Mosaic Mural, sponsored by Olive & Olive Intellectual Property Law, will be a 4’x8’ work of art and hands-on experience debuting at the Opening Celebration. Durhamites can post photos of themselves around Durham on Instagram or Twitter with #Durham150 or take a photo onsite on April 13 for the photo to be printed and included in the mosaic mural. Once completed, the artwork will be on display at different locations around Durham and featured at the Durham 150 Closing Ceremony at DPAC on November 2, after which it will be hung for permanent display at City Hall.

The Museum of Durham History’s Story Kiosk will also be onsite, thanks to the generous support of C.T. Wilson Construction. Event goers can share their story on video and become a part of Durham’s historical archives. The Story Kiosk will be present at other Durham 150 events throughout the anniversary year. Durham 150 merchandise, cotton candy and popcorn will also be available. Boricua Soul Food Truck, Mellow Mushroom and Tyler’s Restaurant & Taproom will serve food throughout the event.

Running of the Bulls

The Opening Celebration will culminate with the “Running of the Bulls” race down the ATC Ol’ Bull River, sponsored by the City of Durham Departments of Public Works and Water Management.

Up to 2,000 interested attendees can adopt a floatable rubber bull before 1:00 p.m., while supplies last, from one of the info booths. The race will take place at 1:30 p.m. starting near The Cage and The Depot and ending by The Lawn.

The top three winning bull owners will win prize packages and all participants can take a bull home as a souvenir. The “Running of the Bulls” first-place prize package includes a two-night stay at Aloft Durham Downtown, four tickets to the Carolina Theatre’s family series event and a $175 gift card to Littler.

Second and third place will win packages similar to that of the neighborhood ticket drawing.

More upcoming free and cheap events in Durham