Durham converges around community this holiday season

The heavy chill of December winds welcome the mass of people gathering around the downtown plaza. Children climb onto the statue of Major the Bull, while their parents sip hot chocolate carefully. 

On the night of December 6th, the community of Durham rallied together to witness the annual Christmas tree lighting. The event, which was hosted by the organization Downtown Durham Inc., featured many activities from a meeting with a local Santa Claus to a writer’s table that produced cleverly written puns. Later in the night, the performances of Rissi Palmer, a local singer-songwriter, and the Triangle Gay Men’s Choir captivated the crowd in attendance. Most of all, this occasion allowed for the people of Durham to ring in the holiday season and connect with one another despite the challenges of the year. 

“Community events that are focused on celebration are very meaningful [for] a sense of belonging and connectedness to the community we live in,” Mary Rockers, an attendee of the Christmas tree lighting, explained. 

Rockers attended the Christmas tree lighting with her two sons, who spent the night playing soccer in nearby Central Park and engaging in group sing-alongs. This event provided many opportunities for children to step back from their personal lives and immerse themselves in the community. 

“When there are activities to watch and participate in, we step away from our phones and out of our singular silos,” Rockers remarked. “I believe [that] is essential for good mental and emotional health.”

` Stepping back from our families and reaching out to others can lead to many meaningful connections. Community events like the Christmas tree lighting have a clear goal of providing a space for people to make those special moments together. 

“These community events are so important,” Louisa Warren, an annual attendee of the Christmas tree lighting, said. “They connect me with people I might never otherwise meet but are in my community.” 

However, this event has not come without its challenges. The tree lighting was originally scheduled for earlier in the winter season, but was postponed because of ICE agent activity in the Durham area. Protests against ICE were scheduled for the date of the tree lighting, so Downtown Durham Inc. decided to move the event. 

“Community events bring diverse folks together from very different parts of our city and that’s good for us,” Rockers concluded. We [meet] people oftentimes we don’t interact with when we go about our personal routines.”

When the community was threatened, the people of Durham found a way to unite through this event. Whether it be a young Duke student or a born and bred Durham native, community events give a space for everyone to feel welcomed. 

“It makes me feel connected to a bigger community and feel joy with my family,” Warren concluded.