Ceated and organized by The Hillsborough Arts Council, the annual Mardi Gras-style community celebration features live music, dance and a horde of fancifal and creative puppets, stiltwalkers and other attractions.

This year’s parade theme is “Characters and Creatures of the Eno,” celebrating the creatures, human and otherwise, who bring to life the river that runs through town.

Special guests will include the drummers and dancers of the acclaimed dance troupe Magic of African Rhythms, and the Bulltown Strutters, who bring their infectious New Orleans beat to the street.

The parade begins at 2 p.m. and moves from Margaret Lane up Churton Street in downtown Hillsborough to the finale at Historic Burwell School. A post-parade celebration on the lawn at the Burwell School lawn will include music, refreshments and more.

Anyone with a costume or carrying a giant puppet can participate, but all participants are required to register online. Additional costumes and puppets are available to registered participants on a first come-first served basis with registration!

Churton Street will be closed to traffic at 2 p.m.

There will be a free concert after the parade at the Old Courthouse after the parade with five bands until 10:00 pm as part of the Fresh Roots Festival.

Details about the parade including maps, traffic routing and registration are available at the parade website: hillsboroughartscouncil.org.