Parks & Recreation Department

• Parks and Recreation Home
• Contact Us
• Accreditation
• Adopt-A-Park/Adopt-A-Trail
• Athletics
  
  • Adult Athletics
  • Youth Athletics
• Aquatics and Lakes
• Brochures, Forms and Applications
• Facilities and Rentals
• Fees and Charges
• Recreation Programs
• Special Events
• Trails, Greenways and Parks (Park Locator)
• Volunteer With DPR

 

43rd Annual Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival

More details will be available in February 2012

Durham Parks and Recreation will host its 43rd Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival on Saturday, May 19, from 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the CCB Plaza, 201 N. Corcoran St. This annual family event is a celebration of African and African American history, culture, art and traditions. Participants will enjoy live national and local talent, ethnic food, arts and crafts, an interactive children’s area, community organizations/merchants and more. There will also be a host of weekday events planned. Come and embrace the rich, diverse and unique traditions of the City of Durham.

Important Information

• Admission is free.


• Bimbé will take place rain or shine.


• Seating will not be provided. For your comfort, feel free to bring a lawn chair or blanket.


• The following is not allowed:
  
  • No coolers
  • No alcohol
  • No pets

Bimbé History

In early 1969, a group of African-American students from Duke University, North Carolina College at Durham, now North Carolina Central University (NCCU), and a host of community members met to plan a cultural arts festival for the residents of Durham. After months of planning, the first Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival was held in Duke Gardens.

The Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival was established in honor of the West African festival of harvest and celebration. After the season of harvest, entire villages would gather to give thanks through dance, praise and feasting. The hallmark of the festival is the spirit of sharing as each family or tribe shares its best fruits with the entire village. This tradition continues to be practiced in many villages throughout the Caribbean. It is from the Caribbean that Bimbé came to Durham through the leadership and inspiration of Gaberth St. John, a native of St. Thomas. A key feature of the early Bimbé Festivals was St. John’s drumming and the dancing of young people from Hayti, who usually performed the closing ceremonies by candle light.

Bimbé moved from the Duke Gardens to Hillside Park the following year. The move generated greater involvement of the community both in sponsorship and participation at the festival. Because of the growth, Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR) agreed to take the lead in planning the festival.

In 1973, Bimbé became a two-day festival with a much larger program and the addition of informational booths from various community organizations. The two-day celebration included performances in gospel, dance, blues, jazz and popular music.

In 1981, the Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival moved to the campus of NCCU. With increased sponsorship the festival had grown in size, attendance and diversity. In 1995, the festival moved from NCCU to UDI Industrial Park, located at the intersection of Fayetteville Street and Fayetteville Road. In 1996 the festival moved to the Durham Athletic Park.

With a focus on bringing the festival downtown, in 2003 the City's Office of Economic and Employment Development, now called the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, planned Bimbé. In 2007, Durham Parks and Recreation was given the directive to continue the tradition by hosting the festival. The event is now held at the CCB Plaza in downtown Durham and promises to be a day filled with the tradition of sharing, celebration and appreciation of gifts of talent. Bring your family and friends and help us continue to make history!