Save the date for Luminaries in the Park on Saturday, December 13 at dusk!

Can you help make the luminary magic happen and “adopt” a luminary set? By adopting a luminary set you’ll be responsible for picking up a set of 20 luminary supplies and assembling them in the park before dusk on the day of the event. Luminary set supplies (bags, sand, and candles) are provided by NPNA. Decorations are welcomed but not required. There are approximately 600 luminaries (!!!), so volunteers are a critical piece!

Please pick up sets at 2717 Highland Avenue and sign out your set(s) on the clipboard. These will be available on a first come basis. Each set includes assembly and placement instructions. Note, other volunteers will light the candles when they are ready; however, anyone is welcome to assist with this task and bring your own lighter. For questions, contact Kari

Every winter NPNA organizes a luminary event around Northgate Park, with hundreds of candle lit bags placed along the sidewalk surrounding the park and the greenway trail and sidewalks within the park. The result is a truly magical and peaceful experience to walk the paths and enjoy the beauty and togetherness. This is especially true because all of it comes together thanks to dozens of neighbors who set out the luminary bags and help light the candles. Many neighbors enjoy decorating the bags as well.

FAQs

1. Is the luminary event a religious celebration?

The NPNA luminary event is a secular, winter celebration.

2. How do the luminaries get set up in the park for the event?

Typically, packets containing paper bags, candles, and sand for 20 luminary sets are divided up, and neighbors volunteer to be in charge of a set. They take them home and can decorate the bags. On the day of the luminary event, the volunteers bring their luminary supplies to the park and set them up.

3. How do you assemble the luminaries?

Instructions are included in the packets. The key steps for success are to fold the top of the bag over one to two inches to give it strength; thoroughly cover the bottom of the bag with sand; and pull the wick of the candle up straight before placing it in the bag. 

4. How can I volunteer to help more with the luminaries?

Besides volunteering to oversee a luminary packet, packet assembly, candle lighting, and park clean up are other roles needed to carry out the event. Closer to the date, a volunteer sign up will be shared on the listserv. 

Come meet your friends and neighbors at the Northgate Park Food Truck Rodeo, Thursday, 10/23 from 5-8 PM. 

🎶🪕🎙️ Music:  Half Hog!

🍔🥪🌭 Jolly Sandwich Co – I’m John, and Jolly Sandwich Co. is my food truck. I’ve been cooking food up and down the East Coast for the past 25 years. From all of the different types of cuisine that I have had the honor to cook for people, I find that a well crafted sandwich brings me the most satisfaction.

🌶️🫑🌮 Cilantro Mexican Cuisine – Cilantro is a family owned and operated food truck that began in 2017 serving delicious Mexican street food. Since then, we have frequented food festivals, breweries, food truck rodeos and wineries in the Triangle and surrounding areas. Also serving churros!

🎂🍥🥮 🥧 Royal Cheesecake & Varieties Truck – We, Ken and Tamara, have been baking for over 15 years. Ken is culinary certified and servsafe certified. Tamara is “grandma certified” and servesafe certified. We bake some of our products in a kitchen inspected and approved by the NCDA as well as access to a commercial kitchen. Ken had a pear and apple tree in his backyard and made pies with his mom. Tamara obtained her baking skills from her Mississippi born grandmother. Together we make decadent desserts and created Royal Cheesecake and Varieties. Now you can purchase their desserts at their upscale bakery or on their foodtruck located in the Triangle or at various festivals/events.
Serving cupcakes, cheesecake and a variety of desserts! Pre-order available on their website for whole cakes and pies.

Northgate Park’s National Night Out (NNO) is scheduled in conjunction with the Durham NNO and has included a range of City, County, and Community organizations working to improve community safety and wellbeing. Join NPNA at the park near the tennis courts on Tuesday, October 7, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to meet neighbors, meet people from the various organizations, learn about community resources, and enjoy treats and kids games provided by the NPNA.

Come out and shop the annual neighborhood yard sale this Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon! With 30 households participating you’re sure to come across great finds from books, music, toys, and sporting goods to clothing, vintage items, tools and more. The map of participating locations along with the addresses and descriptions can be found above. Hard copies will be placed in the kiosk by the tennis courts this week. This is also a great opportunity to explore the neighborhood! This event is organized by the Northgate Park Neighborhood Association.

Come meet your friends and neighbors at the Northgate Park Food Truck Rodeo, Thursday, 9/25 from 5-8 PM. 

🎶🪕🎙️ Music:  NC Songwriter’s Co-Op Showcase

5:00-5:25:  Kat Farley and Ira Levy
5:30-5:55:  JT Cobb
6-6:25:  Colin McGuire
6:30-6:55:  Susan Johnson
7-7:25:  Rich Scher

🌶️🫑🌮 Cilantro Mexican Cuisine – Cilantro is a family owned and operated food truck that began in 2017 serving delicious Mexican street food.
http://www.cilantromexicancuisine.com

🍔🥪🥬 Jolly Sandwich Company- I’m John, and Jolly Sandwich Co. is my food truck. I’ve been cooking food up and down the East Coast for the past 25 years. From all of the different types of cuisine that I have had the honor to cook for people, I find that a well crafted sandwich brings me the most satisfaction.
https://www.jollysandwichco.com

🍦🍨🍧 Jams Ice Cream Truck- The Triangle’s only soft serve mobile ice cream parlor serving cones, sundaes, milkshakes, and shaved ice made with fresh local ingredients from the Triangle.
http://www.jamicecream.com

The Northgate Park clean up coming up on Sunday, September 14th at 10:00 AM – meet at the Picnic Shelter

We are asking those who want to do so to do the following

In preparation
-wear protective clothing and gloves
-protect yourselves against insects like mosquitoes and ticks
-be wary of poison Ivy

On that day we will
-pick up trash and liter and dispose of it in any of the trash bins located around the park
-pick up recyclables (clean) and place them in the blue recycle containers in the center of the park
-pick up and place large twigs/branches and limbs that have fallen out by the periphery of the park near the curb where the City can pick up the following week
-place the ‘yard waste’ items in piles: one on Club, one on Acadia (across from the church), one on Lavender and if needed one mid block on Glendale

Can’t make it? You are always welcome to pick up trash and recyclables at the park ANYTIME you visit it.

Come meet your friends and neighbors at the Northgate Park Food Truck Rodeo, Thursday, 7/24 from 5-8 PM.  Learn more about Food Truck Rodeos here

🎶🪕🎙️ Music:

5-6:20 – The Swampbillies (Zydeco and Rocakbilly tunes)
6:30-8p – Too Many Cases (Americana)

Mr. Cheesesteak– Mr. Cheesesteak Food Truck (EST 2018) is the Triangle’s Best sandwich hands down! We are the only Triangle Area Food Truck to offer hand sliced Angus Beef Cheesesteaks. With your choice of Provolone, Pimento, American, and Whiz, with all the fixins, Mr. Cheesesteak steak and chicken Philly sandwiches will be the best you have ever had!
Veggie Philly, grilled cheese, fries, chicken tenders, wings also available.

Hi Bachi Asian Fusion– Japanese style favorites in Durham.
Pork egg rolls, Steak, shrimp, tofu or chicken hibachi, hibachi burrito.

Jams Ice Cream Truck – Serving soft serve cones, snow cones, sundaes, milkshakes and snow creme.

Come meet your friends and neighbors at the Northgate Park Food Truck Rodeo, Thursday, 7/24 from 5-8 PM. 

🎶🪕🎙️ Music: Tom Bagby performing form 5-6:15p and then Too Many Cases (a trio) performing from 6:30-8p More info here

   Will & Pop’s
Modern comfort food in sandwich form, made from the freshest local ingredients.  Burgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs and fries!
Every 10th person that says “Hi Will and Pops” to the window person receives a free non specialty burger!

 Lao Lao Truck 
Bringing the authentic, bold funky flavors of Lao cuisine to the community!
Chicken wings, Herb pork sausage, beef jerky, meatballs, rice balls, spring rolls with vegetables or turkey and noodles.

Jam Ice Cream Truck 
http://www.jamicecream.com/
Soft serve mobile ice cream parlor serving cones, sundaes, milk shakes, shaved ice and snow creme!

Come meet your friends and neighbors at the Northgate Park Food Truck Rodeo, Thursday, 5/22 from 5-8PM. 

🎶🪕🎙️ Music: Featuring a Singer-Songwriter Showcase featuring Leah Kaufman, JT Cobb, and Susan Johnson from 5-6p and then Fair-to-Middlin’ from 6-8p! The show is free although donations are appreciated. More info here

 Mr. Wingz and Mrs. Thingz 
https://www.mrwingzandmrsthingz.com
Grilled to order chicken wings, chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches as well as hot dogs and hand cut fries!

 Hi Bachi! Asian Fusion
https://streetfoodfinder.com/hibachi919?tab=menu
Delicious pork egg rolls, hibachi steak, shrimp or vegetable options!

Jam Ice Cream Truck 
http://www.jamicecream.com/
Soft serve mobile ice cream parlor serving cones, sundaes, milk shakes, shaved ice and snow creme!

NPNA is proud to organize a family-friendly event such as food truck rodeo but please keep social distancing and face-covering in mind so everyone, especially young children who are not able to be vaccinated, and immunocompromised individuals can feel safe and enjoy this outdoor neighborhood event. Pets must be leashed at all times.

NPNA reminds all that participation in any NPNA events or activities is at the attendee’s own risk.

Come meet your friends and neighbors at the Northgate Park Food Truck Rodeo, Thursday, 5/22 from 5-8PM. 

🎶🪕🎙️ Music: Join Half Hog for live music! The show is free although donations are appreciated

🌮🫑🌶️ Hi! Bachi Food Truck  
Asian Fusion
A food truck based out of Durham serving your hibachi favorites!

🥬🍔🥪 Will and Pops 
Will & Pop’s: Modern comfort food in sandwich form, made from the freshest local ingredients.
Every 10th person that says “Hi Will and Pops” to the window person receives a free non specialty burger!

🍪🍩🧁 Halo Donuts 
Donut Heaven on Wheels! Here to sweeten your day one bite-sized treat at a time. Mini donuts made hot & fresh on site.