Organizers of Apex's Rotary Christmas Parade say the event could see changes this year as a major construction project along the traditional parade route remains behind schedule. 

The Salem Streetscape project will transform the downtown Salem Street corridor with more walkability and downtown dining. 

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Revised electrical plans forced the multi-million-dollar project into a weeks-long delay earlier this year, pushing back expected completion to December, right when the parade is usually held. 

"We're making contingencies because this parade is such a landmark for the community," Rotary Club of Apex Parade Chair Robert Carmac said. "The best case is everything's open and the construction's gone, but we're looking at the realities that that might not happen."

The parade has been a tradition in Apex since 1957. The Apex Rotary Club took over the parade's management in 2008. Organizers estimate tens of thousands of people come to watch it each year.

Apex leaders say the parade still could go on even if there's only one lane open through downtown. But that could still require changes with many of the larger floats needing to be modified, diverted, or skipped all together.

"Exactly how the parade looks like depends on what the conditions are at the time." Mayor Pro Tem Terry Mahaffey said. 

Mahaffey told WRAL News that crews are making progress on installing pavers and working 14-hour shifts.

Town leaders held a workshop this week to mull over possible alternatives for the parade, including a modified traditional parade where larger floats turn off before nearing the construction area, an alternate route outside the downtown path, or a stationary parade.

 "There's one that I'm a no go on completely: The stationary Christmas parade," Mayor Jacques Gilbert said. "I think the large majority of the community would like to see it downtown. It's important that we work from that." 

The Streetscapes project has forced Apex's Olde Fashioned Fourth of July, typically held on Salem Street, to move locations and change formats this year.

Attendees of the Christmas parade hope that event does not see the same fate. 

"It wouldn't be as good, but I think it'd be better to have the parade than skip it," Apex resident Whitley Austin said.

Parade organizers are expected to give an update to Apex leaders in August.