News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 

(Oct. 1, 2025) 

What a weekend! It was fantastic seeing crowds enjoying the Carrboro Music Festival. Hats off to Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources for putting on the 28th annual festival with 20 different venues and oh-so-many musicians giving their best all over town! We also celebrated Carrboro's national honor of All-America City. Next up - SLOW DOWN FOR POETRY.  West End Poetry Festival is set for Oct. 16-18, bringing the "Power of Poetry." Carrboro is headed into its busy season with Halloween right around the corner and early voting coming up for local elections! Get all the news in this issue! 

Carrboro to feature 20th Annual West End Poetry Festival

The 20th Annual West End Poetry Festival returns, Oct. 16-18, 2025. All events are free and open to the public. The theme this year is "The Power of Poetry."

Thursday, October 16 │ Steel String Brewery at 106-A S. Greensboro Street, Carrboro

• 7 - 9 p.m. - Join the Carrboro Poet’s Council for a reading & collaborative poem.  Hear poems from Gilbert-Chappell Mentorship Series Poet Kelsey Weimar.  Stay for a fun open mic experience!

Friday, October 17 │ Drakeford Library Complex at 203 S. Greensboro Street, Carrboro

• 5-7 p.m. - Youth Writing Workshop with NC Youth Poet Laureate Rishi Janakiraman
• 7-7:45 p.m. - Join us for a reception on the 3rd floor terrace.
• 8-9:30 p.m.  - Poetry reading from Carlina Duan and Meg Day, followed by a conversation between the two and questions and answer session.

Saturday, October 18 │ Carrboro Century Center at 100 N. Greensboro Street, Carrboro

• 12:30 p.m. - Join us for coffee and biscuits!
• 1 p.m. - Welcome from Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee, Reading by School Youth Poets Laureate, NC Youth Poet Laureate Rishi Janakiraman and Farmer's Market Seedling Day Poems read by youth
• 1:45 - 3 p.m. - Book poets reading 
  • Jameela Fay Dallis
  • Erin Miller
  • Vince Kopp
  • Crystal Simone Smith
• 3-4 p.m. - Coffee and snacks, publishers and tables, books for sale
• 4-4:45 p.m. - Poetry reading with Liza Wolff-Francis & James Davis May
• 5-5:45 p.m. - Poetry in the Round
• 5:45 - 6:30 p.m. - Dinner from Carrburritos
• 6:30 p.m. - Craft Talk - "The Art of Futility" with James Davis May

Saturday, October 18 │Steel String Brewery at 106-A S. Greensboro Street, Carrboro

• 8 p.m. - Afterparty and Open Mic

For more information on the events and poets please visit the West End Poetry website: https://www.carrboronc.gov/2781/West-End-Poetry-Festival

The West End Poetry Festival is sponsored by the Town of Carrboro and is planned by the Carrboro Poets Council with the assistance of the staff of Carrboro’s Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources Department and the support of the Carrboro Arts Committee and the Carrboro Tourism Development Authority.

Carrboro Celebrates All-America City Win

CARRBORO, NC -- "I want to provide a little context about the All-America City Award so you can understand how big a deal this is," AAC Director Rebecca Trout, visiting from Washington, D.C., told the crowd gathered at the Drakeford Library Complex for Carrboro's AAC Celebration on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. "We've been giving this award out for 76 years now. You are part of a community of over 500 cities, towns, regions and tribes from all over the country that have been recognized."

"Thank you for being a national model for engagement and environmental sustainability."

Watch the video from the AAC Celebration program! 

Carrboro was named a 2025 All-America City by the National Civic League, marking a historic win in the town’s first year applying and competing for the prestigious national recognition. The celebration kicked off with the reading of a Carrboro poem by Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Franics, led by Mayor Barbara Foushee and Town Manager Patrice Toney, with members of the Community Delegation that presented for the town in Denver.

All-America City: Carrboro, North Carolina

Carrboro has been recognized for its bold commitment to advancing democracy through local action, community partnerships, and inclusive civic infrastructure —the network of relationships, partnerships, and capacities driving effective decision-making and problem-solving.

Carrboro, North Carolina continues to advance its racial equity and climate goals through initiatives like Carrboro in Motion, which brings civic engagement directly to underrepresented renters through bilingual neighborhood block parties, and the Green Neighborhoods Grant Program, which funds resident-led climate projects. Additionally, Carrboro’s award-winning Bolin Creek Watershed Restoration project united residents, homeowner associations, and state agencies to tackle stormwater issues with nature-based solutions, turning a persistent challenge into a collaborative success.

Learn more about Carrboro's All-America City Award 

Hear the community poem by Carrboro Poet Liza Wolff-Francis 

Plant Milkweed, Save Monarchs:

Pick Up Free Seeds Saturday

Monarch butterflies need our help. Their population in the U.S. has dropped sharply since the 1990s, and Carrboro is taking action by joining the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge. One simple way you can make a difference is by planting native milkweed this fall.

Why Milkweed Matters

Monarchs rely exclusively on milkweed as a food source for their larvae and eating it makes them poisonous to predators. 

Get Free Seeds

Pick up a free packet of native milkweed seeds at the food waste drop-off station during the Carrboro Farmers’ Market on Saturday, Oct. 4.

How to Plant

Planting is easy:

• Sprinkle the seeds in a pot or on soil in your yard.
• Cover lightly with a few inches of loosely packed mulch or straw.
• Water lightly.
• Let nature do the rest! The seeds will sprout in spring.

Choose Native Varieties

When planting, be sure to choose native milkweed species. Native plants are adapted to the local environment and provide food and habitat for a wide range of local pollinators. For more information on native milkweeds in North Carolina, the "Milkweeds of the Southeast" publication from the Xerces Society is a great resource. 

EV Event for National Drive Electric Month happening in Carrboro

Come out to learn more about electric vehicles at an event of National Drive Electric Month from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 4 in the parking lot for the Carrboro Century Center located at 101 N. Greensboro St. 

Electric vehicles – you see them on the road, but have you ever been in one? Do you wonder how they work? This is a casual opportunity to check out these rides and speak with experts. Look inside some Town of Carrboro and Town of Chapel Hill EVs and speak with local EV owners who are excited to share their experience. 

This event is organized by the Town of Carrboro, Orange County, and the Town of Chapel Hill, along with EV drivers from the community. 

Find public parking here. Note that Carr Mill Mall is for mall customers and is not a public parking lot. Leaving the mall premises after parking risks towing. 

National Drive Electric Month, Sept. 12 to Oct. 12, 2025, is a nationwide celebration to raise awareness of the many benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more. National Drive Electric Month is presented by Plug In America, Electric Vehicle Association, Sierra Club, EVHybridNoire, and Drive Electric USA.

Celebrate Walk & Roll to School Day 

Mayor Barbara Foushee will proclaim Wednesday, Oct. 8 as the 29th Annual National Walk & Roll to School Day in Carrboro.

Communities participate in Walk & Roll to School Day to encourage all forms of active transportation to school and to inspire local action to create habits, policies, and environments that support students walking to and from school. 

Mayor Foushee will lead a walk, ride, and roll to school on Oct. 8 with students and parents from Wilson Park to Carrboro Elementary School. 

Anyone looking to walk, ride, and roll to school with the mayor should meet at the bike repair stand at Wilson Park, 101 Wilson St., between 7 and 7:15 a.m. There will be a group photo before the group begins to Walk & Roll to School at 7:20 a.m. The participants should arrive at Carrboro Elementary by 7:35 a.m.

Learn more about Walk & Roll to School Day in Carrboro.

Join the 2nd Friday Art Walk on Oct. 10

Join the 2nd Friday Art Walk around downtown Carrboro and Chapel Hill on Friday, Oct. 10. 

Explore art galleries, artist studios, shops and restaurants. There will also be live music, performances, spoken word poetry and more. Venues are generally open late afternoon and evening hours. Exhibits at Carrboro Town Hall and the Drakeford Library Complex are open from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Learn more about participating venues and their exhibitions.

Carrboro In Motion is on the way! 

The Town of Carrboro together with community partners hosts Carrboro In Motion events to increase neighbor-to-neighbor participation and engagement with the community. 

The events leverage community assets and strengths from public agencies and partners, including several Orange County departments, Chapel Hill Transit, El Centro Hispano, Orange County Public Library and Carrboro Transportation Choices. 

Join us at the next Carrboro in Motion event: 

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11 at Willow Creek Laundromat at 602 Jones Ferry Road.

Stop by to join the free event - no registration required. 

Carrboro In Motion will feature the following: 

• Live Zumba class led by Oscar Garcia. Come join in!  
• Bike and ped resources including repair for bicycles, map and routing resources, and reflective gear and bike lights 
• Town of Carrboro programs and services 
• Orange County services including housing and public health departments
• Recreation Programs: The Town’s Party Trailer will provide games and activities for children
• New Resident packet information

Carrboro In Motion aims to bring people and community assets together to improve lifestyles:

• Creating awareness and access to available services offered by public and non-profit agencies 
• Promoting environmentally friendly habits and lifestyle 
• Supporting opportunities for conversation and dialogue 
• Increasing neighbor-to-neighbor participation and engagement with local government 
• Creating a welcoming spirit of community where everyone belongs 
• Inspiring leadership through opportunities to serve

More Information 

Carrboro In Motion advances goals of the Inclusive Carrboro Communications and Community Engagement Plan by creating a method for the Town to establish a presence in communities and neighborhoods, build relationships, and offer multiple ways for residents to contribute input and feedback about services and topics. Learn more at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2735/Carrboro-In-Motion

For more information, please contact Catherine Lazorko, the Town of Carrboro’s communication and engagement director, at 919-918-7314 or clazorko@carrboronc.gov 

Town Council Update

The Carrboro Town Council will meet for a regularly scheduled meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025. 

The Town Council meets at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. Members of the public are welcome to attend in person or can view the livestream.

• The agenda for this meeting is available  online 
• Watch the meeting live on  YouTube . 

Past Meeting Recap 

The Carrboro Town Council met on Tuesday, Sept. 16, and took actions on the following items:

• Heard proclamations for the All-America City Award for the Town of Carrboro, School for People Under Six 55th Anniversary Celebration, Diaper Need Awareness Week, and American Pharmacists Month
• Authorized the Town Manager to Execute a Supplemental Agreement with NCDOT for the Bicycle Loop Detector Project 
• Authorized the Town Manager to Initiate an agreement with NCDOT for the Bike Plan Group Project to  construct three projects: a sidepath along the southwest end of Shelton Street, restriping East Poplar Avenue to create a pedestrian lane, and restriping the 100 Block Maple Avenue to create a contraflow lane.
• Deferred consideration to approve a request for a permit extension for Phase 1 of Lloyd Farm development at 700 and 706 Old Fayetteville Road to a future meeting on Oct. 7.
• Set a public hearing for Oct. 21, 2025, to consider adopting the Downtown Area Plan, which explores opportunities for growth in the downtown area and along Jones Ferry Road in line with the Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan.
• Held a legislative public hearing on Land Use Ordinance Text Amendments Relating to Advisory Board and Commissions.
• Received an update on the Town’s response before, during and after Tropical Storm Chantal, its financial impact on the Town’s budget, and plans for EV/Hybrid vehicle replacements and EV chargers.
• Received an update on the 2025 Green Neighborhoods Grant Program.
• Made appointment to the Tourism Development Authority (Aaron Nelson) and the Climate & Environmental Advisory Commission (Jeff Gannon and Charm Wheaton).

• Watch the livestream on YouTube.
• Learn more by reading the full Town Council Update .

Lights Out to Help Protect Migrating Birds! 

As the fall migration season continues, you can take a simple but impactful action. 

Join the Lights Out initiative in Carrboro to protect these migratory birds by turning off unnecessary outdoor lights from 11 p.m. - 6 a.m. this fall through November 30, 2025.

Millions of birds navigate by starlight at night. Unfortunately, bright city lights can disorient them, leading to dangerous collisions. Together, we can make a difference by protecting migratory birds and saving energy at the same time! 

Learn more about Birds in Our Community here. 

Orange County Voting Information 

The voter registration deadline is Oct. 10. Voters who miss this deadline may still register and vote in person at any early voting site. Those who miss the deadline may register and vote during the early voting period with proof of residency. Early voting begins Oct. 16 and will close on Nov. 1. Any NC voter may request and receive a mail-in absentee ballot now through Oct. 21 for the Nov. 4 election. 

Orange County Voting Information 

Orange County voters can get a FREE photo ID for voting on Saturday, Oct. 4 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Orange County Board of Elections (208 S. Cameron St., Hillsborough). No documents or appointment needed. Register or update your registration too! Call 919-245-2350. 

Author Event: Frances Shetley's New Book "Vignettes"

Join us for a special book reading and a celebration of Carrboro history with longtime resident and author, Frances Shetley! 

On Friday, Oct. 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Frances will read from her new book, "Vignettes." The book is a collection of true stories from her life, starting on her father's farm in Calvander and continuing through her years living in and around Carrboro. 

At 98 years old, Frances has seen Carrboro grow and transform. A former alderwoman and the namesake of the Frances Shetley bike path, her stories capture the town's history through lively accounts of farming, family, technology, and civic engagement. As she writes in the story "Frances and the Pink Bulldozer," "I know how to make my mark." 

This is a unique opportunity to hear a master storyteller share her personal history and the history of our community. 

The event will be held on the third floor of the Drakeford Library Complex at 203 S. Greensboro Street in Carrboro. Light refreshments will be served. 

Carrboro to update the Safe Routes 

to School Strategic Action Plan

The Town of Carrboro Planning Department is working to update its Safe Routes to School Strategic Action Plan with funding support from a North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Safe Routes to School Non-Infrastructure Grant. This plan will guide efforts to make it safer, easier, and more enjoyable for students to walk, bike, or roll to school at Carrboro Elementary School, McDougle Elementary School, Morris Grove Elementary School, McDougle Middle School, and Carrboro High School. 

As part of the planning process, the project team will:

• Evaluate how students are currently getting to school.
• Listen to residents, parents, school staff, and community members about their needs and ideas.
• Develop strategies and action steps—such as new sidewalks, safer crossings, or programs like a walking school bus—to support safe, active travel. 

Why update the plan now? 

Carrboro’s last Safe Routes to School Strategic Action Plan was adopted in 2012. A lot has changed since then! Today, the Town is focused on:

• Addressing current safety concerns and infrastructure needs around our schools.
• Supporting healthy habits by encouraging more walking, biking, and rolling.
• Reducing traffic congestion and stress during school drop-off and pick-up times.

Project Schedule

• Fall 2025: Review existing Town policies and the 2012 plan; collect data on student travel patterns; engage families, schools, and community members through surveys, school walk audits, and pop-up events.
• Winter 2025: Draft an updated plan that identifies priority routes, safety improvements, and programs for each of Carrboro’s five schools.
• Spring 2026: Share the draft plan with the community for public review and feedback before adoption.

How can you get involved?

Your voice is essential—whether your child walks, rides the bus, or carpools. Visit our project website to:

• Take the online survey.
• Tell us about your school travel experience.
• Share ideas for programs and identify areas that feel unsafe.
• Join upcoming school and community events. 
• Project website: Engage Carrboro

 Together, we can make Carrboro’s routes to school safer, healthier, and more enjoyable for everyone. 

Save the Date: Carrboro Halloween Events

Gather your pumpkins for carving or decorating and put on your favorite costumes! The Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department invites you to participate in the 2025 Carrboro Halloween Events and Activities.

Music and Stories Under the Stars

Join us on Friday, Oct. 24 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. for an evening of music and stories at Weaver Street Lawn, 101 E Weaver St. Put on your best costume for the annual costume contest, bring a blanket or a low chair, and snuggle up for these stellar shows!

• Music will begin at 5 p.m. 
• Costume contest, registration will be held from 5 to 5:50 p.m. 
• Winners of the costume contest will be announced before the storyteller. 
• Appropriate for all ages.

Halloween Carnival

Come enjoy the Carrboro Halloween Carnival on Friday, Oct. 31 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W Main St.  We boast a host of carnival style activities for all ages that reward the children’s participation with a wickedly good prize bag. Popcorn, water, hot chocolate, apple cider and coffee will be sold at the concession booth. No registration required.

Virtual Pumpkin Carving/Decorating Contest

Submit a photo of your carved or decorated pumpkin by 5 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 28. Photos will be posted on Carrboro Recreation, Parks & Cultural Recourses Department’s Facebook page and "The Best of Show” winner will be announced on Friday, Oct. 31. 

• Send photos to dhughes@carrboronc.gov. 
• Please include a sign that says “Carrboro 2024” in your picture. 
• Only one pumpkin in a photo. 
• Please remember that this is a kid-friendly event and CRPCRD reserves the rights to deny entries deemed inappropriate.

Check out our Monthly Events Newsletter to discover all the exciting programs and special events that are coming up!  

2025 Fall Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Program Guide 

The Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department’s Fall program brochure is now available! This includes registration for the 2025-2026 Youth Basketball Leagues.

Learn more about the Program Guide and How to Register.

To all who are celebrating...

The Town of Carrboro recognizes our diverse community and the many observances meaningful to our residents this month.