News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 

(May 14, 2025) 

Get your lawn chairs ready! This Friday is the first concert of the Freight Train Blues Concert Series at Carrboro Town Commons. Free evening concerts feature the incredible roots musicians steeped in the diverse traditions of the Carolina Piedmont! Have you tested out the new pump track yet? Next Friday, we'll be celebrating park improvements including the rad pump track at Martin Luther King Jr. Park and a new playground for Baldwin Park. Move with the Mayor continues with a special program on sound therapy coming this Saturday. The public hearing on the Town Budget is set for Tuesday. Hope you all stay dry out there! 

11th Annual Freight Train Blues Concert Series returns to Carrboro 

The Town of Carrboro proudly presents the Music Maker Foundation’s Freight Train Blues series of live concerts every Friday evening between May 16 and June 13, 2025, at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main Street. Concerts start at 6:30 p.m. 

The series is a collaboration among Music Maker Foundation; the Town of Carrboro, WUNC 91.5 FM, and The Forests at Duke.

Bring your picnic, lawn chairs and blankets for a free evening of free live music on the lawn. Beer and food will be available for purchase at the events. 

• May 16 - Jimbo Mathus and the Creatures of the Southern Wild (Roots)
• May 23 - Charly Lowry and Thomas Rhyant Jr. (Acoustic Blues)
• May 30 - Dedicated Men of Zion & Faith & Harmony 
• June 6 -  Conjunto Breve (Salsa)
• June 13 -  Gail Caesar, Lakota John Locklear

Learn more about the  2025 Freight Train Blues Concert Series.

Carrboro Celebrates Police Week 

The week of May 12-18 is recognized as Police Week in Carrboro, and Thursday, May 15 is Peace Officers Memorial Day in Carrboro, as proclaimed by Mayor Barbara Foushee.

Residents are encouraged to share their gratitude with the officers and other professionals in the Police Department for promoting the safety of Carrboro’s residents and visitors, and to understand the duties and responsibilities of these essential employees and the risks they often must face to help make Carrboro a safe and welcoming place to live.

Peace Officers Memorial Day honors law enforcement officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty.

Employees in the Carrboro Police Department provide a vital public service by acting as first responders in emergency and crisis situations; by investigating and solving crimes; by offering a variety of community services to individuals, local businesses, and community organizations and agencies; and by participating in ongoing training to stay up to date on current policing techniques, to achieve the department’s bias-free policing goals, and to provide community services in a fair and professional manner.

More at https://www.carrboronc.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2992 

"Move with the Mayor" continues this May

The Mayor® Spring Challenge continues this May, as Mayor Barbara Foushee promotes physical activity and forging meaningful social connections to strengthen our collective health and resilience. This Saturday, come out to learn about sound therapy at the Carrboro Century Center! More information is offered in this issue of CTW.  

Mayor Foushee will be directly supporting various upcoming events and invites community participation in the following: 

• Participating in Bike Month events.
• Challenging Town employees to have walking meetings and increase daily activities. 
•  Encouraging children to walk or ride their bikes to school through Safe Routes to School.
•  Providing motivation for all residents to take care of their mental health, including an opportunity to learn about sound therapy which helps with self care at an event on Saturday, May 17 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Carrboro Century Center. 
• Participating in Mental Health Mondays offered by the Carrboro Police Department at the Drakeford Library Complex this May.

Learn more about Move with the Mayor

Carrboro Celebrates Park Improvements 

CARRBORO, NC – On Friday, May 23, the Town of Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department welcomes community members to celebrate park improvements at ribbon cutting events set for 9 a.m. at Baldwin Park, and at 2 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park.

New Playground at Baldwin Park, 400 Broad St. 
Come celebrate the new playground at Baldwin Park! 

The new playground design features a main play structure catering to children ages 2-5 and 6-12 years old, with inclusive elements incorporated to enhance accessibility for all users. These upgrades will provide a more engaging, safe, and inclusive environment for families in the community.

Pump Track at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 1120 Hillsborough Road 
The Town contracted with Nature Trails, a trail design and construction firm, for the renovation work at the pump track. Improvements have resulted in a slightly different track layout and better drainage. Nature Trails designed and built two pump tracks to cater to beginner and intermediate riders.

Learn more at https://www.carrboronc.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2989 

Save the Dates: Bike Month Events

Make way for Bike Month rolling into Carrboro this May. 

Check out all the Bike Month events in and Carrboro. They are the perfect opportunity to experience the joys and health benefits of biking, to get outside during the spring season, and to see and experience the community at a different scale and pace.

• Wednesday Night Bike Ride - Social Ride - Wednesday, May 14 at 7 p.m. starting at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St. 
• Bike to Work - Friday, May 16 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Community-wide
• Bike on Bus Workshop at the Carrboro Farmers' Market – Saturday, May 17 from 9 a.m. to noon at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St.
• Carrboro Bike Breakfast - RESCHEDULED for Tuesday, May 20  from 7 to 10 a.m. at Libba Cotten Bikeway 
• Wednesday Night Bike Ride - Social Ride - Wednesday, May 28 at 7 p.m. starting at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St. 
• Ride into Pride - Queer Ride Carrboro - Saturday, May 31 at 7 p.m.  starting at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St.

Learn more about Bike Month and all the exciting events rolling your way!

Mayor Proclaims Period Poverty

Awareness Week in Carrboro

Mayor Barbara Foushee proclaims the week of May 12-18, 2025 as Period Poverty Awareness Week in Carrboro. 

Carrboro is proud to be a home to trusted community-based organizations, including Period Power, a program of the Diaper Bank of North Carolina, that recognizes the importance of period products and distributes period products through various channels.

The Town of Carrboro is grateful for period supply banks, their staff, volunteers and donors. Carrboro residents are encouraged to donate generously to supply banks, product drives and those organizations that collect and distribute period products to those that are struggling with period poverty so that all of Carrboro’s people can thrive and reach their full potential.

Read more Period Poverty Awareness Week in Carrboro.

Town Council Update

CARRBORO, NC -- The Town Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 20.  

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 www.YouTube.com/CarrboroNC  OR at https://carrboro.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx   

• The agenda for this meeting will be available at https://carrboro.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
• Access the livestream direct link to view the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/live/0IRWqJ_IkLI?si=5OqP4BQtSXw5FKa6 

Past Meeting Recap 

The Carrboro Town Council met on Tuesday, May 13 for a work session. 

Watch the livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/yLfGmJl3IQU?si=doqplIUuupn5vutA 

ABOUT CARRBORO CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: Civic involvement is a valued tradition in our community. You can reach the Town Council with your ideas, views and questions anytime at Council@carrboronc.gov  Meetings are open to the public to join in person at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. OR via Livestreaming at YouTube.com/CarrboroNC      

• Regular business meetings are generally held the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Work sessions are generally held the second Tuesdays of the month. Public comment is not accepted during work sessions, and votes are not taken.
• Agendas (and meeting videos) are posted at https://carrboro.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx 
• The Town of Carrboro offers free language translation and interpretation services to residents. Information: 919-918-7391 or info@carrboronc.gov 
• Sign up to receive Council Updates with meeting agendas and post-meeting recaps at www.carrboronc.gov/signup (choose Carrboro Town News)
• Learn more about your Town Council at https://www.carrboronc.gov/248/Town-Council 
• Questions? Reach Town Clerk Lamar Joyner at 919-918-7309 or townclerk@carrboronc.gov 

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Notice of Public Hearing: 
Recommended Town Budget 

CARRBORO, NC -- The Town Council will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 20  in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 301 W. Main St., to receive comments on the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget for FY2025-26. 

The budget document may be viewed in the Town Clerk’s Office from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays or on the Town website at https://www.carrboronc.gov/250/Financial-Documents . People are invited to make written or oral comments.  

Interpretation in English and Spanish will be provided for this meeting. Se proporcionará interpretación en inglés y español para esta reunión.

Comments may be emailed to Town Clerk Lamar Joyner at  joyner@carrboronc.gov or presented at the public hearing on May 20. .  

OWASA announces public hearing on 
proposed budget and rate increase 

OWASA’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget includes critical investments in our community’s infrastructure, including: 

• A treatment facility to reduce PFAS compounds in drinking water 
• A new clearwell to ensure complete disinfection of the community’s drinking water 

Members of the public can attend the hearing in person or observe online. Please submit written comments to the Clerk to the Board at mjohnson@owasa.org.  

Mental Health Mondays

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Carrboro Police will be hosting Mental Health Mondays (May 5, 12 and 19) at the Drakeford Library Complex from 12 - 2 p.m.

Come join the Diversion Social Worker Monrita Hughes (pictured below) and the Carrboro Police Department for conversation, information, and more!

Relax and Renew: Celebrate Mental

Health Month

May is Mental Health Month.  The Race and Equity Office is partnering with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,  Inc. Mu Omicron Omega Chapter to offer an opportunity for community to learn about sound therapy which helps with self-care.  

Join us on Saturday, May 17 at the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St., for a rejuvenating experience of sound healing and gentle movement. This unique session combines the soothing power of sound with mindful flow exercises to help release tension, calm the mind and restore your energy.

What to expect:

• Sound Bath: Immerse yourself in the calming vibrations of crystal bowls, chimes and other healing instruments to restore balance to your body and mind.
• Flowing Movement: A gentle, guided flow that will help release tension, improve flexibility, and promote overall well-being.
• A Deep Sense of Relaxation: Let go of stress and leave feeling grounded, renewed and re-energized.

What to bring:

• water
• a yoga mat or blanket
• wear comfortable clothes that allow for movement

Carrboro Orgullo Pride Celebration 

News Flash!  The Carrboro Pride Dance Party has merged with Orgullo Latinx! We are so excited to join with El Centro Hispano in putting on a very special event with new energy and joyful creativity! See you in Carrboro on Saturday, June 14! 

Check out all the Pride Month events coming up throughout the Chapel Hill and Carrboro community at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2706/Pride-Month

Carrboro and Chapel Hill

to Celebrate Juneteenth

The Chapel Hill -Carrboro Juneteenth Festival will be held on Thursday, June 19 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St. 

Hosted by the towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill, along with numerous community partners, the Juneteenth festival celebrates Black culture and community with music, art, food, and history.  Learn more about  parking for the event.

Juneteenth is the oldest national commemoration of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. Learn more about Juneteenth in Carrboro.

Black artisans and Black-owned businesses will offer everything from handmade jewelry and figurines, healthcare and other services. Black-owned food trucks and businesses will provide a variety of food and drink. Featured will be a Kids Zone, music and dance, a puppet show and the Bouncing Bulldogs. Exhibits will feature local Black history and culture.

Apply Now: 2025 Carrboro Music Festival Performer Application Open

 Attention all musicians! The Town of Carrboro is now accepting online applications for the 2025 Carrboro Music Festival. The application deadline for submissions is Saturday, May 31, 2025. 

The Carrboro Music Festival will be held on Sunday, Sept. 28 and is a celebration of local musicians throughout Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Orange County.  The festival also includes performers from surrounding counties located between the Triangle and Triad regions of the state. 

• For more information, visit: https://www.carrboronc.gov/311/Carrboro-Music-Festival
• Apply now: https://www.carrboronc.gov/321/Application---Performers

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

Please note that our Summer Brochure will be released in mid-April. Registration for our Summer programs begins on May 7 for Carrboro residents, and May 8 for all others. 

2025 Summer Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Program Guide 

The Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department’s Summer program brochure is now available! This includes registration for 2025 Fall athletic leagues and 2025 summer camps.

Registration for Carrboro Residents begins on Wednesday, May 7 at 8:30 a.m. and registration for all other participants begins on Thursday, May 8.

Learn more about the Program Guide and How to Register.

Public parking available in downtown Carrboro

It’s easy to find free two-hour public parking in Carrboro, where you can access convenient parking at 11 public lots all over town.

Please remember that the Carr Mill Mall parking area is for mall customers and is not a public parking lot. Leaving the mall premises after parking risks towing. When in doubt, always park in public lots, and enjoy a hassle-free and relaxed shopping and dining experience.

Find more information including an interactive parking map on our Downtown Parking webpage.