Hillsborough Street will be closed all day for the first time in 217 years on Saturday because of the eco-friendly Hillsborough Street Renaissance Festival.
The director of operations for the Hillsborough Street Renaissance Festival, Jennifer Halweil, described the event by using the tagline “Music for the Ears, Food for the Soul and a Cause for the Community.”
“We want to show people that being ‘green’ can be fun and more importantly we want to show them that there are small, cheap changes they can make in their lives to reduce their environmental impact,” Halweil said.
In order to live up to the eco-friendly description of the event, Halweil elaborated on some of the attractions that would be at the festival, including a variety of eco-friendly vendors and an alternative fuel vehicle showcase that will feature hybrid, electric, and biodiesel vehicles. Halweil also described the organic cook-off that will feature local chefs and the Redress Raleigh Eco-Fashion Show.
Halweil, and the planning team, said it was important to relay the eco-friendly message onto the event attendees. For children of all ages there will be interactive events including solar powered remote control car races as well as drum circles that will use instruments made with recycled materials.
“The goal of being eco-friendly is about taking pride in where you live and wanting to make it a better, more beautiful place,” Halweil said.
Amy Callahan, the public relations director for the event said they are trying to educate while entertaining.
Entertainment will include seven bands including Inflowential, whom was formed in 2003 at N.C. State, according to hsren.org. Halweil said a second band, Murphy’s Kids, has chosen to not wrap their CD’s in plastic to support the eco-friendly cause.
Halweil was also excited to share the schools involvement in this historic event. Over 60 students joined with community leaders to help with the planning process and hundreds more are volunteering.
Lauren Zsoldos, a freshman in fashion and textile management, is assisting with the Redress Raleigh Eco-Fashion Show.
“Not only do I love fashion, but I truly believe that the work we are doing can make a difference,” she said.
Halweil said all the proceeds from the event will be distributed equally among three charities. Two of the charities, MorLove and Engineers Without Borders, are run by students.
According to hsren.org, fraternities and sororities are also doing their part by planning a BBQ taste testing competition.
“We want to bridge ties between the University and the surrounding community to show what can be accomplished when students, faculty and staff partner with the Hillsborough businesses and neighborhood associations for a good cause,” Halweil said.
The Hillsborough Street Renaissance Festival is also showcasing the facelift Hillsborough Street will undergo. According to Halweil, construction is set to begin in May and improve storefronts from Oberlin Road to Gardner Street.
“Rain or shine this event is monumental in the history of Hillsborough Street and will go on no matter what,” Halweil said.
“You don’t want to miss history in the making,” Callahan added.
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Check out the interactive map with photos and video from the event.
