UPDATE: The chili cookoff will be in Hillsborough, N.C. This story was updated at 1:41 p.m.

Instead of heading to Franklin Street this year, many students will be participating in the Haunted Hillsborough Hike. 

The festivities will begin as early as noon.  The Hillsborough Street Partnership and Hillsborough Street Community Service Corporation will hold a free luncheon, celebrating 10 years of partnership, community, service and the accomplishments made on Hillsborough Street. 

According to the official luncheon invitation, free lunch (a few select restaurants will be providing burgers, etc.) and entertainment will be provided at the Bell Tower. 

Following the luncheon, which will end at 1 p.m., is a workshop that will inform participants what’s next for Hillsborough Street.  It will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Hillsborough Street Community Center.

Then, the creatures come out.  Starting around 6:00 p.m., the Haunted Hillsborough Hike begins. 

The Hike starts at Players’ Retreat and Red, Hot & Blue, and the goal of the Hike is for people to hit every bar and restaurant, buy a drink – virgin or alcoholic — until they reach East Village, Farmhouse and Pantana Bob’s where the Hike ends, by around 2 a.m., but daylight saving time will give an extra hour for festivities. 

Dan Banker, a junior in business administration, is excited about the Hike and said he’s glad to stay in Raleigh because Franklin Street is getting old.

“All of my friends will be on Hillsborough Street and there are cool bars. Plus, I don’t have to worry about traffic, or the cops shutting down Halloween early, where I hear old Franklin won’t be open as long as Hills-awesome-borough Street.”

Banker also said he’s got an awesome costume he gets to share with his best friend, Achal Anekal, a junior in mechanical engineering.

“Well, I am going to be a HalloWEENIE and Achal is going to be a condom and we will be promoting safe sex,” Banker said. 

Khang Ngo, a sophomore in media communications, is also glad to be hitting the Hike instead of Franklin Street this year.

“A lot of my friends will be on Hillsborough Street and plus, I enjoy the people at N.C. State more,” Ngo said.

Many of the bars and restaurants are also getting excited and have started making preparations.

Alan Lovette, owner of Melvins’ and 5 O’Clock Sports Bar, said he’ll have music playing and drink specials all night.  Plus, Lovette said, Melvin’s will serve breakfast until 6 a.m. Sunday to help nourish what he said will be famished college kids. 

According to Lovette, Hillsborough Street can always count on the students.

“We really appreciate the students’ support on Hillsborough Street while this construction is going on — when nobody else seems to support we can always count on the students, therefore they will be able to count on us in the future,” Lovette said.

Sadlack’s Heroes owner Rose Schwetz said she’s excited and loves it when the businesses are booming with college kids.

“I love hikes, and I love all of the kids. They’re crazy — and I mean crazy — but I love how free and happy they are,” Schwetz said.

Sadlack’s will have drink specials and five to six bands playing all night beginning at 3:30 p.m.  Schwetz said it’s going to be a great line-up.

Since construction has been going on and the parking spaces beside the sidewalks no longer exist, water barricades will be put up so that students won’t have to walk right beside moving traffic. 

To ensure safety and security, University parking lots and decks adjacent to Hillsborough Street will be staffed and require an NCSU parking permit or campus identification starting at 6 p.m. 

The Wolfprowl, Werewolf and Route 2 North Campus Reverse will run normal service.

During the Halloween festivities there will be a police officer every 50 to 75 feet down Hillsborough Street.

“As long as students are responsible, the police won’t bother them,” Lovette said. “We’d all appreciate it if everyone acted responsibly and kept a positive name for this area.”

Adam Schulte, a senior in sports management, said he feels that Hillsborough Street will be better than Franklin Street based on past experiences.

“There is a huge buildup for Franklin Street but in my experience, the law enforcement keeps many trick-or-treaters from fully experiencing it,” Schulte said.  “Also, I hear that the police are going to try and cut down on the crowds this year.”

Schulte said he believes the Haunted Hike will be a good time and more people should come support the local festivities.

“Hillsborough Street is a fun place — most of my friends will be there and it is close to where we live, so the traveling arrangements do not have to be worried about,” Schulte said.  “I also feel that more people need to come out and support the local festivities because the Haunted Hike has great potential to be just as fun as Franklin Street was.”