Editor’s Note: Hillsborough Street Community Service Corporation was the sponsoring organization of the event.
Live It Up on Hillsborough Street, a festival featuring live music, vendors and representatives from several University organizations, will officially mark the street’s reopening on Saturday.
The event will take place from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Hillsborough Street will be closed from its intersection with Woodburn Road /Cox Avenue to its intersection with Gardner Street throughout the festival.
Live It Up was designed to serve as a celebration for the new-look street as well as a showcase for eateries and businesses that call Hillsborough Street home.
“There’s some really good restaurants on Hillsborough Street. Refurbishing the road is almost like providing that red carpet so people can see what they have to offer,” said Jennifer Gilmore, of University Dining marketing and communications, and supporter of the new Hillsborough Street.
Student Government worked with planners on the event and will represent itself with an informational booth at the event.
“I hope the event ignites new pride and appreciation for Hillsborough Street while we have an awesome time,” said Student Body President Kelly Hook.
The University will be honored with a dedication of the Bell Tower and a live broadcast of the N.C. State football game against Georgia Tech, while local grocer Whole Foods Market will sponsor an Iron Chef competition.
In addition to vendor booths housed by local businesses and organizations, Live It Up will have four separate stages. Some of the acts on the roster include Milagro Saints, New King Rippers and Crowfield. The stages will also host belly dancers, an Irish “jam session” and a dance competition.
HSPSR hoping to create Hillsborough Street buzz
Patrick Johnson with Legacy Event Planners is helping the Hillsborough Street Partnership for Street Renovation coordinate Live It Up. He said the event could be a big shot in the arm for the refurbished area.
“I think that this event could do for Hillsborough Street what Raleigh Wide Open did for Fayetteville Street,“ said Johnson, a 2008 N.C. State graduate.
“Students, alumni and area residents should attend to celebrate the completion of renovation efforts and support the Hillsborough Street businesses that are eager to continue serving the community,” said Johnson.
The University will be well represented at Live It Up. In addition to Student Government, several other University entities will host informational booths, including the Office of International Affairs and the University Sustainability Office.
“N.C. State University is one of our main sponsors, and we have been working with several University offices to set up booths and get the word out about the event,” Johnson said.
The N.C. State community also stepped up to help make Live It Up happen.
“We’re very dependent on the efforts of student and alumni volunteers to make this event possible,” he said.
University Dining has high hopes for Hillsborough eateries
One of the most enthusiastic supporters of the new Hillsborough Street is University Dining, which has shouldered a heavier workload of students since Hillsborough Street construction began in May 2009. University Dining will present some of its ecological initiatives in a vendor booth during Live It Up.
“We have been anticipating the reopening of Hillsborough Street for some time now,” said Gilmore. “The activities look very exciting, and as a neighbor, we wanted to be a part of it and show our support.”
A reopened Hillsborough Street likely means fewer students at campus eateries that pepper the area around D.H. Hill Library. That’s just fine with Gilmore.
“Having a healthy and vibrant Hillsborough Street is important to the University. We cannot feed everyone. Plus, people crave variety. It takes us working together to make Hillsborough what students want and need,” she said.
Johnson spent his undergraduate years frequenting Hillsborough Street establishments. He said Hillsborough Street can greatly influence a student’s impression of the school and the area surrounding it.
“A revitalized Hillsborough Street is important to the University. As a student social hub, the appearance and feel of Hillsborough Street plays a major role in attracting students to our campus,” Johnson said.
It’s also important to the community as a whole, as Raleigh continues to revitalize sections of the city, said Johnson.
“On a larger scale, one only need to look at Fayetteville Street and Glenwood Avenue to see that investing in Hillsborough Street can transform it into a vibrant district for businesses, students and residents,” he said.
