One of the main arteries of campus, Hillsborough Street spent many years as a tarnished mark on the campus aesthetic. But not anymore.
With the construction complete, a group of non-profit organizations cooperated with the city and the University to celebrate the “reopening” of the street.
On Saturday, local businesses, bands, and student organizations participated in the Live It Up on Hillsborough Street Festival to showcase the potential of the renovated street and the surrounding community.
Beginning at noon, the event spread from the Wachovia bank all the way to the Chancellor’s house.
On each end of the street were large stages for local bands to perform and in the middle of the festival, by Caldwell Hall was a big screen LED television for the masses to watch the victorious football game.
Along the street, local vendors offered samples of their goods and student organizations manned booths to extend membership and community service.
Notable additions to the festival were multiple hot dog and chicken wing-eating contests, a barbeque buffet provided by several fraternities and sororities and an Iron Chef competition with tasting and judging.
The festival was the brainchild of the Legacy Event Planners, a non-profit organization begun by N.C. State students and alumni. According to Christy Brackett, a sophomore in communications, the idea of Live It Up first came from the Hillsborough Renaissance event they organized last year.
“The event didn’t flop, but it was in beginning of March and it rained,” Brackett, the organization’s program director of event planning, said. “We wanted to learn from our mistakes and make an event that was bigger and better with a lot more people involved.”
The Legacy Event Planners did not have to look too far for extra support to organize the event. Jeff Murison, executive director of the Hillsborough Street Community Service Corporation, quickly partnered with the Legacy Event Planners to develop the festival.
“I started the job in mid-May and shortly thereafter, I started pulling together the participants and partners to create the vision for the event,” Murison said.
Another large contributor to the planning of the festival was the Hillsborough Street Partnership.
The main intention of the event was to celebrate the richness of the community and to commemorate the bond between the University and the city. Chancellor Woodson, Mayor Meeker and the conglomerate of event planners gathered at the Bell Tower at 3 p.m. to cut the ribbon for the “reopening” of the street.
George Chapman, the chair of the Hillsborough Street Partnership, was awarded the Hillsborough Street Hero Award for his commitment to developing the street.
“There is still a lot more to be done,” Chapman said as he received his award.
The event drew support from the student body, with a multitude of students volunteering and working behind the scenes at different activities. The N.C. State marching band and cheerleading squad participated in the event, and the involvement of the student body demonstrated the University’s pride for Hillsborough Street.
“Hillsborough Street is part of campus more or less,” Brackett said. “We don’t want N.C. State students going to Franklin Street in Chapel Hill on Halloween. We want their students coming to Hillsborough Street!”
The event served as a boost for the street’s businesses that suffered during the construction.
“While the construction was an obstruction to normal track and pedestrian use, it was well worth it,” Murison said. “I can see the very visible changes in traffic behavior by pedestrians and shoppers, and since construction we’ve added four new businesses.”
The vitality of Hillsborough Street is in the direct interest of both the city and the University. As a gateway to the city of Raleigh and an extension of campus, Hillsborough Street carries a heavy significance to college life and economic stability.
“Universities are important economic engines in a community and they play a significant part in the cultural life in a community. People want to live around universities and N.C. State is a leader in that regard,” Murison said.
Another attraction was the appeal of discounts and free giveaways. Restaurants offered lower price specials and gave out samples of their goods.
“I had a constant lunch throughout the afternoon,” said Kyle Jones said, a sophomore in nutrition and winner of the Wing Zone eating contest. “The competition was fun. They served their ‘nuclear hot’ wings and I had to eat 10 of them as quickly as possible. My face still is on fire. I was definitely focusing on the free T-shirt and gift certificate.”
Along with a food, local microbreweries partnered to hold the Raleigh beer garden, which allowed people above 21 to enjoy local beer and the buzzing ambience of the festival.
Performers such as the University’s Fusion hip-hop dance team attracted large crowds of fans and supporters.
“We’re honored to be able to partake in the event,” Michael Cherry, team director and senior in textile engineering, said. “We did freestyle for a little bit, then we went into some routines. We’ve been busy with shows recently, so we’re a bit tired.”
The student performances attracted other students to come out and support their friends.
“I am watching some friends in a folk band perform this afternoon,” Eric Reed, a junior in civil engineering, said. “The atmosphere is really exciting with the businesses out on the street. I’m impressed with the turnout and how there are people of all ages here. The diversity is great.”
The success of Live It Up on Hillsborough Street is attributable to the many organizations, supporters and the city of Raleigh, according to Murison. However, it is not possible without the community.
“Street festivals are proof of a vibrant, exciting, dynamic and economically healthy community,” Murison said. “We’re fortunate to have the diversity and quality of venues here to do this and we plan on trying to make more events like this in the future.”
