The Town of Carrboro hosted the 25th Carrboro Music Festival on October 2, with multiple concerts and booths set up throughout the center of the town; featuring over 100 musical groups performing, the festival drew in music and art lovers from all over the Triangle Area and state.
This year’s event marked the return to in-person festivities for the first time since the pandemic began. In 2020, festival was held virtually, while the 2021 festival was canceled due to rising COVID cases at the time.
English teacher William Schrader—who has attended the festival every year since moving to the area—said the return of the music festival offered his family an enjoyable way to spend a Sunday.
“I had the opportunity to appreciate the festival both through my own perspective and seeing my children be exposed to different genres of music,” Schrader said. “I think this year they really tried to raise the bar from the past festivals since it was the first in-person event in a while, and the concerts seemed to be more professional compared to past years.”
Although the weather during the festival was rainy and foggy due to Hurricane Ian, there was still quite a big turnout. The streets of downtown Carrboro were filled with people going from concert to concert, with venue maps posted on lamp posts and the front of businesses. Three outdoor performances were canceled due to the weather, but all of the indoor concerts went ahead.
“I love how the festival showcases Carrboro’s culture and diversity,” junior Zuri Giscombe, who volunteered at the event, said. “There were all types of people walking around the streets from different backgrounds and ages, and there were many different kinds of music, which brought a diverse and upbringing environment and also represented Carrboro’s eclectic identity.”
The festival featured music as eclectic as the town. Rap artist SkyBlew hosted a hip-hop showcase in the Cat’s Cradle Back Room, while folk, ska, rock, bluegrass and country musicians performed on the 17 stages the event hosted.
Duke medical practitioner Rachel Wang, who attended the event, believed that the event gave a huge boost to local businesses.
“I think this yearly event is crucial for the businesses in downtown Carrboro,” Wang said. “Not only does the event bring revenue and a ton of people inside their stores, but also gives them an opportunity to host or sponsor some of these events. Without this festival, Carrboro businesses might have a lesser chance of putting their name on the map, and I think the impact this festival has on businesses and the town in general shouldn’t go unnoticed.”
