The Town of Chapel Hill said it will not be holding any large gathering through the end of the calendar year in an effort to protect public health, cancelling events such as Halloween on Franklin Street and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade.

In a release on Friday, the town said it wants community members to practice safety and does not plan to hold town-sponsored festivals and special events that could exceed gathering limitations through the end of 2020.

The closest event on the calendar, the typical Halloween gathering on Franklin Street, is included in the cancelled events. Despite not being town-sponsored event, Chapel Hill Police officers usually close off a stretch of the popular street to allow participants to walk around and admire each others costumes.

This year, however, with the risk of COVID-19 and its spread still looming large, town officials are saying such activities are not safe.

“We know Halloween on Franklin Street is a beloved annual gathering for so many in our community,” wrote Chapel Hill Police Chief Chris Blue, “but crowds greater than 50 people go against the current public health guidance. As a Chapel Hill native, I, too, am disappointed that this annual tradition cannot happen. However, given the risks associated with such an event during the current pandemic, supporting a Halloween event in our downtown is not in the best interest of safety for our community.”

The Town of Chapel Hill said it will also not hold its annual Festifall Arts Festival, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade, Chapel Hillidays or the Santa Rooftop Rescue as a precaution amid the pandemic.

“In the best interests of public health and safety we have decided to not offer the festivals and events that have become synonymous with Chapel Hill,” said Town Manager Maurice Jones. “We all look forward to the day when we can celebrate together again in large groups and enjoy all that our community has to offer.”

The announcement came just before North Carolina moved into Phase 3 of reopening, as well as the Orange County stay at home order. But both state and county health officials have urged residents to remain cautious about public health, promoting the use of cloth face coverings and staying at least six feet apart to prevent any new spread of COVID-19.

Orange County health officials released their recommendations for the Halloween holiday on Thursday, encouraging people to try alternative activities this fall instead of traditions that are at high risk of coronavirus exposure.

Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
Chapel Hill Staff Prepare to Test A Pocket Park at East Rosemary Street
A town-owned surface parking lot in Chapel Hill is getting a makeover soon – turning the land into a pocket park the local government hopes may be permanent.
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade Opens 2024 Participant Applications
Applications to participate in the 2024 Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Holiday Parade are now open. The parade is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, December 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. “We’re looking for local organizations with diverse cultural, faith, and community traditions to participate,” read a release from the Town of Carrboro. “We hope you’ll consider […]
Chapel Hill, Carrboro Holiday Parade Set for Dec. 9; No Motor Vehicles This Year
The towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro recently announced plans for the annual holiday parade, including this year’s theme and a change for how entrants can move through the route. Chapel Hill’s Community Arts & Culture department shared that the procession will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 9. The parade route will run […]
2023 Dates Revealed for Multiple Chapel Hill Community Events
Chapel Hill Community Arts and Culture released its 2023 event calendar Thursday, with several local favorites once again featuring. Here’s a look at what Chapel Hill residents can look forward to in 2023: June 3: The Chapel Hill Pride Promenade will make its way through downtown Chapel Hill. The town is inviting participants to come decorated […]
Chapel Hill, Carrboro Announce Holiday Parade's Return, New Vision
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to reflect the extended deadline for parade participants’ applications. For the last two winters, the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro canceled their traditional holiday parade from either COVID-19 or leadership changes. During that time, however, organizers have come up with a new vision for the annual procession […]
East Rosemary Street To Become One-Lane Road Through Mid-October
As part of the continuing East Rosemary Street redevelopment project, the Town of Chapel Hill announced a section of the street will be reduced to one lane due to construction. The section in question is between the intersections with North Columbia and Henderson streets, according to a release on Friday. The closure will take place […]
Chapel Hill: Dwight Bassett on Rosemary Street Development and Initiatives
Chapel Hill Economic Development Officer Dwight Bassett drops by to speak with 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell on Thursday, October 7. He brings the latest updates on the major redevelopment along East Rosemary Street, as well as details on how the Revive Recovery Program and Downtown Together partnership are going.
Chapel Hill: East Rosemary Street, Re-Election Campaign and Downtown
Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger joins 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell to discuss several things happening around downtown, including preparation for the demotion of the East Rosemary Street Parking Deck. Plus: Hemminger officially launches her re-election campaign and community members are sharing feedback on pandemic-era changes to the town.
Spaces in Chapel Hill's Rosemary-Columbia Parking Lot to Close for Construction
More than two dozen parking spaces in Chapel Hill will be lost for the foreseeable future ahead of major development on East Rosemary Street. The town government recently alerted the community the lower section of the Rosemary-Columbia Parking Lot will be closed off beginning Monday, February 22. The area will be used to stage and […]
Town of Chapel Hill: No Holiday Parade, Halloween on Franklin Street Due to COVID
The Town of Chapel Hill said it will not be holding any large gathering through the end of the calendar year in an effort to protect public health, cancelling events such as Halloween on Franklin Street and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade. In a release on Friday, the town said it wants community members to practice […]
›