Orange County has an opportunity to change the “Welcome to Orange County” Interstate sign, currently placed on I-40 at mile marker 269, heading west.  The current sign is damaged and needs to be replaced.  Instead of replacing it with the exact same sign, which welcomes interstate travelers with the message, “Orange County: You’ll Be a Fan for Life, ” the Orange County Board of Commissioners asked the public to suggest other ideas for slogans.

The current sign is damaged.

Close to 900 slogan suggestions were submitted during December and January.  After sorting out duplicates, those that were too long (longer than 6 words) or had inappropriate language,  the list was narrowed to 351.

The list of 351 was passed to several independently operated groups for informal polls and focus groups, until a list of 51 could be submitted to the Orange County Commissioners for review and ranking.

This process yielded a list of 11 which is now being submitted to the public for review and evaluation via Facebook, a poll on Chapelboro.com and paper balloting (details below) between now and midnight on February 21.

Everyone who participates in the polling process will be entered to win a night’s stay at The Siena Hotel, dinner for two at Il Palio Restaurant and a fun gift basket.

There are multiple options for registering your favorite slogan.

1. On the Chapelboro website 

2. On the Visit Chapel Hill & Orange County Facebook Page

3.  On the WCHL & Chapelboro.com Facebook Page

4.  Paper ballots are available at:

  • Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Center (Free parking)
    501 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
  • Orange County Visitor Center (Street parking)
    150 East King Street, Hillsborough, NC  27278
  • Seymour Center (Free parking)
    2551 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
  • Central Orange Senior Center, Next to Sportsplex (Free parking)  103 Meadowlands Road, Hillsborough 27278Use the entry forms and boxes located at:

 

The final slogan will be selected and announced by the Orange County Commissioners in late February/early March.

For more background information:  Orange County Wants a New Sign

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