News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 

(March 4, 2026) 

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Come fly a kite or enjoy our last Black History Month Concert of 2026. March is Women's History Month and in this issue of Carrboro This Week, you can learn more about the women leaders of Carrboro and our Rise & Rhythm event. Mayor Barbara Foushee shares her March Mayor's Moment, and our Community Survey is on the way. Don't forget Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 8!

Come Fly a Kite!

Since 1982, Carrboro has welcomed spring with a sky full of color at its beloved Annual Kite Fly!

Join us as we kick off National Kite Flying Month a couple of weeks early with a celebration that’s perfect for all ages—whether you're 2 or 90, kite flying is timeless fun.

Bring your own kite or borrow one of the few available on-site and help us fill the skies with vibrant designs and joyful energy. This free, family-friendly event is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, connect with the community, and celebrate the changing season.

All Ages
Date: Sunday, March 8
Time: 1:00-3:00pm
Location: Hank Anderson Park
302 Hwy 54 West
Carrboro, NC 27510

Carrboro Celebrates Women's History Month

During Women’s History Month, the Town of Carrboro proudly lifts up a historic milestone: three African-American women serving in leadership roles that shape Carrboro’s civic voice, governance, and cultural legacy.

Patrice Y. Toney, Barbara Foushee, and Dr. Amanda Bennett represent a powerful moment in Carrboro’s story—one rooted in progress, representation, and possibility.

A Historic First

Patrice Y. Toney, Town Manager: As the first African-American woman to serve as Town Manager, Patrice Toney leads Carrboro’s day-to-day operations with a focus on trust-building, staff engagement, fiscal stewardship, and forward-looking strategy. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to inclusive governance and organizational excellence.

Mayor Barbara Foushee, Mayor of Carrboro: As the first African-American woman elected Mayor, Barbara Foushee brings decades of public service, advocacy, and steady leadership to the role. Her tenure symbolizes both continuity and courage, while centering community values and equity.

Dr. Amanda Bennett, Poet Laureate: As the first African-American women to serve as Carrboro's Poet Laureate, Dr. Bennett elevates the Town’s cultural and artistic voice. Through poetry, storytelling, and education, she captures Carrboro’s soul by honoring history while inspiring reflection, dialogue, and connection.

Read more about Women's History Month in Carrboro.

That's a Wrap on Carrboro Film Festival 2026

From the Festival Director Bryan Reklis

After three days, nine events, 43 films and hundreds of bags of popcorn, Carrboro Film Fest 2026 is complete!

My heart is full of joy and love after this wonderful weekend of films and community building. I was honored to laugh, cry, and think deeply with our audience of filmmakers and film enthusiasts.

I am thankful for everyone who helped make this event possible: The CFF staff, the Town of Carrboro staff, our volunteers, the filmmakers, our audience, and everyone who has helped Carrboro Film Fest get to our 20th year!

Mayor' s Moment - March 2026

I can’t believe we’re already in March—Daylight Saving Time is coming up, and spring is just around the corner. This month brings meaningful observances such as Women’s History Month, International Women's Day, Pi Day, Earth Hour, and Transgender Day of Visibility. Each offers an opportunity to celebrate one another and build meaningful connections within our community.

Recently, the council has taken several key actions. One significant decision was to pause the East Weaver Street pilot for one year to allow for additional outreach and engagement with our downtown businesses, patrons, and residents. We believe this additional time will help ensure thoughtful input and collaboration moving forward.

The council has also begun budget discussions following our priority-setting retreat and a high-level budget outlook presentation from the town’s finance department. Budget planning begins months before the town manager presents a recommended budget in May 2026. We look forward to robust community input as this important process continues.

In addition, we’ve received updates on municipal greenhouse gas emissions and our decarbonization goals as we track progress toward climate targets. We also discussed recovery efforts related to Tropical Storm Chantal, including FEMA public assistance, received an informational presentation on the stormwater enterprise fund program and received updates on transportation projects.

I encourage everyone to explore the Town’s new website, where you can find information about council meetings, town projects, community events and festivals. You can also learn more on how to stay engaged and connected through the Stay Engaged section of the website.

Constructive relationships between community members and local government make civic engagement not only desirable but essential. By working together, we can foster more equitable and sustainable outcomes and continue improving the quality of life for all.

--Mayor Barbara Foushee

Join Us for Black History Month in Carrboro

• Sunday, March 8: Black History Month Concert featuring Kay Marion & The Neo Symphony
  4:30 p.m. at the Drakeford Library Complex, Performance Space, 203 S. Greensboro St., Carrboro NC 27510

The Town of Carrboro is proud to recognize and celebrate Black people and Black history in Carrboro and across the nation during Black History Month.

We invite and encourage all Carrboro residents to participate in local Black History Month events and to learn about and celebrate the lives, history, and contributions of Black people during February and throughout the year.

Check out all the great events planned and organized by the Carrboro Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources Department.

Daylight Saving Time

Daylight saving time begins Sunday, March 8. Don't forget clocks spring forward one hour!

Rise and Rhythm: Celebrate Women's History Month

Join us on Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Drakeford Library Complex, 203 S. Greensboro St., for our Women's History Month Program: Rise & Rhythm. 

Enjoy inspiring performances, speakers and a variety of local vendors while supporting and celebrating women's history and empowerment in our community.

Stop by at 11 a.m. to enjoy the Vendor Fair and stay for the program beginning at 12 p.m.

This program is free and open to all ages.

Learn more about Women's History in Carrboro.

Carrboro to survey residents about Town services

What do you think of Town services? The Town of Carrboro seeks to find out through a survey being issued to a random sampling of residents. 

Results are used in Town planning efforts to identify future improvements. 

The Carrboro Community Survey will be mailed to 2,000 randomly selected Carrboro households. Respondents can complete and return by mail, or take the survey online or by phone. Everyone who completes the survey will be given chance to enter a random drawing for a $500 Visa gift card. For non-English speaking households, foreign language translation will be available in multiple languages. 

The Town has selected ETC Institute to help with the survey. As a way of thanking everyone who participates, ETC Institute will randomly select one respondent to receive a $500 Visa gift card. 

A report of the survey findings will be released later this spring. For more information, contact Communication and Engagement Director Catherine Lazorko at clazorko@carrboronc.gov 

Information from Orange Water and Sewer Authority

OWASA Spring Open House

On Saturday, March 7, OWASA will host a Spring Open House at 400 Jones Ferry Road from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join OWASA water experts for a tour of the Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment Plant. Click HERE to register for the 11:30 AM tour (it's almost full!). 

Water treatment demonstrations and educational displays on the lawn of the Water Treatment Plant will show how OWASA scientists and plant operators test and treat your drinking water to ensure it is of the highest quality for you and your family.

Enjoy a “touch-a-truck” experience to learn how OWASA crews keep our water and sewer infrastructure running smoothly. We’ll even have a special guest — Carrboro Fire-Rescue will bring a fire engine to explore!

Town Council Update

CARRBORO, NC --The Carrboro Town Council will meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

The Town Council meets at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. Members of the public are welcome to attend in person or can view the livestream www.YouTube.com/CarrboroNC  OR at https://carrboro.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx   

• Due to the 2026 primary election on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, the Council's regular meeting on this date has been canceled. 
• The March 10th agenda will be available at  https://carrboro.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
• Access the livestream direct link to view the meeting on YouTube

Past Meeting Recap 

The Carrboro Town Council met on Tuesday, Feb. 17 and took the following actions: 

• Voted to delay the Reimagining Weaver Street Project for one year during which time outreach and engagement will be undertaken with downtown businesses, patrons and communities. The proposal had called for E. Weaver Street to be closed to vehicles on weekends as a pilot project. The town is evaluating possibilities of permanently closing the street to vehicles to focus on turning the two-way road into a pedestrian and bicycle only plaza. 
• Authorized staff to apply for the 2026 Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Grant. This grant is administered by the NC Forest Service.
• Approved budget, grant, and capital project ordinance amendments for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
• Received a Tropical Storm Chantal Recovery Update and FEMA Public Assistance Overview
• Received an informational presentation on the Stormwater Enterprise
• Made appointments to boards and commissions – Housing and Community Services Advisory Commission (Lori Carter and Imanie Williams) and the Climate and Environmental Advisory Commission (Darryl Carpenter, Lydia Vaughn and Alyssa Paull) 

Watch the meeting livestream on YouTube.

Enjoy the 2nd Friday Art Walk on March 13

Enjoy the 2nd Friday Art Walk around downtown Carrboro and Chapel Hill on Friday, March 13.

Explore art galleries, artist studios, shops and restaurants. There will also be live music, performances, spoken word poetry and more. Venues are generally open late afternoon and evening hours. Exhibits at Carrboro Town Hall and the Drakeford Library Complex are open from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Check out the participating venues and their exhibitions.

Applications to open for free

Stormwater Site Assessments

The Town of Carrboro is pleased to announce that applications for free residential stormwater site assessments through the Watershed Residential Assistance Program (WRAP) will reopen March 21 to April 30, 2026.

WRAP provides Carrboro homeowners with no‑cost, on-site stormwater assessments conducted by Town Stormwater staff. These assessments help residents understand how water moves across their property and identify opportunities to reduce runoff, slow erosion, and improve the health of local creeks and streams.

About the Program

WRAP supports homeowners in implementing nature-based stormwater solutions that can:

• Reduce stormwater runoff and erosion
• Protect local streams and structures
• Strengthen resilience to heavy rain events

Following the assessment, participants receive a detailed report with tailored recommendations. Homeowners may also be eligible to apply for cost-share funding to help install recommended practices such as rain gardens, streambank repair, vegetated swales, and other green infrastructure.

Learn more about WRAP.

CREEK WEEK 2026

Join the Town of Carrboro in supporting Orange County Creek Week, March 21–29, 2026, a countywide and regional celebration of clean water, community pride, and environmental stewardship. Check out the full list of activities and events. Stormwater staff will be hosting several events in Carrboro, including:

Saturday, March 21, 2026: Creek Week Kickoff

11 a.m. - 3 p.m. ‎at The Drakeford Library Complex

The Creek Week Kickoff Event provides an education and engagement opportunity by connecting government resources and nonprofit organizations with area residents. The event includes outreach tables, a speaker series, and free event activities related to the environment and water resources.

Saturday, March 28, 2026: Litter Sweep

10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Libba Cotten Bike Path

Roll up your sleeves and help keep our community beautiful! We’ll gather at 10 a.m. at the Libba Cotten Bike Path, meeting at Carrboro’s Lower Municipal Lot (7) (entrance off Boyd Street, behind 300 E. Main). From there, volunteers will be assigned to nearby cleanup locations to make a big impact together.

Information from Orange County

OC Business Investment Grant: 
Applications Open Now

Applications are open for the Orange County Business Investment Grant. This program works to stimulate successful business development and expansion in the Orange County region. Ventures with a clear need for grant funds to grow their business, hire additional staff, grow the commercial tax base, and/or create a significant social and economic impact should apply now. Orange County actively seeks to support and increase participation of women and minority-owned businesses in this grant program. The deadline to complete the application process is March 20, 2026, at 5pm. 

Two types of grants are available:

• Small Grants- Up to $5,000
• Large Grants- Up to $10,000

For more information about this opportunity, please visit Orange County’s webpage where you will find the program guidelines, eligibility requirements, grant uses, and details about the application process. 

Feel free to reach out to the Town of Carrboro’s Economic Development department to see if this opportunity is right for your business!

Master Your Meter and Save with Home Repair Lab and OWASA

Are your energy and water bills through the roof? Wondering if there are easy ways you can make a difference to save energy and water? We have a solution for you!  

Join Chris and Mindy Meyers from Home Repair Lab and Mary Tiger from OWASA for a special presentation on Thursday, March 5 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Drakeford Library Complex, 203 S. Greensboro St. 

This workshop will discuss easy ways you can save energy and water and how to get those bills under control.  Participants will leave this program with an understanding of how your home uses water and energy, low- to no-cost things you can do to save money on your utility bills, and helpful tips to get started on larger home projects. 

Relevant for homeowners, first-time home buyers, and renters. Presentations will be followed by interactive question and answer sessions. A giveaway bag with energy-saving supplies will be given to each registered participant! 

• Please RSVP online. 
• Free interpretation services are available. Please contact Amy Armbruster at aarmbruster@carrboronc.gov or call (919) 918-7345 at least 48 hours in advance to ensure an interpreter is present. 

Save the Date: Carrboro CD and Record Show

The 38th Biannual Carrboro CD and Record Show will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 19 in the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St. in downtown Carrboro. Admission is free. 

The event will feature over 40 tables of new and used CDs, vinyl records, and music memorabilia. 

Feel free to stop by and browse through what the vendors have to offer.  You never know what you may find!   

For more information, contact Gerry Williams at 919-260-0661 or gerrycw51@gmail.com or visit www.musicalroots.net

To all who are celebrating...

The Town of Carrboro recognizes our diverse community and the many observances meaningful to our residents this month.

Check out our Monthly Events Newsletter to discover all the exciting programs and special events that are coming up!