PITTSBORO — Despite the threat of rain, Pittsboro’s annual Summer Fest went off without a hitch last Sunday.
Visitors enjoyed live music, a patriotic bike parade, crafts and vendors, delicious foods, all topped off by a laser show at the end of the night. The town closed two blocks of Hillsboro Street, from the Historic Courthouse to Thompson Street, from 2:30 until about 11:30 p.m. to accommodate the revelry.
Many of Pittsboro’s locals came out to enjoy one of the town’s biggest events of the year. The event was organized by the Pittsboro Business Association.
“We are so blessed that the temperature dropped after the thunderstorm passed,” Pittsboro resident Pam Cathay said. “I’m having such a good time.”
“Most people came out despite the rain from earlier,” Pittsboro resident Shannon Wolfgang said. “I look forward to this event every year.”
Andrea Batsche, owner of Studio 17 on the circle, noted that earlier in the weekend her store was packed full of visitors from out of town.
“We had a great day on Friday,” she said. “We had people from Raleigh, Apex, Southern Pines, and Chapel Hill in the shop.”
It appeared that the rain earlier in the day and the threat of more storms to come may have discouraged some visitors from staying for the event. However, many of the local residents attended regardless of the weather. Most of the vendors set up shop despite the weather threat as well.
“I’m looking forward to it being really great,” Dan Augustine of Pittsboro added. “I’m really amazed by the number of vendors that keep showing up Sunday after Sunday.”
Tiana Thurber echoed that sentiment
“I found the prettiest ring at Summer Fest,” she said. “There was a nice selection of merchants.”
Thurber also enjoyed the Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano performances of various folk dances from Mexico. The crowd got dancing when opening act Crucial Fiya hit the stage and really ramped up when Jim Quick and Coastline closed out the event accompanied by the Emerald Owl Laser Light Show.
There were plenty of activities for the young and young at heart at Summer Fest. Chatham County 4-H had corn-hole and a virtual reality tour of a dairy farm. There was also a dunking booth where kids were doused and the YMCA sponsored a Family Fun Center where kids slide down slides into puddles.
Even the youngest Pittsboro residents enjoyed themselves.
“It’s an awesome opportunity to get our summer on and introduce Frances [his 1-year-old daughter] to Pittsboro,” Matt Hayes said. “She’s been dancing every since we got here.”
Reporter Casey Mann can be reached at CaseyMann@Chathamnr.com.