Craft vendors will set up to serve thousands on West Franklin Street as people come to ""Discover the West End"" during the 36th annual Festifall Street Fair on Sunday.
But organizers think that business owners could be the real winners.
Restaurants will offer lunch and dinner specials" and some will offer live entertainment during and after Festifall which runs from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Craft vendors will line the middle of the street so that people who attend the event can walk on the sidewalk with fair vendors to one side and businesses to the other.
One change this year is that Festifall will not offer many outside food vendors" which could help draw people into restaurants and other businesses along the street.
""We took the initiative this year to approach the merchants"" said Wes Tilghman, supervisor of festivals and community celebrations for the Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Department. We want to make this a very merchant-friendly event.""
Matt Clements" general manager of Carolina Brewery on West Franklin Street" said his restaurant was thrilled with the opportunity.
""In years past" there were a lot of food vendors and a lot of other things and it would bring a lot of people to West Franklin he said.
Now with less emphasis on food at the festival itself" it helps draw people in on a Sunday afternoon.""
Meg McGurk" assistant director of the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership" said Festifall should help promote businesses.
""It encourages people coming down to Festifall to come eat lunch in the businesses there or shop in the businesses there" she said.
Live artists will perform on four separate stages while more than 75 vendors offer arts and crafts to the public.
We're very excited about the level of input the town has accepted on Festifall" Clements said.
I really can't compliment the town enough. They've really done a great job drawing people in.""
Tilghman said about 12"000 people came to Festifall last year and with UNC's Family Weekend scheduled for this weekend" he expects even more this year.
""What I like about it is it's an extremely local event to support the local artists and restaurants"" said Jamil Kadoura, owner of Mediterranean Deli.
We get a lot of exposure here.""
McGurk said Festifall could offer something to everyone.
""I think it's a great opportunity for folks in the community who may not come downtown often to come downtown"" she said. It's fun for everybody.""
Attend the festival
Time: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
Location: West Franklin Street
Info: www.festifall.com
Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
