PITTSBORO — While the year 2020 was challenging for Chatham County, 2021 is set to be a year of hope, celebration and inspiration as the Chatham community celebrates its 250th birthday. In order to make the most of the occasion, Chatham County will host several events throughout the course of the year that people of all ages and backgrounds will be able to take part in and enjoy.
To kick start the festivities, Founding Day will take place from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 10, in downtown Pittsboro. The celebration — which is free and open to the public — will be a drive-thru event featuring nine stations focusing on the county’s history and community complete with a birthday party theme.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn, share and engage in activities at each station. Community members will be offered items including goody bags, party hats, piñata raffles and other items to take home. Individuals and families can find the stations by following the signs and balloons from Hillsboro Street to Hank Street around the back of St. Barts Volunteers Park on the gravel section of the parking lot.
(Please note that road construction in downtown Pittsboro will not affect access to Founding Day events or businesses which are open.)
“The Chatham 250 Founding Day celebration is an opportunity for people to engage in the history, culture, and community of Chatham County,” said Mallory Peterson, program supervisor with the Chatham County Parks and Recreation Department and Chatham 250 volunteer. “We are very excited to provide a safe and socially-distant event to kick off this six-month long celebration of Chatham County.”
Founding Day will also serve as the start of the Chatham 250 Passport experience. Paper copies of the Chatham 250 Passport will be available to those who attend Founding Day. Further information regarding the passport will be released later this month.
Founding Day would not be possible without a generous sponsor, the Town of Pittsboro.
“It is an incredible honor for the Town of Pittsboro to play such an integral role in Chatham County Founding Day,” said Pittsboro Town Manager Chris Kennedy. “We look forward to bringing our community together as we proudly celebrate 250 years of Chatham County.”
Other participating community partners include Chatham County Historical Association, Chatham Community NAACP, Hobbs Architects, Union-Taylor Community Action Center, Main Street Pittsboro, Pittsboro Business Association, Abundance NC, Chatham Artists Guild, Chatham Arts Council, Chatham Organizing for Racial Equity (CORE), Chatham Magazine, St. Bartholomew Episcopal Church, Chatham County Parks and Recreation and Chatham County Government.
More information about Founding Day can be found at www.chatham250.com. In addition to Founding Day, there will be many Chatham 250 events and activities throughout the year. Those with questions may contact Hilary Pollan at hilary.pollan@chathamcountync.gov.