Festifall Arts Market showcases local artists, history –

Not only is Festifall an excellent opportunity for engaging with the arts and artists behind the works, but it also allows people to support them and bring home unique products. Dani Shirey, an executive assistant in the Health Sciences department at UNC, sold handcrafted soaps and apothecary products from her business, Twisted Raven Apothecary, at the event.

“We put so much into what we make as local artisans and knowing that you spend your hard-earned money to buy my products, it just means so much,” Shirey said.

In addition to the arts, Festifall also included various food vendors for attendees to check out, sample and buy treats from. One vendor, Chocolate Moonshine, displayed various flavors of their enticing fudge and offered people samples as they passed by.

“We go around the whole area of North Carolina doing pop-up events for state fairs and events like such,” Thura said, one of Chocolate Moonshine’s North Carolina regional operators and owners.

Festifall has something for everyone, from art, to food and even live music by talented musicians, which makes it no surprise that it drew large crowds and positive reviews.

“I think it’s so great to have events like this where they can bring in local artists, and I think the students really love this kind of stuff,” Caroline Sherer, a first-year graduate student majoring in social work at UNC, said.

The festival also gives local organizations the chance to interact with members of the Chapel Hill community, sharing stories and histories of the town.

“We thought a festival was a great way to meet people,” Thomas Jepsen, the treasurer of the Chapel Hill Historical Society, said. “It’s been a great experience for us and I think we will continue to do this on an annual basis.” 

Always anticipated, Festifall gives people the chance to come together for exciting engagements with the arts, food, music and stories of Chapel Hill, fostering a supportive, tight-knit community.

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