CARRBORO, NC -- A Chapel Hill Transit bus is sporting a new bus wrap featuring Town of Carrboro’s free community festivals. It made a debut at the Carrboro-Chapel Hill Holiday Parade on Dec. 6, 2025 when joined by a walking procession of Team Carrboro, a group of staff and community members, and a few of the stars featured on the bus.  

The bus wrap was produced by the Town of Carrboro Communication and Engagement Department with design services by Carrboro-based The Splinter Group, which used striking local event imagery by photographer Jonathan Drake. 

“We chose to highlight Carrboro’s festivals because these are the experiences that strengthen social bonds, foster community pride, and lift up the cultural heritage that makes Carrboro uniquely extraordinary,” said Town Manager Patrice Y. Toney. “When we celebrate music, film, poetry, and our own town history, we are celebrating who we are and who we aspire to be as a community. This bus wrap is a rolling invitation to belong.” 

The Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department programs all town festivals, some of which have been offered in the community for more than 20 years and running. Carrboro festivals are special, known for being community-focused, diverse, and many running for decades, like the free, multi-stage Carrboro Music Festival (since the late 90s) and the West End Poetry Festival (since 2005), showcasing local art, music, film, and culture with a strong sense of place. These events, including the Carrboro Film Fest and Juneteenth celebrations, highlight Carrboro's unique arts legacy, drawing both locals and visitors into its vibrant culture. The bus wrap also features the tagline “Carrboro: Always in Motion,” a nod to the theme that won Carrboro its status as an All-America City in 2025. https://www.carrboronc.gov/3170/All-America-City-Award

Many of the town’s community partners vital to programming these events joined us at the holiday parade – Liza Wolff-Francis, our wonderful outgoing poet laureate who has put on the West End Poetry Festival, Bryan Reklis who is gearing up for the Carrboro Film Fest in January, and Mauricio Solano of El Centro Hispano who helped put on Fiestas en la Calle: Festival LatinoAmericano as well as partner with the town on the Carrboro Orgullo Pride Celebration. In addition, the parade troupe featured Josephus Thompson III, the poet laureate for the City of Greensboro who was a featured presenter at a past West End Poetry Festival; and Rayah Charles, a singer who performed at the 2024 Juneteenth Celebration. 

Carrboro Festivals featured on the bus wrap: 

•  Carrboro Music Festival - http://www.carrboromusicfestival.com/311/Carrboro-Music-Festival ;
• Carrboro-Chapel Hill Juneteenth Celebration - https://www.carrboronc.gov/2714/Carrboro-Chapel-Hill-Juneteenth-Celebrat ;
• Carrboro Orgullo Pride Celebration - http://www.carrboronc.gov/2706/Pride-Month ;
• West End Poetry Festival - https://www.carrboronc.gov/2781/West-End-Poetry-Festival ;
• Carrboro Film Fest - https://www.carrborofilm.org/ ;

Who is featured on the Carrboro bus? 

• Josephus Thompson III – Greensboro’s Inaugural Poet Laureate, a teacher and lecturer, he founded The Poetry Project, where he works in both the educational and corporate setting focusing on “Education through Correlation.” He uses poetry as a catalyst for literacy, leadership and service.
• Rayah Charles - Rooted in her Dominican-Caribbean heritage, Rayah is a multidimensional artist whose voice, flute, and piano come together to create a vibrant blend of island soul and jazz-inspired color. She performed at the Juneteenth Celebration in 2024. She is dedicated to celebrating her roots and sharing music that uplifts, connects, and inspires. Instagram Handle: @sabinne._2ns     Email handle: rayahmuzik@gmail.com
• The Social Construkt – A Durham-based band with Buddy Minnelli, Tumar Thomas, Tyquon Garrett, Jake Shore, Charles Sands, Eli Thomas, Isaiah Mudd and Niya Sands. They played at the Carrboro-Chapel Hill Juneteenth Celebration in 2024. The Social Construkt is a fusion band with heavy R&B, gospel, and jazz influences. The band was formed in Durham in 2023 and is comprised of vocalist/bassist Markei, drummer Eli Thomas, pianist Julian Lambert, and guitarist Ben Youngblood. The band has performed on many occasions and at various shows and events such as Juneteenth Celebration, Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival, and even the North Carolina State Fair. The band has collaborated with two-time Grammy nominated producer/engineer Reem, Grammy nominated artist/producer Rowdy and Grammy nominated musician and author Pierce Freelon. Instagram handle: @thesocialconstruckt Facebook: The Social Construckt  Email: Bookthesocialconstruckt@gmail.com
• Vianna Fornville, Ahniyah Diallo and Mahlaya Diallo – Teenagers who were involved in the Juneteenth Celebration, shown enjoying a moment together at the festival. 
• Vianna Fornville – Vianna is a prominent young activist and student leader at Chapel Hill High School and in her community. From her work with Blue Ribbon Mentor Advocate, the North Carolina NAACP Youth and College Division, and the James Cates Scholars, to being a Varsity Cheerleading Captain at CHHS, Vianna enjoys being at events that engage her community!
•  KiKi Diamond - A prominent figure in the NC LGBTQ+ scene, performing, hosting events (like Drag Brunch/Bingo), and running Diamond Productions, often found on Instagram @ki.ki_diamond and Facebook. KiKi performed at the Carrboro Pride Dance Party in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
• Jeremy Boomhower – A musician who plays in the Boom Unit Brass Band, he performed at the 2025 Carrboro Music Festival. Shown on the bus playing his sousaphone.
• Hugh Swaso – Hugh Swaso is a Triangle-based session guitarist, entertainer, and fashion icon whose career includes extensive touring and international music work with a wide range of artists across genres. Having lived in the Triangle area for over 20 years, Swaso has become a familiar and influential presence in the local music community, known for both his musical versatility and distinctive stage style. Depicted here with the All Y’all Country All Stars—a local collective of the Triangle’s best musicians performing as a country band—he continues to influence fellow artists and captivate audiences at home and abroad. He performed in the 2025 Carrboro Music Festival. 
• Victoria "Tori" Roy - The front woman of WINFIELD, a Chapel Hill based vintage indie-rock band now together for 10 years with all original members, including guitarist Brad Prenda, bassist Kent Corley, and drummer David Bunch. WINFIELD performed at the 2025 Carrboro Music Festival and continues to perform regularly in the Triangle. Tori is a native of Hillsborough, a local live music appreciator, and has band rehearsals in her house in which she grew up, in the same spot that her mother had her own band rehearsals. She and her bandmates are honored to be included in the 2025 Carrboro Music Festival and especially on the new bus design alongside artists who bring so much magic to our community. 
• Oscar Garcia – An active Zumba instructor in Carrboro, Oscar is known for leading free, bilingual (English and Spanish) dance classes at the Carrboro Town Commons. He also participates in Carrboro in Motion. After being diagnosed with diabetes during the pandemic, he used Zumba to improve his own health and now shares his journey and promotes healthy living through his classes.

More Information 

• Chapel Hill Transit – In Carrboro, bus rides are free, thanks to the town’s role as funding partner to the Chapel Hill Transit system along with UNC-Chapel Hill and the Town of Chapel Hill and the support of federal grants. Chapel Hill Transit celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2024, including over 20 years of being fare-free. https://www.townofchapelhill.org/government/departments-services/transit/about-chapel-hill-transit
• Where to catch the bus? It’s rolling communitywide, so on any given day it could be anywhere in Carrboro or Chapel Hill. If you spot our bus, tag us on Instagram @townofcarrboro or @visitcarrboronc

For higher resolution photos, contact the Communication and Engagement Department at communications@carrboronc.gov 
Photo Credit: Town of Carrboro/Jonathan Drake