Apple Chill Turns Rotten as Two are Shot on Franklin St.
By Shelley Basinger

You might have noticed there were a few more people on Franklin Street Sunday afternoon for the outdoor craft festival Apple Chill.

But you might have missed the many policemen on patrol. Several policemen were even sent to the rooftops to control the partying that follows the festival, unofficially called “After Chill.”

Their presence became necessary as the evening progressed. Gun shots rang out at about 8:45 p.m. near Caribou Coffee Sunday night. The crowd rushed out of the area, but some still decided to stay.

Captain Bob Overton with the Chapel Hill Police says that the police are almost positive that the two shootings were gang related.

About 235 police officers patrolled the streets this year. The State Highway Patrol also joined in to help. Police also set up floodlights to make sure all areas of Franklin Street would be fully lit -- all extra security for an event that's not town-sanctioned. It also costs the town of Chapel Hill about $150,000 for police support.

Sonya Shaw coordinates Apple Chill every year. She hopes it won't be cancelled because what of happens after the festival shuts down.

"As the evening comes, and it gets later, we start to see a different crowd. It's probably less than one percent of people that cause problems,” Shaw said. “But we still have to deal with that; the town still has to deal with that.”

Some UNC-CH students are dealing with it by starting an online petition calling the event a "serious nuisance" that's a "disgrace" to the city. But some festival-goers
like local resident Frank Hurlant says he's enjoyed the family-oriented daytime festival for 10 years and would like to come back next year.

"[I like to] see the sights, see the crafts, and run into friends,” he said. “I think Apple Chill has probably gotten a bad rap. But I think it's a good place to go bring your family."

Even though families enjoy the daytime festival, Mayor Kevin Foy says that he does not think the Town Council will continue to support Apple Chill.