Montreat Minute for June 26, 2026

June 26, 2026
Circular logo for the Town of Montreat, North Carolina, featuring a brick stone gate with MONTREAT written on it, trees on both sides, and the year 1967 below. The text encircles the image.

Town Council Called Meeting Monday, June 29th at 10:00 am

The Montreat Town Council will convene for a special called meeting on Monday, June 29th, at 10:00 am, to finalize the 2026-2027 budget. The meeting will be held in the Town Hall Community Room and will be preceded by a public comment period about the budget. Everyone is invited to attend. The agenda and budget are available by CLICKING HERE.

The meeting will be live streamed. CLICK HERE for streaming information.

Bulk Pickup on Tuesday, July 7th

Household items and furniture, including a mattress, chair, and plastic bins, are piled on a curb next to black garbage bags. A speed limit sign and houses are visible in the background.

Remember to place your bulk Items/white goods curbside for pick up on Tuesday, July 7th. This free service is offered twice per year (now and in the fall) at no cost, except for a $15 per-item fee for mattresses/box springs, TVs, and computers.

Acceptable items include furniture, mattresses/box springs, appliances, electronics, carpet, toys, sports equipment, air conditioners, and water heaters. Please, no building materials.

Bear Activity High

A sign with the text Bear Aware in green above a black bear silhouette that says Keep Bears Wild in orange, set against a green and white background.

Over the past several weeks, bear activity has been higher than normal. No injuries or extreme incidents have occurred. But Lookout Trail is closed until Monday due to an active bear family on or near the trail. And, as usual, trash containers have been targets for the hungry bears. Therefore, please take the following precautions:

  • When walking/hiking, be “bear aware”.
  • If you spot a bear nearby, DO NOT RUN away. Instead, yell, wave your arms, and act “big”.
  • At home, keep doors and first floor windows closed, especially at night. Bears rip through screens like they aren’t even there. Also, bears are able to get through “doggie doors”, so secure them as well.
  • Remove all food from vehicles and lock them. Montreat had a rash of auto break-ins by bears in the spring, all going after food, including something as small as Tic-Tacs and lip balm.
  • Please secure all trash containers with clasps and locks of some type. The Town Convenience Center is available 7a-7p seven days per week for any overflow refuse.

Gate Race Coming July 4th

A stone archway labeled “Montreat” spans over a two-lane road, surrounded by lush green trees with mountains visible in the background.

Get ready for the annual Montreat Gait 5K! The race begins and ends, of course, at the Montreat gate. The mayor will start the race at 7:00 am, with the runners taking off on Assembly Drive and returning to the gate finish line. The route will be clearly marked.

“We’re excited to have the Montreat Gait 5K again this year”, stated race organizer Matt Ashley. “As usual, this is a ‘no-frills’ race: no medals, no t-shirts, no registration, no fees, no recognition. Just show up for good fellowship, fun, and fitness.”

The Town is grateful to Matt for organizing this highly anticipated event. The race sees about 200 runners taking off at the early hour. It is a great way to start the day and kick off the 4th of July holiday.

4th of July Barbeque Tickets on Sale

4th of July BBQ graphic with red, white, and blue colors, fireworks, stars, and stripes, and a grill illustration in the center. Patriotic theme.

Make plans to savor the annual Montreat Cottagers 4th of July barbeque picnic lunches after the parade. Tickets are on sale from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Montreat Post Office daily (excluding Sunday the 28th) through Thursday, July 2nd. They will also be on sale during business hours at the Montreat General Store and The Red Radish on Black Mountain Avenue. Tickets must be purchased by cash or check made payable to the Montreat Cottagers. No tickets will be sold after July 2nd.

Tickets cost only $15.00. The lunches include a choice of barbeque pork or chicken sandwich, cole slaw, baked beans, a delicious dessert bar, a bag of chips, and bottled water.

The meals will be distributed from the porch of the Walk-up Building from 11:30 am to 12:00 noon immediately following the parade. Pick up goes quickly- no long lines. Just delicious barbeque served fast!

The Red Radish and Little Sprout Carryout of Black Mountain are again providing outstanding and delicious barbeque lunches.

Making the Parade Happen

[Ed. Note: the following story was written by summer intern, Lizzy Kate Sober. See last week’s Montreat Minute for more about Lizzy Kate.]

Two women celebrate outdoors; one wears sunglasses, patriotic beads, and a red, white, and blue dress, while waving an American flag. The other wears a stars-and-stripes hat and glasses. Both are smiling and festive.

Since 1969, the Montreat Fourth of July Parade, sponsored by MRA, has been a beloved tradition enjoyed by tens of thousands through its 57 years. Featuring 50 to 60 different entries, the parade is organized by a parade committee that oversees the various aspects of the event. Fran Aceto, Chair of the committee, has helped coordinate the parade for an astonishing thirty years and been chair since 2000.

Fran has always enjoyed the festive atmosphere of parades, so when asked by her friend Glenn Bannerman to join the committee in 1996, she didn’t hesitate in saying yes. Since then, she has met with the committee every spring for a pre-parade planning meeting, where the theme and Grand Marshall are selected. This year, to recognize the country’s long-standing independence, the parade’s theme is “It’s a Party! America turns 250.”

After the parade, Fran and the rest of the committee gather to discuss the successful aspects of the event and potential improvements to be made in the following year. These biannual meetings are always enjoyed by Fran, and some are even hosted on her porch!

One of Fran’s funniest memories of the parade occurred the year she wore a full-body bear costume. Due to the intense July heat, she experienced heat exhaustion. The following year she decided to wear the costume for half the parade, then switch out with her husband, Steve, for the other half. Afterwards, Fran’s friends commented on their appreciation for the “two bears” in the parade. Fran realized that since she and her husband had worn different shoes, the parade spectators never realized there was only one bear!

Above all, Fran enjoys organizing the parade because it allows her to give back to the community while also seeing the happiness it brings to others. When asked about her love for the event, she said, “The parade is so fun and magical. The Lord always brings it together.”

Everyone is grateful for the dedication and time given by Fran, the committee, and everyone involved in the Montreat parade.

Did You Know?

Text on a blue and green gradient background reads Did you know? with a large question mark behind the words.

If you want to see friends from bygone days in Montreat but haven’t had any contact in years (or decades!), then come for the July 4th celebration. Get to the parade route early, wander around, and you will eventually see just about everyone who is in Montreat. If you don’t see them in the crowd, then watch the parade – they may be in it! If you still haven’t seen them, go down to the Walkup Building as people come to pick up their barbeque picnic lunches. This weekend is the one for family and friend reunions.

A black-and-white photo of a large group of people, including children and adults, sitting outdoors beside trees and tents, holding American flags and dressed in early 20th-century clothing.

First Montreat 4th of July celebration in 1897

The Presbyterian Heritage Center (PHC) has many pictures of this event over the years, starting with the very first year for Montreat – 1897 – when people on the grounds waved flags that had added a star for the newest state, Utah.

Remember Glenn Bannerman and his wheelbarrow? The greased pole on Moore Field (which still challenges people!)? The Clubs groups, often dressed to fit the theme of the year?

A man in a white suit, large striped tie, and hat waves while standing next to a woman sitting and smiling; both are in front of a stone building with large windows.

Nor do you need to be in the parade to dress up. Most everyone pulls out their red, white, and blue in some form or fashion. Here’s a picture from 1978 – you’ve got to love that tie!!

NOW – HERE IS YOUR TURN TO PLAY HISTORY DETECTIVE!!  Do you recognize the person dressed up in this most fashionable tie or the woman sitting next to him? If so, the PHC wants to hear from you! We try very hard to identify people in the pictures that we have – and are hoping that one of our readers will recognize these people and let us know who they are.

If you recognize them, or if you have any idea for a future Did You Know, please contact Nancy Midgette at nancy@phcmontreat.org.

Thanks to the Presbyterian Heritage Center, especially Nancy Midgette, for this glimpse from the past. Stop by the PHC for additional Montreat missionary history and so much more

Updates and Reminders

A hand writes the word REMINDERS in black marker, with a red line drawn underneath the text.
  • The Montreat Town offices will be closed on Friday, July 3rd in commemoration of the 4th of July. The Montreat Minute will be published on Thursday, July 2nd.
  • If you are in Montreat this summer and don’t already have a 2024 Montreat Directory, they are on sale at the Town Hall for $25 (cash or check).
  • Do you receive your own copy of the Montreat Minute or know someone who doesn’t? Sign up for the Sunshine List to receive the Montreat Minute and stay “in the know” about the Town’s happenings. CLICK HERE to sign up for the list!
  • Do you receive Montreat Code Redalerts, an emergency communications system used a number of times during the hurricane and wildfires? To learn more about Code Red or to be added to the list, CLICK HERE.

Questions or Comments?

Do you have Town-related questions or comments to offer? If so, please send them to Angie Murphy at info@townofmontreat.org and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Have a great weekend!

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