Rutherford College Founders Day set Saturday, May 16

No, it’s not the two-day, close-every-street-in-town extravaganza that is the Historic Morganton Festival in early September.

Nor is it the Waldensian Festival where upward of 15,000 people cram into Valdese in mid-August on the hottest Saturday of the year to battle dehydration and heat stroke.

No, Founders Day in Rutherford College takes its cue from the town itself — small, friendly, laid back, and filled with small-town charm.

Founders Day is set for Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the grounds of Town Hall at 980 Malcolm Blvd.

The event annually celebrates the reincorporation of the town in 1977, following the approval of the articles of incorporation by the N.C. General Assembly.

More than that, according to Mayor Yates Jensen, “Founders Day is a day to reflect on the history of our town, as well as an opportunity to fellowship with neighbors and to brag to visitors about how wonderful and friendly our town really is.”

The driving force behind organizing Founders Day over the past several years is Town Clerk Terra Brieno.

“We’re excited this year because we’ll have more than 40 vendors on-site that day and because it will mark the debut of our new, permanent outdoor entertainment stage,” she said.

Breaking that stage in while performing sets throughout the day will be the regional band Third Time’s the Charm, which bills itself as a “high energy” cover band playing country, rock, blues and ‘everything in between.’”

“Mayor Yates scouted this band when they were playing at Bones Jones Burgers and Butchery near Lake James,” Brieno said. “So, they come with his strong endorsement.”

Both dancing and festival-wandering is bound to work up an appetite, and nothing goes down easier on a sunny May morning than a Lucky Dogs hot dog — unless, of course, it’s a sampling from C.J. ‘s Pit-Smoked Ribs.

Brieno said Pelican’s SnoBalls will be on hand, as well as vendors selling lemonade, coffee, sourdough bread, and sweet treats.

A number of vendors will be selling a variety of unique arts and crafts at Founders Day, and a number of community organizations are expected to be represented as well.

For the youngsters, Brieno said the event will include “a big section of inflatables” and something called a bungee-trampoline.

The Rutherford College Historical Society will have an exhibit in Town Hall during the event, celebrating the history of the town and of the small Methodist college from which it drew its name.

For the first time ever, some parking will be available in the Town Hall parking lot on Founders Day, with the vendors and the entertainment stage on the side closest to Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church.

Lots of free parking will also be available at locations up and down Malcolm Boulevard.

Drawing for door prizes will be held at noon and at 2 p.m.

Asked if the event will be held rain or shine, Brieno laughed and said it will be held “Drizzle or Shine” instead.

Brieno noted that plans are already in the works for Founders Day in 2027 — an event which will mark the 50th anniversary of the town’s incorporation.