Ride the bull, eat the funnel cake, catch a show—Festival weekend awaits
Morganton mascot Gus the Groundhog will be on hand at the festival for photos and handshakes.
The annual Morganton Festival draws about 20,000 people to the city. This year it’s scheduled for Friday, Sept. 5, and Saturday, Sept. 6.
Volunteers play a vital role at the Morganton Festival, manning information booths and assisting with set up and breakdown.
The Kids Zone is popular with young and old alike. Roving entertainers and rides for even the youngest festivalgoers will keep the entire family entertained.
There will be plenty of good food at the Morganton Festival. Vendors will offer funnel cakes, popcorn, barbecue, and chicken-on-a-stick, among other treats.
Morganton’s largest event is the Morganton Festival, which typically draws in about 20,000 visitors during its two-day run.
Downtown Morganton is getting ready to take “playing in the streets” to a whole new level. The annual end of summer festival, which typically draws about 20,000 people over its two-day run, will kick off at noon on Friday, Sept. 5, and will wrap up on Saturday at 10 p.m.
More than 200 vendors will offer a diverse range of arts and crafts, spanning nine blocks on South Sterling and West Union streets, and the Festival Fare vendor zone on South Green and East Union streets will tempt visitors’ taste buds with mouthwatering food choices.
Friday afternoon will also see the kickoff of the Kid and Teen Zones, where ticketed rides and games will keep youngsters busy and happy. Local entertainers are scheduled to perform on Friday and Saturday on the Pepsi Stage at the corner of Avery and North Sterling streets, and parents will find plenty of activities, for kids of all ages.
Festival organizers have booked four well-known musical acts for evening performances on the Historic Courthouse Stage. The Jack Wharff Band and Chapel Hart will play on Friday, and The Phoebes and Vegas McGraw will entertain on Saturday night. All concerts are provided at no cost to the public.
The Morganton Festival is presented by UNC Health Blue Ridge and is sponsored by a number of local businesses and organizations. The event is an animal-free event and will go on, rain or shine.
For more information, call the Downtown Morganton office at 828-438-5280 or check out the event website at www.morgantonfest.org.
VENDORS
Stroll the streets and shop for art, jewelry, woodworking crafts, pottery, soap, candles, and many other items as a variety of vendors offer goods for sale.
FESTIVAL FARE
Be sure to arrive hungry when you visit the festival. Beginning at noon on Friday and continuing through the day Saturday, the air will be filled with the delicious aromas of popcorn, barbecue, funnel cakes, burgers, gyros, egg rolls, and chicken-on-a-stick. Desserts, ice cream, and a variety of other foods and drinks will also be available.
KID ZONE
The Kid Zone will open at 5 p.m. Friday with ticketed rides and games along with the free “Litter Critters” craft area. Children’s novelty vendors will also be in the Kids Zone, along with Kazoo Karts.
TEEN ZONE
Teens and fun-loving adults will find the Wild West Mechanical Bull, an interactive water game, an inflatable slide, and a sports dome where they can play soccer and basketball.
PEPSI STAGE
Bring the entire family to the corner of Avery and Sterling streets and enjoy a wealth of local talent on the Pepsi Stage. Performances will include Susan Cato-Chapman showcasing her acting skills, music from the Morganton Ukulele Society, and shows from Sherri’s School of Dance, Tumblemania, and Lindsay Spence.
Sandra Wilkerson Queen is the arts & entertainment editor. She may be reached at 828-445-8595, ext. 2002, or sandra@thepaper.media.
