North Carolina Blueberry Festival: What you need to know about the music, parking and pets
The North Carolina Blueberry Festival in Burgaw will be held June 16-17. This popular festival, which began in 2003, is a celebration that connects communities by honoring the historic, economic, and cultural significance of blueberries grown in Southeastern North Carolina.
What's happening?
The festival is free to attend and will begin Friday, June 16, from 3-10 p.m., and 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, June 17. It will be held in different locations on and around the Historic Courthouse Square, 100 S. Wright St.
New this year, an art exhibit hosted by the N.C. Blueberry Festival and Pender Arts Council will commemorate local legend Ivey Hayes and other contributing artists.
The festival features an array of attractions, including more than 100 artisan vendors, food, beer and wine.
Coolers, tents, outside alcohol or loud speakers are not permitted.
Organizers strongly encourage festival goers to leave pets at home, due to large crowds and the heat.
Restrooms, ATMS, and first aid will be available.
More: Pender earns title of 'best events festival in the state,' and it goes beyond blueberries
Events
The Whole Hog BBQ Cook-off is sanctioned by the N.C. Pork Council and its Whole Hog Barbecue Series. Pigs will be cooked by many local contestants, along with champion cookers from across North Carolina, where they will compete to be named the N.C. Blueberry Festival Barbecue Champ.
The winners of the N.C. Blueberry Festival Recipe Contestwill be announced beginning at noon Saturday.
Tours will be at the research farm located in Castle Hayne, led by researchers from N.C. State University. They will discuss the work to develop new blueberry varieties as well as what's being done to study and improve the health and nutritional value of blueberries.
Mainstage lineup performance: The Embers, The Castaways, The Entertainers and the Band of Oz.
The craft beer area will be located at Burgaw's first craft brewery, Burgaw Brewing, 103 S. Wright St.
A 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk will begin and ends in downtown Burgaw.
Tour de Blueberry. Cape Fear Cyclists, in conjunction with the N.C. Blueberry Festival, presents the event.
The annual Car and Truck Show, a festival favorite, is an open show that includes all classes of cars and trucks.
Farm fresh blueberries are provided by local farmers from Southeastern North Carolina counties including Pender, New Hanover, Sampson, Bladen, and Duplin. Bake sales by local churches and a variety of items from food vendors who offer blueberry treats.
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Where to park?
Please remember not to park in areas with "no parking" signs. Your vehicle will be towed.
Downtown parking will be limited on Saturday. Handicap parking is available on the block of 200 E. Fremont St. Festival shuttles will be available 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Parking for shuttles is located at Pender Landing Shopping Center (Food Lion parking lot), 602 U.S. 117, and at the Pender County Extension offices, 801 S. Walker St.
The Pender High School Athletic Club will park cars for a small fee in Rainbow International Restoration's parking lot at 302 S. Dickerson St.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: What to know about the North Carolina Blueberry Festival in Burgaw
