SALISBURY, N.C. — The Cheerwine Festival is returning Saturday, May 21, bringing food, drinks, crafts and entertainment to downtown Salisbury.

 

The hometown of the iconic 105-year-old soft drink will host live entertainment from local and national musical acts, including bands like the Spin Doctors who will play from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Blues Traveler was originally scheduled to perform as well but will not be attending due to illness, officials announced Thursday.

Festival goers can also enjoy a variety of other kid and family-friendly activities, including:

  • F&M Bank Kids Zone, which includes activities and entertainment for children
  • Local arts and crafts, including unique Cheerwine merchandise from over 45 vendors
  • F&M Bank Trolley Tours through historic downtown Salisbury, featuring a number of interesting Cheerwine sites
  • Cheerwine historical exhibit at the Rowan Museum
  • Relaxation Station on E. Fisher St., which features Troutman rocking chairs, a second beer garden and performances from local buskers

The festival also features a beer garden where you can find drinks from 10 local breweries. According to a release, select vendors like New Sarum Brewing and Cabarrus Brewing Company will serve Cheerwine-infused craft beer.

Food from nearly 40 vendors across the Carolinas will also be available to give a taste of the South with some featuring a Cheerwine twist.

The festival takes place Saturday, May 21 from noon-10:00 p.m.

Officials say the Cheerwine Festival has welcomed tens of thousands of fans from across the South, bringing in an estimated $1.5 million of estimated revenue for the area, since its inaugural event in 2017 to celebrate Cheerwine’s 100th anniversary.

For more information on the festival, entertainment acts and times and more, click here.