BURGAW, N.C. — North Carolina is known for a lot of things, including the ever delicious and profitable blueberry.
This weekend, the sweet blue treat will be celebrated at the North Carolina Blueberry Festival as the event makes a big return to the Tar Heel state.
In its 19th year, the festival is welcoming people back after two years off due to the pandemic. It’s a major draw for the small town of Burgaw, with organizers estimating a $2 million economic impact for vendors and the local economy.
Blueberries themselves are a big economic driver for North Carolina, bringing in more than $55 million to farmers, according to N.C. State. That ranks the Tar Heel state among the nation’s top 10 blueberry producers in the country.
The two-day festival runs all day Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18, and includes a BBQ cook-off, BMX shows, competitions, live music and of course blueberries for sale.
Schedule of Events
Friday, June 17:
6 a.m. - 7 p.m. BBQ cook-off
9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Recipe contest entries, judging from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.) Blueberry + BBQ sales in Family Dollar parking lot
4 p.m. - 10 p.m. Food + Beer + Wine + Merchandise
5 p.m. - 6 p.m. Shack Humphrey and Co. on mainstage
7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot on mainstage
Saturday, June 18:
7 a.m. 5K run/1-mile walk
7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Car & Truck Show
8:30 a.m. Tour de Blueberry – non-competitive bicycle ride
9 a.m. - All day Model Train Show, Kid’s amusements, arts & crafts + food vendors, blueberry sales from local farms
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Band of Brothers on mainstage
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. No Sleeves Magic on Courthouse Ave
11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Beer sales (at beer & wine garden + craft beer lounge until 6 p.m.)
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Princess meet & greet (Wayfinder)
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Keith King BMX show
11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Cripple Creek Cloggers on Courthouse Ave
12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. Opening ceremony, includes awards + sponsor recognition + national anthem
12:30 p.m. - 1 p.m. Pie-eating contest
1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Blackwater Band on mainstage
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Princess meet & greet (Cinderella)
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. No Sleeves Magic on Courthouse Ave
2 p.m. - 3 p.m. Keith King BMX show
3 p.m. - 4 p.m. No Sleeves Magic on Courthouse Ave
4:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Lion’s Crest Martial Arts demonstration on Courthouse Ave
4 p.m. - 6pm The Tams featuring Lil' Redd on mainstage
4 p.m. - 5 p.m. Keith King BMX show
7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Chairman of the Board featuring Ken Knox on mainstage
For more information, visit the North Carolina Blueberry Festival’s website.