Living in North Carolina for the past 13 years, my family and I have frequented dozens of area festivals. Some were worth revisiting time and time again, and others were not. Here is your “tried and true” guide to the top 12 NC Spring Festivals!
Azalea Festival – Wilmington. April 11 – 15, 2012. This enormous festival was founded in 1948, and as a resident of Wilmington, I can tell you that it is our city’s biggest yearly event, by far. This not-to-be-missed festival highlights azaleas, big name entertainment, a parade, home and garden tours, an outdoor garden party, and much more. Ticket prices vary depending on the event.
North Carolina Pickle Festival – Mount Olive. April 27 – 29, 2012. Thousands attend this unique and fun festival each year. Features include pickles, live entertainment, carnival rides, games, an antique car show, food, vendors, and a vintage farm equipment display. Free admission.
Festival of Flowers at Biltmore Estate – Asheville. April 7 – May 20, 2012. George Vanderbilt’s 8,000-acre Asheville estate is the setting of this popular festival. Live music and complimentary seminars are bonuses, as garden and estate tours are clearly the main features. Ticket prices vary.
Fayetteville Dogwood Festival – Fayetteville. April 26 – 28, 2012. This year marks the 30th anniversary of this big and beautiful event. This three-day street festival features dogwoods, music, a pageant, a recycled art show, a dog show, YMCA runs, and more. Admission is free.
Merlefest – Wilkesboro. April 29 – May 2, 2012. Merlefest is a music festival with an almost cult-like following. We have some friends who consider this festival to be the highlight of their year, camping out with friends, family-style. The lineup is lengthy and super-impressive, featuring Doc Watson. This event raises money for Wilkes Community College. Ticket prices vary.
LEAF (Lake Eden Arts Festival) – Black Mountain. May 6 – 9, 2012. The focus is on music and art, and the lake setting is gorgeous. We took our young kids to this one, and we all had a blast. It’s definitely got a “hippie” vibe, so you’ll probably love the festival IF you love that vibe. (We do.) Headliners of this 34th annual festival include Taj Mahal, Blues legend. Tickets prices vary.
World Beer Festival – Raleigh. April 14, 2012. See the weblist for the incredibly long list of available beers. $40 buys admission to one four-hour session, unlimited beer samples, souvenir cup, entertainment and nonalcoholic drinks. Food costs extra.
Asheville Earth Day – Asheville. April 21, 2012. The 5th annual festival is free and family-friendly. It features music, speakers, a kids’ area, a poetry contest and a photo contest. We lived in Asheville for a few years, and no place does “Earthy” better. Come out and support our planet! Free.
NC Potato Festival – Elizabeth City. May 19, 2012. This family-friendly festival highlights the potato, one of North Carolina’s largest crops. Food, contests, live entertainment, arts and crafts, games and rides combine to make this a fun and lively festival. Where else can you witness a “Little Miss Tater Tot Contest?” Free.
Fiddler’s Grove Ole Time Fiddlers and Bluegrass Festival, Union Grove. May 25 – 27, 2012. Like camping and bluegrass? The list of events and activities available at this festival is impressively long and varied. The focus is on fiddling, and more than 50 traditional bands compete in contests. Workshops, demonstrations and loads of kids’ activities add to the fun. Prices vary.
NC Strawberry Festival, Chadbourn. May 5, 2012. This family friendly festival has delighted its attendees for more than 80 years. The festival celebrates the beloved fruit, and entertainment includes a parade, pageant queens, live entertainment, clowns and bands. Free.
Bald Head Island Memorial Day Americana Weekend, Bald Head Island. May 27 – 29, 2012. Though it is not technically a festival, I had to squeeze this one in. Bald Head is a nature lover’s paradise, and one of my family’s favorite places on Earth. It is accessible by boat or ferry. Though we hope this golf-carts-only island never overpopulates with people, festival lovers young and old will get a kick out of this barrier island’s Memorial Day celebration. Music includes bluegrass, folk, jazz and gospel. Ticket prices and accommodations vary. Hint: It will not be cheap.
I hope you enjoy these splendid North Carolina festivals!
