Get ready for an unforgettable weekend filled with excitement, as the much-anticipated Morganton Festival presented by UNC Health Blue Ridge returns to downtown Morganton on September 5th and 6th. This beloved community event promises an exhilarating experience for all who attend, with over 250 vendors offering a diverse range of crafts, free entertainment across two stages, mouth-watering food that will tantalize your taste buds, thrilling rides and games, and an abundance of fun for all ages. Gather your friends and family and prepare to come play in the streets at the Morganton Festival! Stay connected to http://www.morgantonfest.org for more information.
The FULL event kicks off on Friday, September 5th at noon with 9 blocks of downtown filled with a variety of craft vendors offering an assortment of handmade art, jewelry, woodworking, pottery, soap, candles and more! Be sure to come hungry because the mouth-watering Festival Fare vendors will definitely tempt your taste buds with the aromas of gyros, BBQ “chicken on a stick”, egg rolls, cotton candy, burgers, funnel cakes, ice cream and much, much more.
The ever popular Kids Zone and Teen Zone will open at 5:00pm with ticketed rides and games along with the FREE craft area known as Litter Critters, for children grades 5th and under. For teens and fun-loving adults, the Teen Zone (located on North Sterling Street) features Wild West Mechanical Bull, an interactive water game, an inflatable slide, and a sports dome with soccer and basketball. While in the Teen Zone, don’t miss local entertainers performing on the Pepsi Stage (located at the intersection of Sterling and Avery Street). This year we are also bringing back the inflatable option for children 4 and under!
After a day full of shopping, eating, and fun, head on over to the Historic Courthouse Square Amphitheater Stage for FREE music entertainment. Music kicks off Friday evening on the Courthouse Square Stage. From 7:30-9:00pm, enjoy a performance by The Jack Wharff Band. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, this young band has quickly captivated audiences with their unique blend of bluegrass, country, and rock. Known for their energetic live shows, masterful instrumentation, and viral social media presence, this “salt of the earth” four-piece is an emerging force in the music scene.
Closing out Friday night from 9:30-11:00pm is the dynamic trio Chapel Hart. Comprised of sisters Danica and Devynn Hart and their cousin Trea Swindle, these ladies have found a way to share their Mississippi roots and Louisiana spunk with the world. After their meteoric rise on America’s Got Talent, where they received a “Group Golden Buzzer,” Chapel Hart has become a mainstay in the country music industry, receiving praise from icons like Dolly Parton and making multiple appearances at the Grand Ole Opry. Their performances are known for their powerful vocals, contagious energy, and an amazing ability to unite people through song.
The Festival RETURNS for another day starting at 9:00am on Saturday, September 6th. Yard art, crafted toys, wines, carvings, plants, pottery and lots of jewelry can be discovered along the blocks of North and South Sterling, East and West Union, and North and South Green Streets! Throughout the day there are activities for the entire family including additional performances from local troupes on the Pepsi Stage and roving entertainment in the KidZone! At 10:30am on Saturday morning, Susan Cato-Chapman’s acting will kick off the morning of performances followed by the Morganton Ukulele Society, Sherri’s School of Dance, Tumblemania, and Lindsay Spence performing at the bottom of every hour. Find more details at www.morgantonfest.org. The music continues Saturday evening at 6:30pm on the Courthouse Square Stage with a lively performance from The Phoebes. This band, born during the pandemic, brings a vibrant mix of rock and blues to the stage, known for their infectious energy. Closing out the festival from 8:30pm-10pm is Vegas McGraw, a thrilling Tim McGraw tribute performed by Nashville recording artist and Las Vegas entertainer, Adam D. Tucker. Adam embodies the music and mystique of the country icon, delivering an authentic and powerful show that will have you singing along to Tim McGraw’s classics from the ’90s to today’s hits.
ALL CONCERTS ARE FREE! Entrance into the festival grounds are FREE!
The Morganton Festival is presented by UNC Health Blue Ridge.
The festival is also sponsored by Case Farms, North Carolina Education Lottery, Pepsi, Seiren North America, Paramount Automotive, The News Herald, KICKS 103.3, The Paper, Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center, United Beverages, CoMPAS X-Stream, Food Lion, Toners Machining Technologies, Edward Jones, CoMMA, Republic Services of NC, Atlantic Bay Mortgage, Law Offices of John W. Alexander, PLLC, TWFG Jeff Kincaid Insurance, WNC Plumbing & Drain Services and Packaging Corporation of America.