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2018 NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 2018
Food & Wine Festivals, Shows & Local Events
(see also:  2017  -  2016  -  2015  -  2014  -  2013)

May 1-5, 2018
NC Strawberry Festival
Chadbourn, North Carolina
Celebrate Chadbourn's claim as the "Strawberry Capital of the World"--a traditional family event for over 75 years. Come join in the fun with a parade, pageant queens, live entertainment, bands, clowns, hot air baloons, and strawberry shortcake galore.

May 3-6, 2018
Savor Blowing Rock - Blowing Rock, North Carolina
A celebration of wine, craft beer, fine cuisine and entertainment.

May 4-5, 2018  37th Annual BBQ Festival on the Neuse
Kinston, North Carolina
Non-stop activities, entertainment and the best BBQ in North Carolina.  The Largest BBQ Cookoff Festival in North Carolina.

May 5, 2018 - Celebrity Chef Tour - Asheville, North Carolina
Benefiting the James Beard Foundation, featuring Award-Winning Chefs

May 5, 2018  34th Annual Ham & Yam Festival
Smithfield, North Carolina
Held every year the first weekend in May, the festival features an open cooking contest using either hams or yams in casseroles, desserts or main dishes. There are also hundreds of arts and craft booths, music, entertainment, children’s games, carnival rides, agricultural exhibits and special events.

May 5, 2018  The Great Grapes Wine & Food Festival
Cary, North Carolina
Join us for our annual Bacchanalian faimily day of fun. Over 220 Wines, Over 20 Wineries, Great Live Music and Wonderful Food and Crafts
 

May 5-6, 2018  14th Asheville Artisan Bread Bakers Festival
Asheville, North Carolina
Celebrating local farmers, millers and bakers – the first of its kind in the Southeast -- will feature the talents of five of the most respected bakers in the United States: Lionel Vatinet, Didier Rosada, Peter Reinhart, Dominique Homo, and Harry Peemoeller. This two-day event offers an opportunity for bread enthusiasts and professional bakers to break bread together, to improve their baking skills, share ideas, and network within the artisan bread community.

May 11-12, 2018  8th Annual North Carolina Brewers & Music Fest
Huntersville, North Carolina
Presented by Historic Rural Hill, an educational and cultural historic site, the fest features tasting NC's finest craft beers, a day packed full of great music, food, children’s activities, beer education, and a chance to learn about area non-profits.

May 12, 2018 - Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival
Charlotte, North Carolina
Beer sippin', bourbon tastin', music listenin', cigar smokin', and barbeque eatin'.

May 13, 2018 - MOTHER'S DAY - Nationwide
Most restaurants in the U.S. have special events scheduled for today. They are too numerous to list.

May 17-20, 2018  6th Annual Wilmington Wine & Food Festival
Wilmington, North Carolina
Bringing together top area chefs with notable wines and wine makers from around the world to celebrate and advance public appreciation for great wine and food. Don’t miss these exciting events and the opportunity to sample over 200 different wines and beers throughout the weekend paired with scrumptious bites from many of our best locally owned restaurants, caterers, and food trucks! Purchase tickets online or through our many local participating wine shops.  Benefiting the Open Gate Domestic Violence Shelter & The Bellamy Mansion Museum.

May 18-20, 2018  North Carolina Potato Festival
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Largest Family Festival in Northeastern North Carolina, celebrating one of the area’s largest crops. Fun, Food and Entertainment in downtown Elizabeth City, the “Harbor of Hospitality”.  Little Miss Tater Tot Contest, National Potato Peeling Contest, Food, Street Fair, Live Entertainment, Rides, Games and Much More.  Over 25,000 in attendance.  Come and Stay All Day!    Attendance: 25,000.

May 18-20, 2018  Got To Be NC Festival - Raleigh, North Carolina
Join your friends and family for three great days of down-home celebration North Carolina-style at the Got to Be NC Festival at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. Gate Admission and Parking are FREE! North Carolina food companies, breweries and wineries will be sampling and selling some of the most delightful flavors North Carolina has to offer at the Homegrown Marketplace, presented by Lowes Foods. Admission into the Homegrown Marketplace is $3, but you'll receive $2 in Lowes Bucks to spend inside the Marketplace!  Attendance: 125,000.

May 19, 2018  17th Annual Yadkin Valley Wine Festival
Elkin, North Carolina
North Carolina's Best Wine All In One Place.  Looking to try several North Carolina wines without having to drive back and forth across the beautiful countryside of the Yadkin Valley? We are the best source for North Carolina wine when you are looking to try the Yadkin Valley's finest. We hope you'll come visit us at this years Yadkin Valley Wine Festival. It's wine, food, crafts, great music and more!

May 19, 2018  17th Annual Roanoke-Chowan Pork Fest
Murfreesboro, North Carolina
Culinary Judging of the 20 Cooking Teams for Prizes by Professional Judges Licensed by the North Carolina Pork Council. BBQ Meal under the Big Top, Strawberry Shortcake, Children's Games,

May 19, 2018 - Beer & Bacon Fest - Cary, North Carolina
The Festival is an ALL-YOU-CARE-TO-TASTE extravaganza complete with the best craft beers for your tasting pleasure…..paired with the food of the Gods: BACON. Guests enjoy a souvenir glass plus 75+ of their favorite international beers and wines paired with delicious bacon dishes.  Over 2 tons of gourmet bacons from all over the country will be griddled on-site. The VIP Deck will host specialty tastes and beers throughout the day. The Main Stage will host live music all day along with a Butchering 101 class.  All of this plus fun foodie exhibits and so much more!  Attendance: 5,000.

May 26, 2018 - Strawberry Festival - Cherokee, North Carolina
Sponsored by the North American Indian Women’s Association (NAIWA), the Strawberry Festival features fresh berries, delicious recipes, strawberry products, and fun activities for the whole family. Admission is free to the public. Vendor space available.

May 31-June 2, 2018  Annual Gourd Artists Gathering
Cherokee, North Carolina
Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds.  Featuring exquisitely crafted gourd art, this year’s Cherokee Gourd Artists Gathering brings together collectors and exhibiting artists for a weekend of live demonstrations, classes, competitions and a spectacular art market offering stunning works of gourd art, materials, tools and supplies. Come see how an inexpensive, traditionally utilitarian component of the Cherokee household is transformed into a piece of artwork!
 

2017 NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 2017
Food & Wine Festivals, Shows & Local Events
events still waiting for new dates

May 5-7, 2017  Asheville Herb Festival - Asheville, North Carolina
WNC Farmers Market.  This long-running festival celebrates its 28th year.   This is the largest festival of its kind in the Southeast. Not only can you find every type of garden and cooking herb imaginable, you can also see how herbs are transformed into medicines, salves, balms, soaps and teas.   Attendance: 35,000.

May 7, 2017 - Gazette Beer Fest - Gastonia, North Carolina
Join us for a great afternoon of sampling NC Craft Beer & Wines!  The fun includes a DJ, live bands, lawn games, Food Trucks (including Cupcake Wagon, Dragon Boat & more! One flat rate tickets allows you to sample* the entire time.  Get the best deal by purchasing your ticket in advance! Special rates for designated drivers!

May 20, 2017  Carolina Donut Festival - Marion, North Carolina
Come out for food and fun in downtown Marion with the 1st Annual Carolina Donut Festival, hosted by our own Mr. Bob's Donuts.  Enjoy a variety of "doughy" goodness, games, music and more!

May 27, 2017  Mayfest Blues and BBQ - Mocksville, North Carolina
RayLen Vineyards and Winery.
 

2016 NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 2016
Food & Wine Festivals, Shows & Local Events
events still waiting for new dates

May 6-7, 2016 - Vanceboro Strawberry Festival & Rescue Day
Vanceboro, North Carolina
Truck loads of strawberries will be available and there will be a fruit-filled menu--from strawberry funnel cakes to strawberry pies. Live entertainment, a pageant, parade, crafts, food vendors and rides. Benefits the Vanceboro Rescue Squad.

May 14, 2016  SoulFood Festival - Charlotte, North Carolina

May 28, 2016  Annual Battle of the Barbeque - Henrico, North Carolina
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM EDT.  BBQ cooked all night and judged and sold on Saturday Mary 28, 2016
 

2015 NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 2015
Food & Wine Festivals, Shows & Local Events
events still waiting for new dates

May 17, 2015  Taste of Hickory - Hickory, North Carolina
Get a sneak preview of Hickory’s newest fine dining establishment, Fourk, or enjoy international delicacies from Marina’s Taste of Europe; enjoy desserts that melt in your mouth, Carolina craft beers and wines, or sweet tea while you listen to lively music sung by Ulysses Long, who appeared on America’s Got Talent.  Chefs and students serve as food and drink jurors for the Taste of Hickory – competition is tough because all the food and drinks are delicious. Tickets are $25 in advance, which includes food, drinks, a glass and parking.
 

2014 NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 2014
Food & Wine Festivals, Shows & Local Events
events still waiting for new dates

May 2-4, 2014  Smoke in the Valley country music, folk art & BBQ Festival
Morganton, North Carolina
Smoke inthe Valley is a country music, folk art and BBQ festival.  The festival includes weekend camping and two days of racing too. Food and folk art vendors please contact us....we want you.

May 10, 2014  U.S. Open Annual Homebrew Competition
Charlotte, North Carolina
A Carolina BrewMaster competition.

May 16-17, 2014  Dairy Goat Festival & Parade 2014
Spindale, North Carolina
CANCELED FOR 2014  While we had hoped to be able to produce a bigger, better event for 2014, it is simply not feasible at this time. Many thanks go out to all who have supported and participated in the festival and show in the past. Together, we made 3 of the town's largest events happen and made memories that cannot be taken away.   The future of this event is uncertain at this time.

May 24-25, 2014  NC Hops and Roots Fest - Pittsboro, North Carolina
A festival celebrating our local craft breweries, vineyards, food, farms, and music!

May 31-June 1, 2014  Ole Smokey Tractor Club Spring Farm Fest
Maggie Valley, North Carolina
Antique tractor show, auction and parade.
 

2013 NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 2013
Food & Wine Festivals, Shows & Local Events
events still waiting for new dates

May 17-18, 2013  31st Annual Hillsborough Hog Day - Hillsborough, NC
CANCELED EFFECTIVE 2014.  The Board of Directors of the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce announced Thursday that it was cancelling the Chamber’s Annual Hillsborough Hogg Day event, effective immediately.

May 25-26, 2013  5th Annual Banner Elk Herb Festival - Banner Elk, NC
At the Historic Banner Elk Elementary School, the Herb Festival offers a vast selection of herbs you're not going to find anywhere else. There will be well over 5,000 herb plants for sale, a fantastic fragrant “sea of herbs. All the herb plants are organic and planted in biodegradable pots.  About 60 vendors sell their products at the festival. In addition to herbs, arts, crafts and food items will be available. Attendees can purchase pottery, fine art, portrait photography, goat cheese and homemade herb bread to name just a few items.   A “kid zone” includes a petting zoo, old-fashioned games, spin art, a putt-putt course and a dunking booth where festivalgoers can dunk a fireman.  The festival raises money for the volunteer firefighters of Banner Elk. Attendees can purchase a Banner Elk Community Supporter Sticker for any amount, and all proceeds go to the firefighters.