May 28 2009
Must-See Signature Fall Events in North Carolina
Fall’s signature events include local color on a national and regional scale—everything from woolly worm races to hot air balloon ascents to NASCAR racing and world famous barbecue. Whether the foliage is at peak or just getting started, this list offers a quick look at the fun cranking up across the state.
Go to VisitNC.com for more event listings and check out attractions, accommodations, restaurants, itineraries and more to plan your getaway.
North Carolina Apple Festival
Sept. 4 – 7, 2009, Hendersonville
Capture the spirit of a hometown celebration on Main Street in downtown Hendersonville, NC. Events include entertainment, arts and crafts, apple products, children’s and youth activities, special exhibits, food and the King Apple Parade. North Carolina is the 7th largest apple-producing state in the nation and Henderson is the largest apple-producing county in North Carolina. www.ncapplefestival.org (828) 697-4557
Benson Mule Days
Sept. 24 – 27, 2009, Benson
A southern tradition for more than 50 years, this four-day event is packed with mule events, rodeos, barbecue cook-offs, arts and crafts, street dances and a concert. www.bensonmuledays.com (919) 894-3825
19th Annual Mayberry Days
Sept. 24 – 27, 2009, Mount Airy
Mayberry Days is the annual festival of the Surry Arts Council that brings fans and friends together in Andy Griffith’s hometown of Mount Airy. Enjoy a bottle of pop while playing checkers, relax to music from many local bands playing the same songs that Andy grew up with in Mount Airy and be sure to get your picture with the TV Land statue of Andy and Opie. www.visitmayberry.com (336) 786-7998
Cycle North Carolina
Sept. 26 – October 3, 2009, North Carolina
Cycle North Carolina is the state’s weeklong mountains to the coast bicycle ride. Cycle NC is designed to promote physical fitness and health, provide economic impact and publicity to rural communities across the state, while showcasing the state’s beauty scenic attractions and cultural diversity. The 2009 route will begin in Blowing Rock and end in Surf City with overnight locations in Lenoir, Statesville, Thomasville, Sanford, Dunn and Kenansville. www.ncsports.org (919) 361-1133
23rd Annual North Carolina Seafood Festival
Oct. 2 – 4, 2009, Morehead City
Get ready to walk down the waterfront with the sun shining on your face, and try a North Carolina Shrimp Burger. Enjoy an array of exhibits and the sound of music from jazz to the hand clappin’ rhythms of Down East. Stuff yourself with shrimp, crab and oysters, regional stews, salads and seafood sandwiches. www.ncseafoodfestival.org (252) 726-6273
24th Annual Music in the Mountains Folk Festival
Oct. 3, 2009, Burnsville
Enjoy mountain music and culture with music from all over the Blue Ridge mountain region, including bluegrass and traditional mountain music, ballad singers, storytellers and cloggers. www.toeriverarts.org/mim.shtml (828) 682-7215
2009 North Carolina State Fair
Oct. 12 – 25, 2009, Raleigh
The fair showcases the value and importance of agriculture to North Carolina’s economy through food, fun, rides, competitions, entertainment, while also providing a venue to showcase all the products made and grown in North Carolina. The Fair also includes a Folk Festival, a crowd favorite that showcases North Carolina dance and music traditions. www.ncstatefair.org (919) 821-7400
62nd Annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
Oct. 15 – 18, 2009, Asheville
The Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands showcases the rich diversity of original crafts created by members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, a non-profit organization with more than 900 members throughout the mountain region. Connoisseurs and novices alike come together and craft a collection, connect with tradition and invest in regional culture. www.southernhighlandguild.org (828) 298-7928
Bank of America 500
Oct. 17, 2009, Concord
Round five of the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the Bank of America 500 is sure to play a pivotal role in deciding the series championship. This 500-mile classic will once again run under the lights on Saturday night at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. www.lowesmotorspeedway.com (704) 455-3200
28th Annual Woolly Worm Festival
Oct.17 - 18, 2009, Banner Elk
Named one of the Top Ten Fall Festivals in North America by the Society of American Travel Writers, this family event offers the chance for “your” woolly worm to win $1,000! More than 20,000 attendees flock to the festival, looking for a good laugh. The fuzzy patterns on the woolly worms will forecast the winter weather to come. http://averycounty.com (828) 898-5605.
Caldwell-Hohl Artworks Kiln Opening
Oct. 17 – 18, 2009, Seagrove
The Caldwell-Hohl Artworks Kiln Opening showcases new work and an array of one-of-a-kind pots, sculpture and fiber arts. The event will feature guest artists, refreshments, demonstrations and tours of the studios and the Hohl’s log home, and live music. www.caldwellhohl.com (336) 879-9090
26th Annual Barbecue Festival
Oct. 24, 2009, Lexington
Visit Uptown Lexington, where more than 100,000 people enjoy the exhibits, exciting entertainment and 11,000 pounds of barbecue. www.barbecuefestival.com (336) 956-1880
North Carolina Festival by the Sea
Oct. 24 – 25, Holden Beach
The largest festival in the South Brunswick Islands starts with a parade on the causeway and kicks off the events under the bridge on Holden Beach. Hundreds of food vendors, crafts and visitors attend this annual festival. The festival includes a 5K and 10K race, horseshoes, sandcastle contest, live entertainment and more. www.hbmerchants.com (910) 842-3828
18th Annual Hog Happnin’
Nov 6, 2009, Shelby
Don’t miss the 17th Annual Tar Heel BBQ Championship, car and cycle show, arts and crafts and lawnmower racing. Thousands attend this annual event and compete from Illinois, Pennsylvania and more. The cook-off is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) www.hoghappnin.com (704) 739-7760
Natural scenic beauty, adventure and relaxation, a dining experience for every taste, rich history and warm Southern hospitality come together in North Carolina. Call 1-800-VISIT NC or go to VisitNC.com to plan your next getaway.
