BURGAW, NC – North Carolina is known for many things, including the ever-delicious and profitable blueberry.

This weekend, blue sweetness will be celebrated at the North Carolina Blueberry Festival as the event makes a big comeback in the Tar Heel state.

In its 19th year, the festival is once again welcoming people after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. It’s a major draw for the small town of Burlaw, with organizers estimating an economic impact of $2 million for vendors and the local economy.

Blueberries themselves are a major economic driver for North Carolina, bringing in more than $55 million to farmers, according to NC State. This ranks Tar Heel State among the top 10 blueberry producers in the nation.

The two-day festival runs all day from Friday June 17th to Saturday June 18th and includes a barbecue, BMX shows, competitions, live music and of course blueberries for sale.

Event calendar

Friday, June 17:

6:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. barbecue barbecue
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Registration for the recipe contest, judging from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sale of blueberries + BBQ in the Family Dollar parking lot
4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Food + Beer + Wine + Merchandise
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Shack Humphrey and Co. on the main stage
7:00 – 10:00 p.m. Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot on the Main Stage

Saturday June 18:

7:00 a.m. 5k run/1 mile walk
7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Auto and Truck Show
8:30 a.m. Tour of Blueberry – non-competitive bike ride
9:00 AM, All-Day Model Train Show, Children’s Entertainment, Arts & Crafts + Food Vendors, Blueberry Sale from Local Farms
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Band of Brothers on the main stage
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. No Sleeves Magic on Courthouse Ave
11:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Beer sale (at the beer & wine garden + craft beer lounge until 6:00 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
12:00 – 12:30 Opening Ceremony, includes awards + sponsor recognition + national anthem
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Pie competition
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Blackwater Band on the main stage
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Princess meet & greet (Cinderella)
1 – 2 p.m. No Sleeves Magic on Courthouse Ave
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Keith King BMX Show
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. No Sleeves Magic on Courthouse Ave
4:15 – 4:45 p.m. Lion’s Crest Martial Arts Demonstration on Courthouse Ave
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. The Tams with Lil’ Redd on the main stage
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Keith King BMX Show
7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Chairman of the Board with Ken Knox on the Main Stage

For more information, visit the North Carolina Blueberry Festival website.