Festivals for all seasons
From Aberdeen's quirky Sardine Festival to Fayetteville's always-popular Dogwood Festival, the calendar is filled with excuses to get out and enjoy. This year's offerings include Denim Days, during which Erwin celebrates its textile manufacturing heritage, the International Folk Festival, where representatives of dozens of countries prepare their foods in downtown Fayetteville, and the Holly Day Fair, the largest arts and crafts festival in the Southeast. Here's a list of some of the festivals scheduled over the coming year:
August
Fine Arts Festival, Campbell House Galleries, 482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines, through Aug. 29. The festival is open to amateur and professional artists 17 and older. Mediums include acrylic, drawing and pastel, oil, photography, and three-dimensional and digital art. Information: (910) 692-4356.
Umoja Festival, Seabrook Park, Aug. 23. This family festival with an emphasis on African-American heritage will feature storytellers, artists, dancers and music. Information: 488-7130.
Labor Day Food & Wine Festival, Pinehurst Resort, 80 Carolina Vista Drive, Aug. 28 to Sept. 1. There will be wine tastings, seminars and cooking demonstrations. Information: (800) 487-4653 or www.pinehurst.com.
September
N.C. Turkey Festival, Raeford, Sept. 6-20. Food, crafts, entertainment including a car show, dog show and Turkey Festival Idol contest. Information: (910) 904-2424 or www.ncturkeyfestival.com.
Greek Fest, Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Sept. 12-14. Greek foods, live bands and dance troupes. Information: 484-2010 or 484-8925.
Cumberland County Fair, Crown Coliseum, Fayetteville, Sept. 18-28. Rides, games, food, live entertainment. Information: (910) 323-5088 or www.cumberlandcountyfair.org.
Fall Harvest Festival, Wagram, Sept. 20. Music, vendors, wine tasting and a grape stomp. Information: (910) 369-0411.
Storytelling Festival of Carolina, April 25-26, Laurinburg. Nationally known and local storytellers at the historic John Blue House. (910) 276-7316 or www.storytellingfestivalofcarolina.org.
May
Eastover Heritage Day, May 2. The Cumberland County town celebrates its history with a parade, exhibits, music, food and a car and truck show. Information: 483-6725 or www.eastovernc.com.
Sanford Pottery Festival, Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center, Sanford, May 2- 3. Pottery from all over the Southeast, displays, techniques and music. Information: (919) 770-8002 or www.sandfordpotteryfestival.com.
Field of Honor, downtown Fayetteville, May 2-30. Personalized flags will honor veterans and active servicemen. Information: 222-3382.
Fort Bragg Fair, Fort Bragg fairgrounds, early May. Rides, food, concerts and other entertainment over more than two weeks. Information: 396-6126 or www.fortbraggmwr.com.
The 76th North Carolina Strawberry Festival, Chadbourn, May 2. Parade, historic homes tour, beauty queens, food and crafts. Information: (910) 654-4259 or www.ncstrawberryfestival.com.
Buggy Festival, Carthage, May 8-9. Old-fashioned buggy displays, children's events, car show, crafts and entertainment. Information: (910) 947-2331 or www.thebuggyfestival.com.
White Lake Water Festival, White Lake, May 15-17. Water skiing, parade, road race and art shows. Information: (910) 862-4800 or www.whitelakenc.com.
Glory Days, downtown Fayetteville, May 25. Patriotic celebration. Information: 222-3382.
Melfest Bluegrass Festival, White Lake, May 29-30. Bands from throughout the state will perform. Information: (910) 862-2416 or www.melfestbluegrass.com.
Cross Creek Blues-N-Brews Festival, Campbellton Landing amphitheater on the banks of the Cape Fear River. May 30. Micro-brew tasting and live blues music. Information: 323-4234.
June
Ammon Blueberry Festival, Bladen County, early June. Pancake breakfast, parade, rides, crafts and antique car show. Information: (910) 588-4592.
National Hollerin' Contest, Spivey's Corner. June. Information: (910) 567-2600.
Lumbee Homecoming, Pembroke, late June or early July. Sports, pageants, crafts and food. Information: (910) 521-8602.
July
Blues Crawl, downtown Southern Pines, July. Call (910) 692-8501 or visit www.sunrisetheater.com.
Christmas in July, Seagrove. Potters will have their wares on display and on sale and special events will be held. Information: (336) 873-7887 or (800) 626-2672 or www.seagrovepotteryheritage.com.
August
National Airborne Day, Airborne & Special Operations Museum, August. The salute to the military will feature displays of current equipment, reenactments, performances by the 82nd Airborne Division Band and Chorus, and a parachute free-fall demonstration. Information: 483-3003 or www.asomf.org.