Join the Crowd
There's no shortage of festivals, holiday celebrations and other annual events that show the flavor of the region.
August, 2007
- National Airborne Day, Airborne & Special Operations Museum, Aug. 25. The salute to the military will feature displays of current equipment, re-enactments, performances by the 82nd Airborne Division Band and Chorus, and a parachute free-fall demonstration. Information: 483-3003, ext. 226.
- Umoja Festival, Seabrook Park, Aug. 25. This family festival, with an emphasis on African-American heritage, will feature storytellers, artists, dancers and music. Information: 488-7130.
- 19th annual Labor Day Food & Wine Festival, Pinehurst Resort, 80 Carolina Vista Drive, Aug. 30-Sept. 3. There will be wine tastings, seminars and cooking demonstrations. Information: (800) 487-4653 or www.pinehurst.com.
September, 2007
- Lafayette's 250th Birthday Celebration, Sept. 6-8, downtown Fayetteville. Events, including a Sept. 8 Festival of Yesteryear at the Museum of the Cape Fear, will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Marquis de Lafayette, for whom Fayetteville is named. Information: 433-1549 or www.lafayette250.com.
- Greek Fest, Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Sept. 7-9. Greek foods, live bands and dance troupes. Information: 484-2010 or 484-8925.
- N.C. Turkey Festival, Raeford, Sept. 8-15. Food, crafts, entertainment including a car show and dog show. Information: (910) 904-2424 or www.ncturkeyfestival.com.
- Cumberland County Fair, Crown Center, Fayetteville, Sept. 13-23. Rides, games, live entertainment. Information: 323-5088.
- International Folk Festival, downtown Fayetteville, Sept. 30. More than 40 nations celebrate the diversity of the region with food, costumes and a Parade of Nations. Information: 323-1776.
- 37th Malcolm Blue Historical Crafts & Farm Skills Festival, Aberdeen, Sept. 28-30. Traditional crafts and skills, barnyard animals, Civil War re-enactments, pony and wagon rides, and museum tours. Information: (910) 944-7558
October, 2007
- Oktoberfest, Fort Bragg Fairgrounds, Oct. 4-14. Food, carnival rides, entertainment. Information: 396-6126.
- Flora Macdonald Highland Games, Red Springs, Oct. 5-7. Music, games, food and crafts. Information: (910) 843-5000 or www.capefearscots.com.
- Cameron Antiques Fair, Cameron, Oct. 6. More than 300 dealers display their antiques and collectibles along streets in the historic district of Cameron. Information: (910) 245-3055 or www.antiquesofcameron.com.
- Autumnfest and Road Race, Downtown Park, Southern Pines, Oct. 6. One-mile fun run, 5k race, arts, crafts, entertainment and youth activities. Information: (910) 692-2463.
- Denim Days, Erwin, Oct. 6. Parade, games and children's activities. Information: (910) 897-7300.
- Pope Air Force Base Air Show, Oct. 6-7. The event is free and open to the public. The Air Force Thunderbirds will headline the events. Information: 394-4187 or visit www.popebraggopenhouse.com.
- International Sardine Festival, Aberdeen, Oct. 12. Sardines, RC Cola, Moon Pies and the crowning of the Sardine Queen. Information: (910) 944-1115.
- John Blue Cotton Festival, Laurinburg, Oct. 13-14. Old-time fun with music, arts, crafts, tractors and engines, pre-Civil War cotton gin, gristmill and shingle mill operations. Information: (910) 277-2585.
- Oktoberfest, Festival Park in downtown Fayetteville, Oct. 20. Food, drink, games and entertainment. Information: 868-8368 or www.fayettevilleoktoberfest.com.
- Holly Arts and Crafts Festival, Pinehurst. Oct. 18. More than 150 exhibitors plus crafts, food and entertainment. Information: (910) 295-7462.
- Fairmont Farmers Festival, Oct. 20. Country, rock and gospel music, parade, arts and crafts and kiddie rides. Information: (910) 628-9766.
- Ole Mill Days, Hope Mills, Oct. 27. Crafts, food, music, storytelling, kiddie rides and costume contests. Information: 424-4555.
November, 2007
- Holly Day Fair, Crown Expo Center, Fayetteville. Nov. 1-4. The largest gift and craft show in eastern North Carolina. Sponsored by the Junior League of Fayetteville. Information: 323-5088.
- North Carolina Cotton Festival, Dunn, Nov. 2-3. Classic car show, street vendors, arts and crafts, cotton gin tours, live music and carriage rides. Information: (910) 892-3282 or www.nccottonfestival.com.
- 47th annual Antiques Show and Sale, Pinehurst, Nov. 2-4. Furniture, porcelain, pottery and Oriental silks. Sponsored by the Moore County Historical Association. Information: (910) 692-2051.
- Veterans Day parade, 11 a.m. Nov. 10, downtown Fayetteville. An Air Force flyover has been approved. information: 494-2256.
- Festival of Trees, Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club, Southern Pines, Nov. 15-18. Lavishly decorated trees and wreaths. and tabletop trees. Entertainment, pictures with Santa. Benefits Sandhills Children’s Center. Information: (910) 692-3323.
- Cameron Antique Dealers' Christmas Open House, downtown Cameron, Nov. 17-18. All 13 shops participating. Information: (910) 245-3055 or www.antiquesofcameron.com.
- 26th annual Seagrove Pottery Festival, Seagrove, Nov.17-18. State potters present their works. Information: (336) 873-7887.
- A Dickens Holiday, downtown Fayetteville, Nov. 23. Carolers, carriage rides and costumed actors portraying characters from "A Christmas Carol." Information: 323-1776.
- Eastern Carolina Craftsmen's Christmas Festival, Crown Center, Fayetteville, Nov. 23-25. More than 100 exhibitors selling handmade arts and crafts. Information: 323-5088.
December, 2007
- Hope Mills Christmas parade, 3 p.m. Dec. 1. The annual Festival of Lights will start at 5 p.m. at the Hope Mills Lake and gazebo.
- "The Nutcracker," Dec. 2, 8 and 9 at 3 p.m. The North Carolina State Ballet production directed by Charlotte Blume has become a holiday favorite at the Crown Theatre, Tickets are $12 for adults. Information: 484-3466.
- "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," December, Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Fayetteville. Information: 323-4233.
- The Rotary Christmas Parade, Dec. 8, beginning at 11 a.m. downtown Fayetteville. Civic groups, marching bands, organizations and pageant queens participate. Information: 309-1759.
January, 2008
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, Jan. 21, J.W. Seabrook Auditorium, Fayetteville State University. Information: 672-1474.
February, 2008
- Evening With The Stars Oscar Party, Feb. 24, Cameo Theater. A black-tie dinner and a more casual costume contest. Information: 486-9700.
- Ebony Fashion Fair, February, hosted by the Fayetteville Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Information: 823-4717.
March, 2008
- Eastern Carolina Craftsmen's Festival, March 8-9, Crown Coliseum complex, Fayetteville. Information: 483-2040.
- East Coast Step Show, March, Crown Coliseum, Fayetteville. Step teams from all over the East Coast are expected to compete. Information: 438-4100.
- Indian Festival, March, Crown Arena. The food, music and culture of India will be featured. Information: 438-4100.
- Fayetteville Blues Festival, March, Crown Center. Several bands are scheduled to perform. Information: 438-4100.
April, 2008
- Beach Music Festival, April 11, Crown Arena. Three bands are scheduled to perform. Information: 438-4100.
- 25th annual Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, Festival Park, downtown Fayetteville, April 25-27. Street fair, dancing, live music, food, arts and crafts. Information: 323-1934.
- Storytelling Festival of Carolina, Laurinburg, April 26-27. Nationally known and local storytellers at the historic John Blue House. Information: (910) 276-7316.
May, 2008
- Eastover Heritage Day, May. The Cumberland County community town celebrates its history with a parade, exhibits, music, food. and a car and truck show. Information: 483-6725.
- Sanford Pottery Festival, Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center, Sanford, May 3-4. Pottery from all over the Southeast, displays, techniques and music. Information: (919) 770-8002.
- Fort Bragg Fair, Fort Bragg fairgrounds, May 1-18. Rides, food, concerts and other entertainment over more than two weeks. Information: 396-6126.
- The 75th North Carolina Strawberry Festival, Chadbourn, May 2-3. Parade, historic homes tour, beauty queens, food and crafts. Information: (910) 654-4259.
- White Lake Water Festival, White Lake, May 16-18. Water skiing, parade, road race and art shows. Information: (910) 862-4800.
- Glory Days, downtown Fayetteville, May 26. Patriotic celebration. Information: 222-3382.
- Melfest Bluegrass Festival, White Lake, May 30-31. Bands from throughout the state will perform. Information: (910) 862-2416.
- Cross Creek Blues 'n Brews Festival, Campbellton Landing amphitheater on the banks of the Cape Fear River, May 31. Micro-brew tasting and live blues music. Information: 323-4234.
June, 2008
- Ammon Blueberry Festival, Bladen County, June 7. Pancake breakfast, parade, rides, crafts and antique car show. Information: (910) 588-4592.
- National Hollerin' Contest, Spivey's Corner, June 21. Information: (910) 567-2600.
- The 40th annual Lumbee Homecoming, Pembroke, late June or early July. Sports, pageants, crafts and food. Information: (910) 521-8602.
July, 2008
- Fourth of July festivities. Fort Bragg and the town of Hope Mills are among the communities celebrating the July Fourth with music, games and fireworks. Information: Call Fort Bragg at 396-6126 or Hope Mills at 424-4500.
- Seventh annual Blues Crawl, downtown Southern Pines, July. Call (910) 692-8501 or visit www.sunrisetheater.com.
Updated: August, 2007