Join Morganton in celebrating 35 years of the Historic Morganton Festival sponsored by Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge! The free festival features three national country acts, four stages, fun, games, and food for all ages, plus over a mile and a half of arts & craft vendors from all over the country!
This is your invitation to "come and play in the streets" of downtown Morganton during the 35th Annual Historic Morganton Festival presented by Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge on September 9 & 10! Famous for its mile and a half of arts and crafts, the Historic Morganton Festival always offers free outdoor concerts, featuring a different national Country Music Star for the finale each night. Stay connected to www.morgantonfest.org for the latest news and information.
The weekend begins on Friday, September 9 at noon when the infamous Food Court tempts your taste buds with succulent aromas of gyros, BBQ, "chicken on a stick", French pastries, homemade ice cream and much, much more. At 3:00pm the streets come alive with fun and excitement!
The ever popular Food Lion Kids Zone and Teen Zone will open with ticketed rides and games along with the FREE craft area known as Litter Critters, for children, grades 5th and under.
Friday night, the music begins on the Coors Light Stage in the Beer Garden at 6:30pm with "Red Dirt Revelators" (Blues) followed by the wildly popular Throw Down Jones (rock).
City Stage will host National Country Music Artists, "Mo Pitney" and "Chase Bryant" starting at 8:00pm.
Start Saturday morning at 8:00 am with a 5k or 10k by participating in the Sunrise Run on the Greenway! The Student Fitness Challenge by Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge and 1 mile Fun Run/Walk starts at 9:30am. Students should pre-register with their Physical Education teachers for the Student Fitness Challenge (elementary and middle school's only); adults can pre-register for the 5k, 10k or 1 mile Fun Run/Walk on-line at www.morgantonfest.org. The course has been certified and will be chip-timed!
After your run, head to the Festival where booths open at 9:00am with even more artists and crafters than on Friday. Throughout the day there are activities for the entire family.
Saturday evening, the streets will again heat up with live music at the Coors Light Stage hosting local favorites Sweet Revenge (classic rock) and The Roadrunnerz (rock).
City Stage features National Country Music Artist, Love & Theft!
All concerts are free.
Be a part of this memory making event and mark your calendars for a great weekend of fun, September 9 & 10 in downtown Morganton. The festival is an animal-free event and will go on rain or shine. For a complete listing of all the events including the Sunrise Run, music acts, shuttle bus routes, and more, call 828-438-5252; by email at info@morgantonfest.org; or check out the website www.morgantonfest.org.
Submitted by Abby Gentry