What to know about parking, events at the 2026 NC Blueberry Festival
The 2026 N.C. Blueberry Festival is June 19-20. Here’s what to know about parking, events and more.
If you’ve been hankering for fresh blueberries and blueberry-inspired treats, then you’re in luck. The annual North Carolina Blueberry Festival in Burgaw will be held June 19-20.
Since 2003, this popular festival has honored the history of blueberry farming in the Cape Fear region and celebrated the people and families that have grown blueberries for generations.
Taking place in downtown Burgaw, the festival will feature live music and entertainment, activities for children, local vendors — and, of course, blueberries!
“The NC Blueberry Festival is a celebration of agriculture, community, and everything people love about eastern North Carolina,” said Crystal Batts, executive director.
Here’s everything you need to know about attending.
What’s happening?
The North Carolina Blueberry Festival is free to attend and will begin on Friday, June 19 at 6 p.m. with the Blueberry Stomp, live entertainment, food trucks, and limited vendors until 10 p.m.
A full day of festivities will continue Saturday, June 20 with live music, arts and crafts vendors, kids’ activities, exhibits, and fresh North Carolina blueberries.
Alongside fresh blueberries, a huge variety of blueberry-flavored treats and even drinks will be available. Six live music performers are scheduled throughout the weekend.
If you plan on attending, here are some things to note.
- Coolers, tents, outside alcohol, drones, and loudspeakers are not permitted.
- Organizers are asking festival goers to leave pets at home due to large crowds and the heat.
- Restrooms, ATMS, and first aid will be available.
2026 Blueberry Festival Events
Alongside all the vendors, there are a number of events planned. Some of the major highlights include:
- Car show: A festival favorite, the open show includes all classes of cars and trucks. Registration runs from 8-11 a.m. on June 20, with judging beginning around 2 p.m.
- 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk: Both will begin and end in downtown Burgaw. The 5k will begin at 7 a.m. on June 20, while the 1-mile walk will begin at 7:05 a.m.
- Recipe contest: Prepared recipe dishes will be received at the Burgaw Depot on Friday, June 19 from 9-11 a.m. The winner will be announced on June 20 at 1 p.m.
- Horticulture tours: Tours will be offered to the research farm located in Castle Hayne, led by researchers from N.C. State University. They will discuss the work to develop new blueberry varieties as well as what’s being done to study and improve the health and nutritional value of blueberries.
Live music
- Freddy Tripp: Friday, June 19, 5:30-7 p.m.
- Landslide: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac: Friday, June 19, 7:30-10 pm.
- Band of Brothers: Saturday, June 20, 9:45-11 a.m.
- The Pink Slips: Saturday, June 20, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
- Carl Newton’s Review: Saturday, June 20, 3:30-6 p.m.
- The Embers ft. Craig Woolard: Saturday, June 20, 7-10 p.m.
Parking at the Blueberry Festival
Parking in downtown Burgaw will be limited on Saturday. A paid parking lot will be available at Rainbow International Restoration, 302 S. Dickerson St.
Two free shuttles will also be offered on Saturday for festival goers to park and ride.
- Pender Landing Shopping Center, 602 U.S. 117
- Pender County Government Offices, 801 S. Walker St.
Burgaw will also temporarily close several downtown roads to allow for increased foot traffic during the festival. More information can be found on Burgaw’s website.
Charlie Kingree is the Pender County and trending topics reporter for the StarNews. He can be reached at [email protected].
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.starnewsonline.com ’
