BURGAW — A Pender County’s town annual summer festival will celebrate 21 years this June.
The North Carolina Blueberry Festival will take place June 14 and 15 in Burgaw’s historic courthouse square at 100 S Wright St. The event kicks off with a 7 p.m. concert Friday and continues throughout Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Pender is one of four counties — Bladen, Sampson and Duplin included — statewide that contribute to 90% of highbush blueberry production. The festival honors historic, economic, and cultural significance of blueberries grown in the southeastern region of North Carolina.
Free to the public, the festival attracts upward of 40,000 people annually. There will be 175 arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities, beer and wine, food, and live music, including beloved beach music from Band of Oz. Plus, there will be tons of blueberries and blueberry-featured items for sale.
Highlights of the event include a blueberry recipe contest, BBQ cookoff, car and truck show, and 5K race. Anyone wanting to register for the events or sign up to vend can do so here.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the festival is launched with the help of 100 volunteers. Proceeds from the festival support academic and sports-related school programs, medical clinics in schools, and other local charitable efforts including Meals on Wheels.
Learn more about the 2024 event here.
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