Burke County, NC
Festivals are one of the main ways that we celebrate heritage and things of importance in Burke County. There are three big festivals coming up over the next two months that warrant a place on your calendar.
For those interested in craft beverages, the State of Origin Brew Fest is one to add to your bucket list. Featuring breweries, wineries, distilleries, cideries and kombucha makers from all over the country that continuously create liquids with local ingredients. They aim to highlight brewers that focus on thoughtful and seasonal ingredients in their fermentation process. This event will be held August 6th from 5 to 9pm in downtown Morganton. For more information or tickets visit fontaflora.com/stateoforigin/.
In Valdese, every year in August, the town celebrates the Waldensians, a group of people who escaped religious persecution in Italy and eventually settled Valdese. The local theater company, the Old Colony Players, act out an outdoor drama called From This Day Forward, that beautifully tells the story of the Waldensians in their pursuit of freedom. You can see it each Friday and Saturday from mid July to the second week in August when it culminates with the Waldensian Festival. The Waldensian Festival honors Waldensian Tradition by highlighting local craft vendors, hosting their annual bocce tournament and servicing their delicious food. The festival also includes live music, a classic car show on Friday, amusement rides, and more. Everything will take place in downtown Valdese this year on the 12th and 13th of August. For more information visit www.visitvaldese.com/events/waldensian-festival/
Morganton, the county seat of Burke County, also has a big festival every year called the Historic Morganton Festival. Listed as a Top 20 Event for 2021 by the Southeast Tourism Society, this is a must-do event. Taking place the 9th and 10th of September, this year’s festival will feature concerts on Friday nights followed by local artisans, jugglers, stilt walkers, and more on Saturday. For the full list of events visit morgantonfest.org/
Burke County, North Carolina has an adventure for everyone. For more information about the above activities or more happening here, visit www.discoverburkecounty.com
