August 2023
Festivals display a community’s culture through shared experiences around music, food, crafts and entertainment, creating unique memories for all of their attendees. These festivals in Burke County are staples to the culture of the area and are a fantastic way to introduce your family and friends to the best of our small towns.
In Valdese, every year in August, the town celebrates the Waldensians, a group of people who escaped religious persecution in Italy and eventually settled the town of Valdese. The local theater company, the Old Colony Players, acts 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 serving 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 11th and 12th of August. For more information visit www.visitvaldese.com/events/waldensian-festival/
This year the city of Morganton, the county seat of Burke County, will host the 41st Historic Morganton Festival. This festival takes place on September 8th and 9th. This year’s festival will feature three different stages for free music, including national touring act Red Clay Strays; dancers, acrobats, a kid zone with rides, and over a mile of arts and crafts vendors. For the full list of events visit morgantonfest.org
These great festivals are just a short drive away from the urban centers of North Carolina and could easily be made into day trips or short weekend getaways! For more information contact the visitor center at (828) 433-6793 www.discoverburkecounty.com
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