Tuck Fest takes what the Whitewater Center does throughout the year, and packs it into one weekend. The three-day festival celebrates the outdoor lifestyle through live music, nearly 150 clinics, yoga, competitions, exhibitions and demos. With its packed schedule and attendance, the weekend of April 24-26 warrants a little extra planning and preparation than your average weekend at the Whitewater Center.
The Whitewater Center welcomes everyone to enjoy the live music, demos, and view all competitions free of charge. Tuck Fest race registration is a one-time flat fee that grants access to all 35+ races and competitions throughout the three-day festival; the exception is the Deep Water Solo competition, which is invite only.
With such a packed schedule, Tuck Fest offers something for everyone, from hardcore outdoorspeople, to weekend warriors, to those who simply enjoy watching the action. Each Tuck Fest attendee has their own favorite events, but there are a few that are crowd favorites.
One of Tuck Fest’s most compelling events is the Deep Water Solo Competition. Offering a $15,000 cash purse, and drawing some of the top climbers in the world, this competition is held on the world’s first permanent Deep Water Solo wall. Check out seeding and open gym on Friday afternoon starting at 2:00pm and finals on Saturday starting at 4:30pm.
Tuck Fest would not be complete without its musical performances. This year features headlining acts Lake Street Dive, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, and ZZ Ward. Other acts include Ona, The Suffers, Neal Francis, Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, Bird Talker, Boy Named Banjo, Oliver Hazard, and Jade Bird.
There will be over 100 beers on tap during Tuck Fest. While the Pump House Biergarten, The Market Bar and River’s Edge are always options, cold drinks can also be purchased in the Trail Center, Kayak Center, and Outfitters. Take advantage of pop-ups and can bars all over the festival.
For food, don’t forget about the Pit and Land Yacht on the southern side of Belmont Abbey College Island, offering Southern BBQ and Tex Mex fare. The Pavilion will be offering food such as burgers, hot dogs, and french fries. The Market, Trail Center, Kayak Center and Outfitters also offer snacks such as trail mix, energy bars, and chips for a quick refuel.
If an elevated experience that features panoramic views, a private bar, catered meals, and private bathrooms is more your speed, contact the Whitewater Center for Terrace Access.
Tuck Fest features over 80 outdoor industry brands across numerous disciplines. Within the Vendor Villages, Tuck Fest attendees can explore new products and demo top-of-the-line gear such as mountain bikes and whitewater kayaks.
In seven years, Tuck Fest has grown from 14,000 attendees in 2013 to over 48,000 attendees in 2019. The name “Tuck Fest” comes from the Tuckaseegee Ford and Trail, a historical landmark located at the Whitewater Center. The Tuckaseegee Ford was known as the oldest crossing point on the Catawba River before it was dammed to create Lake Wylie.
Arrive early. Peak traffic times are typically in the late afternoon and evening before the musical headliners; Saturday is high traffic throughout the day. We welcome the use of Uber, Lyft, and other ride-sharing options. There will be a designated free ridesharing drop-off point on Whitewater Center Parkway
For more info on Tuck Fest, please visit: tuckfest.org.
