NC Blueberry Festival

The NC Blueberry Festival is held every year in Burgaw, NC. It’s a full-on blueberry extravaganza complete with a pie eating contest. The festival may be smaller than some of the others I have been too, but it’s well organized and has everything you need for a fun afternoon.

There are tons of local vendors and plenty of blueberries to purchase. You can make a weekend of it and head to Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, or Carolina Beach.

Several colorful tents along a street with vendors selling food. People are lined up in front of the tents. The front one is a red tent with letters showing is sells homemade ice cream. There are large flags in front with an ice cream cone cartoon character.

Festival Food

The festival sports local food trucks and the usual festival fare trucks with fried dough, fried Oreos, and other fun food. It can get hot and if you find yourself in need of a cool drink, try a muscadine grape cider slushy, I promise it will hit the spot. Not too sweet, not too tart, and ice cold.

Several local restaurants also remain open. Harvey’s Deli and Tavern was a big hit with the locals. Their pizza is excellent. Burgaw Brewing was also open with a line out the door.

Red classic car with wheels that have yellow along the inside rim. There are other red cars behind it. They are parked in a grassy field.

Festival Activities

The Blueberry festival has a classic car show, kids’ zone, a few midway rides, and a pie eating contest. For the pie eating contest, there’s a round for contestants under 12 with a small pie, and anyone 13 and over can tackle a full-size blueberry pie.

Don’t be shy. Contestants sign up on the spot and it looked like a lot of fun. They give everyone a plastic bib and there are plenty of wipes handy for the aftermath.

If gobbling down pie isn’t your speed, try signing up for a Blueberry Farm Tour. There’s a small fee, but it’s well worth it.

When it comes to local vendors, this small festival packs them in. You’ll need to pace yourself because it’s easy to spend a lot of money. There are some talented locals with everything from blueberry baked goods, to skincare, to drink cups, to dog bowls, to everything.

The beer and wine garden is huge and lcoated right by the main stage. Festival goers over 21 can grab a glass of wine or a cold beer and sit under a tent while listening to some great bands play.

Festival Events

It wouldn’t be a North Carolina festival without a 5k run and 1 mile walk. Plus, there is a Tour de Blueberry for the cyclists.

Man standing under a tent selling packs of blueberries. There are several pint containers in wooden boxes. Other vendors under tents are in the background.

Tips for First Timers at the Festival

Since the festival falls towards the end of June and it’s on the east coast, it can get hot. Like 100 degrees F hot. Bring plenty of water and toss a few ice cubes in.

You’ll also want sunscreen. While there are some shaded areas, you are certain to get sunburned without protection.

No dogs are allowed at the festival. While you will see a few, the organizers try to uphold the rule. It’s for the safety of the animals and it really is best to keep them at home.

Bring a chair to enjoy the music. There’s plenty of shade near the stage and it seems like a popular place to hang out for the day.

Parking and When to Arrive

Parking is easy. There are two lots with shuttles noted on the festival website. I will note that the signage isn’t great. I wasn’t sure I was in the right place, but a couple showed up and said they park in that lot every year. About 5 minutes later, the shuttle showed up. There were plenty of spaces when I arrived at 1 pm.

Most people park along the streets close to the festival. IThere was plenty of room along the side of the road. Just don’t park anywhere with a sign saying, “no parking”.

There are handicap less than a block from the festival.

Since it’s so hot, you may want to come in the morning when it starts or wait until the evening. The festival runs until 10 pm.

Sunscreen and Water

As I mention above, wear sunscreen. I missed a spot and got burned. You’ll also want plenty of water. Preferably ice-cold water. While water can be purchased, you’ll want a lot so bring a giant insulated cup.

Vendors under white tents with one blue tent. They are pitched in the grass on either side of a sidewalk leading to a red brick colonial building that serves as the County Courthouse.

Navigating the Festival with Groups

This is one of the easiest festivals to navigate with a group. While the vendors are along sidewalks, making it a bit cramped with people coming and going, the festival is small and it’s easy to stay together.

Final Thoughts about the Festival

The NC Blueberry Festival in Burgaw, NC is small but mighty. It’s efficiently run and has everything you want in a festival without feeling overwhelming.

I was impressed that the Pie eating contest started less than 5 minutes after the band up before the contest performed their last song. The organizers had a table up front, asked for contestants, got names and had the pies ready to go.

The bands were also very good. This is clearly a festival where people come prepared with blankets and chairs and plan to hang out.

I would plan a trip to Wilmington, NC or one of the NC beaches and make the NC Blueberry Festival part of a fun weekend vacation.