Burgaw Autumn Fest returns Saturday with costume contest, live music and family activities
BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — Downtown Burgaw is preparing for a day of fall festivities as Autumn Fest returns Saturday, Oct. 17, with live music, races, food vendors and Halloween-themed activities.
The family-friendly event, organized by Burgaw Parks, Recreation and Tourism, will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Courthouse Square.
The festival will feature craft vendors, food trucks, pumpkin decorating, axe throwing, games and activities for children.
Families are encouraged to bring children dressed in Halloween costumes to trick-or-treat with participating vendors and enter the kids costume contest.
The day’s activities will begin before the festival officially opens, with the Graveyard 5K starting at 8 a.m. on Fremont Street.
The race takes participants through Burgaw, including the Osgood Canal Greenway and Urban Trail and a section of Burgaw Cemetery, where some graves date back to the 1860s. The 5K is also stroller-friendly.
The Boo-Gaw Trick or Treat One-Mile Fun Run will follow at 9 a.m., with candy available from vendors around Courthouse Square for young runners and walkers after the race.
A pizza-eating contest will take place at noon on the main stage. Participants will race to finish a 10-inch pizza, with registration limited to 10 contestants. Entry is free.
The kids costume contest begins at 1:30 p.m. Children who want to participate should meet in front of the main stage at 1:25 p.m.
Contestants will be divided into four age groups: 0-3, 4-6, 7-10 and 11-14. The top three participants in each age group will receive Halloween prizes.
Live entertainment will also be featured throughout the day, including performances by Dear Maribella and the Pigkickers, the No Sleeves Magic Show and Shannon Baker & sometime soon.
Autumn Fest schedule
- 8 a.m.: Graveyard 5K begins — Fremont Street
- 9 a.m.: Boo-Gaw One-Mile Fun Run begins — Fremont Street
- 9:30–10 a.m.: 5K awards — Main stage
- 10 a.m.–noon: Dear Maribella and the Pigkickers — Main stage
- Noon–12:30 p.m.: Pizza-eating contest — Main stage
- 12:30–1:30 p.m.: No Sleeves Magic Show — Main stage
- 1:30–2 p.m.: Kids costume contest — Main stage
- 2–4 p.m.: Shannon Baker & sometime soon — Main stage
Organizers say the schedule is subject to change.
Registration for the Graveyard 5K and Boo-Gaw One-Mile Fun Run is available through RunSignup.
