Burgaw mayor touts record-setting Blueberry Festival despite cell service issues

BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — The 23rd Annual North Carolina Blueberry Festival drew an estimated 40,000+ visitors to downtown Burgaw over two days, with town leaders calling the event another record-setting success despite some challenges with cellular service.

Burgaw Mayor Olivia Dawson said attendance figures are still being finalized, but early estimates indicate the festival was one of the largest in the event’s history.

“The festival was a tremendous success,” Dawson said. “We had great crowds, great weather and a lot of positive feedback from visitors and businesses.”

One issue that emerged during the Friday and Saturday event was limited cell phone service in parts of downtown Burgaw, creating difficulties for some vendors and visitors. Several vendors reported that electronic payments through services such as Venmo and PayPal were delayed or not processed due to connectivity issues.

Festival organizers had warned attendees before the event that cellular service could be limited and encouraged visitors to bring cash as a backup payment option.

The issue also drew attention on social media, where some residents questioned the town’s efforts to improve connectivity during major events. Dawson said the town had attempted to secure a temporary Verizon cellular tower for the festival but was unsuccessful.

“We are looking to get another tower here in town, so maybe in conjunction with that, they weren’t able to do that for us this year,” Dawson said. “On a good typical day, we’re already struggling with some good cellular service, especially in downtown Burgaw. It’s our old buildings or something that interferes, especially with the way cellular service works these days.”

Dawson said town leaders continue to work on long-term solutions to improve cellular coverage in Burgaw, particularly in the downtown area, where large crowds can further strain networks.

The festival also featured a change designed to accommodate its growing popularity. Wilmington Street was closed from Dudley Street past Courthouse Square, creating additional space for vendors and pedestrians.

According to Dawson, the expanded footprint allowed more vendors to participate while improving the flow of foot traffic throughout the festival grounds.

Local businesses also benefited from the increased attendance, Dawson said, with some reporting their busiest Blueberry Festival weekend on record.