Burgaw preparing to host thousands for the 22nd Annual North Carolina Blueberry Festival

BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — Thousands of people are expected to show up for the 22nd Annual Blueberry Festival in Burgaw this weekend.

The festival will take place on and around Burgaw’s historic courthouse square, located at 100 S Wright Street.

The kickoff concert begins Friday at 7 p.m. featuring The Tams.

On Saturday, there will be activities from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The event is free to the public, and includes more than 175 artisan vendors, fresh local blueberries for sale, children’s activities, beer and wine, delicious food, and more live music from well-loved Chairman of the Board.

The festival features a recipe contest, blueberry farm tour, 5k race, Tour De Blueberry and car and truck show.

For the safety and comfort of guests, festival organizers say you should not bring your pets to the event. However, service animals specifically trained to aid a person with a disability are welcome.

The North Carolina Blueberry Festival is a heritage celebration that brings together the community by honoring the historic, economic, and cultural significance of blueberries grown in the southeastern region.

Proceeds from the festival are used to provide educational scholarships to students residing in the blueberry producing counties of Bladen, Duplin, New Hanover,
Pender, and Sampson.

Further, proceeds are utilized to support academic and sports related school programs, medical clinics in schools, and other local charitable efforts including Meals on Wheels.

The North Carolina Blueberry Festival Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. More than 100 volunteers worked together to make the festival possible. For more details about the festival, go to www.ncblueberryfestival.com.