7 Harvest Festivals In North Carolina That Will Make Your Autumn Awesome
By Carolyn Harmon|Published August 18, 2023
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Carolyn Harmon
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Under Brown Mountain Lights the Beast of Blandenboro wanders this magical land where lighthouses shine on kingdoms only accessible by ferries. A Lost Colony of legends and pirates revealed in historical sites and majestic mountains with views that make us weep. The home of handmade sculptures and scrumptious cuisine. North Carolina leaves this long-time writer and artist breathless with endless surprises, including the unlikely warmth a winter walk on the beach can bring.
It isn’t autumn until we’ve tasted, smelled, played, and elbowed our way into a pie-eating competition at the harvest festivals in North Carolina. Enjoy the interesting cultures displayed through arts and crafts, home-baked desserts, dancing, and singing. This list of seven is just a small fraction of the fun upcoming events in the Tar Heel State. But it gets us thinking about and planning our next fall adventure.
1. Yadkin Valley Harvest Festival (Sept. 16)
Yadkin Cultural Arts Center, 226 E Main St Studio C, Yadkinville, NC 27055, USA
Enjoy the fun activities this annual festival offers, including food, vendors, artists, inflatables, live music, and agricultural displays. For the full event lineup, visit the Yadkin Valley Harvest Festival web page.
2. Farmers Fall Festival, Cary (Sept. 23)
Downtown Cary Park, 319 S Academy St, Cary, NC 27511, USA
The harvest season is worth celebrating here during the first crisp days of fall. Live music allows us to show off our dancing skills. The kids' performance area is a big hit, along with great games, interactive exhibits, local food and craft beer, art and crafts, and even a pie-eating contest. Discover more on the Farmers Fall Festival web page.
The exciting schedule of events begins with a parade, followed by a Kids' Village, an American Legion presentation, stage performances, and food vendors.
Visit the Wendell Harvest Festival web page for the details.
4. Stecoah Fall Harvest Festival, Robbinsville (Oct. 20 and 21)
Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center, 121 School House Rd, Robbinsville, NC 28771, USA
A two-day festival celebrates everything fall, with food, music, art and craft vendors, a country fair, and a quilt show. Discover more on the Stecoah Fall Harvest Festival web page.
This impressive Apple Festival attracts about 35,000 attendees and hosts over 400 booths. Ride a ride, eat something homemade, and dance the night away with the live entertainment. Read more on the Taylorsville Apple Festival web page.
6. North Carolina Pecan Harvest Festival, Whiteville (Nov. 3 and 4)
South Madison Street, S Madison St, Whiteville, NC 28472, USA
Attention car lovers, in addition to the delicious food, live music, and vendors, fabulous vintage vehicles will be on display. But our favorite part about this festival is the old-fashioned pecan pie contest.
Find out how to enter on the North Carolina Pecan Harvest Festival website.
7. Clayton Harvest Festival, Clayton (Oct. 26-29)
Enjoy thrilling Midway Carnival Rides and Games, a talent contest, yummy food truck meals, and craft beer. Also, Family Night is so exciting with a Kid’s Trunk-or-Treat event and a movie night, watch the Squealin’ on the Square BBQ Contest, and indulge in the Vendor Fair. Park at Clayton High School and a bus will drop you off at Town Square. Read all about it on the Clayton Harvest Festival website. Here’s some footage to give a real taste of what’s to come.
Welcome in the crisp, cool season with one of these harvest festivals in North Carolina. While you’re there, check out the local hiking trails.
