Know Before You Go: 2024 Cheerwine Festival
The time is finally here! The 2024 Cheerwine Festival returns to Salisbury on Saturday, May 18, from noon to 10 p.m.
This beloved yearly celebration welcomes is sure to be a day filled with fun and flavors. Highlights include:
- Live musical performances from a variety of bands
- Cheerwine-inspired food and drinks
- Two beer gardens featuring 12 local breweries, with 10 offering Cheerwine-infused beers
- Arts and crafts, including unique Cheerwine merchandise from over 100 artisans and vendors
- Family-friendly activities, perfect for attendees of all ages
- An informative Cheerwine history exhibit at the Rowan Museum
The festival is free to attend. Keep reading for everything you need to know before you go to the 2024 Cheerwine Festival.
Know Before You Go 2024 Cheerwine Festival
When:
Saturday, May 18
Noon – 10 p.m.
Where:
Downtown Salisbury, N.C.
Music Lineup:
- The Phoebes Band: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
- Braden Hull: 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
- TKG Experience: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
- Let’s Groove Tonight: 8:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Food Vendors:
There will be over 50 vendors from across the Carolinas serving a wide variety of dishes, many featuring the festival’s namesake Cheerwine. Expect BBQ, funnel cakes, ice cream, snow cones, tacos and more!
There will also be the opportunity to sample food for free at Food Lion’s “Taste of Carolina Originals” featuring favorites such as Cackalacky and Cook Out.
Beer Garden:
No festival is complete without beer. The Cheerwine Festival will feature 12 local breweries in two beer gardens, with several offering Cheerwine-inspired brews.
Free Shuttles:
Convenient shuttle service will be available from 11:40 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the Festival, offering pick-up and drop-off at the following locations:
- Catawba College: 2300 W Innes St, Salisbury, NC 28144
- Rowan-Cabarrus Community College: 1333 Jake Alexander Blvd S, Salisbury, NC 28146
- The Livingstone College School of Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts (ADA/Handicapped): 530 Jake Alexander Blvd. Salisbury, NC 28144
A shuttle map can be found here.
Additional Activities:
Visitors can also enjoy arts and crafts vendors, history of Cheerwine Trolley Tours (from noon- 6pm), a Cheerwine Historical Exhibit at the Rowan Museum, and a family fun zone including a moon bounce, rock wall, and entertainers!
For more information on the Festival, please visit http://cheerwinefest.com.
10 Brands You Know That Started In North Carolina
1. Cheerwine
Cheerwine was first created in 1917 by Salisbury, North Carolina by L.D. Peeler. The cherry soft drink is still going strong and celebrated its 100 year anniversary a few years ago with a festival in downtown Salisbury.
Learn more about Cheerwine
2. Mt. Olive Pickles
Mt. Olive was founded in the town bearing the same name back in 1926, with only a 3,600 square foot building and $19,500 in capital, according to their website. Today, Mt. Olive has grown to manufacture the best selling brand of pickles in the Southeast. In fact they just announced they are building a whole new facility in North Carolina.
Get more info on Mt. Olive Pickles here
3. Bojangles
The fast food chain known for it’s Cajun seasoning and Bo’berry biscuits Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits location in 1977 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Get more info about Bojangles
4. Cookout
Cookout, the fast-food chain best known for its iconic trays and numerous flavors of milkshakes originated in Greensboro in 1989.
Get more info on Cookout here
5. Krispy Kreme
If you have spent much time in North Carolina you are sure to recognize the Hot Doughnuts Now sign. Krispy Kreme was founded by Vernon Rudolph. The chain first opened in 1937 in what is now historic Old Salem in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Get more info on Krispy Kreme here
6. Lance
In 1913 Phillip Lott a food broker from Charlotte got stuck with 500 pounds of peanuts. He sold them and was then inspired to create the now popular snack company.
Get more info on Lance Crackers here
7. Pepsi
Pepsi dates back to New Bern, NC in 1893. It was first introduced as “Brad’s Drink” named after it’s founder, with the name Pepsi-Cola and eventually just Pepsi coming later.
Get more info about Pepsi here
8. Texas Pete
No, Texas Pete is not from Texas. Its origins are actually in North Carolina. It was created by the Garner family in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Get more info on Texas Pete here
