Matthews Changes BeachFest to Summerfest, Plans Free 2-Day Festival for May

In a big change, Matthews, North Carolina, will turn its yearly festival into Summerfest, featuring two days of free entertainment at Stumptown Park next May 9-10.

Town leaders announced the change from BeachFest on March 12. This new name allows for more diverse music styles at the event.

The festival features six bands over both days. Music lovers can enjoy The Catalinas, punk rockers Spiderwebs, The Next Level Band's funky sounds, country rebels Smokey Jones & The Three Dollar Pistols, blues experts Blackwater, and beach favorites Captain Mike & the Shipwrecked.

Beer enthusiasts can try craft brews from familiar vendors Seaboard, Southern Range, and Edge City in special drinking areas.

Along with music, guests will enjoy spinning carnival rides, traditional midway games, plenty of food trucks, vendor booths, and local business displays. Novant Health-Matthews Medical Center is backing this community celebration.

Looking for freebies? Watch the Parks & Recreation Facebook page this spring. They'll host contests where you can win festival swag.

The park got its unique name from Matthews' history. In the 1800s, workers left lots of tree stumps while clearing the land, giving the town its funny nickname.

From small country roots with just 191 people in 1880, Matthews has grown into a bustling suburb of 30,000-plus near Charlotte.

Ten historic buildings, all on the National Register of Historic Places, sit close to the festival area in downtown Matthews. The town knows how to throw a party, their Matthews Alive festival draws 150,000 visitors each year.