Welcome to our monthly guide to exploring Rowan County! As May unfolds, our charming corner of North Carolina comes alive with a plethora of events and activities to delight visitors of all ages. From Cheerwine Festival to pick-your-own strawberries and more, there's no shortage of reasons to make Rowan County your destination this month. Join us as we navigate through the exciting lineup of events, highlighting the best experiences that await you in our vibrant community.
Pick-Your-Own Strawberries at Patterson Farm
Now - While Supplies Last
A sweet adventure awaits you in Mount Ulla, North Carolina this spring where the air is sweet with the promise of ripe, juicy strawberries waiting to be picked at Patterson Farm! Whether you're a local or a visitor, embarking on a pick-your-own adventure at Patterson Farm is an experience not to be missed.
Jiggy with the Piggy Festival
May 2 - 5, 2023
Kannapolis invites you to get jiggy with the piggy once more this spring! Celebrating 10 years, the Jiggy with the Piggy Festival returns from May 2-5, 2024, featuring renowned barbeque tastings, food trucks, vendors, kid-friendly activities, and much more. This year, over 50 barbeque teams from across the nation will compete to win the top prize with their best recipes, making it one of the largest events sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society. And the best part? Attendees get to sample them all!
Central Carolina Quilt Fair
May 3 & 4, 2024
Don't miss this two-day, biennial quilt show that offers a quilted car and 150+ outstanding quilts presented by Salisbury-Rowan Quilters' Guild members! Lots of door prizes, giveaways, Granny's Attic boutique, a robust vendor mall complete with demonstrations, and lunch will be available on-site.
N.C. Museum of Dolls, Toys & Miniatures' Festival of Tables
May 4, 2024
Enjoy touring through a wide variety of beautifully decorated tables, each showcasing a unique theme and design! Then enjoy a delicious brunch to round out a lovely afternoon. Bring your appetite and your generosity, and join the N.C. Museum of Dolls, Toys & Miniatures for an unforgettable day! There’s nothing quite like the Festival of Tables!
Hippie Fest
May 11 & 12, 2024
Hippie Fest is a grassroots festival where free-spirited people from across the country gather to celebrate peace, love, and all things groovy! The festival will feature live music, bohemian shopping, vintage hippie car show, DIY tie-dye, giant bubble garden, sideshow performers, kids activities, delicious food, and more. It's groovy baby!
2024 Cheerwine Festival
May 18, 2024
If you're a fan of southern charm, live music, mouthwatering food, and, of course, the legendary cherry-flavored soda, then you're in for a treat. The Cheerwine Festival is a beloved annual event that brings together people from all walks of life to celebrate the rich heritage and irresistible taste of Cheerwine in Downtown Salisbury, N.C. This year's festival will be held on May 18, 2024 from noon to 10 P.M.
Historic Spencer Shops Train Show
May 18 & 19, 2024
Fun for the Whole Family! The Historic Spencer Shops Train Show features vendors with railroad memorabilia of all types: model train dealers, model train layouts, collectors, and more. The show takes place at the former Southern Railway Spencer Shops steam repair facility. Take a train ride around the 60-acre historic site, ride on restored railroad maintenance motor cars, and enjoy more fun for all ages.
Lester J. Brown Antique Truck Show
May 18, 2024
Come see antique pickups, fire trucks, flatbeds, military trucks, tow trucks, road tractors, and more. Join us on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 9 A.M. – 3 P.M. This event is hosted by the Piedmont Carolina Chapter of the American Truck Historical Society. Museum admission is required.
24th Annual Group Gold Hill Bike Ride for Life
May 25, 2024
It’s that time again! We’re excited to host our 24th Annual Ride for Life, brought to you by The Gold Hill Historic Preservation Society, Inc. (GHHPS) and Group Gold Hill. Last year’s ride was rained out, so we can’t wait for good weather this year to get back at it. There will be 25K, 50K and 100K routes and, new for this year, a partial gravel option as well!
Historic Gold Hill's 200th Anniversary Celebration
May 31 - June 2, 2024
Historic Gold Hill is excited to be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the first gold discovery in Gold Hill, North Carolina and 200 years of gold mining history. A community-wide event is scheduled for May 31 – June 2, 2024 in celebration. Games and more celebrating their 200th Anniversary!
If you’re looking for more fun activities in Rowan County, don’t forget that baseball season is HERE! The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers have tons of home games this season, and we're giving away tickets to all of them. Check out how to enter our giveaway on our Cannon Ballers Ticket Giveaway blog post.
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