Sourwood Festival to celebrate 45th year of summer sweetness
Chamber of commerce event will welcome thousands of visitors to downtown Black Mountain
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
July 21, 2023
Tens of thousands of visitor will descend on downtown Black Mountain, Aug. 12 and 13, as the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce hosts the 45th Annual Sourwood Festival. Photo by Fred McCormick
An annual tradition, hosted by the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce, will welcome tens of thousands of visitors downtown, Saturday, Aug. 12 and Sunday, Aug. 13, as the Sourwood Festival returns for its 45th year.
The family-friendly summer trade fair, which will feature approximately 150 vendors in booths on Cherry Street, Sutton, Black Mountain and Vance Avenues, is the largest annual event in the Swannanoa Valley.
Borrowing its name from the uniquely flavored and aromatic Appalachian honey, the Sourwood Festival debuted in 1977. Nearly five decades later, it remains the primary fundraiser for the nonprofit chamber, according to executive director Sharon Tabor.
“If it wasn’t for the Sourwood Festival, we wouldn’t be able to operate. Many people don’t realize the chamber is a dues-based organization, not a tax-based one. We do receive a contribution from the town for the Visitor Center, but that goes toward maintenance, upkeep and utilities,” Tabor said of the chamber, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. “The dues and profits from Sourwood pay for personnel, so we’re highly dependent on the festival to keep the doors open.”
The two-day event, which features a petting zoo, pony rides and musical performances at venues on Black Mountain Avenue and Cherry Street Square, will take place from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., Aug. 12 and 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Aug. 13.
Honey will be plentiful, while a beekeeping demonstration will be exhibited through the duration of festival, according to Tabor.
Beekeeping demonstrations and sourwood honey will return to downtown Black Mountain, Aug. 12 and 13, when the Sourwood Festival returns for its 45th year. Photo by Fred McCormick
“Southern Buzz N Honey will set up near the public parking lot on Sutton Avenue,” she said. “And, we’ll have a honey vendor on every street, because the honey is really what this event is all about.”
Regional and local crafters will offer a wide variety of wares, ranging from jewelry, pottery, art and more.
“We had great weather last year, so the vendors had a phenomenal festival,” Tabor said. “So, many of them, who come from as far away as Florida, Georgia, S.C., Tennessee and right here in WNC, were eager to return this year.”
Organizers are introducing two new outdoor dining destinations, with a primary food court in the public parking area on Sutton Avenue and a secondary location in the public lot south of the railroad tracks. Tours of the red caboose on the opposite side of the track will be hosted by the Old Depot Association.
“We’re excited the association is taking people inside of the caboose,” Tabor said. “Everybody loves trains, so this will be a neat experience for people.”
Multiple local organizations will host Sourwood activities, including the Black Mountain Public Library Book Sale, which will be held from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Aug. 12, and the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center’s children’s craft workshop from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The work of local artists of the Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League will be featured both days at the Red House Studio, while the Black Mountain Center for the Arts will host a glass blowing demonstration, if the weather allows.
The 2023 Sourwood Festival boasts a busy musical lineup, with live performances by a variety of artists throughout, including local acts like the Upbeats Ukulele Band and the Dark City Kings.
The 45th Annual Sourwood Festival, which is returning to downtown Black Mountain, Aug. 12 and 14, will feature live music venues on Black Mountain Avenue and Cherry Street Square. Photo by Fred McCormick
“Our volunteer who organizes the music really focuses on keeping the performances as diverse as possible,” Tabor said. “We have a jazz band coming in from Charlotte, and two young blue grass bands who will perform on Saturday morning.”
Approximately 50 chamber of commerce volunteers will begin setting up the festival on Thursday, according to Tabor, while additional volunteer opportunities remain available.
“We still need people who can watch the vendors' merchandise on Friday night, as they unload and park,” she said. “We have the Montreat College track and field and Owen wrestling teams helping with that, but we could still use more.”
Free parking for the festival will be available at 205 N.C. 9 and in the Black Mountain Ingles parking lot, where attendees will have access to a shuttle service. The chamber anticipates thousands of visitors for Sourwood weekend.
“Everybody loves a festival, which is a big reason Sourwood has become so popular over the years,” Tabor said. “It brings our community together, and it’s a way to bring people to town who might not come here without it. Not only does it support our local businesses by bringing a lot visitors to Black Mountain, it’s truly a tradition that shows some of the very best of this community.”
For a complete list of vendors, activities and live music in the 2023 Sourwood Festival, visit the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce website, exploreblackmountain.com.