Sourwood scenes

Black Mountain festival comes to town for 45th year

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
August 14, 2023

Thousands of visitors strolled through the streets of downtown Black Mountain, Aug. 12 and 13, as the Sourwood Festival returned for its 45th year. 

The event, hosted by the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce, brought approximately 150 vendors, live music and more to the Swannanoa Valley.

Sourwood weekend kicked off Saturday morning, as regional and local crafters and artisans opened booths along Cherry Street, Sutton Avenue and Black Mountain Avenue. Local artisans and organizations, including the Black Mountain Center for the Arts, the Red House Gallery, the Black Mountain Public Library, the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center and the Black Mountain Beautifications Committee participated in the weekend festival, which featured performances by the Upbeats Ukulele Band, the Dark City Kings.

Taking its name from a distinct flavor of honey, produced by bees using pollen from the sourwood tree, the festival is the primary fundraiser for the nonprofit chamber of commerce, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The festival is organized by chamber staff and volunteers.

Photos of the 45th Annual Sourwood Festival can be viewed in the gallery at the top of the page.