The Ayden Collard Festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary from September 5th-7th, and it’s not one to miss! This year's festival will feature all of your favorite events, including the Collard Eating Contest, the Collard Parade, and live music from various artists on Saturday night. There will also be carnival rides and games, a foam party for kids, aerial circus performances, and a variety of food vendors offering classic festival bites and your favorite collard dishes!
The festival kicks off on Thursday with a Backyard Bandits Cruise at 4 p.m. Afterward, vendors and carnival rides will run from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m! That night, enjoy live music from Spare Change and a foam party for the kids!
Friday festival hours are also from 5pm to 10pm, with roaming performances by the Imagine Circus Rovers from 7pm to 9pm and a performance by the Soul Psychedelique Orchestra at 7pm.
Saturday is the festival's main day, with festival hours from 9am to 10pm! The day kicks off with the Collard Festival Parade at 10am! The rest of the day is filled with entertainment such as circus rovers and stilt walkers, the Collard EatingContest at 2pm, and live performances by artists such as Carolina Heat, Leave(99), and Capt. Mike and the Shipwrecked Band.
For a full schedule of events, click here.
Here are some tips for making the most of your trip to the Ayden Collard Festival:
Plan to eat lots of collards!
Bring sunscreen, as it can get hot during the day.
Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
Be prepared for a lot of fun!
50th Anniversary Specialty Chocolate
In collaboration with Jenni's Ugly Chocolates and The State You're In, a brand new chocolate flavor will be available at Gwendy's Goodies during the Ayden Collard Festival The Southern Collard Green Chocolate Bon Bon is a unique creation that combines the rich and earthy flavors of collard greens with the sweetness of chocolate, this Bon Bon is infused with a secret seasoning blend from a local friend chicken chain and is topped off with a touch of vinegar zip, making the treat a perfect balance of savory and sweet!
Live Music Info:
The Ayden Collard Festival has headlining artists each night of the festival at 7pm.
Thursday: Spare Change
Friday: Soul Psychedelique Orchestra
Saturday: Capt. Mike and the Shipwrecked Band
Carnival Info:
Thursday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Friday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Saturday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Wristbands are available for purchase for $25
If you need handicapped parking assistance call Herbie Carson at (252)-531-3313
Photos Courtesy of the Ayden Collard Festival
