July 21-23 North Carolina Watermelon Festival Fair Bluff The North Carolina Watermelon Festival is a family fun event where you can enjoy the best Carolina watermelons by the slice, participate in the festival parade, dances, contests and annual pageant. July 21-22 WNC BBQ Festival 2017 – Smokin’ In The Valley Maggie Valley With up to 40 cookers, this is a Barbecue (BBQ) Cooking Competition & Kansas City BBQ Society-sanctioned event. On Friday night, there is a local restaurant competition where you can be the judge. Saturday afternoon, visit the Tastin’ Tent to sample competitors’ entries. Daily events include arts & crafts, a kids corner and entertainment. July 21-22 N.C. Polynesian Festival Jacksonville Held at Onslow Pines Park, the event is a great family festival that offers games, food, rides, face painting and vendors. Guests will enjoy the very best in entertainment featuring Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian and fire dancers.July 21-22Burning Can FestivalHendersonvilleNorth Carolina celebrates canned craft beer in all its glory at this two-day outdoor festival at the Oskar Blues REEB Ranch. Attendees can purchase day, weekend, or camping passes to sip more than 50 brews from near and far, jam to live music, and participate in group kayaking, yoga, and bike rides in Dupont State Forest. There will even be a premier dirt bike jumping competition.July 21-23Craft Show of the Southern HighlandsAshevilleIn its 70th year, the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands returns to downtown Asheville’s US Cellular Center. Filling both the concourse and arena levels of the venue, makers exhibit a variety of craft ranging from contemporary to traditional in works of clay, wood, metal, glass, fiber, natural materials, paper, leather, mixed media, and jewelry. General admission is $8 and children under 12 are free. July 22 Lumber River Day Festival 2017 Orrum This festival on the Lumber River features canoe rides and races, booths and exhibits by the park, local craftsmen, children’s fishing and casting contests, bluegrass and country music, and other activities. Food vendors will be present or you can bring a picnic for you and your family. July 25-30 92nd Annual Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show Blowing Rock A Blowing Rock tradition since 1923, the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show is a US Equestrian Federation Heritage Competition and is one of the oldest horse show events in the country. Enjoy the spectacle and excitement of amateur and high-performance competitors: Saddlebred, Hunter-Jumper I, and Hunter-Jumper II division shows. Source: North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
