Each year, we love watching the Sourwood Festival take over downtown Black Mountain, filling the streets with music, dancing, art, and more. If you have a sharp eye you might spot the antique Sourwood Festival posters that we proudly display in our store.  

For nearly 40 years the Sourwood Festival has offered wholesome fun for adults and children. Last year approximately 30,000 people visited Black Mountain during the festival weekend. The Sourwood Festival will be held the year on August 13th weekend and will be open from 9am to 8pm on Saturday and 9am to 5pm on Sunday.

Parking

Parking can be complicated during the festival weekend. Several streets are closed: Black Mountain Avenue, Sutton Avenue from State Street to Hwy 9/Montreat Road/Broadway Avenue, and Cherry Street. Public parking next to the SunTrust Bank fills early Saturday morning so you might need to be a little creative.

There is public parking at the corner East State Street and Richardson Boulevard in front of the Chamber of Commerce. You may also find street parking on Church Street, N Dougherty Street, Richardson Boulevard, and S. Ridgeway Avenue. One of the easiest options is to park at Ingles and walk downtown. 

Cool Off

The temperature is predicted to be a whopping 90 degrees on Sunday! The entire festival is outside so make sure to stay hydrated and keep to the shade. If you’re looking for a family-friendly place to beat the heat and grab a treat, head to Kilwin’s off West State Street.

Another local favorite for ice cream is the Dairy King (aka Blue Cone) which is just west of downtown. Although, make sure to bring cash because they don’t accept cards.

The Dripolator is another nice spot. It has free Wifi, A/C, and some of the best iced coffee in Western North Carolina.

Places to Eat

If you want to explore the local Black Mountain restaurant scene and have a sit-down meal out of the heat, here are a few suggestions of places to check out:

Within Walking Distance

• Louise’s Kitchen is a house turned restaurant with a sweeping front porch as well as an inside seating area. Priding itself for its local food sources, you’ll find a creative twist on traditional dishes.
• Trailhead has all the standard of great pub and more. They also have creative and bright salads and some of the best fried chicken in town.
• Take the stairs off Cherry street to get to Black Mountain Ale House‘s great patio. They have a great selection of local food and local beer.
• Veranda Cafe & Gifts has some of the best sandwiches. Our favorite is the Cranberry Turkey.
• My Father’s Pizza is another great choice with pizza, pasta, subs, and salad options that are sure to please everyone in your group.

A Stone’s Throw Away, but Worth the Drive

• Ole’s Guacamoles is an authentic Mexican kitchen. Founded by Ole and Elena Delatorre in 2006, Ole’s Guacamoles has become a staple in Black Mountain.
• The Artisan in Cheshire Village has a gourmet market, wine and coffee bar, and a delicious breakfast and lunch menu.
• Sake Sushi serves sushi and Japanese cuisine. The spicy crab cake salad is a light and refreshing salad perfect for a break from the sun. If you’re looking for a heartier option, the bento box provides a little taste of everything.   
• If you’re in the mood for the true Southern culinary experience, Okie Dokie’s Smokehouse is the place for you. They use the traditional wood-smoked method of BBQ to ensure that all of their dishes are infused with flavor the old fashioned way.

Events

While the weekend of the Sourwood Festival will be full of fun, family-friendly events, look out for these three:

• Aug 12 – (7:30pm) The Sourwood Idol Contest is the annual singing competition that has been a part of the festival since 2005.
• Aug 13 – (8:30am) The 28th Annual Sourwood 5K and Cheshire Pump & Run will kick off at the Cheshire Fitness Club, more info here.
• Aug. 13 (6pm-9pm) – Roberta Baum, a jazz singer will perform at unWine’d at Mellie Mac’s which is at 304 W. State Street. It is a free event and open to all ages.

Town Hardware and General Store

As Black Mountain’s general store, we have everything you could need to fully enjoy the festival. We are stocked up on supplies to keep you cool, dry, and shaded so that you can maximize your fun. Most importantly, we have the perfect festival souvenir–Sourwood Honey!

Festival necessities in-stock include:

• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Umbrellas
• Hats
• Sweatshirts
• Cold sodas and free water

We are open Saturday 8am to 6pm and Sunday 12pm to 5pm.