Mark your calendars for fun events happening this June across the state.
The Great Trent River Raft Race
June 7, 2025, New Bern
Head to Union Point Park in downtown New Bern this August to cheer on the racers at The Great Trent River Raft Race. The event will feature a paddle raft race, a pedal raft race and a manufactured hull race, with prizes and trophies awarded to first, second and third places. If you’d rather be on the water yourself, you can design, build and enter to race your custom raft creation in the “Anything That Floats” category.
The event will also feature entertainment as well as several food, crafts and commercial vendors. For more information, visit thegreattrentriverraftrace.com or call (252) 637-3111.
Juneteenth Celebration Festival & Soulful Sunday Celebration
June 18-22, 2025, Salisbury
The Salisbury-Rowan NAACP is hosting its annual Juneteenth Celebration Festival at Bell Tower Green in downtown Salisbury. In commemoration of the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States, the free Juneteenth Celebration Festival includes music, vendors, children’s activities and more.
For more details and a full schedule, visit facebook.com/SalisburyNAACP or email info@salisburyrowannaacp.org. For information about festival sponsorship and vendor opportunities, email info@salisburyrowannaacp.org.
Boonerang Music & Arts Festival
June 19-22, 2025, Boone
Enjoy a weekend of musical talent, art, local brews and great food at the annual Boonerang Music & Arts Festival in Boone. This free festival features performances on multiple concert stages, craft beer from local breweries, and an artist vendor market showcasing handmade crafts, pottery, jewelry, artwork and much more. There will also be food trucks, silent disco sessions on Friday and Saturday nights, and a Kids Zone with children’s concerts, face painting, crafts and other fun activities for the little ones. For more details and a complete lineup of this year’s performers, artists and activities, visit boonerangfest.com.
North Carolina Rhododendron Festival
June 20-21, 2025, Bakersville
Head to the mountain paradise of Bakersville this June for a two-day festival centered around the blooming of the beautiful rhododendron plant.
Just 12 miles north of Bakersville sits Roan Mountain and the world’s largest natural rhododendron garden. For more than 75 years, the annual Rhododendron Festival has drawn hundreds from across the state to enjoy festivities like a crafts fair, pageant, nightly square dancing in the town square, live music, children’s activities and much more. Be sure not to miss Saturday’s classic car show or the Annual Rhododendron 10K Run.
Visit ncrhododendronfestival.org or call (828) 688-4537 for more information.
State Annual Singing Convention
June 20-22, 2025, Benson
Johnston County is home to the oldest continuous gospel sing event in the nation.
What started with 200 people in a tobacco warehouse in 1921 now draws thousands to the small town of Benson (population 3,311). The sing is now held outdoors in an oak grove, with some seating provided, though spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. More than 50 amateur, semiprofessional and professional groups appear each year, and there’s no charge to view or participate in the sing, which kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday with round-robin singing. The Gospel Museum in Benson is also open during the singing convention weekend.
To learn more about how the competition works, visit gospelsingingconvention.org or call (919) 894-4389.
North Carolina Blueberry Festival
June 21, 2025, Burgaw
Get ready to paint the town blue!
Sweet blueberries are a top crop in North Carolina, and each year, the berry is celebrated in Burgaw during the North Carolina Blueberry Festival.
This family-friendly event celebrates the historic, economic and cultural impact blueberries have had on the state, specifically in Pender County, which was the first county to grow cultivated blueberries in the 1930s. Held the third Saturday in June, the festival is a day full of fun, entertainment and, of course, blueberries. The festival has something for everyone, including a street fair, barbecue cook-off and a 5k run.
For more information and directions, visit ncblueberryfestival.com or call (910) 259-2007.
Fireworks Over Historic Spencer Shops
June 28, 2025, Spencer
Enjoy a night of family fun at the N.C. Transportation Museum at the free Fireworks Over Historic Spencer Shops event on Saturday, June 29. The museum buildings and exhibits close at 5 p.m., and activities begin at 5:30 p.m. and wrap up with the fireworks show beginning at 9:15 p.m.
On display will be the Ride of Pride trucks from Daimler Trucks North America’s Cleveland, North Carolina, plant. Activities include a balloon twister, DJ music, cornhole and other lawn games. Guests are invited to take a ride in a World War II-era Dodge Weapons Carrier (small fee). All other activities are free. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.
Food Vendors include Roadway Dawg’s, The Old 97 Kettle Corn and Chill Shak.
