It’s fall festival season. Check out these events in North Carolina’s Border Belt

By Ivey Schofield

iveyschofield@borderbelt.org

Fall is quickly approaching, and we all know what that means in North Carolina: festival season. 

Several festivals in Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties in the coming weeks will celebrate the region, from agriculture and food to music and family fun. 

The Border Belt Independent compiled a list of events to help you keep track of what’s happening and when. 

September

Kuumba Festival

Celebrate African American culture and heritage with food, arts and crafts, musicians, dancers, marching bands, choirs, poets and more. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. Main Street, Laurinburg, Scotland County.

Brunswick Stew Festival

Enjoy vendors, children’s activities, a parade, entertainment and food. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. 886 Prison Camp Road, Whiteville, Columbus County.

September Fest

For the first time, Triple T Raceway will host September Fest aimed at supporting small businesses with music, hayrides and food trucks. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. 11 Raceway Drive, St. Pauls, Robeson County.

Food Truck Festival

For the third year, food trucks, vendors and performers will set up at Biggs Park Mall from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. 2800 N. Elm St., Lumberton, Robeson County. 

Scotland County Highland Games

Embrace Scotland County’s Scottish heritage with whiskey tasting, performances, competitions, reenactments and other activities. 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1. 13043 X-Way Road, Laurinburg, Scotland County.

Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair 

Food, local artists and carnival rides are among the attractions at the nine-day event, from Friday, Sept. 30, to Saturday, Oct. 8. Gates open at 5 p.m. on weekdays, 11 a.m. on Saturdays and 1 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $8; free for children 4 and younger. Rides cost extra. Robeson Regional Agricultural Fairgrounds, 3750 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Lumberton.

October

Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair 

Food, local artists and carnival rides are among the attractions at the nine-day event, from Friday, Sept. 30, to Saturday, Oct. 8. Gates open at 5 p.m. on weekdays, 11 a.m. on Saturdays and 1 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $8; free for children 4 and younger. Rides cost extra. Robeson Regional Agricultural Fairgrounds, 3750 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Lumberton.

Pine Tree Festival

Enjoy food, craft vendors, a parade, drumlines and marching bands. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1. 221 S. 9th St., Bolton, Columbus County.

Fair Bluff River Strut Festival

This event is meant to increase awareness about health, beauty and wellness. Join a walk along the river, and enjoy yoga, line dancing, vendors, and food trucks. Friday, Oct. 7, and Saturday, Oct. 8. Riverside Drive, Fair Bluff, Columbus County.

NC Grape Festival

The 16th annual event will feature a grape stomp, live music, community yard sale, vendors, bounce houses, wine tasting, face painting and more. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. 438 Suggs-Taylor Road, Elizabethtown, Bladen County.

John Blue Cotton Festival

The annual John Blue Cotton Festival transforms Laurinburg into the 19th century with tours of historic homes, exhibits, antique tractors, pony rides, a mule-powered cotton gin, children’s games and food. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. 13040 X-Way Road, Laurinburg, Scotland County.

Columbus County Fair

There’s plenty to do at the Columbus County Fair during the second week of October, including a spelling bee, livestock show, performances, demo derby, talent competitions, rides, food and more. Tuesday, Oct. 11 through Sunday, Oct. 16. 886 Prison Camp Road, Whiteville, Columbus County. Tickets are $8. Midway rides cost extra.

Fairmont Farmers’ Festival

The town will celebrate with a parade, musical performances, face painting, food and more. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15. 421 S. Main St., Fairmont, Robeson County.

North Carolina Yam Festival

Enjoy street dancing, craft shows, a blood drive, food vendors, tractor show, parade, mascot race, pie eating contest and other entertainment. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. 101 E. Fifth St., Tabor City, Columbus County.

Beast Fest

Sightings of an elusive creature that killed livestock and pets in the 1950s in Bladenboro inspired the annual Beast Fest. Enjoy food, vendors, amusement park rides and arts and crafts. Friday, Oct. 28, and Saturday, Oct. 29. Main Street, Bladenboro, Bladen County.

November

NC Pecan Harvest Festival

Tour downtown Whiteville with a burger brawl, food, vendors, music, car show, parade and more. Thursday, Nov. 3, through Saturday, Nov. 5. Madison Street, Whiteville, Columbus County.

Pork and Beats Festival

Celebrate the region’s agricultural heritage with a barbecue competition, food, vendors and live music. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5. 106 Martin Luther King Drive, Elizabethtown, Bladen County.

Photo by Robeson County Fair