Sourwood Festival set for sweet summer fun

Annual Swannanoa Valley tradition brings entertainment for all ages to downtown Black Mountain

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
August 3, 2026

The 49th Annual Sourwood Festival will arrive, Aug. 8 and 9, in downtown Black Mountain, where thousands of visitors will shop with regional vendors and enjoy live entertainment. Photo by Fred McCormick

Thousands of visitors and local residents will descend upon downtown Black Mountain, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 8 and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 9, as an annual summer tradition returns to the Swannanoa Valley for its 49th year.

The 2026 Sourwood Festival, featuring artisans, crafters and activities throughout the district, will host a diverse array of family-friendly entertainment to celebrate the sweet Appalachian treat from which it takes its name.

Presented by the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce and staffed by dozens of local volunteers, the event will welcome approximately 110 vendors to Cherry Street, Sutton Avenue, Black Mountain Avenue and portions of Vance Avenue and Terry Estate Drive. The weekend, which coincides with the Kansas City Barbecue Society Battle in the Blue Ridge competition, hosted Friday, Aug. 7 and Saturday, Aug. 8 by the Asheville East KOA, will begin in Swannanoa with a Friday night fireworks display by PyroWright Fireworks.

“If you’re coming to town, there is something to do everyday this weekend,” said Shannon Howard, chair of the chamber’s marketing subcommittee for the festival. “You can find something to eat, shop for, do and enjoy, right here in the Swannanoa Valley.”

Sourwood will present a juried roster of vendors from throughout the region, with a focus on quality and variety, according to Howard. Artists representing a range of mediums, including canvas paintings, woodwork, leatherwork, glasswork and more, will occupy booths along five streets closed to vehicle traffic.

Entry to the Sourwood Festival is free to the public, which will enjoy a vast selection of food options, ranging from festival favorites like funnel cake to local downtown restaurants.

“So much of this event is about supporting our amazing local businesses by bringing visitors to the Valley for the weekend,” Howard said. “So, we definitely encourage people to stop in our local restaurants to grab something to eat and visit our shops, before, during and after the festival.”

Sponsored by Explore Asheville, with support from Givens Estates, Tyson Furniture, Best Buy Metals and the Town of Black Mountain, the Sourwood Festival will host a Kidzone near the intersection of Black Mountain Avenue and Terry Estate Drive. The venue will offer activities like Touch-A-Truck with large equipment, pin the tail on the bear, face painting and cornhole.

Reginal vendors will fill the streets of downtown Black Mountain, Aug. 8 and 9, as the Sourwood Festival returns for its 49th year. Photo by Fred McCormick

Live performances by local and regional musicians will be hosted on the stage erected in the public parking lot on Terry Estate Drive. The lineup includes shows by the Big Deal Band, Hunter Begley, the Perry Wing Band and Riversong. Local breweries and distilleries will be positioned in a beer garden near the stage, with access limited to guests 21 years old and over.

“The idea behind that whole area is to give people more reasons to come to the Sourwood Festival, beyond shopping,” Howard said. “People attending the festival can walk down there, listen to some live music and relax, or you can just head straight there and enjoy the shows all day.”

Shuttle services will be provided from the Black Mountain Ingles location, Kearfott and the Eastside Business Park.

While the Sourwood Festival will offer a mix of tradition and new attractions, the distinct amber-colored honey it celebrates will be in plentiful supply, according to Howard. The festival marks an opportunity to showcase the community’s hospitality while supporting the area businesses that reflect its character and charm.

“Our town and economy thrive on small businesses and tourism,” Howard said. “The Sourwood Festival is a reason that a lot of people know about Black Mountain and come here every year. A lot of local businesses, even if they’re not vending at the festival, are planning special promotions for the weekend, so this is an opportunity for them to benefit from the increased exposure this event brings to the Swannanoa Valley.”