Visitors and local residents alike will have unique opportunities April through November 2018 to experience homegrown creativity and flavors during the Rowan Arts & Ag series of events. From self-guided tours of farms and artisans, farm-to-table dinners, large outdoor festivals and more, there’s something for everyone.

“Be an Original” and spend weekends this year getting to know Rowan County, its farms and artists.

Rowan County Weather will be providing specific forecast for featured events during this year long celebration!

APRIL 2018

Saturday, April 7, 3-8 pm
Rowan Arts & Ag Beer Festival - FREE Event
Historic Gold Hill Village & Park, 735 St. Stephens Church Road, Gold Hill, NC 28071

Live music on two stages featuring bands performing "newgrass" music, food trucks, artisan vendors, kids' activities and much more!

Make it a weekend by booking an overnight stay in a Rowan County hotel/B&B/Airbnb/camping cabin and receive complimentary flights and pints at both Rowan County breweries. This special offer is available the entire month of April in celebration of NC Beer Month. Learn More

Friday, April 13, 9 am- 3 pm, geared towards students
Saturday, April 14, 9 am-3 pm, open to the public 
Tractors & Trains Festival - Ticketed Event
N.C. Transportation Museum, 1 Samuel Spencer Drive, Spencer, NC 28159

This railroading historic sites hosts antique farm equipment, modern tractors, a stage with live music, games and more for kids and adults.

Saturday, April 28, 9 am-4:30 pm
Century Farms & Barns Bus Tour - SOLD OUT

Explore the history of Rowan County's century farms and barns in this unique Historic Salisbury Foundation spring tour! 

MAY 2018

Saturday, May 12, 5:30-8 pm
Rowan Arts & Ag Farm to Table Dinner - Ticketed Event
Patterson Farm Market & Tours, Inc., 10390 Caldwell Road, Mt. Ulla, NC 28125

Join us for an evening filled with the sounds of music and the tastes of home. This farm to table dinner features a five-course meal made from locally sourced ingredients from right here in Rowan County, NC. Local wineries and breweries will be on site with their samples. Ensembles from the Salisbury Symphony will perform throughout the evening for your enjoyment. Don't miss this delightful evening under the stars on the farm! Proceeds will go towards arts and agriculture scholarships in Rowan County. Limited seating, while supplies last. $75/person or $125/couple. COMING SOON: Take advantage of our Stay & Play package for complimentary tickets.

Sunday, May 20, 3-7 pm
Riot at Walnut Hill - Ticketed Event
1090 Mountain Road, Cleveland, NC 27013

Join Bread Riot at the Vista at Walnut Hill for an afternoon of local food, music, beer and wine. $35/adult, $25/child. COMING SOON: Take advantage of our Stay & Play package for complimentary tickets.

JUNE 2018

Saturday, June 2, 9 am-5 pm
Sunday, June 3, 1-5 pm
Rowan Arts & Ag Farm Tour Weekend, a Self-Guided Tour - FREE Event

See first-hand where your food comes from, learn more about farm life, and purchase farm products.  Visit with artists and vendors and purchase their wares. Choose several sites to visit on your day in rural Rowan, but be aware you might not be able to see everything! Load up your car with friends and family and follow the map. Bring a cooler and pick up fresh veggies. With 40+ farms in Rowan County, agriculture is the county's second largest economy. 

JULY 2018

Saturday, June 2
3-7 pm Family activities, 7 pm Pre-show, 8 pm Concert
Pops at the Post - FREE Event
Salisbury Post. 131 W. Innes St., Salisbury, NC 28144

This popular outdoor venue for the Salisbury Symphony will sport an "agri" theme this year. Kids' activities and artist vendors will be added attractions to family picnics before the concert begins this year.

Saturday, July 21, 9 am-9:30 pm
Farmers Day Festival - FREE Event
Main Street, China Grove, NC 28023

A must-see event organized 37 years ago by the Town of China Grove to honor local farmers by inviting them to bring their produce to sell. Attendance is estimated at over 15,000 visitors. Over 150 booths line Main Street with arts and crafts, along with commercial vendors promoting displays of their products. Clowns, magicians, and bubbles delight children of all ages. Children's rides and games keep the young ones busy. Farmers Day is overflowing with free entertainment all day on the Main Stage in Hanna Park. You'll see displays of antique farm equipment, along with displays by farm equipment dealers and outdoor power equipment dealers. Street dance at 7 pm, followed by fireworks display.

AUGUST 2018

Saturday, Aug. 11, 5-9 pm
Brew & Choo Festival - FREE Event with Ticketed Train Rides
N.C. Transportation Museum, 1 Samuel Spencer Drive, Spencer, NC 28159

Featuring regional craft breweries and local brews from New Sarum Brewing Company and Morgan Ridge Railwalk Brewery & Eatery.

Saturday, Aug. 18, 9 am-3 pm
Woodleaf Tomato Festival - FREE Event
885 Woodleaf-Barner Road, Cleveland, NC 27013

The community of Woodleaf celebrates its tomato-farming heritage with a day of food, crafts, music, and special events including a tomato cook-off, tomato-eating contest and children's pageants.

SEPTEMBER 2018

Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15-16
Harvest Winery Tour - Ticketed Event

A Salisbury Historic Trolley tour of four area wineries with wine tastings, dinner and live music with an optional "Sip & Stay" overnight package.

OCTOBER 2018

Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 6-7
Autumn Jubilee - FREE Event
Dan Nicholas Park, 6800 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury, NC 28146

This annual festival attracts more than 45,000 visitors from across Rowan County and the state. Held the first weekend in October, the Autumn Jubilee celebrates the season with live music, food, and craft vendors.

Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 13-14
Theater at the Farm - Ticketed Event
Patterson Farm Market & Tours, Inc., 10390 Caldwell Road, Mt. Ulla, NC 28125
A collaborative event between Norvell Theater and Patterson Farm Market & Tours, Inc., this event is a special fall production at the farm. The farm's normal fall activities, including the corn MAiZE, will be available before or after the production.

Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 13-14
OctoberTour - Ticketed Event with Free Activities
Historic Salisbury Foundation, 215 Depot St., Salisbury, NC 28144

Historic Salisbury Foundation hosts one of the South's oldest annual historic home tours, offering visitors a chance to step inside Rowan County's notable historic private homes and landmarks.

NOVEMBER 2018

Saturday, Nov. 3, 12-5 pm
Kaleidoscope Arts & Ag Festival - FREE Event
NC Research Campus, 150 Research Campus Drive, Kannapolis, NC 28081

The closing event  of the yearlong celebration of farms and artisans will feature a chefs’ demonstration, live music, food trucks, vendors, wineries and breweries, and kids' activities.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ALL THE ROWAN ARTS & AG EVENTS AT WWW.ROWANARTSANDAG.COM.

If you attend an Arts & Ag event, please share photos with us on social media using hashtag #RowanArtsandAg.