By Steve Monday, Chief Forecaster – Rowan County Weather

SALISBURY, NC — The countdown is on! The 2025 Cheerwine Festival rolls into downtown Salisbury on Saturday, May 17th, and I’m excited to return on-site as your go-to weather guide for one of the biggest events of the year.

As always, I’ll be keeping a close watch on the skies and providing live updates throughout the day so festivalgoers can enjoy all the fun while staying safe and weather-aware.

Local Talent on Full Display

Before we talk weather, let’s shine a spotlight on one of the most exciting festival traditions: the Cheerwine Festival T-Shirt Design Contest. This year’s winning design comes from Katelyn Roberts, a 12th grader at West Rowan High School, whose artwork beautifully captures the heart and heritage of Cheerwine and the Carolinas.

In her own words:

“I included parts of NC to show how far Cheerwine reaches out through our community. I also included old ads and the old factory to show how involved [Cheerwine] is in our history.”

Well done, Katelyn—and a big shoutout to her visual arts teacher, Kimberly Nance, for encouraging creativity and hometown pride. You can pre-order Katelyn’s winning design now at cheerwine.com/festival-contest, or pick one up at the festival. They’re sure to be a hit!

Weather Outlook: Still Early, But Hopeful

We’re still several weeks out from May 17th, so it’s too early to pinpoint the exact forecast—but you can count on Rowan County Weather to keep a close eye on things as the date gets closer. Late spring in North Carolina can be unpredictable, so whether it’s sunny and warm or we need to dodge a passing shower, I’ll be there providing real-time updates before and during the event.

Be sure to follow @RowanCountyWeather on your favorite social platforms for the latest forecasts, tips for staying cool (or dry), and festival day coverage.

So grab your shades, snag that custom tee, and get ready to celebrate everything that makes Cheerwine and Salisbury so special. I’ll see you downtown on Saturday, May 17th—weather and all!

— Steve Monday, Chief Forecaster
@RowanCountyWeather – Your Festival Weather Source!