Spring is in the air and it is time again for the annual MAY FEST on Main Street in downtown Rutherfordton. This year Rutherfordton is really stepping things up and encouraging both residents and visitors to join them for a weekend of celebration.
The party kicks off Friday night, May 5 with Cinco da Mayo at Mi Pubelitos and continues on throughout the night at the first FUNC summer music concert on Center Street. FUNC stands for Fridays UNplugged on Central and is a highly anticipated event. Local musicians line the streets to play a wide variety of music and spectators flock to the street to hear them. There is usually food and drink, art vendors, kids crafts and much more to keep you entertained.
Saturday kicks off with the 2017 Gears and Gables ride to benefit Rutherford Housing Partnership, a local non-profit organization that helps make much needed repairs to the homes of low-income families. The race starts at 8:00 am and provides both recreational and professional cyclists with a 24-mile, 49-mile and 62-mile option. The riding is good but the scenery is amazing! Additional information and applications can be found at rutherfordhousingpartnership.com/events.
For those of you that prefer a less physical adventure, take to the streets to check out this year’s vendors. You will see some new faces this year as well as some old time favorites like KidSenses who will be entertaining us once again with their hand’s on activities, the Rutherford County Visual Arts Guild and their very popular Oops Art Sale, and of course the talented and sought after face painting artist.
Kids always have fun in the Playland provided by R.S. Central Band that includes a rock wall, an inflatable obstacle course, and mechanical rides for the young and young at heart. Our local dance and gymnastics teams always impress us with their performances and this year will be no different. Our local Boy Scouts will host their annual Scout Show & District Pinewood Derby Race featuring interactive booths including a Tee Pee exhibit and Scouts in Indian regalia.
Last but not least is the food and music, the heart of any good festival. May Fest will have a wide selection of festival favorites such as funnel cakes, homemade lemonade, delicious barbecue, fried turkey legs, fried pies, roasted corn on the cob and more! Live entertainment is provided while you indulge your taste buds beginning at 11:00 with Caleb Gilbert Band followed by Wiregrass who takes the stage at 3:00 pm. Both of these bands have a great local following and are a crowd favorite!
As a special treat this year there will also be a classic car, truck and motorcycle show that is bound to excite any auto enthusiast. Sponsored by Gregory’s Restaurant and held in the parking lot by Gregory’s off Charlotte Road, registration will be from 9:00 to 12:00 with awards presented at 2:00. A shuttle will be provided throughout the day from the car show to MayFest for those that would rather ride than walk, courtesy of GREGORY’S AND RTR.
As a fitting end to an already amazing day, the band Heart Breaker will be performing on the car show stage from 6:00-11:00. Heart Breaker is a Heart tribute ban and a must see for anyone in the area. If you’re a fan or Heart or just the 80’s in general you DO NOT want to miss this concert. For more information about our MAY FEST or the car show go to www.rutherfordtown.com or contact us at 828-287-2071.
