The Latest From Carolina Traveler
The summer 2024 issue of Carolina Traveler will be on doorsteps in a few weeks, and we can hardly wait! For those getting a head start on making summer plans, we're got a round-up of summer 2024 events in the Carolinas, three summer 2024 day trips destinations that capture the perfection of a summer in the Carolinas, and not one, but two free ticket giveaways in Charlotte and Mount Airy! Plus, we could use a little bit of your help in brainstorming ideas for our 2024 Thrill Seekers issue, on deck for midsummer 2024!
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ToggleStay up to date with the best events for all seasons, festivals, and family-friendly itineraries in the Carolinas — follow us on Facebook where we regularly offer free tickets and other giveaways and become a 2024 subscriber to Carolina Traveler magazine!
Patriots Point gets extremely festive for 4th of July!
A Sneak Peek: Summer 2024 Events
You're gonna wanna turn your sprinklers on for this one…these summer 2024 events are HOT and we're including more in the summer 2024 issue than ever before! Read about our featured summer 2024 events here or simply scan the overview below. Most of the summer 2024 events highlighted are π free π admission, and you'll want to check individual websites for specific details regarding programming:
- May 17-19, 2024 NC Potato Festivalπ Elizabeth City, NC
- May 17-26, 2024 Fair at Heritage Park Simpsonville, SC
- May 18, 2024 Bulls Bay Nature Festivalπ Awendaw, SCΒ one of the best summer 2024 events for nature enthusiasts
- May 23-26, 2024 Sumter Iris Festivalπ Sumter, SC
- May 24-26, 2024 Original Gullah Festival Beaufort, SC
- May 25-27, 2024 North Carolina Fossil Festivalπ Aurora, NC
- May 30-June 2, 2024 NC Trail Daysπ Elkin, NC
- June 6-9, 2024 57th Annual SC Festival of Flowersπ Greenwood, SC
- June 7-9, 2024 Ocrafolk Festival Ocracoke Island, NC
- June 8, 2024 Mount Airy Blooms Mount Airy NC βWin free ticketsβ
- June 15-23, 2024 Rock Hill Pride Festivalπ Rock Hill, SC
- June 21-22, 2024 NC Rhododendron Festivalπ Bakersville, NC
- June 28-30, 2024 Thunder in the Smokies Maggie Valley, NCΒ one of the best summer 2024 events for motorcycle enthusiasts
- July 4 & 6, 2024 Enofest Durham, NC
- July 4, 2024 Patriots Point 4th of July Celebration π Mount Pleasant, SC
Demo topics include gardening with native plants, therapeutic gardening, and the edible landscape.
Mount Airy Blooms: Free Tickets For VIP Subscribers
πΈπΏ Get ready to immerse yourself in one of the most beautiful summer 2024 events in the Carolinas: a floral paradise at Mount Airy Blooms on June 8! You could definitely include this entire event on your list of NC scenic hikes! Presented by Mount Airy's esteemed garden clubs β Garden Gate, Modern Gardeners, and Mountain View β Mount Airy Blooms promises a delightful tour of private gardens nestled just a stone's throw away from the charming downtown.
From cozy cottages to sprawling mini-estates, witness a tapestry of successful garden practices that will ignite your own green thumb. But the excitement doesn't end there! Dedicated Master Gardener volunteers will be on hand to share their expertise, answering all your burning gardening questions and offering captivating exhibits and demos.
Discover the wonders of the edible landscape, the beauty of gardening with native plants, and the secrets behind cultivating herbs. Plus, learn how to combat pesky invaders like the spotted lantern fly, and explore the therapeutic benefits of gardening.
What's more, Carolina Traveler is getting ready to offer FREE tickets to this enchanting event! πΊπ±Read more about Mount Airy Blooms 2024
Just another day at the largest flea market in the world!
What Will You Find At The World's Biggest Flea Market?
If flea markets take up a good portion of your summer 2024 events hit-list, keep reading! Visit the world's biggest flea market in Anderson, SC (SC Upstate), also known as “Electric City.” Discover the reason behind the moniker when you take a summer 2024 day trip to the Rocky River, which has fueled Anderson's textile mills for hundreds of years. Just minutes from downtown Anderson, the Rocky River Nature Park houses a diverse array of wildlife, including over 100 bird, reptile, amphibian, and fish species!
Spend the rest of your day fishing some of the best spots on Lake Hartwell and exploring the adjacent Sadlers Creek Sate Park, where you'll find a six-mile-long network of biking trails, volleyball courts, and lots of wildlife! Discover more of Anderson SC's allure and read about our two other summer 2024 day trips in High Point NC and Kure Beach NC.
The Whiskey Wine & Fire Festival takes place at Ballantyne's Backyard in Charlotte, NC
Whiskey, Wine & Fire: New Festival Ticket Giveaway
You can still enter daily to win tickets to four of the hottest food festivals in Charlotte this year! We're previously highlighted the May 18 Beer Bourbon & BBQ Festival and the August 24 Tacos ‘N Taps fiesta. While the Whiskey, Wine & Fire Festival doesn't belong on our list of summer 2024 events (it takes place November 2, 2024), it's still worth starting your salivating engines over!
Imagine an intimate, night-blanketed woodsy setting illuminated by a garden of firepits. The scent and smacks of charcoal-kissed BBQ sizzling in the background over an open fire. Bluegrass music weaves through the crowd, where people are sipping on wine and cocktails and wandering in and out of tented food stations. Described as an experience to ignite the senses, the 3rd annual Whiskey, Wine & Fire Festival in Charlotte includes the following:
- Souvenir glass for all-you-can-taste whiskey and wine samples
- Whole animal grilling over an open fire (get ready for brisket, lamb, sausages, ostrich, and other grilled meats!)
- Live bluegrass, Americana, and country music
- Cool exhibits featuring craft breweries, hot sauce makers, BBQ accessories, cigars, and more!
Sound like a perfect autumn evening? ENTER TO WIN FREE TICKETS!Β
One fish, two fish…
Carolina Traveler Poll: The Best Thrill Seeking Adventures
If you've been a Carolina Traveler reader for a while, you know that we publish our annual Thrill Seekers issue in midsummer. We're elbows deep in pluff mud searching for the most physically and mentally thrilling adventures in NC and SC. From hiking to secret swimming holes to diving for buried treasure, we want to hear directly from Carolina thrill seekers themselves — what are the best places to get your thrill seeking fix in the Carolinas? Email our writer with your favorite places! Then, check out our thrill seeker destinations from 2023 and 2022.