Worth the drive
September 1, 2021
Hop in the car and spend a day — or two — enjoying one of these regional festivals.
EUPHORIA | Greenville, S.C.
Sept. 16-19
Greenville’s premier culinary festival returns with four days of chef dinners, tasting events, classes and live music. This year’s festival includes 32 events highlighting more than 60 chefs, mixologists and musicians. A handful of Charlotte locals are involved as well, including Dogwood mixologist Eli Privette and Chris Coleman, chef/owner at The Goodyear House. Signature events include Feast by the Field, where you can sip and sample bites while listening to live music. Ticket prices vary. euphoriagreenville.com
Getting there: One hour and 40 minutes via I-85 South
MERLE FEST | Wilkesboro
Sept. 16-19
The 33rd annual music festival founded in memory of guitarist Eddy Merle Watson, son of music legend Doc Watson, is back with four days of country, bluegrass, Americana, folk and classic rock across 13 stages. This year’s lineup includes Sturgill Simpson, Johnnyswim (pictured above), Melissa Etheridge, The Milk Carton Kids, Shovels & Rope, Jim Lauderdale, Brittney Spencer and bluegrass and Celtic musicians We Banjo 3. The band — two sets of brothers based in Galway, Ireland, and Nashville, Tenn. — will perform their infectious fusion of bluegrass, Irish traditional and Americana twice, on Saturday and Sunday. The festival is alcohol- and smoke-free. Attendees must show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test. Tickets start at $60 for one-day general admission (advance purchase). merlefest.org
Getting there: Two hours via I-77 North and US 421 North
CHOW CHOW | Asheville
through Sept. 26
Asheville’s multiday culinary festival debuted in 2019 with a mission of celebrating the foodways of Southern Appalachia. After a hiatus in 2020, Chow Chow returned in June as a summerlong event series that concludes this month. The series wraps up with Food Stories, a multicourse dinner at Wicked Weed Brewing’s Funkatorium. Featured chefs include Ashleigh Shanti, culinary assistant for Chef Vivian Howard, and Eric Morris from Cultura. Tickets for the five-course meal are $200 and include a cocktail hour and paired beverages. exploreasheville.com/chow-chow-culinary-festival
Getting there: Two hours via I-85 South, US 321 North and I-40 West SP
