Backroad Bulletin: May Events 🪕
Enjoy live music, regional history, and special animals this month
May temperatures tease the arrival of summer and create opportunities for outdoor fun and backroad exploration. Below, we’ve highlighted some of the best ways to enjoy the Southeast this month. Be sure to check each website for details before you head out.
Spring Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival
May 1-4, 2025
Pittsboro, North Carolina
The 31st annual Spring Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival returns to the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center with a lineup that includes The California Honeydrops, Los Lobos, the Campbell Brothers, the Blue Ridge Girls, and 55 other acts. Four-day tickets range from $80 to $159 and single-day tickets range from $43 to $64. Tent and RV camping registration fees range from $45 to $199.
WHAM! Fest
May 3-10, 2025
Walterboro, South Carolina
Celebrate Walterboro’s history, art, and music. Visitors of all ages can experience performances, reenactments, storytelling, live music, and more. Food trucks and farmers market will also be in attendance.
Dinglerfest
May 4-5, 2025
Clayton, Georgia
Dinglerfest is named after Charlie Dingler, a folk artist known for his bright, colorful paintings and whimsical whirligigs. This year’s festival takes place over two days at the Pavilions on Savannah Street, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Dingler currently works at his home studio in Clayton, Georgia.
America’s First Frontier: A 250th Celebration
May 9, 2025; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Ewing, Virginia 24248
This event in Wilderness Road State Park is part of the 250th Boone Trace Commemoration honoring Daniel Boone’s journey through the Appalachian frontier. Natural Tunnel State Park, The Cedars Natural Area Preserve, and Wilderness Road State Park are stops along the 250-mile route and will offer educational programs and living history demonstrations to immerse visitors in the stories of early pioneers.
Tennessee Mountain Laurel Festival
May 17, 2025
CourtHouse Square, Wartburg, Tennessee
The Tennessee Mountain Laurel Festival celebrates its tenth anniversary this spring with vendors, live music, a kids zone, delicious food, helicopter rides, and possibly a surprise appearance by Elvis and some Disney characters. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will also be a 5K/10K trail run. Sign up via the festival website.
Project Chimps Discovery Days
May 17-18, 2025
Morganton, Georgia
Project Chimps Discovery Days offers a rare opportunity for visitors to see and learn about former research chimpanzees who live in this peaceful mountain sanctuary. Tour the property, explore new hiking trails, and visit Discovery Zone booths. Food vendors will be onsite or you can bring a picnic to enjoy by the koi pond. Closed-toed hiking shoes are recommended. Tickets vary from $15-$35 and are available from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Your exact tour time will be determined at check-in.
Memorial Day Events
Here are some ways to spend Memorial Day weekend across the Southeast this year.
What amazing Spring events! Thank you.