At last report, Saturday’s weather forecast looked a little ominous — yet organizers of the annual Budbreak festival promise that more besides rain will be flowing in downtown Mount Airy regardless, namely wine and craft beer from area producers.
“It’s been a great festival,” said President Michael Barnes of the Rotary Club of Mount Airy, sponsor of the event now in its 14th year. It is scheduled Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. on the upper end of the central business district.
“I think it’s fun for the community,” Barnes added regarding the gathering to unfold rain or shine. North Main Street will be closed to vehicular traffic in the festival area, allowing occupancy by rows of vendor tents tickling the taste buds of connoisseurs.
The Budbreak name refers to the time of year when grapevines wake from their winter slumber in vineyards and produce buds for this year’s harvest, with the spring festival coinciding with a new growing season in the Yadkin Valley. The festival also occurs during North Carolina Wine Month.
Barnes said 13 wineries and four breweries will have a presence at Budbreak 2024. Most of the vendors are based in Surry County, representing thriving industries in both cases.
Among the wineries listed are Carolina Heritage and Slightly Askew of Elkin, Golden Road in State Road, Native Vines in Lexington, Old North State and Round Peak in Mount Airy, Sanders Ridge in Boonville, Shelton and Surry Cellars of Dobson, Southern Charm in Lincolnton, Rock of Ages in Hurdle Mills and Waldensian Style Wines from Valdese.
Participating breweries include Angry Troll in Elkin, Midsummer Brewing in Mount Airy, Williamson Mead & Brewing in Glade Valley and TwoBoros Brewery of Wilkesboro.
For the price of a $25 tasting ticket ($35 at the gate), attendees can sample, sip and learn from producers in addition to buying bottles to take home. The wine and beer tastings will be unlimited, with those tickets providing full access to the festival and its activities.
That includes an entertainment aspect of Budbreak, with country music performer Tim Elliott to return to its stage for the second-straight year.
Elliott is a two-time Carolinas Male Country Artist of the Year who will be serving up live music from 2:30 to 5 p.m.
Before that, DJ music from B-Dazzle Productions is scheduled to warm up the crowd.
Non-tasting tickets are $5. Children 12 and younger will be admitted free with a paying adult.
Bittersweet element
As is the case with dry and sweet wines, the 2024 Budbreak festival offers a sour note in Barnes’ view.
“This is the first year we’ve been completely without Bob,” the Rotary president said of Bob Meinecke, who died in January 2023 as plans for the 2023 event were underway.
But other Rotary members have managed to pick up where Meinecke left off — “last year was a great year for us,” Barnes said.
Budbreak is the club’s largest fundraiser of the year, generating $15,000 to $25,000, with its proceeds supporting projects of various non-profit organizations.
Just last week, seven local groups — ranging from animal-advocacy to free medical-care organizations — each received $1,000 for their efforts.
“All this money comes from Budbreak,” Barnes said proudly.
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