‘A Good Party for a Good Reason’ – Budbreak Festival, May 4

MOUNT AIRY, N.C. – Main Street flows with local wines and craft beers on Saturday, May 4. The Budbreak Wine & Craft Beer Festival fills downtown Mount Airy with small-batch beverages for a day of sipping, sampling and learning from producers.

Wine and beer will be available from 15 different makers. Nine of the participants are located in Surry County. In addition to wine and beer, expect food and live music.

“It’s a great time to spend the day outside in downtown Mount Airy,” says Michael Barnes, president of Rotary Club of Mount Airy, which puts on the event. The festival is the local Rotary chapter’s largest fundraiser; proceeds support projects for various nonprofit organizations.

The event’s name honors springtime in the vineyards, when vines awaken from their winter slumber and put forth new buds that eventually become this year’s grape harvest. The festival also coincides with NC Wine Month.

Wineries include Carolina Heritage and Slightly Askew in 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 in Dobson, Southern Charm in Lincolnton, Rock of Ages in Hurdle Mills, and Waldensian Style Wines in Valdese. Participating breweries are Angry Troll in Elkin, Midsummer Brewing in Mount Airy, and Williamson Mead & Brewing in Glade Valley.

Rising country star Tim Elliott takes the stage in the afternoon. He is a two-time Carolina’s Male Country Artist of the Year. Primary food vendor is 13 Bones, a favorite Mount Airy restaurant known for ribs, steaks and seafood. State of Graze serves charcuterie boards that pair well with wine, while Blunt Pretzels offers warm, soft pretzels ideal for enjoying with a beer.

“Hopefully when visitors leave the festival, they’ll say, ‘Those folks throw a good party, and they do it for a good reason,’” Barnes says.

Festival hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tasting tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the gate. Non-tasting tickets are $5. Children 12 and younger are free with a paying adult. Hampton Inn Mount Airy offers packages that include lodging, breakfast, two tickets, transportation to and from the festival, and a bottle of wine. For festival details and to purchase tickets: www.BudbreakFestival.com. To learn more about the area and explore lodging options: www.YadkinValleyNC.com or (800) 948-0949.