North Carolina Yam Festival
Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 08:00am to 05:00pm
North Carolina Yam Festival
Various Venues in Tabor City
Welcome to our 53rd Year of Celebrating Sweet Potatoes
Festival Theme: “Here A Yam, There A Yam, Everywhere A Yam Yam”
Schedule:
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m - NC Yam Festival Headquarters and Outdoor Booth
Information, Free Yam Fest Coloring-Activity Books, T-shirts and other Souvenirs (souvenirs prices vary)
Tabor City Public Library (parking lot) located at 101 East Fifth Street. Free Admission.
Tabor City High School Alumni Reunion at the new Tabor City School
Doors will open at 1:00 p.m. for registration and for alumni to begin to gather. The Class of 1974 will be in charge of the program which will begin at 2:00 p.m. and conclude at 4:00 p.m. All TCHS Graduates are invited to attend. (Please contact your graduation class officers for information on potential individual class reunion plans.)
A Gospel Explosion and Variety Stage
Will begin after the parade. Will feature Gospel and Christian music. Expect a little variety in between gospel acts.
Located in the parking lot of Betty and Buddy’s Restaurant (corner of N. Main and W. Fifth
Streets).
Car, Truck, Bike and Tractor Show (Hosted by Classic Cruisers Car Club)
Registration: 8:30 - 12:00 noon, Judging begins at 12:30 p.m. Trophies will be awarded at 3:00 p.m. For information on how to enter, please call Committee Chair
Tiger Tater at 843-333-0947.
Located on Live Oak Street from Tabor City Baptist Church to Pireway Road.
Arts, Crafts, Food Vendors and more
Downtown on Hickman Road, East Fifth Street, Live Oak Street, and around the Todd House Wedding and Event Center Stage from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. No admission fee for you to enter the festival. Vendors set their own prices for their products. If you
are interested in being a Vendor, please contact us by phone or email at
910-377-3248 / ncyamfest@gmail.com.
Yam Row - Downtown Tabor City.
Yam Festival Parade
Featuring more than 100 units consisting of high school bands, clowns, area pageant titleholders, various Shriner units, fire trucks and other emergency vehicles, floats, and so much more! Begins at 10:00 a.m. originating at 7th and Main Streets, down Main Street, left onto Green Sea Road, then right onto Hickman Road, left onto Bell Street, then left onto Pireway Road, left onto 5th Street, and right onto Wall Street.
Sweet Potato Give Away
Begins after the parade in the parking lot of Tabor City Public Library located at 101 East Fifth Street.
Entertainment on the Todd House Wedding and Event Center Stage
Entertainment begins following the parade and will continue until 5:00 p.m. Expect to enjoy lots of locals as they sing and dance their way into your hearts. Fun will be had by all.
Sweet Potato Pie Eating Contest
Begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Todd House Wedding and Event Center Stage. Youth and Adult Contestant spots are limited. To register, call the NC Yam Festival Office by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 27.
Beach Music Stage on Hickman - Live Concert by The Pink Slips Band!!
Location is on Hickman Road in front of United Bank. Their concert will begin after the parade. Bleacher seating is limited so feel free to bring a lawn chair.
KidsZone (No fees)
Located in the parking lot of Truist Bank featuring Flimsy the Clown, Carnival Games, Inflatables, and LOTS of FUN! FREE!!
Art/Photography/Sweet Potato Crafts Show
Adult and Youth Divisions, The Todd House Wedding and Event Center 11:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Mt. Tabor School
Historical renovated one room schoolhouse at the corner of Stake Road and East Fifth Street in front of Tabor City School Will be hosted by School Marm
Beth Niven Godwin from 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m. Free admission.
Historical “Self-Guided” Walking Tour
Pick up a guide at the Tabor City Visitor Center or the Tabor City Public Library. For additional information, please contact Committee Chair Dianne Nobles Ward at
910-653-4141.
Basic Life Support Competition (Hosted by Tabor City EMS)
Tabor City Rescue Squad located on the corner of East Fifth and Jones Streets, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Bleacher seating is limited, so feel free to bring a lawn chair.
Mascot Race
1:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Tabor City Public Library, 101 East Fifth Street. Mascots from area festivals, schools, businesses, etc. will race with a sweet potato on a serving spoon. We also welcome Audience Participation so come prepared to race if you’d like! Let’s see who makes it across the finish line first without dropping the sweet potato. Call the Yam Festival Office at 910-377-3248 or Tabor City Public Library at 910-653-3774 to register.
Stallion Classic (Hosted by South Columbus High School)
Located at South Columbus High School on the Stallion Football Field. Begins at 3:00 p.m. Awards ceremony to follow. Admission Fees: Adults $10, Students (K-12) $5, Kids (5 y/o and Under): Free
Concert in the Courtyard
LIVE Concert by Crenshaw Trucking Band, featuring Jason Smith and Matt Dudley, at The Todd House Wedding and Event Center located at 102 Live Oak Street, Tabor City, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. No admission fee and No ticket necessary The Todd House Wedding and Event Center will be selling home cooked BBQ sandwiches with slaw, baked sweet potatoes with toppings, water, and canned drinks in the Parlor Room beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Forest Lawn Baptist Church Gospel Sing Hosted by “Faith And Living Water”
“Faith and Living Water” is the well known Praise Team from Forest Lawn Baptist Church, Tabor City. Location is The Garrell Depo
