NC Hops & Roots Fest – May 25, 2013

Pittsboro, NC – One of my favorite Chatham County events is coming up on May 25, 2013 – the NC Hops & Roots Festival.

NC Hops & Roots Festival

The NC Hops & Roots Fest is a celebration of local-ness – beer, wine, farms and food with music all day.

The festival is held at beautiful at Shakori Hills. You can even camp overnight for free.

Music Lineup

I’ve been to the festival in the past, but this year’s musical lineup may be the best ever.

Katherine Whalen, a founding member of the Squirrel Nut Zippers, kicks it off at 1:30.

Angela Easterling, Craicdown and Gasoline Stove power through the afternoon. In the evening, it’s the The Galactic Cowboy Orchestra followed by the The Lizzy Ross Band.

I’ve heard at least three of these bands and wow – it’s like a Piedmont Woodstock.

Food

Capp’s Apizza is a mobile, wood-fired pizza company. One of the coolest concepts I have seen. The pizza is fantastic.

Another tasty food truck concept is Baguettaboutit. They serve six flavors of NC-made sausage, choice of eight hand-crafted sauces (and a vegetarian) selection, all on a crusty baguette. It’s how they eat lunch in Switzerland, but now you can have it in Pittsboro, too.

Old North State BBQ will also be at Hops & Roots, plus Little Dippers Italian Ice and Tar Heel Creamery. Homemade and delicious, from right here in the Triangle.

Beer

It is the Hops & Roots Festival, so let’s talk beer.

One thing I really like about Hops & Roots is the focus – they keep it small, but everything is top-notch. Just four breweries will be at the festival, but they’re among the best in North Carolina – Carolina Brewery, Fullsteam, Foothills and Bear Creek.

Wine

Local vintners include Starrlight Mead, Silk Hope and Wolfe Wines. The festival advertises a wine garden as well. Salut!

Farms

Seven local farms will be at Hops & Roots this year, including Farm Boy Farms, Granite Springs, Lilly Den (meats), Screech Owl, Okfuskee Farm, Lindley Farm Creamery and Piedmont Biofarm.

It’s a chance to learn about food and buy some, too. Bring a cooler and take home some of the bounty of the land.

For Families

Hops & Roots is a family-friendly event.

Activities for kids starts will all-day hula hooping. The hooping goes on non-stop.

There’s also scrap art, tie dyeing and educational booths, so there’s plenty to do for the kids.

Free Camping and Breakfast

The camping is free at the NC Hops & Roots Festival. This year, Sunday farm fresh breakfast for campers complements of Lilly Den Farms.

Friday Night in Downtown Pittsboro

Another cool thing this year – Friday activities in Downtown Pittsboro to coincide with Hops & Roots.

They also have a mobile app with food menus and music schedules. Check it out at http://nchops.giggler.mobi/.

Event Info

It’s hard to pull off a good festival, but NC Hops & Roots achieves with taste, quality and authenticity. One of NC’s best festivals, right here in Chatham County. I’m going again!

NC Hops & Roots Fest
May 25, 2913
Gates open at 12:00
Music starts at 1:30

Shakori Hills
Pittsboro, NC
Map

$20 in advance (through 5/20)
$25 at the door

Tickets include parking and camping. For more info and to get tickets, visit NC Hops & Roots Festival.

——————————————————————————–

Photos from NC Hops & Roots.