It’s no secret that Cheerwine is one of the South’s most popular sips. Since 1917,the cherry-flavored soda has achieved cult-like status among its loyal fans, who swear by using Cheerwine in everything from beer to barbecue. And in one North Carolina town, this one-of-a-kind soft drink is so beloved that it hosts an entire festival to celebrate it, with Cheerwine inspired food, drinks, crafts and live entertainment.
The Cheerwine Festival began in 2017 to commemorate Cheerwine’s 100th anniversary and was organized by the city of Salisbury, Cheerwine’s hometown. “The Cheerwine Festival began as a way to thank our fans, our hometown, and the local businesses and community that have been a part of Cheerwine’s story from the beginning,” says Joy Harper, Vice President of Marketing and a fifth-generation founding family member.
Last year’s festival drew 100,000 people from across the country, making it one of North Carolina’s largest annual events. Now in its ninth year, this year’s Cheerwine Festival will take place on May 16, 2026. Held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in downtown Salisbury, the free event brings together dozens of food vendors, artisans, and entertainers for a family-friendly festival that not only celebrates the South’s favorite soft drink, but also a town steeped in history and community spirit. ““The festival is about more than a drink,” Harper adds, “It’s about history, hometown pride, community and a really memorable experience in the place where Cheerwine was born.”
At the festival, Cheerwine lovers can find dozens of ways to enjoy their favorite soft drink. More than 50 food vendors serve Cheerwine-inspired bites like ribs, hot cakes, donuts, and cheesecakes, and even unexpected dishes like Cheerwine flavored tacos and empanadas. Nine local breweries will serve festival goers at two beer gardens on Main Street, and there’s plenty of Cheerwine-infused drinks like lemonade, teas, and floats available for purchase.
A stage will host live music performances throughout the day, and a fun zone area has games, crafts and activities geared towards kids. Festival goers who want to know the history behind Cheerwine can visit the The Rowan Museum, where a free exhibit delves into the drink’s birth, evolution, and even its role during the Prohibition.
The Cheerwine Festival may be a one-day event, but it brings the community together in a way that celebrates the town’s distinctive history and culinary pedigree. Local restaurants add Cheerwine-inspired dishes to their menus, area hotels have Cheerwine weekend packages, and a portion of the day’s proceeds benefit area charities. “The Cheerwine Festival is a source of pride for everyone here,” says longtime city resident Jason Walser. “It’s an authentic experience that is loud, bright, and flavorful for all five senses.”
Things To Do In Salisbury
The city of Salisbury may be known as the birthplace of Cheerwine, but this historic downtown has everything from craft breweries to contemporary art galleries. Located in the heart of North Carolina’s Piedmont region 25 miles northeast of Charlotte, Salisbury was founded in 1753 and is one of the state’s oldest cities. It’s also the birthplace of Food Lion, the retail grocer with locations throughout the South.
To understand more about Salisbury’s unique history, take the Salisbury Heritage Walking Tour, a journey through the city’s nearly 300-year-old history. One must-see landmark in Salisbury is the 1905 Meroney Theater, which still hosts screenings as well as live performances by the Piedmont Players Theatre. The Rowan Museum is housed in an 1854 courthouse that is one of North Carolina’s finest examples of pre-Civil War architecture. The museum hosts rotating exhibits, artifacts and displays about historic Rowan County. The Waterworks Visual Arts Center is home to an art gallery, a museum store, and classrooms for workshops and community events. Belltower Green is the city’s urban greenspace and gardens, and is the spot for enjoying summer concerts, seasonal parades, and a splash pad during the warmer months.
Salisbury is a city brimming with food and flavor, so you’ll find plenty of tasty dining spots to enjoy during a visit. Sweetmeadow Cafe is a local favorite for casual bites, sandwiches and salads. And locals will say you can’t visit Salisbury without a stop in Hap’s Grill, a lunch counter serving hand-pattied burgers and hot dogs. Crafty Buffalo is a taphouse and grill serving burgers, draft beers, and bison specialties. For fine dining, La Cava serves upscale Italian cuisine in an historic church setting.
Cheerwine is the official drink of the National Barbecue Association and a plate of barbecue in one hand and a Cheerwine in the other is known as the ‘Southern Handshake’. So it’s not surprising that Salisbury is home to some of the state’s best barbecue joints. Hendrix Barbecue is a local favorite with three locations throughout the city, serving chopped pork barbecue, ribs, and burgers. The Smoke PIt is the place for smoked brisket, chopped pork, and pit beans, and College Barbecue is a drive-in and diner that has been serving chopped pork and their signature red slaw to the people of Salisbury since 1965.
Read the original article on Southern Living
