What to draw:

• The festival focuses on arts & crafts, music, and food. The artwork should incorporate these three themes.
• A sunburst (the Festival logo) should be incorporated somehow into the design (sample logo)
• The dates (September 6-7) should be incorporated into the design if possible.
• Sketches are fine, for the initial submission (Vectors are not required)

Here is a link to photos of past years’ logos if you would like some inspiration.

How to submit:

• Submissions are due by 5:00pm on Wednesday, May 1st.
• You may e-mail or mail your sketch (info@morgantonfest.org, PO Box 1497, Morganton, NC 28680).
• Please make sure to include contact information (name, phone number)

If you have any questions, please email info@morgantonfest.org or call us at 828-438-5252.

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provided additional sponsorship (Thank you!)

Spend Saturday May 11th on the Courthouse Square enjoying downtown’s newest event The Morganton Jazz Festival! A special TGIF concert May 10th will kick off this New Orleans themed weekend. Saturday enjoy an afternoon of jazz on the square and an authentic New Orleans food feast. The Festival begins Saturday at 3:00pm with the first of five jazz bands, while members of the Patton Band Boosters and local restaurateur extraordinaire, Phil Scarboro, serve up a feast of New Orleans cuisine.

Come hungry and prepared to enjoy mouthwatering gumbo (a stew served over rice), Étouffée with shrimp (similar to gumbo but thicker), red beans and rice and of course a New Orleans must…Beignets (powder sugared treat, similar to doughnuts)! Hotdogs, Hamburgers, soft drinks, wine and beer will also be available.

Featured on the “Smokin Hot Jazz Stage”
3:00pm Hickory Jazz Orchestra (HJO): Playing 40’s Swing Era and present day Big Band
4:00pm Original King Street Jazz Band: Playing everything from traditional Dixieland jazz to today’s contemporary jazz.
5:00pm  Joseph Hasty & Centerpiece Jazz: Playing classic jazz, swing tunes, show tunes, original scores and all your favorites
6:00pm High School All Stars (tba): First Place High School Jazz Band from North Carolina
6:30pm Geoff Clapp Quartet, straight from New Orleans, sure to set the stage on fire!

The Morganton Jazz Festival is also excited to host an educational component, offering multiple clinics throughout downtown to high school jazz bands from across North Carolina between 1:00pm and 4:00pm. Students will perform for clinicians (members from the Geoff Clapp Quartet) and the highest scoring jazz band will open for the evening headliner.

Click here for a map of Saturday stages & participating schools!

Our TGIF concert the night before will feature MOJO and the Bayou Gypsies, another band direct from New Orleans. MOJO & The Bayou Gypsies are powerfully talented musicians and entertainers who immerse the audience into their original Cajun-Zydeco music and dancing in the Southwest Louisiana tradition. You won’t be able to sit still! MOJOs unique musical adventure literally delivers lifetime memories with his infectiously happy music. MOJO shows are wild, but totally natural and positive, appealing to everyone in all walks of life.

Mark your calendars NOW for a New Orleans weekend in Downtown Morganton, May 10th and 11th, and be a part of the inaugural Morganton Jazz Fest, 3:00pm- 8:00pm, May 11th!

For more information on the bands, band photos and more, please visit our press room page!