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Dates & Times
September 11
-
September 12,
2026
Friday 5-10 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Location
554 Second St.
Ayden, NC 28513
Cost
Free
Contact
Jessica Edwards
info@aydencollardfestival.com
(252) 375-8095
View Event Website
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Celebrate Ayden’s agricultural heritage at the Ayden Collard Festival, held in downtown Ayden.
Friday evening features food and retail vendors, plus carnival rides, starting at 5 p.m. Live country music from Russ Varnell and His Too Country Band starts at 7 p.m.
Saturday’s schedule includes the Artisan Village, a parade at 10 a.m., an art show, a horseshoe tournament, activities for children and live performances, including Journonya’s Line Dance Crew and The Ray Band at 7 p.m. Collards take center stage during Saturday’s Collard Cooking Contest and Collard Eatin’ Contest at 2 p.m. Visitors can also purchase Eastern North Carolina specialties, festival favorites and other food and drinks directly from participating vendors.
Related events begin earlier in the week. The Little Miss Collard and Collard Princess pageants take place Tuesday, Sept. 8, followed by the Collard Queen Pageant and Wristband Ride Night on Thursday, Sept. 10. Pageant admission is $7 per person, and children ages 5 and younger are admitted free. Unlimited-ride wristbands for Thursday are $20 online or $25 at the gate.
Check the website for the complete schedule of events.
Friday evening features food and retail vendors, plus carnival rides, starting at 5 p.m. Live country music from Russ Varnell and His Too Country Band starts at 7 p.m.
Saturday’s schedule includes the Artisan Village, a parade at 10 a.m., an art show, a horseshoe tournament, activities for children and live performances, including Journonya’s Line Dance Crew and The Ray Band at 7 p.m. Collards take center stage during Saturday’s Collard Cooking Contest and Collard Eatin’ Contest at 2 p.m. Visitors can also purchase Eastern North Carolina specialties, festival favorites and other food and drinks directly from participating vendors.
Related events begin earlier in the week. The Little Miss Collard and Collard Princess pageants take place Tuesday, Sept. 8, followed by the Collard Queen Pageant and Wristband Ride Night on Thursday, Sept. 10. Pageant admission is $7 per person, and children ages 5 and younger are admitted free. Unlimited-ride wristbands for Thursday are $20 online or $25 at the gate.
Check the website for the complete schedule of events.
