Things to Do in Newton

As the sun melts into the horizon, the opening chords of an ebullient country song rip through the evening air, coaxing stomps from even the most stoic of feet. Energetic audience members dust off their dance moves and sing along with the music between sipping lagers. The third-annual North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival is coming to an end, and its guests are determined to celebrate under the unfurling night sky until the notes of the last encore fade away.

Presented by Rural Hill, the rollicking festival takes over the historic farmlands of Huntersville, delighting guests with live music, eats, and brew-centric activities. Throughout the day, festival booths bustle as more than 20 of North Carolina’s top brewers showcase their libations via tastings and educational sessions, and chefs flood the air with the aromas of sizzling fare including vegetarian options. Young festival-goers enjoy family-friendly music and keep busy by wishing they were old enough to sample the festival's sudsy wares. As the clock strikes noon, the festival stage comes alive with a lineup of bands and musicians performing all manner of music, from country to prog-rock to bluegrass.

Guests are also welcome to continue the celebrations into Sunday morning by spending the night at the festival campsite in tents, RVs, or the branches of surrounding trees. All festival proceeds go toward Historic Rural Hill, a nonprofit historical site that presents educational field trips and cultural events throughout the year.