May Fest in Rutherfordton

Downtown Rutherfordton is welcoming spring with a major three-day celebration that starts on Thursday, May 5 with a 20th anniversary fiesta followed by Rutherfordton’s spring music series on Friday, and wraps with a full-day street festival on Saturday.

From Civil War history and antebellum homes to eclectic restaurants and an amazing museum for kids of all ages, downtown Rutherfordton is one of the several small towns in the Lake Lure and the Blue Ridge Foothills’ family. Make plans to enjoy one, two or all of these exciting events.

May 5 is Cinco de Mayo and the 20th anniversary of Mi Pueblito Mexican Restaurant. Enjoy authentic Cinco de Mayo festivities and celebrate the 20th anniversary of Mi Pueblito Mexican Restaurant in Rutherfordton on Thursday from 5 – 8 p.m. Patrons can enjoy flamenco performances and dance lessons, a photo booth with beads and fake mustaches, plus free face painting and balloon animals!

As a thank you for the years of support, Mi Pueblito is giving away loads of promo items to patrons throughout the evening including 200 tumblers, 200 beer openers, and 500 Mi Pueblito t-shirts. The fiesta continues on both Friday and Saturday night with live music from 6 to 8 p.m.

Starting May 6 at 7 p.m., downtown Rutherfordton’s Central Street will feature the first F.U.N.C of the season – Fridays UNplugged on Central. Cruise up and down the street, which turns into a temporary promenade for F.U.N.C. nights on the first Friday of every month, May through October.

Watch acoustic, live music and let the kids play street games while enjoying drinks and local food vendors at this family-friendly jam session. The winners of the Rutherford County Visual Arts Guild 2016 Topic Contest will also be announced at the beginning of the night.

Also happening Friday night is the Crazy 4 Colby obstacle course fundraiser to benefit six-year-old Colby Whiteside, who was diagnosed last year with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, the second most common form of childhood leukemia. The event starts at 5 p.m. in downtown Rutherfordton. To register, visit rutherfordoutdoor.org/outdoor-activities/raceseries/colby.

As an added bonus, participants in the Crazy 4 Colby fundraiser will receive a $1 off coupon to Mi Pueblito on Friday night.

MayFest, May 7, an annual tradition for nearly 20 years, takes place the first Saturday of every May from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Grab a fresh-squeezed lemonade, some roasted corn and search out the latest fried treats. Stroll the streets of historic downtown Rutherfordton, shop for local arts and crafts, and enjoy live music and family entertainment.

The morning kicks off at 8 a.m. with the Gears & Gables Cycling Event to benefit the Rutherford Housing Partnership. Riders can cruise through our scenic foothills on a 24-, 41- or 62-mile route.

–Submitted by Michelle Yelton