Festival News Archives - Jones County Heritage Festival

Where Are You Going Fishing in Jones County? Community Picks Released

Jones County Heritage Festival — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:40:42 +0000

For our latest Community Feud question, we asked:

"You got a free afternoon in Jones County. Where are you going fishing?"

The responses highlighted some of the local fishing spots that residents know and love. Whether it's a quiet pond, a favorite riverbank, or a closely guarded secret location, Jones County is full of places to cast a line and enjoy the outdoors.

Community Favorites

Brock Mill Pond — 8 likes
Trent River — 7 likes
Secret Fishing Spot — 3 likes (Haha!)
Bridge on Oak Grove Road — 1 like
Black Swamp Bridge — 1 like

Fishing has long been a part of life in Jones County, providing opportunities to relax, connect with nature, and spend time with family and friends. From peaceful ponds to scenic waterways, the community's answers show there is no shortage of great places to enjoy an afternoon on the water.

Be sure to participate in our Pre-Festival Fun: Community Feud for even more hometown fun and friendly competition.

Check out the last Community Feud question and answers here: 5.22.2026 Community Feud

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Hay Ride at the Jones County Heritage Festival

Jones County Heritage Festival — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 14:42:40 +0000

Join us for a fun fall experience during Day 2 of the Jones County Heritage Festival!

Saturday, September 26, 2026
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
FREE to Ride

The hay ride will take guests from the Jones County Civic Center to a special picking area where you can purchase fresh fall favorites.

Available for Purchase

Pumpkins (pay by the pound)
Sunflowers (pay by the stem)
Watermelons (pay by the pound)

Pricing will be released closer to the date. Cash only.

Important Information

Wear comfortable shoes — guests may walk through field areas
Children must remain seated during the hay ride and be supervised by an adult
Hay rides and picking opportunities available while supplies last

Bring the family and enjoy a hands-on agricultural experience filled with fall fun, fresh produce, and beautiful photo opportunities!

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What Song Reminds You of Jones County? Community Picks Released

Jones County Heritage Festival — Fri, 29 May 2026 11:53:09 +0000

The Jones County Heritage Festival is excited to release its new “Community Feud” playlist - a collection of songs chosen by community members that celebrates small-town life, country roots, and hometown pride.

Whether you’re traveling, relaxing on the porch, working in the fields, or riding down a dirt road, this playlist was made to bring a little piece of home wherever you are.

Community Favorites

Try That in a Small Town — Jason Aldean (17 likes)
International Harvester — Craig Morgan (12 likes)
Take Me Home, Country Roads — John Denver (11 likes)
A Country Boy Can Survive — Hank Williams Jr. (7 likes)
Back Where I Come From — Kenny Chesney (5 likes)
The South’s Gonna Rattle Again — Hank Williams Jr. (5 likes)
My Town — Montgomery Gentry (3 likes)
Almost Home — Craig Morgan (3 likes)
Buy Dirt — Jordan Davis & Luke Bryan (3 likes)
Where I’m From — Jason Michael Carroll (3 likes)
More Than My Hometown — Morgan Wallen (2 likes)
Don’t We — Morgan Wallen (2 likes)
Small Town USA — Justin Moore (2 likes)
Big Green Tractor — Jason Aldean (2 likes)
High Cotton — Alabama (2 likes)
Born Country — Alabama (2 likes)
This Land Is Your Land — Woody Guthrie (2 likes)
Somewhere Over the Rainbow — Judy Garland (1 like)
God Bless the USA — Lee Greenwood (1 like)
What Was I Thinking — Dierks Bentley (1 like)
Good Ole Days — Petey Pablo (1 like)
Dirt Road Anthem — Jason Aldean (1 like)
Peppa Pig’s Song (1 like)
God’s Grace — Luther Barnes (1 like)
Take a Back Road — Rodney Atkins (1 like)

Click below to listen to the full YouTube playlist and enjoy the songs that remind our community of home.

Community Feud 5.22.2026 YouTube Playlist

Be sure to participate in our Pre-Festival Fun: Community Feud for even more hometown fun and friendly competition.

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Community Feud: Pre-Festival Fun

Jones County Heritage Festival — Fri, 15 May 2026 13:25:37 +0000

As we count down to the Jones County Heritage Festival, we’re inviting the community to take part in a weekly online game - Community Feud: Jones County Edition.

This pre-festival series is a fun way to connect with the community, share local favorites, and build excitement leading up to the festival.

Game Schedule

Dates: May 22th – June 5th, 2026
Time: New question posted each Friday at 7:00 PM
Deadline: Comments close the following Friday at 8:00 AM

How It Works

Each Friday at 7PM, a new Community Feud question will be posted on the Jones County Heritage Festival Facebook page.

To participate:

Follow the Jones County Heritage Festival Facebook page
Watch for the weekly Friday post at 7:00 PM
Comment your answer on the post by 8AM the following Friday
See a comment you agree with? Give it a like!
Duplicate answers will count toward the first person who commented that answer.
At the end of each round, we will reveal the Top 3 most-liked answers from the community on our Facebook. In the event of a tie, tied answers will share the same ranking.

The comment with the most likes by the deadline will be declared the winner. In the event of a tie, a random winner will be selected from the tied entries.

Weekly Prize

Each week, one winner will receive $10 in Festival Bucks.

Festival Bucks can be used during the festival at:

Festival-run booths
Activities and games
Merchandise
Select participating vendors

Festival Bucks have no cash value and are valid for the current year festival only. Festival Bucks can be picked up the week of the festival at our office (367 NC Hwy 58 S, Unit A, Trenton, NC 28585) or claimed at the Information Table the day of the festival (September 26th, 2026 9AM-3PM)

Join the fun! We encourage everyone to participate, share with friends, and be part of this pre-festival game. It’s a simple way to engage with the community and get ready for the Jones County Heritage Festival on September 25th, 2026 & September 26th, 2026!

DISCLAIMER: This Facebook game is not affiliated with or endorsed by Family Feud.

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Jones County Farm Interviews

Jones County Heritage Festival — Thu, 07 May 2026 17:05:12 +0000

We are excited to announce a special feature for this year’s Jones County Heritage Festival: Farm Interviews with local farmers and farm owners across Jones County, North Carolina.

These interviews are designed to highlight the voices and stories behind the farms that help shape our community. Whether you grow crops, raise livestock, or run a family farm, we want to hear your story.

Our goal is to showcase the hard work, traditions, and passion that go into farming in Jones County. Each farm has a unique history, and this is an opportunity to share it with a wider audience.

How it works

We offer flexible interview options to make participation easy:

We can come directly to your farm for an on-site interview
Or you can choose to be interviewed at an off-site location

After you sign up, Heritage Festival Co-Chair, Jacob Morgan, will contact you directly to schedule your interview.

Sharing your story

All interviews will be featured on our official website and shared across our social media pages, helping promote your farm and connect you with the community.

If you are a farmer or farm owner in Jones County, we invite you to participate and help us celebrate the people behind our local agriculture.

We look forward to sharing your story!

Click here to sign up!

Questions?

Reach out to Jacob Morgan at jacob_morgan@ncsu.edu or 252-448-9621

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The Youth T-Shirt Design Contest is back!

Jones County Heritage Festival — Wed, 06 May 2026 12:36:33 +0000

Last year, we had 12 incredible designs from talented Jones County youth - and now it’s their turn to shine again! Youth are invited to design this year’s festival t-shirts, with a few updates to the rules to make it even more fun.

Important: Be sure to review the contest rules and submit your design(s) by the deadline. We can’t wait to see your creativity come to life on this year’s festival t-shirts!

Rules

Youth contest only - must be 18 or under to participate.
Your design must include the words “17th Annual”.
Keep it simple, fun, and full of festival spirit! Think bright, cheerful, and something everyone will love.
Use drawing, painting, or digital artwork (digital designs must be 300 dpi, clear, crisp, and copyright-free).
Maximum of 5 colors for printing (we may adjust if needed).
Your design must fit within a 12” x 12” space.

How to enter

Create your design (be sure to follow the guidelines)
Complete the Entry Form
Submit Your Design: You can submit your design in person or digitally via our email (Make sure your design meets all the rules before submitting)
Submit your entries by the deadline: July 24th, 2026 @ 8AM
Winners will be posted on Facebook (@JonesCountyHeritageFestival) and our website in mid-August 2026

Prizes

Winners will be announced on Facebook (@JonesCountyHeritageFestival) and our website in mid-August 2026.

1st Place: Limited Edition Festival T-Shirt, $30 in Festival Bucks for the 2026 festival, and certificate presented by the Jones County Manager

2nd Place: Limited Edition Festival T-Shirt, $20 in Festival Bucks for the 2026 festival, and certificate presented by the Jones County Manager

3rd Place: Limited Edition Festival T-Shirt, $10 in Festival Bucks for the 2026 festival, and certificate presented by the Jones County Manager

Prizes will be given out the week of the Jones County Heritage Festival or you can claim them the day-of from the Information Table. We will contact all participants via email.

The post The Youth T-Shirt Design Contest is back! appeared first on Jones County Heritage Festival.

Big Changes to the 2026 Festival

Jones County Heritage Festival — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:30:48 +0000

As planning continues for this year’s Jones County Heritage Festival, organizers are announcing several changes aimed at creating a more community-focused experience while better supporting the festival’s mission of promoting local agriculture, heritage, and traditional skills.

Local Entertainment Show and the Pageant Will Not Return This Year

After careful consideration and feedback from vendors, exhibitors, and attendees, the festival will not host the Local Entertainment Show during this year’s event.

For many years, local performers have been an important part of the festival, and organizers expressed appreciation for the many groups and individuals who have participated over time. However, the festival committee acknowledged that the environment created by loud music and low lighting often made it difficult for vendors and heritage skill exhibitors to interact with attendees and provide demonstrations.

“One of the most important parts of the Heritage Festival is giving people the opportunity to learn about local history, agriculture, crafts, and traditional skills,” a committee member shared. “We recognize that we have not always created the best environment for those interactions to happen, and we feel it is important to make changes that better support that mission.”

While the entertainment show and pageant will not take place this year, performers and community organizations are still encouraged to participate in the festival parade.

Concert Will Also Not Be Held

Festival organizers also announced that the annual concert will not return this year.

Instead, efforts are being redirected toward developing new activities and experiences that are more family-friendly and community-centered. Organizers say the goal is to create programming that better reflects the overall purpose and atmosphere of the Heritage Festival.

“Our mission has always been to celebrate Jones County agriculture, heritage, and community,” a committee member said. “As organizers, we also have to be willing to acknowledge when something is no longer serving that mission the way it should. We know there are areas where the festival experience can improve, and we are committed to making thoughtful changes that better support our vendors, exhibitors, families, and community as a whole.”

Additional announcements and details about new festival activities will be released in the coming months.

The post Big Changes to the 2026 Festival appeared first on Jones County Heritage Festival.

Mobile Phone Photography Competition (2026)

Jones County Heritage Festival — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:12:44 +0000

Capture the spirit of Jones County by submitting an entry to this year's amateur mobile phone photography competition!

Photos must feature subjects inspired by Jones County Heritage, such as landscapes, wildlife, moments in time, local culture, human connection, etc. We want to showcase great images. We hope to see all genres and styles submitted. Check out last year's winners!

All photos must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1st, 2026.

See competition rules and information below.

Rules

Who Can Enter: Open to all residents of Jones County, all ages.
Theme: Photos should capture Jones County heritage – landscapes, wildlife, local culture, people, or memorable moments.
Content: Must be family-friendly; no obscene or inappropriate material.
Device: Photos must be taken on a mobile phone or tablet.
File Format & Size: JPG or PNG, max 10 MB per photo.
Entries: Maximum of 5 photos per entrant.
Original Work: Entrants must own the rights to their photos; submissions must not infringe on any third-party rights.
Usage Rights: By submitting, entrants grant the Jones County Heritage Festival permission to use their photos for promotional, educational, and publicity purposes, including online, in print, and on social media.

How To Enter

Submit your entries by Tuesday, September 1st, 2026 @ 5PM:

By Email:

Email entries to jcheritagefestival@jonescountync.gov (Attn: 2026 JCHF Photography Competition).
Include your: name, age, hometown, photo title, photo location, device used, and contact info (parent/guardian info required if under 18).

OR By Using the Button Below:

Click on the button below and submit your information on the form.
A Google Account is required for this option.

Submit your photo entries (Google Account required)

Judging and prizes

Winners: Six winners will be selected:
- - Top 3: Based on the most Facebook likes on submitted photos.
  - Judges’ Choice (3): Selected by a panel based on composition, creativity, storytelling, originality, and theme relevance.
Announcement: Winners will be announced Monday, September 14th, 2026. We will contact all winners using the email address listed on your submission with details on how to pick up prizes and awards.
Prizes: Certificate of recognition + Festival Bucks redeemable for festival activities and merch at the Jones County Heritage Festival on September 25th & September 26th, 2026.

The post Mobile Phone Photography Competition (2026) appeared first on Jones County Heritage Festival.

A Farmers Market at the JCHF2026?

Jones County Heritage Festival — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 14:14:48 +0000

In an effort to further celebrate our agricultural roots and local heritage, we are excited to officially add a one-day Farmers Market to this year’s festival! To make this possible, we are seeking local growers who would like to participate as vendors on Saturday, September 26th, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at this year’s festival.

Please help us spread the word to friends, neighbors, and local farmers. We are looking for vendors offering fresh produce, eggs, baked goods, meat, etc. to sell during the festival.

Event Details

WHEN: Saturday, September 26th, 2026 | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
WHERE: Jones County Heritage Festival
Jones County Civic Center
832 NC Hwy 58 S, Trenton, NC 28585

Review the Vendor Handbook and submit your Farmers Market Booth application today!

Frequently Asked Questions

When will it be?
Saturday, September 26th, 2026 | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM

Where will it be held?
During the Jones County Heritage Festival at the Jones County Civic Center (832 NC Hwy 58 S, Trenton, NC 28585).

Will vendors be inside or outside?
The Farmers Market will be held outside, in front of the Civic Center.

What's the size of our spots?
15x15 ft.

Will I have access to electricity?
Electricity is limited so you will need to bring a generator.

Can vendors be from a different county?
Yes. Our priority is to fill spaces with Jones County growers first, but we still encourage interested vendors from surrounding counties to sign up.

Will duplicate items be allowed?
Yes. Please list all items on your application so we can ensure duplicate items sold by vendors aren't being sold side-by-side.

If I sign up for the Interest List, will I have to apply again?
No. If we can proceed with this addition, your information will be copied over from the Interest List onto our Farmers Market vendor list. No reapplying required. As of April 13th, 2026, all interested parties need to submit the official registration.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please reach out to Emoni Burgess at jcheritagefestival@jonescountync.gov or 252-448-9621, OPTION 2.

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March Madness Fundraiser (2026)

Jones County Heritage Festival — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:56:34 +0000

Cancelled due to low participation

We're kicking off the pre-festival activities with our first annual March Madness Fundraiser!

Get ready for the excitement of March Madness while supporting a great cause! The JCHF 2026 March Madness Bracket Challenge is officially open to the public, and we invite you to join the fun.

Each year, the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament brings thrilling upsets, buzzer-beaters, and unforgettable moments. Now you can test your bracket skills, compete for prizes, and support JCHF at the same time.

Official Rules

The JCHF March Madness Bracket Challenge is open to the public. All participants must complete the official registration form by March 15, 2026.
The entry fee is $10 per bracket. Multiple brackets are allowed; however, each bracket requires a separate entry fee. All payments are non-refundable.
Brackets must be completed using the official online platform provided by the National Collegiate Athletic Association for the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.
Instructions for joining the official JCHF bracket group will be emailed to all registered participants after registration closes.
All brackets must be submitted on the ESPN NCAA Tournament challenge website before the first game of the tournament begins. No changes may be made once games have started.
Scoring and standings will follow the official scoring system as displayed on the ESPN NCAA Tournament website within the JCHF group.
The ESPN NCAA Tournament challenge website's built-in Championship Game total points prediction will serve as the official tiebreaker. If a tie remains after the ESPN NCAA Tournament challenge tiebreaker, prize money will be split evenly among tied participants.
Prize distribution will be based on the total number of paid entries and will be announced after registration closes.
JCHF reserves the right to disqualify any unpaid or ineligible entries. All decisions made by the JCHF Committee are final.

How To Play

Read the official rules
Register online: March Madness Fundraiser Registration Form
After registration closes, you will receive an email with instructions on how to join our private group through the official bracket platform hosted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Once you join the group:

Complete your bracket online.
Submit your picks before the first tournament game begins.
Follow along as the standings update throughout the tournament.

All scoring and tiebreakers will follow the official ESPN NCAA Tournament challenge website bracket system.

Entry Fee

$10 per bracket (exact cash or check only)

Participants may enter multiple brackets, but each bracket requires a separate entry fee. All payments are non-refundable.

Important Dates

Registration Deadline: March 15, 2026
Bracket Submission Deadline: Before the first tournament game tips off (expected March 19, 2026)

Be sure to watch your email after registering for detailed instructions on how to join the official JCHF bracket group.

Why Participate?

Every entry helps support the Jones County Heritage Festival and the continued success of our annual festival. This fundraiser allows our community to come together in a fun, competitive way while contributing to an event that celebrates our county’s heritage, agriculture, and community pride.

Whether you're a college basketball expert or just picking teams based on mascots and colors, everyone has a shot at winning. So gather your friends, challenge your coworkers, and see who can build the ultimate bracket!

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