Jones County Heritage Festival

Do You Know Jones County? NEW Pre-Festival Fun!

Jones County Heritage Festival — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 18:48:04 +0000

Our last 2026 Pre-Festival Contest starts Monday, August 24th, 2026 and ends on Monday, August 31st, 2026. Throughout the contest, we’ll share photos of historic places, landmarks, buildings, and other locations throughout Jones County. Each photo will come with a question about the location or the history behind it.

How to Play

Visit our Jones County Heritage Festival Facebook page Monday, August 24th - August 31st, 2026 to play!
Look each photo and read the question.
Comment your answer by identifying the location and/or answering the history question.
Share what you know! If you know an interesting fact about the location, include it in your comment.
Earn an entry! Correct answers and/or accurate historical facts will earn one entry into the grand prize drawing.

The Prizes

3 winners will be selected at random!

Each winner will receive:

$25 Piggly Wiggly Gift Card
Limited Edition Jones County Heritage Festival T-Shirt

Contest Rules

Each person may receive one total entry into the grand prize drawing.
You may participate in as many individual photo questions as you would like, but you will only receive one entry total.
Answers must correctly identify the location and/or provide an accurate answer or historical fact related to the photo and question.
Multiple participants may receive credit for the same correct answer.
Comments must be posted on the original contest post to qualify.
Entries must be submitted by the deadline announced in the final contest post.
Winners will be selected at random from all eligible entries using Spin the Wheel.
Winners will be announced after the contest ends.
You do not need to be from Jones County, NC to play.
You do not need to be a Facebook follower for our page to win.
Prizes are non-transferable and have no cash value beyond the stated gift card amount.

A special thanks to Piggly Wiggly - Trenton, NC for sponsoring this contest!

Ready to Play?

Test your Jones County knowledge, discover some local history, and see what you can learn along the way!

Click here to visit our Facebook page!

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An Art Show at the 2026 Jones County Heritage Festival?

Jones County Heritage Festival — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:07:58 +0000

Calling all artists! The Jones County Arts Council (JCAC) will host an art competition during the Jones County Heritage Festival, welcoming children and adults, as well as professional and novice artists.

Viewers Choice Award for all Artists
Artwork can be sold on site at your price.

How To Enter

Send JCAC a picture of your work with the appropriate entry fee and application before Sept. 12, 2026 to presjcac@yahoo.com to get your entry space reserved. Only 1 entry per artist.
There is no charge for Children under 18, but Adults, both Professional and Non-Professional Entry Fee is $30 (which includes membership in the Arts Council. Current members will only pay $10.

WHERE IS THE ART SHOW?

The art show will be at 147 W Jones St, Trenton, NC during the festival, on Saturday, September 26th, 2026 9AM-3PM giving attendees an opportunity to view and purchase local artwork and participate in the Viewer’s Choice Award.

Questions

Contact JCAC with questions about the Art Show at presjcac@yahoo.com.

Or for entry information, fees, rules, and registration, visit the Jones County Arts Council website: https://jonescountyarts.com/2026-call-for-art/

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Celebrating America 250 at JCHF 2026!

Jones County Heritage Festival — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:29:19 +0000

This year, the Jones County Heritage Festival is joining communities across the country in celebrating America’s 250th anniversary!

Throughout the festival, we’ll be incorporating special America 250-themed events, activities, and displays celebrating our nation’s history and the stories, traditions, and people that have shaped our communities.

Some of the ways we’ll be celebrating include:

America 250-themed events, including our Friday Night Putt-Putt and Saturday morning parade
Vendor booths featuring America-themed items for sale or giveaway
Limited-edition festival T-shirts featuring a special America 250 logo
A patriotic colored, limited-edition Blackstone grill set featured as one of the prizes in our free attendee raffle

As a festival dedicated to preserving our agricultural heritage and rural way of life, America 250 gives us another opportunity to reflect on where we’ve come from while celebrating the community we call home.

Join us September 25th, 2026 6PM-10PM* and Saturday, September 26th, 2026, 9AM-3PM as we celebrate 250 years of American history, heritage, and community!

Be on the lookout for more America 250 activities, announcements, and festival updates on our website and Facebook!

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Meet This Year’s Special Festival Friends

Jones County Heritage Festival — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 17:35:41 +0000

There's plenty of excitement in store for families at this year's Jones County Heritage Festival! Join us for a day filled with smiles, laughter, and unforgettable memories as some very special guests make appearances throughout the festival.

The fun begins at 9:00 AM as two special four-legged friends help kick off the day by appearing in the Jones County Heritage Festival Parade. Keep an eye out - you just might spot these playful pups as they make their way through downtown Trenton!

After the parade, our special friends will be at the main festival grounds (Jones County Civic Center) until 10:30AM for a meet-and-greet. Children and families are invited to stop by for:

Meet-and-greet opportunities
Free photo opportunities
Fun treats (while supplies last)

Be sure to visit early, as these special guests will only be at the festival until 10:30 AM before heading off on their next adventure.

The fun continues all day with Pink Peppermint the Clown and Spunky T. Clown, who will be at the festival from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM offering free face painting and balloon twisting for attendees. Whether you're looking for a colorful face painting, a creative balloon animal, or a few laughs, they're sure to keep smiles on faces throughout the day.

Bring your camera, gather the family, and enjoy all the free family-friendly entertainment the Jones County Heritage Festival has to offer. We can't wait to welcome you for a day full of memories!

Character appearances, clown entertainment, face painting, balloon twisting, and youth giveaways are all free for festival attendees while supplies last.

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Carry Jones County Wherever You Go

Jones County Heritage Festival — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:01:21 +0000

Our limited-edition Rooted in Jones County jute tote is designed for more than just festival day. It’s made to go wherever life takes you.

Strong, reusable, and inspired by our local heritage and agriculture, this tote is a practical way to show your connection to Jones County while supporting sustainability and local pride.

Price: $10 | Exact cash or check only

Where to Purchase: Shop now up until the festival at our office: N.C. Cooperative Extension - Jones County Center or wait until Saturday, September 26th, 2026 to buy your festival merch!

Whether you're shopping, traveling, or running errands, your tote is ready to go:

Festival Farmers Market – Fill it with fresh produce, baked goods, and handmade items
Festival vendors – Carry home your favorite finds from local makers
Local Jones County businesses – Support small businesses while keeping everything in one place
Farm stands and roadside markets – Ideal for fresh, locally grown produce! Check VisitNCFarms for local farms in Jones County!
Beach days – Pack towels, sunscreen, snacks, and other essentials for a day out
Everyday use – Grocery trips, errands, and daily activities

Bring home something useful, meaningful, and rooted in Jones County tradition. Whether you are shopping at the festival or running everyday errands, this tote is designed to go with you.

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Outdoor Movie Night at the Jones County Heritage Festival

Jones County Heritage Festival — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:34:00 +0000

This year, instead of our usual Friday night concert, we’ll be turning Friday evening into a Family Fun Night at the Jones County Heritage Festival!

Join us for a relaxed, family-friendly evening filled with activities, food, music, and a FREE outdoor movie experience for the community on Friday, September 25th, 2026 6PM-10PM*.

Festivities begin at 6PM in the front area of the Jones County Civic Center. Food vendors will be on-site from 6PM–10PM offering dinner, dessert, and snack options. From 6PM–8PM, guests can enjoy putt-putt, along with music and all-ages dancing featuring this year's festival DJ. At approximately 8PM, once it gets dark, we’ll transition to an outdoor movie screening.

Attendees are encouraged to bring:

Lawn chairs
Blankets

What Movie Is Playing?

The movie title will be announced closer to the festival date.

And no - this will not be an old movie! We have the ability to show a new release movie for the community to enjoy completely FREE.

Weather Plan

In the event of rain, festivities and the movie will be moved inside the civic center.

Bring your friends, family, and neighbors and enjoy a fun night of entertainment, food, and community fellowship to kick off festival weekend!

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NEW Kids Zone at the Jones County Heritage Festival

Jones County Heritage Festival — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 18:02:22 +0000

Families attending this year's festival will have even more to enjoy with the introduction of a brand-new Kids Zone on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. inside the small auditorium in the Jones County Civic Center.

The Kids Zone will feature a variety of hands-on activities designed to help children explore the past through fun and interactive experiences. Young visitors will have opportunities to create crafts, learn traditional skills, play old-fashioned games, and participate in activities that showcase how everyday life has changed through the years.

Explore progression through the ages
Create rag dolls and bird feeders
Make homemade butter
Biscuit making demonstration
Play with ole time toys and games
Take lots of fun photos

Children can also enjoy oversized games, photo opportunities, sidewalk chalk art, and other family-friendly activities throughout the day. As an added bonus, participants who visit all Kids Zone stations will receive a special prize.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

Our goal is that our new Kids Zone will encourage children and families to engage with local heritage in a fun and memorable way!

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Festival Raffle 2026

Jones County Heritage Festival — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:22:13 +0000

If you follow us on Facebook, you’ve probably seen posts about our festival raffle. We introduced it last year and are excited to bring it back again this year! As a token of appreciation to everyone who attends, each festival-goer will receive (1) free raffle ticket for the chance to win incredible prizes:

Jones County Heritage Festival (2026)
WHERE: Jones County Civic Center (832 NC Hwy 58 S, Trenton, NC 28585)
WHEN: Friday, September 25th, 2026 | 6PM-10PM* (Movie Night) & Saturday, September 26th, 2026 | 9AM-3PM (Festival Fun)

Our raffle drawing will take place in the Jones County Civic Center's Large Auditorium immediately following the Awards Ceremony. Prizes have been generously donated by our vendors and community partners and include vendor merchandise, sports event tickets, home goods, gift cards, and more.

How to Get Your Ticket:
Come to the Large Auditorium at 2PM for our Awards Ceremony and raffle drawing. Each present attendee will receive one ticket. Tickets are available while supplies last, and lost tickets cannot be replaced.

Be sure to hold onto your ticket and listen for your number to be called. You must be present to win!

A special thanks to the donors and vendors that are helping make this raffle happen.

We will have prizes for our youth and adult attendees. We have exciting prizes to raffle off and look forward to continuing this tradition!

Interested in donating to the raffle?

Prize donations can be dropped off to our office at N.C. Cooperative Extension - Jones County Center (367 NC Hwy 58 S, Unit A, Trenton, NC 28585) MON-THURS 8AM-5PM & FRI 8AM-12PM by Friday, August 28th, 2026. Monetary donations are also accepted by July 31st, 2026. Both donations and their corresponding benefits are available here on our website.

All donations must follow the following criteria:

Items must be new and in excellent condition.
Items must be labeled with your business name (if applicable) and a short description if needed. The label will be read during the raffle.
Items must be family-friendly. We will have prizes for youth and adult attendees. Wine vouchers and items like it are fine.

Community Donation Ideas:

Store-bought merchandise or handmade items
Gift caskets
Gift certificates
Meal vouchers
Items that represent your business

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Community Feud: Where Are You Going for Lunch in Jones County?

Jones County Heritage Festival — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:02:10 +0000

For our latest Community Feud question, we asked:

"You got a free afternoon in Jones County. Where are you going for lunch, and what are you ordering?"

The community didn't hesitate to answer, and one local favorite quickly stood out from the crowd. From pizza and subs to cheeseburgers, fried chicken, and oysters, residents shared the meals that keep them coming back for more.

Community Favorites

Aggie's Pizza & Subs (104 W Jones St, Trenton, NC 28585)
The overwhelming favorite among respondents, with many community members mentioning not only the food but also the friendly atmosphere and family behind the business.

Popular orders included:

Super Subs
Ham Subs
Steak Subs with Aggie's special sauce
Ham & Cheese Subs
Turkey Subs
House Pizza and Extra House Pizza
Cheese Pizza
Veggie Pizza
Chicken Sandwiches
Cheeseburgers
Hot Wings
Egg Rolls and Spring Rolls
Chef Salad

Farmer's Kitchen (501 Main St , Maysville, NC, United States, North Carolina

Another local favorite known for comfort food and hearty meals.

Popular orders included:

Fried Chicken with Mashed Potatoes
Philly Cheesesteak

Other Community Favorites

The Charburger Food Truck — Cheeseburgers and Fries
Backroads Smokehouse BBQ — Oysters
214 Kitchen
El Mariachi

One thing became clear from the responses: Jones County residents know where to find a good meal. Whether it's a loaded sub from Aggie's, a plate of fried chicken from Farmer's Kitchen, or a burger from a local food truck, our community has plenty of favorite lunch destinations.

With this final Community Feud question, we've enjoyed seeing the community share their favorite songs, fishing spots, and lunch destinations throughout Jones County. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped showcase the places, traditions, and experiences that make our county special.

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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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