2026 Schedule of Events

“Welcome to our 55th Year of Celebrating Sweet Potatoes”

                  Festival Motto:  “Let’s Have A Yam Good Time!”    

North Carolina Yam Festival Headquarters Days and Hours of Operation 

  Friday, October 16, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

   Monday, October 19- Friday, October 23, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

           Yam Fest Saturday, October 24, 8:00 – 5:00 p.m. 

                                                                                                        

The Tabor City Public Library, located at 101 East Fifth Street, sits next door to the NC Yam Festival Office.  The library serves as the  NC Yam Festival Headquarters for INFORMATION and a variety of “Free Souvenirs” such as coloring books, notepads, and bookmarks especially during the months of September & October.  During the month of October, stop by to see the handmade craft work of our Mascot, Tiger Tater!  You do not want to miss it!

The ladies there will have T-shirts and other souvenirs on DISPLAY…display only. Souvenirs must be purchased from the NC Yam Festival Office, which is located, just a few steps away, next door to the library.                                                            Parade & Vendor Applications may be picked up from the library, BUT MUST BE RETURNED, WITH PAYMENT, to the NC YAM FESTIVAL OFFICE.  

Be sure to pick up a Free Yam Festival Coloring Book and a Free “Don’t be a Tater Hater” bookmark for your youngsters. Get a notepad or two for the family. 

Don’t forget to stop by to see Tiger Tater’s replica crafts of yesteryears. 

We look forward to seeing you on Yam Fest Saturday!  

Events Held Prior to Festival Month of October

Tuesday, May 26

• Spring Planting Day                                                                                                        School-aged children and teens learned how to plant sweet potato slips, how to care for the plants as their sweet potatoes grow, and how to harvest their crop.  This event was held at the Yam Festival Office located at 103-D East Fifth Street.                                                                  

Thursday, September 10

• Information Meeting for NC Yam Festival Pageant Contestants                                 Tabor City Visitor Center, 301 East Fifth Street, 6:00 -7:00 p.m.    

Monday, September 14

• Postcard Design Contest Begins                                                                                School-aged youth are encouraged to participate by entering in one of four age divisions.  A winner will be selected in each age division with each receiving a $50 cash prize.  The winning designs will be printed on postcards.  Winners will be announced on October 7.  Please call the Yam Festival Office at 910-377-3248 for    the rules and guidelines.  Copies will be available at the Yam Festival Headquarters (Tabor City Public Library).                                                                

Friday, September 18

• NC Yam Festival Pageant Application Deadline, 5:00 p.m.

Festival Month Events & Activities

Saturday, October 3

• North Carolina Yam Festival Scholarship Pageant                                             South Columbus High School, 40 Stallion Drive, Tabor City                                             Doors open at 3:00 p.m.  Pageant begins at 4:00 p.m.                                                    Admission Fee is $10 (includes program) / Children 5 and younger are Free.

Saturday, October 10

• Entry deadline for the Poetry Contest                                                    Open to grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, High School                                                                       Each work must be original and work may only be submitted by a teacher.  All contest entrants must be a student in Columbus County.  Any length of poem will be accepted.  For more information, please call Committee Chair, Kelly Jones at 910-642-5168 extension 24007.  

Friday, October 16                                                 

• Accepting Entries for the Sweet Potato Quality Contest                               Youth & Adult Entries may be dropped off at the Tabor City Public Library,                 101 East Fifth Street from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. 
• Yam Man Hat Decorating Contest begins. For details, please call 910-377-3248.

Monday, October 19

• Sweet Potato Quality Contest                                                                            Location is the Tabor City Public Library, 101 East Fifth Street.   Youth & Adult Entries will be accepted until 8:30 a.m.  Judging begins promptly at 9:00 a.m.  Winners will be announced as soon as possible via Facebook. 

• Deadline to Enter Business & Residential Decorating Contest                                  Everyone is encouraged to decorate. There is no theme, just our Motto:  “Let’s Have A Yam Good Time”.  To enter, please call 910-377-3248 by 4 p.m. on Monday, October 19.  Judging will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 20. 
• Poetry Contest Winners will be Announced                                                      Via our NC Yam Festival Facebook page  

Tuesday, October 20 

• Sweet Potato Food Cook Off                                                                                Deadline to enter is from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.                                                    All entries need to be dropped off at The Todd House Wedding & Event Center located at 102 Live Oak Street, Tabor City, NC 28463.  Closed Judging session will take place from 11:00 a.m. -12:00 noon.  Entries will be open to public viewing from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.  
• Yam Festival Workers’ Appreciation Breakfast                                                            Hosted by Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation (by invitation only)
• Deadline to enter the Yam Man Hat Decorating Contest                           Must Enter by 5 p.m.  (Winners will be announced on Wednesday, October 21st.)
• Paint a Yam Man Class                                                                                Instructor is LuAnn Milligan Pickell                                                                              Must reserve your space by calling the NC Yam Festival office at 910-377-3248.            Cost is $25 per person and will include everything you need to paint your very own Yam Festival “Yam Man Door Hanger”.  Location is the Todd House Wedding & Event Center, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.                                                 

Wednesday, October 21

• You are invited to attend one of the many churches in our area.

Thursday, October 22

• Art/Photography/Sweet Potato Crafts Registration                                        Student and Adult Entries will be accepted at The Todd House Wedding & Event Center in the Banquet Hall, 102 Live Oak Street, Tabor City on Thursday, October 22.  Entries will be judged.  For more information regarding entries, please contact              Kelly Jones at 910-642-5168 extension 24007. 
• Taste of Tabor at Sunnyfield Equestrian Farm                                                    Location: 1861 Ten Mile Road, Tabor City, 6-9 p.m.                                                          Fun-filled evening with great food, live entertainment provided by JamieLynn and Carolina SunSet, and great fellowship.  A photo opportunity will be available. Tickets are only $30 in advance/$35 at the door for ages 11 & up, $12 in advance/$15 at the door for ages 7-10, ages 6 and under are free.                                                                Ticket Locations: First Bank (102 East Fifth Street) NC Yam Festival Office (103-D East Fifth Street)   For more details, please call the NC Yam Festival office at 910-377-3248.                                                                                                                        

Friday, October 23

• Art/Photography/Sweet Potato Crafts Show                                                         The Todd House Wedding & Event Center’s Banquet Hall, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.   
• Yam Walk                                                                                                                         For more information, please call Miranda Thompkins (910-840-0567) or                   Brenda Norris (910-840-1077). 
• Yam Dance & Fall Bash (in partnership w/Fifty Five Athletics) Inaugural Event   Located at Lake Tabor Field & Park, 102 Lynwood Norris Road, Tabor City, NC.       Trick or Treat in the Park, Costume Contest, Games, Music by DJ Donnie Coleman, Dancing, and more, 6:00 p.m – 10:00 p.m.                                                                        Bring a lawn chair (bleachers will not be available).  Free admission & free activities.     *Concessions will be available for purchase with cash or card.*
• Yam Bowl                                                                                                                    South Columbus High School vs West Bladen at 7:00 p.m.                                              SCHS, 40 Stallion Drive, Tabor City, NC    

**The BIG YAM DAY** 

Saturday, October 24

• NC Yam Festival Headquarters & Outdoor Booth Information, Free Yam Fest Coloring Books, T-shirts & other Souvenirs (souvenirs prices vary).  Handmade displays by the NC Yam Festival Mascot, Tiger Tater.   Tabor City Public Library located at 101 East Fifth Street. 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.   Free Admission.      
• 5k Walk/Run                                                                                                 Tabor City Emergency Services is organizing this event. Begins at 7:00 a.m.             Please contact Lorrie Lancaster with any questions.  910-234-2516
• Tabor City High School Alumni Reunion at the new Tabor City School                    Doors will open at 1:00 p.m. for registration and for alumni to begin to gather.  The Class of 1976 will be in charge of the program which will begin at 2:00 p.m. and conclude at 4:00 p.m.  All TCHS Graduates are invited to attend.  (Please contact your graduation class officers for information on potential individual class reunion plans.)     

• Car, Truck, Bike & Tractor Show (Hosted by Classic Cruisers Car Club)  Located on Live Oak Street from Tabor City Baptist Church to Pireway Road. Registration: 8:30 – 12:00 noon, Judging begins at 12:30 p.m.  Trophies will be awarded at 3:00 p.m.  For information on how to enter, please call Committee Chair Brian Perry at 843-331-7365.
• Vendors (Arts, Crafts, Food and more)                                                        Downtown on Hickman Road, East Fourth Street, East Fifth Street, Live Oak Street, and around the Todd House Wedding & Event Center Stage from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  No admission fee for you to enter the festival.  Vendors set their own prices for their products.  If you are interested in being a Vendor, please contact us by phone or email at 910-377-3248 / ncyamfest@gmail.com.      
• Yam Row                                                                                                                         Downtown Tabor City.                                                                                                       For details, please call the NC Yam Festival Office.  910-377-3248
• KidsZone (No fees)                                                                                      Located in the parking lot of the Garrel Depot featuring Flimsy the Clown, Carnival Games, Inflatables, and more.  LOTS of FUN!  FREE!! 

• Yam Festival Parade                                                                                   Featuring more than 125 units consisting of high school bands, clowns, area pageant titleholders, various Shriner units, fire trucks and other emergency vehicles, floats, and so much more!  Begins at 10:00 a.m. originating at 7th and Main Streets, down Main Street, left onto Green Sea Road, then a quick right onto Hickman Road, left onto Bell Street, left onto Pireway Road, left onto 5th Street, then turn right onto Wall Street.   
• Sweet Potato Give Away                                                                         Begins after the parade in the parking lot of Tabor City Public Library located at             101 East Fifth Street.
• Sweet Potato Pie Eating Contest                                                                    Begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Todd House Wedding & Event Center Stage.  Youth & Adult Contestant spots are limited.  To register, call the NC Yam Festival Office by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 23.                                                                                    
• Entertainment on the Todd House Wedding & Event Center Stage                           Entertainment begins following the parade and will continue until 5:00 p.m.  First up, expect to enjoy the annual pie eating contest, followed by lots of local talent as they sing and dance their way into your hearts.  After our local youth are done, please stay to enjoy some live music. Loads of fun for all!  Entertainment is Free.
• Hickman Road Stage – Live Entertainment                                                                   Location is on Hickman Road in front of United Bank.                                  Entertainment will begin after the parade.  Jamie Lynn and Carolina Sunset are on the schedule.  Also plan to enjoy a variety of music to complete the afternoon. Bleacher seating is limited, so feel free to bring a lawn chair.     
• Art/Photography/Sweet Potato Crafts Show                                                     Adult & Youth Divisions, The Todd House Wedding & Event Center                               11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 
• Mt. Tabor School                                                                                                           Historical renovated one room schoolhouse at the corner of Stake Road and                East Fifth Street in front of Tabor City School.  Will be hosted by School Marm              Beth Niven Godwin from 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m. Free admission.
• Historic “Self-Guided” Walking Tour                                                                            Pick up a guide at the Tabor City Visitor Center or the Tabor City Public Library.             For additional information, please contact Committee Chair Dianne Nobles Ward at 910-653-4141.  
• Basic Life Support Competition (Hosted by Tabor City EMS)                       Tabor City Rescue Squad located on the corner of East Fifth and Jones Streets,           1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Bleacher seating is limited, so feel free to bring a lawn chair.
• Stallion Classic (Hosted by South Columbus High School)                                        Located at South Columbus High School on the Stallion Football Field.                        Begins at 3:00 p.m. Awards ceremony to follow.                                        Admission Fees: Adults $10, Students (K-12) $5, Kids (5 y/o & Under): Free

 CONTACT INFORMATION

Joseph Small NC Yam Festival President 103-D East Fifth Street Tabor City, N. C.  28463 910-377-3248 www.ncyamfestival.com

Cynthia Nelson NC Yam Festival Manager / Secretary 103-D East Fifth Street Tabor City, N. C.  28463 910-377-3248 * 910-840-0292 ncyamfest@gmail.com

The NC YAM FESTIVAL IS HELD THE 4TH SATURDAY IN OCTOBER #NCYamFestival     #YamGoodTime     #DontBeATaterHater     #YamFest2026

*HANDICAP PARKING* Tabor City District Courthouse parking lot on W. Fourth Street

PORT-O-JOHN LOCATIONS 2 (includes 1 handicap unit) at Tabor City Public Library 2 (includes 1 handicap unit) in Kid Zone / Garrell Depot Parking Lot 3 (includes 1 handicap unit) beside old Town Hall on 4th Street    3 (includes 1 handicap unit) Live Oak Street – Car Show Area  3 (includes 1 handicap unit) Live Oak Street – Todd House / Truist Bank Area  2 (includes 1 handicap unit) Courthouse Parking Lot on 4th Street 

HAND WASHING STATIONS There will be 4 handwashing stations placed throughout the festival area. 

Thank you to all SPONSORS for making these festival events possible!

SPECIAL THANKS TO: The TOWN OF TABOR CITY for everything they do to support the festival. ATLANTIC PRINTING for taking care of all of our printing needs.