OurTown

NEWSLETTER
Our T own
Published weekly by the Town of Burgaw | June 15-19, 2026
Get ready, Blueberry Town! Downtown Burgaw is preparing for its biggest
weekend of the year as thousands of visitors arrive to celebrate the annual North
Carolina Blueberry Festival on Saturday, June 20. This year's celebration carries a
special patriotic flair as we proudly embrace the theme of "Red, White &
Blueberries" in honor of America's 250th anniversary. From fresh local blueberries
and delicious blueberry treats to live music, family activities, contests, arts and
crafts, and patriotic spirit, this year ’s festival is sure to promise a fun -filled, berry
magical weekend for everyone.
The Countdown is on for a Berry
Magical Weekend in Blueberry Town
JUNE 19 -20, 2026 | DO WNTOWN BURGA W
Who Puts on the NC Blueberry Festival?
As the festival excitement fills the air, visitors start making plans, and the
questions start rolling in. Many people assume the Town of Burgaw organizes
the NC Blueberry Festival. While the Town is proud to host the festival every
year, the NC Blueberry Festival is actually planned, organized, and operated by
the NC Blueberry Festival Association.
From deciding on the entertainment line -up months in advance to friendly law
enforcement officers greeting you on festival day, a lot of preparation, planning
and collaboration happens behind the scenes. So, let ’s break it down, blueberry
style - Check out the festival facts and helpful information below to get you
ready for the biggest weekend in Burgaw.
North Carolina Blueberry Festival
VISIT WWW.NCBLUEBERRYFESTIV AL.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION
Continued on page 2

Our Town | Page 2
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES
SEE MAP ON PAGE 4
FOR A DETAILED LIST OF TEMPORARY CLOSURES, VISIT
BURGAWNC.GOV/ROADCLOSURES
The NC Blueberry Festival Association is the team behind all the fun,
working year -round to plan, coordinate, and bring Burgaw's biggest
weekend of the year to life. Led by an Executive Director, volunteer
board members, and countless dedicated volunteers, the Association
oversees every aspect of the festival, partnering closely with the Town
of Burgaw to create a safe, organized, and family -friendly celebration
that showcases the very best of our small-town community.
From entertainment and vendors to shuttle services, parking
arrangements, blueberry sales, contests, merchandise, activities, and
countless behind -the-scenes details, their efforts help transform
months of planning into one of Eastern North Carolina's most
anticipated annual celebrations, drawing thousands of residents and
visitors to Burgaw each year.
Behind the Scenes: The Town’s Role in Making
all the Magic Possible
While festivalgoers see the fun, entertainment, and activities, countless hours
of planning, preparation, and collaboration take place behind the scenes long
before, during and after the festival. Although the NC Blueberry Festival
Association organizes the event itself, creating a safe and successful festival
requires extensive coordination among many agencies and community
partners, with the Town of Burgaw playing a vital role in making the event
possible.
Town staff, emergency services personnel, public services employees, and the
Town Council work closely with festival organizers throughout the year to
coordinate public safety operations, review and approve temporary road
closures, publish required public notices, assist with communication efforts,
and support the logistics necessary for an event of this size. Planning also
involves close coordination with Pender County emergency management
personnel, emergency medical services, and law enforcement assistance
from neighboring agencies. This extensive collaboration and careful
preparation help ensure that the resources, plans, and personnel are in place
to support a safe, organized, and successful festival weekend.
Festival Headquarters: Where all the
Berry Magic Begins
Continued on page 3

Our Town | Page 3
Safety Takes Center Stage with New Road Closures this Year
Get the Scoop on All the Festival Details
While the NC Blueberry Festival Association is the best source for
everything festival -related, we have provided a quick guide with
answers to some of the most common questions Town staff receive
leading up to festival weekend. Visit BurgawNC.gov to view
the Festival FAQs.
We’ve heard there’s a berry sweet entertainment line -up this year,
along with lots of fun activities for the whole family, so be sure to
check out the festival schedule and all the details
at NCBlueberryFestival.com.
Safety remains the top priority for festival organizers, public safety personnel, and Town officials. As part of
ongoing efforts to enhance public safety, one of the biggest changes visitors will notice this year is the expansion
of the festival footprint through the temporary closure of a portion of NC Highway 53 (Wilmington Street) within
downtown Burgaw.
The closure was requested by the NC Blueberry Festival Association, approved by the North Carolina Department
of Transportation, and supported by Town officials as part of a collaborative effort to keep safety a top priority. By
creating additional pedestrian space and reducing vehicle traffic within the busiest areas of the festival, the
expanded footprint helps provide a safer environment for residents, visitors, vendors, and volunteers.
Please note that several streets within the downtown area will be temporarily closed during festival weekend.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to visit BurgawNC.gov/roadclosures and follow the Town of Burgaw
Facebook page for the latest information, including a list and map of road closures, traffic updates, and other
important festival-related announcements.
The Real Magic Behind the Berry
The real magic of the festival isn ’t found in the blueberries —it’s found in the hearts of the people who call
Blueberry Town home and come together each year to make this beloved tradition possible.
From residents and local businesses to Festival Association volunteers, emergency services personnel, sponsors,
and Town staff, countless individuals work together behind the scenes to make the North Carolina Blueberry
Festival possible each year – a true reflection of the collaboration, dedication, and community pride that make
Burgaw such a special place.
We extend our sincere appreciation to residents and visitors alike for their patience and cooperation throughout
festival weekend as we welcome thousands of guests to our community. Together, these collective efforts help
create a safe, welcoming, and family-friendly celebration that showcases the very best of Burgaw—our hospitality,
history, hometown charm, and everything that makes us proud to be the Home of the North Carolina Blueberry
Festival.
Whether you're a longtime resident or visiting for the first time, we invite you to join us for another berry sweet
weekend as Burgaw turns Red, White & all things Blueberries!
Here’s to celebrating our town, our traditions and our nation…
Let the berry magical weekend begin!

Our Town | Page 4
In addition to the downtown road closures, various areas around town will be temporary
closed for the annual 5K Run happening on Saturday, June 20th. The run will begin at 7:00
am with street closures beginning at 6:30 am. The following roads/areas are affected by
temporary road closures:
• South Walker Street from Fremont Street to US Highway 117
• South Bickett Street between South Walker Street and East Fremont Street
• South McNeil Street between South Walker Street and East Fremont Street
• South Bennett Street between South Walker Street and East Fremont Street
• South Campbell Street between South Walker Street and East Fremont Street
• South Cowan Street between South Walker Street and East Fremont Street
• And area communities
ANNUAL 5K RUN

Our Town | Page 5
UPCOMING
June 19 –20
North Carolina Blueberry Festival
Downtown
June 22 | 8:00 AM
Town Council Special Meeting: Budget Work
Session
Burgaw Town Center
June 26-27
Juneteenth Celebration
Downtown
June 29 | 9:00 AM
Town Council Special Meeting
Burgaw Town Center
July 3
Town offices closed in observance of
Independence Day
July 4 | 10:00 AM
4th of July Parade
Downtown
July 9 | 8:30 AM
Tourism Development Authority Meeting
Burgaw Visitor Center
July 10 | 8:30 AM
Beautification Committee Meeting
Burgaw Town Center
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETINGS
Notice is hereby given that the Burgaw Town Council has
scheduled the following Special Meetings at the Burgaw
Town Center, 108 E. Wilmington Street, Burgaw, North
Carolina:
• Monday, June 22, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. – Special
Budget Work Session for the continued review and
discussion of the proposed Fiscal Year 2026–2027
Budget.
• Monday, June 29, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. – Special
Meeting for consideration of the adoption of the
Fiscal Year 2026–2027 Budget.
Special thanks to
Monty’s Home
Animal Lovers Thrift
Shop for sharing
their “Patriotic
Pups” with us!
A berry-big thank you!
Thank you to everyone who
helped us Turn Our Town Red,
White & Blueberries as we
welcome the festival and
celebrate America’s 250th!

Our Town | Page 6
The Town of Burgaw is excited to invite residents and visitors to celebrate Independence Day at the Annual
4th of July Parade on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in Downtown Burgaw.
As communities across the nation commemorate America's 250th Anniversary, Burgaw will once again come
together for a patriotic morning filled with hometown pride, red, white and blue decorations, and family -
friendly fun.
The parade is open to everyone, and participants are encouraged to decorate and join the celebration. Golf
carts, bicycles, roller skates, pedestrians, and other non -powered wheeled devices are welcome to
participate. No registration is required. Participants should simply arrive at the Historic Train Depot area by
9:45 a.m. to line up for the parade. To view the parade route, visit BurgawNC.gov.
Following the parade, everyone is invited to enjoy free popsicles and water spraying from the Burgaw Fire
Department's ladder truck at the depot, providing a fun way to cool off after the festivities.
To help ensure a safe and enjoyable event for all, town officials ask participants not to throw candy or other
items to spectators. Additionally, the parade is intended to be a community celebration and no advertising or
political campaigning will be permitted.
"This parade is a wonderful tradition that brings neighbors, families, and friends together to celebrate our
country and our community," Mayor Olivia Dawson said. "As we mark America's 250th Anniversary, we
encourage everyone to join us and show their patriotic spirit by decorating in red, white and blue."
The event is proudly hosted by the
Burgaw Beautification Committee,
Burgaw Fire Department, and Burgaw
Police Department.
Celebrate America with us!

Mayor
Olivia Dawson
Mayor Pro Tem
James Malloy
Council Members
Bill George
William Rivenbark
Michael Pearsall
Myra McDuffie
Town Manager
James H. Gantt
Town Clerk
Kristin J. Wells
Town Attorney
Norwood P. Blanchard, III
Town Hall
109 N. Walker St.
Burgaw, NC 28425
910-259-2151
mail@burgawnc.gov
www.burgawnc.gov
Office Hours
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday-Friday
PUBLIC WORKS
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
NUMBER
PHONE # 910-470-0457
This phone is only answered after
hours, between 4:30 PM - 7:30 AM,
and is for water and sewer
emergencies only . Unless Public
Works has been given prior notice
from Town Hall, Public Works
cannot turn your water on due to
non-payment shut off.
Utilities
663-3445
Parks & Town Events
300-6401
Human Resources
663-3444
Permitting & Inspections
663-3452
Public Services
Department
259-2901
Police Department
Non-Emergency
259-4924
Fire Department
Non-Emergency
259-7494
Elected & Appointed
Officials
Connect with us!
Town Council Meetings
Second Tuesday of every month at 4:30 PM
Public Forum/Public Hearings at 5:30 PM
Burgaw Town Center, 108 E. Wilmington St.
Planning Board Meetings
Third Thursday of every month at 5:30 PM
Burgaw Town Center, 108 E. Wilmington St.
Tourism Development Authority Meetings
First Thursday of every month at 8:30 AM
Burgaw Visitor Center (Old Jail)
106 E. Wilmington St.
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Meetings
Second Monday of February, May, August,
November at 5:30 PM
Burgaw Visitor Center (Old Jail)
106 E. Wilmington St.
Beautification Committee Meetings
First Friday of every month at 8:30 AM
Burgaw Town Center, 108 E. Wilmington St.
CURRENT MEETI NG
SCHED ULE
All meetings listed above are open to
the public; oral and written
comments always welcome.
Meeting agendas can be found on the
town’s website at BurgawNC.gov.
Notices for cancelations and special
called meetings will be posted on the
town’s website and weekly
newsletter when necessary.
For questions or assistance, please
contact the Town Clerk at 910-663-
3441 or kwells@burgawnc.gov.