After 20-year run, Muscadine Festival hits pause

KENANSVILLE — The NC Muscadine Festival, a hallmark event for Duplin County for the past two decades, has officially been postponed until 2026. Traditionally held each fall at the Duplin Events Center, the festival has showcased the county’s unique charm and Southern hospitality, bringing pride and economic vitality to the area as it celebrates North Carolina’s native muscadine grape and attracts thousands of visitors from across the state.

While some initially suggested that the recent dissolution of the Duplin County Tourism Authority was the reason for the postponement, longtime festival organizer Tom Fife clarified that the festival is not a county-run event. He noted that a change in financial terms with the events center was at the heart of the decision.

“The Muscadine Festival Committee puts this event on, and all of the expenses are paid through our 501(c)(3),” said Fife. He explained that the nonprofit operates on a tight budget, typically breaking even or generating only a modest surplus. 

In previous years, the committee was responsible for paying for venue rental and labor. However, in 2024, they were unexpectedly asked to cover the cost of tables, chairs, and “in addition to that, we would have to pay them 10% of the gate,” said Fife, explaining that the charges would have turned the event from a break-even scenario into a financial loss. 

“This was the first time I had heard this. And this is after the event is over,” Fife explained. “This is what led ultimately to postponing the festival until 2026.”

According to Fife, the Muscadine Festival’s expenses in 2024 were approximately $74,000, with only a narrow $2,000 profit.

“If we had paid the additional things they wanted us to pay, that would have been an additional $5,000. So, right there is a $3,000 loss,” he told Duplin Journal. When Fife was informed that these new charges would become standard going forward and that there was no room for negotiation, the committee decided it could not proceed with the event this year.

“You can’t do an event year-after-year where you’re going to lose money,” he said, noting that the festival relies on sponsorships, merchandise, and ticket sales rather than large profit margins.

Planning for the festival typically begins in January, with early commitments needed for tents and band bookings. However, due to rising costs and the lack of a willingness to negotiate, the committee was unable to move forward with plans for 2025. The cancellation was communicated to vendors in the spring.

Fife expressed hope that the additional year would allow the committee to either reach a new agreement with the events center or explore alternative locations. Fife also noted that he plans to step back from festival leadership. While future leadership has not been determined, the current committee intends to keep the festival going.

“My hope is that it will all be worked out because the events center is something we want to support. It’s the obvious place to have it,” he said. “Hopefully, the county would negotiate and we could have things worked out in time to plan for doing the event there in 2026.”

Fife said he was surprised by the sudden dissolution of the Duplin Tourism Development Authority, especially after tourism had asked him to participate in a meeting on June 26 with county representatives to discuss the possibility of tourism taking over the festival. 

“That’s an awfully short time to make a decision following that and dissolve tourism if the purpose of the meeting was to talk about how tourism could operate the Muscadine Festival,” said Fife. 

“I think it’s unfortunate that tourism has been dissolved,” said Fife. “Because we were hoping that tourism would be able to take over [the Muscadine Festival]. I think that would have been a natural fit, but obviously that’s not going to be able to happen now.”

When asked if the county might take over the festival, there was some hesitation.

“That’s not going to be my decision. For now, I know that the committee does not want to do that,” Fife explained, adding that the committee’s intent remains to retain control of the festival in alignment with its original purpose. Whether this position will change in the future remains uncertain, but currently, there is no indication that county involvement is being actively pursued.

As for collaboration with the county, no new discussions have occurred.

“As far as I’m aware, the only discussions about it have been those that tourism was having with the county before tourism was dissolved. Now, what has happened since then, I don’t know, because I’ve not been a part of it,” said Fife.

While the festival’s absence may be temporary, its loss is already being felt. Among those impacted is 16-year-old Duplin County entrepreneur Madison Kornegay, who operates a wholesale handmade jewelry business and partners with 14 retailers. Kornegay estimated a loss of at least $5,000 in revenue due to the cancellation of the Muscadine Festival and the Duplin County Fair. 

“This is a significant impact for a young entrepreneur like me, and I know I’m not the only one affected,” Kornegay shared during the August county commissioners meeting. “In 2024, the Muscadine Festival hosted over 35 craft vendors, 20 wineries, and a wide range of food vendors, a clear reflection of how strong a community draw it brings.” 

Although disappointed by the interruption, Fife remains hopeful about the festival’s return in 2026.