The North Carolina Blueberry Festival will return to downtown Burgaw this summer for its 22nd annual celebration, highlighting the cultural and economic significance of blueberries in southeastern North Carolina.

The festival will kick off Friday, June 20, with a free concert by The Tams beginning at 7 p.m. on the historic courthouse square at 100 S. Wright St. On Saturday, June 21, the festival will run from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and feature a full schedule of events.

Organizers said the event will include more than 175 artisan vendors, fresh local blueberries for sale, children’s activities, food trucks, beer and wine, and live music. Saturday’s entertainment will include a performance by Chairman of the Board, a popular beach music group with deep roots in the region.

Festivalgoers can also take part in a variety of activities, including a blueberry recipe contest, a farm tour, the Tour de Blueberry bike ride, a 5K race, and a car and truck show.

Pets are not allowed at the event, with the exception of service animals specifically trained to assist individuals with disabilities.

“The North Carolina Blueberry Festival is a heritage celebration that brings the community together to honor the blueberry’s place in our region’s history and economy,” festival organizers said in a statement.

Proceeds from the festival support a range of charitable and educational causes, including scholarships for students in blueberry-producing counties—Bladen, Duplin, New Hanover, Pender, and Sampson, as well as school-based academic and athletic programs, medical clinics, and local nonprofit efforts such as Meals on Wheels.

The North Carolina Blueberry Festival Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, coordinates the event with help from more than 100 volunteers.

For more information, visit www.ncblueberryfestival.com.