By Charlotte Smith
The Director of Communication and Marketing for the Town of Elizabethtown, North Carolina, has announced a new development as the Town wraps up its 250th anniversary year with the Homecoming Celebration on September 23. Director Terri Dennison explained after extensive deliberations over the past few months, the Town Council and the Elizabethtown staff have collectively decided to postpone this year’s Pork and Beats event for November. This decision aims to pave the way for a remarkable reinvention of the festival, elevating it to new heights in the coming year.
The Pork and Beats Festival has always been a tribute to our area’s rich agricultural heritage and a catalyst for boosting the local economy through increased tourism and visitation. To enhance the festival’s appeal, the Town has enlisted the expertise of an award-winning festival company based in Pinehurst. Together, the festival organizers will collaborate to reimagine the 2024 edition of the Pork and Beats Festival. The Town hopes to make the event even more captivating for our community, Bladen County, the broader region, and neighboring states.
The original vision for the Pork Festival in Elizabethtown was conceived by the late Mike “Tank” Shaw and his sons, Michael “Bull” and Richard “Sling” Shaw. Inspired by the successful agricultural festivals in neighboring towns such as Ammon’s Blueberry Festival, Dublin’s Peanut Festival, and Bladenboro’s Beast Festival, the Shaw family saw an opportunity to celebrate Bladen County’s role as one of the nation’s leading pork producers. Their passion for community and agriculture was the driving force behind bringing the Pork Festival to Elizabethtown.
In a statement released by the Shaw family, they expressed their full support for the Town of Elizabethtown in rebranding the Pork and Beats Festival. They emphasized that the original festival was designed to unite families and businesses, fostering collaboration through an agricultural-themed event. The Shaw family, who operated a family farm and local business for over 30 years, sees this evolution as a continuation of Mike “Tank” Shaw’s vision for a unifying community event.
The Shaw family is excited about the Town’s plans for the future of the festival and hopes it will continue to benefit the local economy and families for years to come.
The Town’s recent announcement regarding the festival’s postponement includes a promise of updates, with additional details on the event set to emerge in early January. According to Director Dennison, this strategic decision is expected to spotlight the outstanding Elizabethtown community and create a destination atmosphere in 2024 and beyond, offering benefits to all.
Concluding her statement, Dennison encouraged residents and visitors to participate in the 250th Anniversary Homecoming Events on September 23, the Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting on November 26, and the Christmas Festivities at the Cape Fear Farmers Market throughout December.
Related article:
https://bladenonline.com/pork-
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