Seaboard Festival returns to Hamlet Oct. 26

The largest, longest-running festival in Richmond County, The Seaboard Festival, is coming up on Oct. 26, 2024. Since 1982, Main Street in Downtown Hamlet has hosted an annual celebration of the town’s rich railroad history as the former “Hub of the Seaboard” on the last Saturday in October.

The 42nd Annual Hamlet Seaboard Festival powered by Rev Federal Credit Union offers a full day of family fun with a host of activities suited for all ages and more than 200 vendors with craft, commercial, food, and other specialty goods lining Main Street beginning at 9 a.m. following the Annual Seaboard Festival 5K at 8 a.m.

Proceeds from the 5K have funded two annual scholarships for students at Richmond Community College with a third scholarship added in 2023, the Lee Watson Memorial Scholarship. Forty-ounce tumblers will be sold prior to and at the race with proceeds going to the scholarship set up in Watson’s name.

The 42nd Annual Seaboard Festival powered by Rev Federal Credit Union will start after the opening ceremony on the Main Stage located by Hamlet Depot at 9 a.m. and will include a few words from festival organizers, the pledge of allegiance, prayer, and the singing of the national anthem.

A full itinerary of fun is scheduled for the kids in the Pee Dee Electric Kids Zone, located across from Hamlet City Hall between Henderson and Champlain Streets, featuring bounce houses, a rock-climbing wall, and more. There will be multiple demonstrations from local dance and martial arts groups and other activities.

Performances in the Pee Dee Electric Kids Zone start at 11:30 a.m. to noon., followed by Bold Dance Moves Co. at 12:20 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., Dance Sensations from 1:30-2 p.m. followed by PKSA. There will be a meet-and-greet with Chase and Marshall (Paw Patrol) and Sparky & McGruff.

Just a few blocks down Main Street, Hamlet Depot and Museums will be surrounded by festival fun. DJ Bowtie will kick start the entertainment at 9:15-11:30 a.m. playing a mix of hits from the ‘80s, ‘90s and present. Erik Hawks will follow from noon to 1:30 p.m. with a break at 1 p.m. for one of our favorite contests, the Conductor’s Call, where cash prizes will be awarded to youth and adults with the best and loudest versions of “All Aboard!”

Special Occasions Band will conclude entertainment at the Depot Stage performing from 3-5 p.m. At the top of Main Street on stage next to the Hamlet Library, local line dance groups will perform at 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., followed by The Jonathan Robinson Band from noon to 2:30 p.m. and wrapping up with The Sand Band from 3- 5 p.m.

Beside the Depot, on the lawn, vintage and new cars and trucks will line the railroad tracks to compete in the Seaboard Festival Car Show. The huge regional car show welcomes all makes and models and awards cash prizes to the top three winners! Registration starts at 8:30 am and official show time is from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Awards from the more than 20 classes will be announced at the end of the show.

The North Carolina Forest Service will return this year with Smokey the Bear, the biplane and helicopter directly behind the historic Depot building. Another must see display by the Depot this year will be one of the Seaboard Heritage Locomotives.

Whether it’s the day full of live music, dance performances, the wide variety of more than 200 vendors, reunite with old friends, make new friends, spend quality time with family, indulge in delicious food, learn about the rich railroad history of Hamlet, run in the 5K, compete in the car show, or conductor’s call, or to just see why this tradition has continued for 42 years, we are excited to see you on Oct. 26 in the beautiful heart of Downtown Hamlet.

The Seaboard Festival is made possible by the nonprofit organization Seaboard Day Festival, Inc., which is managed by a group of dedicated volunteers.