50th Ayden Collard Festival begins Thursday

AYDEN, N.C. (WNCT) — The Ayden Collard Festival starts Thursday and this one is special, marking the 50th anniversary.

It all began in 1975 when a woman suggested they have a festival in Ayden. The citizens voted on the name and from there, the Collard Festival was born. They also have the event as a homecoming for those who have moved away from the town, giving people a fun reason to come back and visit.

“So the first thing we’ve done that’s special is we’ve added on a third day,” Chairperson of the Ayden Collard Festival Committee Jessica Edwards said. “This is something we used to do back in the day before the pandemic hit. So, we’re going to have Spare Change, which is a local band come out. We love Spare Change and a lot of people in the community do. We’re also having a foam party for kids that’s going to be free, and then we have our wristband night with our rides, which we always do.”

The parade is Saturday at 10 a.m., followed by line dancing, clown appearances, collard-eating contestants and more.

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