2025 Schedule of Events
“Welcome to our 53rd Year of Celebrating Sweet Potatoes”
Festival Motto: “Let’s Have A Yam Good Time!”
North Carolina Yam Festival Headquarters Days and Hours of Operation
Click here to download a printable version
of the event schedule
Friday, October 17, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Monday, October 20- Friday, October 24, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Yam Fest Saturday, October 25, 8:00 – 5:00 p.m.
The Tabor City Public Library, located at 101 East Fifth Street, is the official NC Yam Festival Headquarters, especially during the months of September & October. The ladies there may assist you with Information, T-shirts, Souvenirs, Event Tickets, Raffle Tickets, parade and vendor applications, and much more.
Be sure to pick up a Free Yam Festival Coloring Book for your youngsters.
During the entire month of October, please stop by to see the hand-made displays of days gone by as created by our Mascot, Tiger Tater! Free Admission.
Events Held Prior to Festival Month of October
Tuesday, May 27
- Spring Planting Day School-aged children and teens learned how to plant sweet potato slips, how to care for the plants as their sweet potatoes grow, and how to harvest their crop. This event was held at the Yam Festival Office located at 103-D East Fifth Street.
Monday, September 8
- Postcard Design Contest School-aged youth are encouraged to participate by entering in one of four age divisions. A winner will be selected in each age division, with each receiving a $50 cash prize. The winning designs will be printed on postcards. Winners will be announced on September 18. Please call the Yam Festival Office at 910-377-3248 for the rules and guidelines. Copies will be available at the Yam Festival Headquarters (Tabor City Public Library).
Thursday, September 11
- Information Meeting for NC Yam Festival Pageant Contestants Tabor City Visitor Center, 301 East Fifth Street, 6:00 -7:00 p.m.
Friday, September 12
- NC Yam Festival Pageant Application Deadline
Festival Month Events & Activities
Saturday, October 4
- North Carolina Yam Festival Scholarship Pageant South Columbus High School, 40 Stallion Drive, Tabor City. Doors open at 3:00 p.m. Pageant begins at 4:00 p.m. Admission Fee is $10 (includes program) / Children 5 and younger are Free.
Saturday, October 11
- Entry deadline for the Poetry Contest is Open to grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and High School. Each work must be original, and work may only be submitted by a teacher. All contest entrants must be students in Columbus County. Any length of poem will be accepted. For more information, please call Committee Chair, Kelly Jones at 910-642-5168 extension 24007.
- Tentative Date for an Inaugural Dog Walk. Plans are underway as information is being gathered. Partnering organization would be the Tabor City Senior Center.
Friday, October 17
- Accepting Entries for the Sweet Potato Quality Contest. Youth & Adult Entries may be dropped off at the Tabor City Public Library, 101 East Fifth Street, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
- Yam Man Hat Decorating Contest begins. For details, please call 910-377-3248.
Monday, October 20
- Sweet Potato Quality Contest Location is the Tabor City Public Library, 101 East Fifth Street. Youth & Adult Entries will be accepted until 8:30 a.m. Judging begins promptly at 9:00 a.m. Winners will be announced as soon as possible via Facebook.
- Deadline to Enter Business & Residential Decorating Contest: Everyone is encouraged to decorate. There is no theme, just our Motto: “Let’s Have A Yam Good Time”. To enter, please call 910-377-3248 by 4 p.m. on Monday, October 20. Judging will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 21.
- Poetry Contest Winners will be Announced Via our NC Yam Festival Facebook page
Tuesday, October 21
- Sweet Potato Food Cook Off Deadline to enter is from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. All entries need to be dropped off at The Todd House Wedding & Event Center, located at 102 Live Oak Street, Tabor City, NC 28463. Closed Judging session will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Entries will be open to public viewing from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.
- Yam Festival Workers’ Appreciation Breakfast: Hosted by Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation (by invitation only)
- Deadline to enter the Yam Man Hat Decorating Contest: Must enter by 5 p.m. (Winners will be announced on Wednesday, October 22nd.)
- Paint a Yam Man Class: Instructor is LuAnn Milligan Pickell. Must reserve your space by calling the Yam Festival office at 910-377-3248. Cost is $25 per person and will include everything you need to paint your very own Yam Festival “Yam Man Door Hanger”! The event will take place at the Todd House Wedding & Event Center from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 22
- Our area has several churches. You are invited to attend one of your choosing.
Thursday, October 23
- Art/Photography/Sweet Potato Crafts Registration Student and Adult Entries will be accepted at The Todd House Wedding & Event Center in the Banquet Hall, 102 Live Oak Street, Tabor City. Entries will be judged. For more information regarding entries, please contact Kelly Jones at 910-642-5168 extension 24007.
- Taste of Tabor at Sunnyfield Equestrian Farm Location: 1861 Ten Mile Road, Tabor City, 6-9 p.m. Fun-filled evening with great food, live entertainment provided by the Crenshaw Trucking Band, and great fellowship. A photo opportunity will be available. Tickets are only $30 in advance/$35 at the door for ages 11 & up, $12 in advance/$15 at the door for ages 7-10, and ages 6 and under are free. Ticket Locations: Tabor City Public Library (910-653-3774). For more details, call the NC Yam Festival office (910-377-3248).
Friday, October 24
- Art/Photography/Sweet Potato Crafts Show The Todd House Wedding & Event Center’s Banquet Hall, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Yam Walk Street Dance, Located at The Todd House Wedding & Event Center Stage. Music by DJ Donnie Coleman, 7:00 p.m – 9:00 p.m. Bleachers will be available. The Greater Tabor City Chamber of Commerce will have concessions available for purchase.
- Yam Bowl: There will not be a Yam Bowl since the game is not at home.
The BIG YAM DAY!
Saturday, October 25
- NC Yam Festival Headquarters & Outdoor Booth Information, Free Yam Fest Coloring Books, T-shirts & other Souvenirs (souvenirs prices vary). Handmade displays by the NC Yam Festival Mascot, Tiger Tater. Tabor City Public Library is located at 101 East Fifth Street. 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Free Admission.
- Tabor City High School Alumni Reunion at the new Tabor City School. Doors will open at 1:00 p.m. for registration and for alumni to begin to gather. The Class of 1975 will be in charge of the program, which will begin at 2:00 p.m. and conclude at 4:00 p.m. All TCHS Graduates are invited to attend. (Please contact your graduation class officers for information on potential individual class reunion plans.)
- Car, Truck, Bike & Tractor Show (Hosted by Classic Cruisers Car Club) Located on Live Oak Street from Tabor City Baptist Church to Pireway Road. Registration: 8:30 – 12:00 noon, Judging begins at 12:30 p.m. Trophies will be awarded at 3:00 p.m. For information on how to enter, please call Committee Chair Brian Perry at 843-331-7365.
- Vendors (Arts, Crafts, Food, and more) Downtown on Hickman Road, East Fifth Street, Live Oak Street, and around the Todd House Wedding & Event Center Stage from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. No admission fee for you to enter the festival. Vendors set their own prices for their products. If you are interested in being a Vendor, please contact us by phone or email at 910-377-3248 / ncyamfest@gmail.com.
- Yam Row Downtown Tabor City.
- Yam Festival Parade Featuring more than 100 units consisting of high school bands, clowns, area pageant titleholders, various Shriner units, fire trucks and other emergency vehicles, floats, and so much more! Begins at 10:00 a.m. originating at 7th and Main Streets, down Main Street, left onto Green Sea Road, then a quick right onto Hickman Road, left onto Bell Street, left onto Pireway Road, left onto 5th Street, then turn right onto Wall Street.
- Sweet Potato Give Away Begins after the parade in theparking lot of Tabor City Public Library located at 101 East Fifth Street.
- Sweet Potato Pie Eating Contest Begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Todd House Wedding & Event Center Stage. Youth & Adult Contestant spots are limited. To register, call the NC Yam Festival Office by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 24.
- Entertainment on the Todd House Wedding & Event Center Stage Entertainment begins following the parade and will continue until 5:30 p.m. First up, expect to enjoy the annual pie-eating contest, followed by lots of local talent as they sing and dance their way into your hearts. At 3:30 p.m., the Crenshaw Trucking Band will take the stage to close out the day around 5:30. Loads of fun for all! Entertainment is Free.
- Hickman Road Stage – Live Entertainment
- Location is on Hickman Road in front of United Bank. Entertainment will begin after the parade. Lineup as listed below.
- 11:15 a.m. – Jeffrey Simmons & Co.
- 1:15 p.m. – Alyssa Strickland
- 2:30 – The Painted Man Band Entertainment will end around
- 4:15 p.m. Bleacher seating is limited so feel free to bring a lawn chair.
- KidsZone (No fees) Located in the parking lot of the Garrel Depot featuring Flimsy the Clown, Carnival Games, Inflatables, and more. LOTS of FUN! FREE!!
- Art/Photography/Sweet Potato Crafts Show Adult & Youth Divisions, The Todd House Wedding & Event Center 11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Mt. Tabor School Historical renovated one room schoolhouse at the corner of Stake Road and East Fifth Street in front of Tabor City School. Will be hosted by School Marm Beth Niven Godwin from 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m. Free admission.
- Historic “Self-Guided” Walking Tour Pick up a guide at the Tabor City Visitor Center or the Tabor City Public Library. For additional information, please contact Committee Chair Dianne Nobles Ward at 910-653-4141.
- Basic Life Support Competition (Hosted by Tabor City EMS) Tabor City Rescue Squad located on the corner of East Fifth and Jones Streets, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Bleacher seating is limited, so feel free to bring a lawn chair.
- Stallion Classic (Hosted by South Columbus High School) Located at South Columbus High School on the Stallion Football Field. Begins at 3:00 p.m. Awards ceremony to follow. Admission Fees: Adults $10, Students (K-12) $5, Kids (5 y/o & Under): Free
- 5k Walk/Run Tabor City Emergency Services is organizing this event. Please contact Lorrie Lancaster with any questions. 910-234-2516
CONTACT INFORMATION
Joseph Small
NC Yam Festival President
103-D East Fifth Street
Tabor City, N. C. 28463
910-377-3248
Cynthia Nelson
NC Yam Festival Manager / Secretary
103-D East Fifth Street
Tabor City, N. C. 28463
910-377-3248 * 910-840-0292
The NC YAM FESTIVAL IS HELD THE 4TH SATURDAY IN OCTOBER
#NCYamFestival #YamGoodTime #DontBeATaterHater #YamFest2025
*HANDICAP PARKING*
Tabor City District Courthouse parking lot on W. Fourth Street
PORT-O-JOHN LOCATIONS
2 (includes 1 handicap unit) at Tabor City Public Library
2 (includes 1 handicap unit) in Kid Zone / Garrell Depot Parking Lot
3 (includes 1 handicap unit) beside old Town Hall on 4th Street
3 (includes 1 handicap unit) Live Oak Street Area / Car Show Area
2 (includes 1 handicap unit) near Train Depot Museum on 4th Street
HAND WASHING STATIONS
There will be 4 handwashing stations placed throughout the festival area.
Thank you to all SPONSORS for making these festival events possible!
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
TOWN OF TABOR CITY for everything they do to support the festival.
ATLANTIC PRINTING for taking care of all of our printing needs.