We’re pleased to announce our Hootenanny & Foodie Festival will be hosted at Haven Farm, starting with the fall one on Thursday, October 5, 2023. Tickets will be on sale soon. Sign up to be the first to know!
Were you one of the lucky locals who snagged a ticket to NC Eat & Play’s Spring Hootenanny & Foodie Festival presented by Cheerwine before they all sold out? This event is going to be an unforgettable night of tasty feasts, southern fun on the farm, and sounds of bluegrass.

Our team has worked tirelessly to program this Hootenanny from start to finish. From the moment you step out of your car, you will be engulfed in what can only be described as Hootenanny magic. As we’ve planned for excitement around every corner, we figured you could use a trusty guide to help you navigate and make the most of your experience.
What you need to know before you attend:
- Always check the weather forecast for temperature and dress accordingly.
- Phillips Farms is a large local farm with several fields, please head towards the large Farmers Market Pavillion – you can’t miss it!
- We have parking attendants to help navigate parking. Expect to park on gravel or grass fields.
- Make sure you lock your cars and avoid leaving valuables visible. NC Eat & Play, its brand management, Phillips Farms, and its entities are not responsible for damage or theft to vehicles or vehicle contents.
- The majority of the event takes place on gravel and grass depending on the activity. Please keep this in mind for footwear and strollers. Please let the attendant know if you need accessibility help.
- Attendees are not allowed to bring food to the event with exception of snacks and other needs for small kids.
- ID check is required for admittance. All attendees must show ID whether or not they plan to drink alcoholic beverages.
- We encourage 21 and up to drink responsibly. Ride-sharing, carpooling, and utilizing a designated driver are always recommended. The event organizers will not be liable for your actions.
- Please have your tickets ready for scanning when checking in at the gate. We will need to scan either your printout or phone image. Kids 12 and under will be admitted for free and must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- We are committed to providing a safe and fun environment for all. We will have volunteers and staff throughout the event for help and support. Any conduct that creates an unsafe, disrupting, or illegal environment will be cause for immediate removal from the event without refund.
- No smoking is permitted.
- Restrooms are available via porta-potties with handwashing stations.
Expect a warm, southern welcome at NC Eat & Play’s Spring Hootenanny & Foodie Festival.
Our Hootenanny is located at Phillips Farms of Cary NC, a 100-year old family-owned farm with an impressive open-air farmer’s market pavilion and acres of gorgeous pastures.

After our parking attendants guide you to your spot, you’ll enter the line for check-in and will be handed a bag of Phillips Farms’ famous fresh-made kettle corn. That’s right, we wouldn’t let y’all wait without some food in hand! Keep an eye out for fun photo opportunities and take in the talent of our live banjo player who will be there to greet you.

The Cheerwine will be flowing!
Cheerwine is North Carolina’s iconic cherry-flavored soft drink and we are honored to welcome them as our title sponsor for the evening. You will find plenty of ice-cold Cheerwine to drink throughout the night, along with fun giveaways, cooking demos, and themed sitting areas.

Did someone say banjo?
We are excited to feature two incredibly talented bluegrass acts which we know you will love! Sweet Potato Pie is back by popular demand. The all-woman “sweet-grass” band will be performing on our main Cheerwine Stage.

We are also excited to welcome Colin Cutler on the banjo, accompanied by fiddler Christen Jaynes. Their lively bluegrass tunes will have you dancing in no time.
The Main Course
We are thrilled that V Pizza will be back this year with their famous mobile pizza oven. Attendees will enjoy two slices of fresh wood-fired pizza and macaroni and cheese.

Foodie Festival
In addition to V Pizza’s Neapolitan pizza, attendees will get to experience the debut of our Foodie Festival, where more than twenty local businesses, chefs, and farmers will be sampling tasty bites for you to try. Some vendors will also have opportunities for you to purchase more products if you can’t get enough!

These business owners are excited to give you a taste of their delicious products. Please take the time to learn about their business, share photos online to spread the word, and even order from them in the future!
Here’s a rundown of who will be participating (images do not necessarily reflect the size or type of sample that will be provided).
Andia’s Homemade Ice Cream
Andia’s, one of the most beloved ice cream shops in Cary, will have their cart set up scooping their deliciously creamy ice cream!

Meat & Graze
Meat & Graze is a Durham-based charcuterie business that will be sampling lovely charcuterie skewers.

Lechon Latin BBQ
Lechon Latin BBQ is a new and exciting restaurant that recently opened in Triangle Town Center. They will be sampling small bowls of rice, Latin pork, onions, sweet plantains, and cilantro.

Iyla’s Southern Kitchen
Iyla’s Southern Kitchen is an eatery in Downtown Raleigh’s Morgan Street Food Hall that creates ultimate southern comfort food. They will be serving their shrimp & grits.

Sweet T Farm
Sweet T Farm is a local farm that sells pasture-raised heritage pork, poultry, and beef. They will be serving Boar in a Blanket, featuring their bratwurst with a zesty honey mustard sauce.

Lizzee’s Apple
Lizzee’s Apple is a local business owner that specializes in custom candy apples. She will be featuring her strawberry shortcake apple slices and candied grapes.

Satori Meals
Satori Meals is a local prepared-meals business that serves gluten-free and dairy-free dishes. They will be sampling their roasted beet hummus and carrot cake energy balls.

tuf Local
tuf Local (Triangle Urban Farm) is a family-owned produce and local-goods delivery service. They will be serving vegetarian Asian lettuce wraps and pork mojo.

Twelve Oaks Farm & Cannery
Twelve Oaks is a local farm and cannery that sells fresh jams, pickles, and other goods. They will be providing tastes of their strawberry jam, bread & butter, and dill pickles.

It’s a Wrap
It’s a Wrap is a Vietnamese eatery in Morrisville and will be sampling their signature Thai tea and vermicelli noodles.

Mama’s Salsa
Mama’s Salsa is a local business making fresh salsas and homemade chips. They will be featuring all four of their salsa flavors.

Michael’s English Muffins
Michael’s English Muffins is a North Raleigh bakery serving up fresh, handmade English muffins, which they will be sampling for attendees!

OMG! Banana Pudding
OMG! Banana Pudding is a local business that sells homemade banana pudding and is quite famous at the NC State Fair. They will be giving you a taste of their banana pudding at the event!

The Arepa Bar
The Arepa Bar is an eatery in Raleigh focusing on arepas and other Latin foods. They will be serving mini meat & cheese arepas.

Em’s Cafe & Catering
Em’s Cafe is a cafe in Cary that serves pastries and to-go meals. They will be featuring their homemade brown sugar cinnamon and blueberry lemon pop tarts.

Casa Cubana
Casa Cubana is a Cuban restaurant in North Raleigh that will be sampling their ropa vieja.

Cackalacky
Cackalacky is a NC company serving up delicious, unique sauces that have become iconic in the state. They will be giving you a taste of some of their most popular sauces! Be prepared to say, “I got some Cackalacky at the Hootenanny!”

Adult Beverages (21+)
In addition to Cheerwine and water, our 21+ attendees have a few options for beverages.
We are bringing back a beautiful Rosé in the Hay activation brought to you by Flask Cocktail Bar.

For our beer-lovers, Raleigh Brewing will be on site pouring in the Craft Beer Corral sponsored by The Jim Allen Group.
Finally, visit our Social House Saloon where Social House Vodka will be serving craft cocktails.
Fun in the field
Children and adults will find great fun in the field sponsored by Field Day, a local business connecting families to activities in the area for kids.
Phillips Farms is bringing a cow train and more.
Phillips Farms is providing rides on their cow train all evening, a bumpy ride that is fun for any age!

They will also provide a candy cannon (yes, we will blast hundreds of pieces of candy into a field of squealing children), and lawn games like corn hole, connect four, and more.

Visit the petting zoo
The Pint Sized Pasture is a mobile petting zoo company that will bring adorable animals to your events. They will be set up with various cuddly animals—including a few miniatures! Pictures with a mini pony, anyone?

Nature Activities
NC Farm & Forage is a business that provides local children the chance to reconnect with nature, learn foraging, and experience the outdoors together. They will be set up with an exciting gem mining activity for kids!


Sports Challenges
Omega Sports is NC’s iconic neighborhood sports store and they will be hosting fun challenges and giveaways.

Omega Sports has also teamed up with Saucony to host an exclusive Run the Farm event before the Hootenanny begins. Head to the farm at 4pm to demo Saucony’s new Peregrine 12 running shoes and run a trail through beautiful pastures.
View this post on Instagram
Cooking Demos
Join Megan and her mom as they launch the newest channel of NC Eat & Play called My Mama’s NC Kitchen.
My Mama’s NC Kitchen will be a food blog and cooking show where Megan and Kristin will be sharing family favorite recipes, southern food, and NC sourced ingredients.

Megan and Kristin will be taking the stage to share a fun Cheerwine-infused recipe that you can sample! Other guest brands will also join them on stage to talk about recipes and cooking!
Go Shopping
There are a few opportunities for you to go home with some new goodies. The Green District at Phillips Farms will have hundreds of beautiful flowers and plants on display with special deals just for Hootenanny attendees. Hanging baskets will be BOGO (buy one get one half off) and 4-inch annuals are 10% off when you buy ten or more.

Make sure to visit Busbee’s General store where you can also purchase more of Phillips Farms’ delicious Kettle corn and cool-looking merch.

Document your experience!
You know NC Eat & Play is all about sharing food and fun, and we want you to join in! Please tag @nceatandplay in your posts and stories showcasing our Spring Hootenanny & Foodie Festival presented by Cheerwine. (also it’d be swell of you to also tag @drinkcheerwine)
As you can see, we have planned for an exciting night and we are thrilled that you are joining us as we eat and play on the farm. See you there!
0 Comments