FOREST CITY, NORTH CAROLINA- The Town of Forest City is excited to announce the dates for the 2023 Cherry Bounce Festival! Named after local moonshiner Amos Owens’ famous corn-based whiskey drink “Cherry Bounce”, the Cherry Bounce Festival has something for everyone!

The festival takes place at Forest City Pavilion of Park Square (POPS) located at 153 Park Square on Friday, June 9 and Saturday, June 10.

The Cherry Bounce festival pays homage to Rutherford County’s Amos Owens and his famous Cherry Bounce, as well as North Carolina bluegrass/Americana music, and regional artists.

Owens, an energetic Irishman, was known throughout the southeast United States as the “Cherry Bounce King”. His Cherry Bounce moonshine was a combination of corn-based whiskey, honey, and local cherries from nearby Cherry Mountain. He began to acquire land in and around Cherry Mountain in the mid-1840’s. His career as a distiller started well before the Civil War in the era of tax-free spirits. After serving two periods of enlistment during the war, he returned home to Cherry Mountain to once again begin distilling. However, during the war, a heavy tax had been imposed on spirits. Owens was opposed to taxes on alcohol and believed that after serving in the Army, he owed nothing to the government. Often arrested for his activities involving the production and distribution of his Cherry Bounce, Owens frequently had to pay fines and spent time in jail and prison.

Every June, Owens hosted lively gatherings at his home, the Castle, which he boasted was one story high and three stories long, atop Cherry Mountain to celebrate the harvest of the cherries.

Owens passed away on September 18, 1906 and is buried at Walls Baptist Church Cemetery in the nearby town of Bostic. Today his story lives on in his descendants, Josh Owens, star of Discovery Channel’s docudrama, “Moonshiners” and Lucas Owens, Brand Ambassador, South Mountain Distilling Co.

The festival kicks off on Friday, June 9 with a free concert featuring Scythian! A favorite to music festival lovers, Scythian is a high energy Celtic/Bluegrass/American band from Washington, DC. According to their bio, “THE calling card of Scythian is their ability to engage their audience no matter the venue or circumstance and truly every Scythian show ends with people dancing, smiling, and covered with sweat.” Gates open at 6:30pm and music begins at 7:30pm. Concessions will be available.

On Saturday, the Festival begins at 10am and runs until 6pm. Live music begins at 10:00am with The New Primitive. This local bluegrass band recently performed in the SPBGMA competition in Nashville and placed 8th overall! The Well Drinkers performs at 12PM. Based out of western NC, The Well Drinkers are a progressive, original bluegrass/Americana band that performs at festivals throughout the Southeast US. Ellenboro-based Wiregrass will be on stage at 2:00pm. Wiregrass, with their mix of classics and originals, is always a crowd favorite. The day ends with ShadowGrass. This band is becoming well known throughout the country for their bluegrass and acoustic music for the next generation.

The festival concludes at McNair Stadium as the Forest City Owls take on the Asheboro ZooKeepers. First pitch is at 7:05PM.

The festival also spotlights regional art vendors. Pottery, paintings, and jewelry are just a few of the items that will be featured.

South Mountain Distilling Company and Blue Ridge Distilling will be on site during the festival.

Younger festival goers will enjoy the kid’s zone. Located beside the Santa House, the kid’s zone has activities suitable for all ages, including adults.

Concessions at the festival will feature the following businesses: Explore Forest City,
Bears Smokehouse, Kettle King Concessions, Pietro’s Wood Fired Pizza, and Pie Safe Baking Company.

Main Street restaurants and businesses will also be part of the festival. Restaurants will be serving cherry inspired drinks and dishes and many businesses will be holding special sales and discounts.

Other items of interest throughout the day include the Rutherford County Farmers Market, open on Saturday from 8am-12pm and the nearby 13.5-mile Thermal Belt Rail Trail. Pick up a Cherry Bounce Festival Brochure at the festival that features a map of the Cherry Bounce Trail and drive along the 46.6-mile trail that’s filled with natural beauty, historic sites, and memories of Amos Owens.

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