Travel back in time at the Duke Homestead and join costumed interpreters as they harvest, loop and cure tobacco to celebrate North Carolina's farming history and culture with the annual Harvest & Hornworm Festival. Taking place Saturday, Sept. 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors will get to know the iconic North Carolina crop at the center of the Duke family's story.
Visitors can get hands-on with history during the looping contest or see Washington Duke's tobacco factory come to life. In the afternoon, Duke Homestead will host the last tobacco auction in Durham with seasoned veterans of the industry that was once the lifeblood of Durham. Afternoon mule-drawn wagon rides will give visitors a new perspective of the historic property.
Harvest & Hornworm Festival will also feature live music from local artists Steph Stewart and Mario Arnez. They have made music together with the Americana string band Steph Stewart & the Boyfriends, Steph Stewart and Mario Arnez have joined forces as a classic country-inspired duo. Stewart and Arnez will take the stage at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
The competition promises to be fierce in the high-stakes hornworm race. Children can pick a hornworm to enter and watch as it goes head to head to see which worm will be victorious. Don't forget to browse and buy from talented local arts and crafts vendors and grab a bite to eat. Save room for dessert with the Moon Pie Eating Contest in the afternoon! This classic Southern treat turns competitive as everyone - kids and adults - vie for a taste of Moon Pie glory.
"Harvest & Hornworm Festival" is sponsored by LeafFilter™ North, Inc. For more information contact (919) 477-5498, 2828 Duke Homestead Rd, Durham, NC 27705 or visit DukeHomestead.org. Duke Homestead is part of the Division of State Historic Sites within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
About Duke Homestead State Historic Site and Museum
Duke Homestead is the site of the Duke family's nineteenth-century farm, where Washington Duke started a tobacco business that later became the largest in the world. With the money generated by this venture, the Dukes endowed Duke University, began what later grew into Duke Energy, and founded an endowment that continues to contribute to charitable causes today. Each year, Duke Homestead puts on numerous fun, family-friendly events. For more information visit DukeHomestead.org.