Kings Mountain’s annual Beach Blast Festival drew crowds from across the region last weekend.
Held at Patriots Park, the event is two days of free concerts featuring beach bands, food, and games.
Concert performers included DJ Eric Bowman, The Carolina Coast Band and The Original Drifters. such as Catalina.
“I help out every month,” said Michelle Crawford, a monthly city volunteer for the summer Cruise-in-Concert series on Kings Mountain from May to October.
“People came from as far away as Maine,” she said. “Everyone comes from anywhere.”
She said more than 40,000 people were drawn to the Fleetwood Mac tribute concert, and they expect more from Prince impersonators in the future.
Crawford said the nearby Kings Mountain Casino promotes concerts and festivals, which help draw in people from all over the world.
She said this year’s event was amazing and she met all kinds of people from New Orleans to Charlotte to Gastonia to Boone to Cornelius.
“It’s great for local businesses,” says Crawford.
She said the line of Scoops at the ice cream store is down the sidewalk to the outside of the door.
Born and raised on Kings Mountain, Crawford said she loves what she calls “big little Kings Mountain.”
“People are talking about it,” she said. “It brings a really economical feel to the area. It’s clean.”
Kids played in the splash pad, music blared in the background, and a girls’ dance team performed near the pavilion.
Vendors lined the sidewalks selling everything from quilts to homewares, jewelry and beauty products.
Bouncy houses, rides, bubbles, balloon animal artists and food trucks kept the family entertained.
Sigmon Theatrical’s Mavis Scully walked around with two fish mascots. She said the company has several pirates, mermaids and stilt walkers circling the crowd to provide live entertainment.
“We love being here,” Scully said. “Kings Mountain is her one of our favorite places.”
Janet Spraggins, who recently moved to town from California to get closer to her family, was spending the day at the festival with her two grandchildren while her daughter worked at the nail booth.
“I love what the town does here,” she said.
Spraggins attended the festival last year as well and said he enjoyed it.