Haw River Festival
2025 Haw River Festival Was A Success!
Thank you to everyone who attended our 2025 Haw River Festival on May 3 as we kicked off Saturdays in Saxapahaw! Since 1990, the Haw River Festival is an annual event that serves as a fundraiser for Haw River Assembly and includes live music, a farmers market, a silent auction, a kayak raffle, and (weather permitting) – a river walk, river monitoring, and a puppet parade in Saxapahaw, NC!
The Haw River Festival is held on the first Saturday of May, so stay tuned for more information as we gear up for our 2026 Haw River Festival. Would you like to donate a silent auction item or volunteer for the festival? Email events@hawriver.org for more information!
Volunteers Needed for 2026!
Join our volunteer team to help us set up the Festival, work at one of our booths or activities, or help us break down at the end. Email events@hawriver.org for more details! If you want to be a festival vendor, you can contact Haw River Ballroom.
2025 Silent Auction Items
Silent auction items will be for bid the day of our festival behind the main stage! All proceeds raised from auction items will go towards HRA’s advocacy and education programs.
2025 event
Music
Saludos Compay 4:15 to 5:10 p.m., A Different Thread
5:30 to 6:15 p.m., Travis Williams Group 6:45 to 8:00 p.m.
Around the Festival
4:30 p.m. Bird Hike led by Alan Avakian (meet on Saxapahaw Island)
4 - 6 p.m. River Monitoring and finding river critters (on Saxapahaw Island) 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. Short Canoe Rides for kids 12 & under)
Shuttles over to Saxapahaw reservoir (just up the street) will leave every 15 minutes from the Haw River Canoe and Kayak office.
5:45 p.m. Gather to take part in the Puppet Parade at Paperhand Puppet Studio. The parade starts at about 6:15 pm.
4 - 7:15 p.m. Silent Auction on tables behind the stage. Beautiful arts and crafts, event tickets, massage certificates, and more! Closing bids at 7:15. Check for winning bids and make payment at the auction table.
7:30 p.m. Raffle Drawing for Kayak $2 ticket on sale next to the stage. You don’t have to be present to win.
All Day:
Farmer's Market - local produce and more! Haw River Assembly T-shirts under the Himalayan tent! Learn about river issues at the HRA membership table! Delicious Food and drinks for sale at food trucks, farmers' markets, and at The Eddy, Cup 22, and Saxapahaw General Store!
BIG THANKS to everyone for helping the Haw River Assembly raise consciousness and funds to protect the river! Thanks to the bands, auction and raffle donors, and volunteers! Thanks for the special help from Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co., Paperhand Puppets, and "Saturdays in Saxapahaw".
All donations support the work of the Haw River Assembly
(Sorry - no dogs are allowed at Festival)
The Haw River Festival would not be possible without our volunteers, donors, and local Saxapahaw businesses! A special thank you to:
*Haw River Ballroom is allowing us to have the festival as part of their Saturdays in Saxapahaw series and donating all access tickets to our silent auction!
*Haw River Canoe & Kayak for providing free canoe rides for children!
*Great Outdoor Provision of Chapel Hill for donating a kayak for the kayak raffle!
*Saxapahaw General Store, thank you for allowing us to display our kayak!
*Alan Avakian for leading our 2025 Birding Hike!
Haw River Activity Locations
Stage: Main Festival Area – with Music Stage, Farmer’s Market, Haw River Assembly booths, silent auction, kayak raffle, food trucks and kids activities.
Kid Canoe Rides: Voyager Canoe rides for kids age 12 and under. Shuttles will begin at 4:00 every 15 minutes until 6:30 to Saxapahaw Lake. Meet at Haw River Canoe and Kayak office behind the Paperhand Puppet Studio.
Puppet Parade: Meet at Paperhand Puppet Studio at 6:00 pm, if you’d like to take part in the Puppet Parade. All are welcome!
Saxapahaw Island: Use the pedestrian walkway on the bridge across the Haw to Saxapahaw Island Park – then follow signs on the island to take part in River Monitoring from 4 – 6 pm. All ages welcome!