The Wilson Whirligig Festival is an annual arts and crafts festival held the first full weekend of November in Wilson, NC. The festival began as the Golden Leaf Festival celebrating the history of tobacco in Wilson. Read more about our history. Over time the festival shifted focus and transformed into a energetic down-town street festival focusing on arts and whirligigs! Each year the festival has grown and expanded to an estimated attendance of 20,000 people.
What are Whirligigs?
We get this question a lot! Whirligigs are whimsical, wind-driven works of art that dot the landscape around downtown Wilson. They are created by local folk-artist Vollis Simpson. Picture in your mind a moving mobile of spinning parts and pieces, about the size of a four-door car!
The festvial is a member of the North Carolina Festival & Events Association. And has been recognized with multiple awards by the assocation.
The Wilson Whirligig Festival is a 501c3 organization.
Wilson Whirligig Festival Planning Committee:
The Whirligig Festival Planning Committee meets February - November and accepts new members each year. Positions are open for volunteer community members with great ideas, enthusiasm and a desire to help North Carolina see Wilson as the "Simply Wonderful" community we know it to be. Join the festival planning committee and change your community!
To learn more about the Planning Committe click here.
Meetings:
- 2nd Tuesday each month March - November
- 12 noon
- Wilson Arts Council
- BYOL (bring your own lunch)
Current members are:
- Fesitval Coordinator - Theresa Mathis
- Festival Sponsorships - Michael McHarg
- Chair - Jennifer McHarg
- Secretary - Kendra Howell
- Treasuer & Historian - Judi Thurston
- Webmaster - Jonathan Brooks
- Publicity - Angela Zimmerman
- Entertainment - Danny & Barbara Harrell
- Site & Logistics - Coordinator
- Arts & Crafts Vendors - Bill Aberle
- Food Vendors - Sheryletta Lacewell
- Non-Profit Vendors - Crystal Hardee
- Whirli-Kidz Zone - Elisa Suarez and Jeremy Munn
- Decorations - Pat Pridgen
- Volunteers - tbd
- Arts Council Activities - Barry Page
- Whirli-Kidz Stage - Martha Nida & Pamela Small
- Red, White & Blue Zone - Coordinator
- Chef's Tent - Oak Taveran
- Side Street Shows/Displays - Angie Harold
- Golf Tournament - Bruce Beasley & Chamber of Commerce
- Downtown Innovation Zone - Susan Kellum
- Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park & Whirligig Repair & Conservation Headquarters - Jenny Moore
Contact Us:
Website: www.WilsonWhirligigFestival.com
Email: WilsonWhirligig@gmail.com
NEW Address!
Wilson Whirligig Festival
200 Nash Street NE
Wilson, NC 27893-3802
Proud Member of:
