THE STUDY OF THE TRIANGLE’S FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS & RALEIGH THEN AND NOW: HISTORY OF FESTIVALS IN THE CITY OF OAKS
Wake County has long been home to many festivals, celebrations, and social gatherings. These events span such categories as music, art, or drinking festivals. Although these festivals have grown in size and evolved in scope of content over time (i.e., music at balls to large concerts), they have been a constant part of Wake County’s social history. In the 1800s, private dinner parties, meetings at local taverns, and holiday celebrations were the main gathering spots within the city.
Citizens held many of their events at the state capital and then continue their celebrations with a ball at the local inn as was the case after the annual parade on the Fourth of July, for instance. In the 20th century, festivals and celebrations took a turn due to the Wars. One prominent example it the closure of the State Fair from 1942 to 1945 because of World War II.
Through researching different types of social gatherings in Wake County, three main categories of festivals can be identified and are represented in this map series. They are: music, drinking, and art. The labeled locations in this map series represent the most popular festivals in Wake County that either take place annually or weekly.