MINT HILL, NC – Mint Hill Madness is returning to Veterans Park from Thursday, October 20 – Saturday, October 22, and this year’s festival promises to be better than ever!
Billed as a festival to celebrate the founding of the Town, Mint Hill Madness started in 1984 as a one-day event. For nearly three decades, Mint Hill Madness was the Mint Hill Chamber’s major fundraiser, but after years of barely breaking even, the Chamber made the decision to step away from managing the event in 2012.
Knowing how important the annual event was to the town, Former Mayor Biggers and the Board of Commissioners decided to keep it going. Nonprofit organization Mint Hill Events, Inc, was formed to manage it, and more changes followed. As both the crowd and the fireworks show grew, Mint Hill Madness moved from the downtown area to Veteran’s Park.
Longtime Mint Hill residents will recall that for over three decades the event was held on Memorial Day weekend. Funny enough, we have COVID to thank for it’s fortuitous move to the fall. Faced with the prospect of canceling for a second year in a row in May of 2021, the Town instead made the decision to postpone the event to October. “Our crowds were much higher all three days last year,” says Mint Hill Events Assistant Cassie Brooks, “and we attribute that to the cooler weather. The feedback we received after the event from our sponsors, vendors and the public was to keep it in the fall.”
Always a highlight of the event, this year’s carnival will once again be bigger and better than ever before. Last year’s event saw more mechanical rides and Midway games. This year, patrons can expect even more mechanical rides, and, of course, All You Can Ride Wristbands Thursday for just $25 sponsored by Mint Hill Orthodontics.
The Novant Health Main Stage promises a robust itinerary of live music with something for everyone. At 7:00 pm on Thursday, Thirsty Horses will take the stage with hits from the 60s through today. On Friday, DJ A-Rod will have crowds bouncing to the beat from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, and award-winning five-piece pop/rock band New Local takes the stage at 7:00 pm with their energetic mix of pop, rock and blues.
Saturday promises all-day entertainment on the Novant Health Main Stage beginning with the Miss Mint Hill Scholarship Pageant. From 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, contestants from ages 1 to 20 from within a 75-mile radius of Mint Hill will compete for over $1500 in cash scholarships. At 4:30, the Camel City Yacht Club, a group composed of five veteran musicians, will bring the finest smooth rock of the 70s and 80s to the stage. DJ A-Rod returns to the stage from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm before Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band Landslide takes their audience on a nostalgic ride back to the days of yesteryear at 7:00 pm.
In keeping with last year’s decision to place the focus on food and music, the event will be limited to just 20 vendors this year. There will, however, be a wide variety of food vendors sure to please even the pickiest members of your family. Enjoy lunch or dinner from Bubba Jack (Tacos), Cain’s Corn Dogs, 100 Main BBQ, King of Fire Pizza, Party in a Pita, Steak Boys, and That Won Truck (Asian). There will even be vegan selections from Courtney’s Creations! Follow it up with a sweet treat from I Scream for Ice Cream, Kona Ice, Mama K’s Kettle Corn, The Donut Shack, Wilson’s Funnel Cakes, or World’s Greatest Funnel Cakes. Warm up as the sun goes down with a hot cocoa from Sammy’s So Good or a coffee from Sunflower Café. Thanks to Food Tent Sponsor Waste Pro, you’ll have it made in the shade all day long while you enjoy fare from the food vendors.
Mint Hill Madness would not be possible without the generous support of its many sponsors. “We are thrilled to be the title sponsor of the Mint Hill Madness festival for another year of family fun, food and fireworks!” says Joy Greear, president of Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center. “We all know how much Mint Hill Madness means to us, and something amazing to look forward to each and every year is finally here. The Novant Health Community Cruiser will be on-site administering COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots as a commitment to you and your safety as colder months and holidays approach,” continues Greear.”
“We are very excited about our partnership with Novant Health – Mint Hill Medical Center,” says Brooks. “COVID-19 and the flu continue to be issues in our society. We wanted to work with our partner, Novant Health, to give everyone the opportunity to protect themselves. We appreciate their support in keeping the community safe.”
Mint Hill Madness will close on Saturday, October 22, with a “Fireworks Extravaganza.” An all-American patriotic tribute, it’s the biggest fireworks show in the area! Fireworks will begin at 9:30 pm; make sure to arrive early to secure a good spot.
Mint Hill Madness will take place on Thursday, October 20, from 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Friday, October 21, from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and Saturday, October 22, from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm. The festival takes place at Veterans Memorial Park, located at 8500 Fairview Road. Follow police instructions for parking, made possible by Parking Lot Sponsor Earp’s.
“Our goal is to promote, enhance, preserve and support community engagement,” says Brooks. “We hope to see smiling faces and the community coming together!” Visit https://www.minthillevents.org/madness for more information and a full schedule of events!
