Amy Bridges
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 9:24 am

The Town of Forest City is excited to announce the dates for the 2025 Cherry Bounce Festival! Named after local moonshiner Amos Owens' famous drink "Cherry Bounce", the Cherry Bounce Festival has something for everyone!

The festival takes place at Forest City Pavilion of Park Square (POPS) located at 153 Park Square Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7.

The Cherry Bounce festival pays homage to Rutherford County's Amos Owens and his famous Cherry Bounce, as well as North Carolina bluegrass/Americana music, and regional artists.

Owens, an energetic Irishman, was known throughout the southeast United States as the "Cherry Bounce King". His Cherry Bounce moonshine was a combination of corn-based whiskey, honey, and local cherries from nearby Cherry Mountain. He began to acquire land in and around Cherry Mountain in the mid-1840's. His career as a distiller started well before the Civil War in the era of tax-free spirits. After serving two periods of enlistment during the war, he returned home to Cherry Mountain to once again begin distilling. However, during the war, a heavy tax had been imposed on spirits. Owens was opposed to taxes on alcohol and believed he owed nothing to the government. Often arrested for his activities involving the production and distribution of his Cherry Bounce, Owens frequently had to pay fines and spent time in jail and prison.

Every June, Owens hosted lively gatherings at his home, the Castle, which he boasted was one story high and three stories long, atop Cherry Mountain to celebrate the harvest of the cherries.

Owens passed away September 18, 1906 and is buried at Walls Baptist Church Cemetery in the nearby town of Bostic. Today his story lives on in his descendants, Josh Owens, star of Discovery Channel's docudrama, "Moonshiners" and Lucas Owens, Brand Ambassador, South Mountain Distilling Co.

The festival kicks off Friday, June 6 with a free concert featuring Scythian! A favorite to music festival lovers, Scythian is a high energy Celtic/Bluegrass/American band from Washington, DC. According to their bio, "The calling card of Scythian is their ability to engage their audience no matter the venue or circumstance and truly every Scythian show ends with people dancing, smiling, and covered with sweat." Gates open at 6:30pm and music begins at 7:30pm. Concessions will be available.

On Saturday, the Festival begins at 10am and runs until 6pm. Live music begins at 10am with Wiregrass, a local bluegrass band that is a crowd favorite with their mix of bluegrass classics and original music. The Local Boys take the stage at 12pm. Beginning their musical journey more than two decades ago in Maryland, the Charlotte based band has a long tradition of celebrating the deep roots of traditional bluegrass music. At 2pm, Ettore Buzzini & His Young Bluegrass Superstars take the stage. At age 11, Buzzini won a songwriting contest, and at age 15 released his first album. Buzzini is at the forefront of young traditional musicians who are bound to make the newest generation fall in love with bluegrass. Closing out the festival is Pretty Little Goat, who takes the stage at 4pm. Pretty Little Goat is grassroots music at its finest. The band formed in 2013 and just released their fourth album.

The festival also spotlights regional art vendors. Pottery, paintings, and jewelry are just a few of the items that will be featured.

South Mountain Distilling Company, Blue Ridge Distilling, and Stardust Cellars will be on site with moonshine, whiskey, and wine tastings during the festival.

Younger festival goers will enjoy the kid's zone. Located beside the Santa House, the kid's zone has activities suitable for all ages, including adults.

Concessions from local and regional food trucks will be available.

Main Street restaurants and businesses will also be part of the festival. Restaurants will be serving cherry inspired drinks and dishes and many businesses will be holding special sales and discounts.

Other items of interest throughout the day include the Rutherford County Farmers Market, open on Saturday from 8am-12pm and the nearby 13.5-mile Thermal Belt Rail Trail. Pick up a Cherry Bounce Festival Brochure at the festival that features a map of the Cherry Bounce Trail and drive along the 46.6-mile trail that's filled with natural beauty, historic sites, and memories of Amos Owens.