Dear Friends of the Eno,
Summer has officially arrived in North Carolina. My garden looks like a jungle. I actually want to eat the tomatoes that I’m seeing at the Red & White on Club Boulevard. Preferably on La Farm sourdough with salt, pepper, and slightly too much Duke’s mayo. My glasses steam up the second that I walk outside. And I’m daydreaming about the beach. Frequently. All this could only mean one thing: IT’S TIME FOR THE FESTIVAL!!!!
I have discovered that the Festival for the Eno has a gravitational pull. It’s like a black hole, sucking in the entire ERA staff. We have crossed the event horizon, and are just hoping to come out the other side in one piece. I have talked to so many friends, supporters, and volunteers over the last four months, and the Festival is always a hot topic (pun intended). There seem to be two camps: People that love the Festival and no longer regularly attend, and people that love the Festival and wouldn’t miss it for the world. There’s even more to love this year and I wanted to take a moment to spread the word to get some of you back if you haven’t attended recently.
ERA Event Manager Bryan Iler and his team—Assistant Festival Coordinator, Jacob Fleenor; Festival Volunteer Coordinator, Laura Bell; Vendor Coordinator, Berit Brown; and Entertainment Coordinator, Cameron Alworth—have been hard at work confirming the Festival’s musical acts, craft vendors, volunteer needs and food options. One of the biggest changes for 2025 will be expanded food options with almost twice as many vendors as prior years. Durham is a foodie town and we’re excited to expand the dining options available to our guests this year. The second change will be to highlight the diversity of the Eno River basin with a wider range of partners and musical acts on the Grove stage. This approach aligns well with our current strategic plan and showcases the depth and range of the area’s musical traditions. We think that you’ll enjoy what we have in store for you.
So come on out! Bring your camp chairs, your water bottles, and your biggest smiles because it’s YOU that makes the Festival so special. Whether it’s your first time joining us or your 46th, we look forward to hosting you. If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, I’d encourage you to do so by clicking here. We couldn’t make the Festival a reality without our tremendous volunteers and sponsors. Please be sure to thank and support them at every opportunity. Thank you for supporting ERA and the Festival for the Eno. I hope to see you at West Point on the Eno City Park on July 4th and 5th!
In Partnership,
Ryan J. Fehrman
