Evie Fitzpatrick is a rising junior at UNC-Chapel Hill studying history and political science. As our 2025 Summer Communications Intern, she has brightened the ERA office with her enthusiasm for social media, policy, and events. Evie expresses her value for conservation through communications and political engagement, having also worked as an intern with the Governor’s Office this summer.
Since its inception in 1980, the Festival for the Eno, the Eno River Association’s largest outreach event, has become an embodiment of the Triangle’s rich culture and history. Each Independence Day weekend, thousands flock to the shaded banks of the Eno River to connect over a shared love of local art, food, and music, with emphasis on the people and places of the Eno. While it is clear these themes of advocacy and culture are central to the spirit of the Festival, as a first-time attendee this year, I had the opportunity to directly observe how these values permeate through all aspects of the Festival: from the music, to the food, to the people.
When I arrived at the Grove Stage the first morning of the Festival, it was immediately clear how proud the performers were to talk about their connection to the Eno River and the event itself. The Cane Creek Cloggers, for example, the opening act of the 2025 Festival for the Eno, reminisced on their history performing at the Festival and how it served as a tradition for them. Meanwhile, on the nearby Meadow Stage, Lightnin’ Wells recalled similar memories to festival-goers—noting his decades of both attending and performing at the Festival. As a newcomer to the event, it was incredibly moving to hear how intertwined performers felt to the history and mission of the Festival for the Eno, and how performing was their way of giving back to the River.
Likewise, from the moment I stepped into the Festival food court, its role as a hub of culture became apparent. Every year, food trucks and restaurants across North Carolina come to the event and serve their best creations, offering attendees a blend of festival favorites and international cuisines—and this year was no different. As a student at UNC-Chapel Hill, I have always noticed and appreciated the diversity of the Triangle, but the 2025 Festival for the Eno truly showcased it. From the farm-sourced Indian favorites at Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe (a personal favorite of mine due to the restaurant’s close proximity to campus), to the fresh, healthy, and homemade Nepalese meals of Momomandu, to the Kenyan BBQ and street food from Safari Eatz, the Festival not only introduced me to new (and delicious!) cuisines, but it was a wonderful representation of the diversity that gives the region its strength.
But above all, what stood out to me most about the Festival for the Eno was its community. The Festival for the Eno was established to create a space for folks to come together and celebrate their love for the Eno River, and it is a vision I could tell resonated with so many people. When talking to fellow attendees, countless recounted their fond memories of growing up in the Triangle and spending their childhood summers at the River, while others discussed coming to the Festival as a kid and now getting the chance to bring their own children. And when speaking to volunteers—the heart of the Festival—I heard similar stories, whether it was an older couple celebrating their 20th year volunteering at the event or someone brand new to North Carolina wanting to immerse themselves in the local culture. While the art, food, and music are crucial to what makes the Festival so special, it is the people that keep the Festival for the Eno rooted in its values of advocacy, culture, and community.
Coming into the 2025 Festival for the Eno, I was unsure what to expect. Though I knew the event would be two full days of music, crafts, nature, and fun, I had no idea just how eye-opening the Festival would be for me. I discovered local artists that I have since added to my Spotify playlists, I tried new dishes and cuisines that I would have never sought out otherwise, but most importantly, I found a community of like-minded folks who embrace diversity, want to protect our environment, and take action on the issues they care about. While this year’s Festival for the Eno was my first, I certainly do not expect it to be my last!
