Mark your calendars for the 2024 Mush, Music & Mutts Festival – North Carolina’s Official Fall Liver Mush Festival on Saturday, October 19th, in beautiful Uptown Shelby! Recognized in regional and national media, including Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre Foods, this festival celebrates the unique regional delicacy and local food staple known as liver mush. Festival highlights include a liver mush eating contest, recipe contest and cook-off, live music, and more than 80 craft, food, and beverage vendors. Featured partner RollOver Pets presents the “Mutts” portion with a pet costume contest and parade, K9 demo and trick shows, musical sit contests, and more! Local food vendors and restaurants will offer freshly prepared liver mush sandwiches and dishes.
Main Stage by Albemarle
Located near Gragg Financial and Central United Methodist Church
11 a.m. – Mac Arnold and Plate Full O’Blues
12:30 p.m. – Tray Wellington Band
2:30 p.m. – Darin & Brooke Aldridge, presented by Walker Woodworki
Carolina Harmony Trail Stage
Located near the Foothills Farmers’ Market
9 a.m. – Mutual Love Club
10:15 a.m. – Mabry Brothers
11:45 a.m. – Casey Ray Band
1:45 p.m. – Wilder Flower
RollOver Pets Festival
Located near the RollOver Pet Store and Dragonfly Wine Market
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Paw Painting
9:30 a.m. – Dynamo Dogs
10:30 a.m. – Pet Parade
11:00 a.m. – Costume Contest
2024 Categories:
Funniest Pet Costume: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Best Pet & their Kid (10 and under): 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
Best Duo/Group Costume: 1st, 2nd and 3rd
Fan Favorite: Voted by the crowd
12:00 p.m. – Dynamo Dogs
1:00 p.m. – Costume Contest Award Ceremony
1:30 – 2:00 p.m. – Musical Sit
2:30 – 3:00 p.m. – Shelby K9 Demo
3:00 p.m. – Dynamo Dogs
Land of Rhythm Kids Zone
Located on the lawn of the Earl Scruggs Center near the Cleveland County Arts Council
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Pumpkin Painting
9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Ross the Balloon Guy
9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. – The Poetry Fox
Liver Mush Cookoff Livestream
Live streaming on YouTube from 11:40 a.m. to 1:10 pm on Sat., October 19th. The link will be posted before the event!
Watch Johnny Ray, owner of Johnny Ray’s Smokehouse in Fallston, and Jason Scott Walker, owner of the Depot in Lattimore, face off to create the best liver mush dish!
The live event is filmed at Greenbrook Design. Steeples City Club will host a watch party from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m, open to the public.
Liver Mush Eating Contest
Located near the Cleveland County Arts Council
Register here: https://bit.ly/2024-mush-eating-contest
Heat Times: 10 AM, 10:20 AM, 12 PM, 12:20 PM
Each participant is provided with bottled water, scissors, a knife, a tray and package(s) of cold Mack’s Liver Mush, condiments, paper towels, and a trash can (just in case!).. This is fully cooked and safe for consumption straight from the package, and many prefer to eat it this way.
The Award Ceremony will occur at approximately 12:45 pm after the final round is complete. This year’s Eating Contest is generously sponsored by Teddy, Meekins & Talbert.
Photo Credit: Mike Hensdill, Gaston Gazette
The Liver Mush Legacy: A Tasty Exploration!
Get ready for a flavorful experience at The Earl Scruggs Center that will be educational and delicious!
During The Liver Mush Festival, their program will dive into the fascinating history of liver mush—an iconic Southern delicacy with deep roots in our region. Through a fun and interactive presentation, you’ll explore its origins, cultural significance, and unique preparation methods. But that’s not all! Some lucky attendees will have the chance to participate in a taste test featuring a variety of local liver mush brands. It’s the perfect way to discover the diverse flavors and textures of this beloved dish.
Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind event that celebrates our local food heritage. Bring your curiosity and appetite!
Ramsey Center for Appalachian Studies
Axe and Awl