MATTHEWS – The Matthews Alive Festival, presented by Novant Health – Matthews Medical Center, celebrates its 29th year in 2021. The festival kicks off Friday, September 3, concluding Monday, September 6. After canceling in 2020 due to COVID-19, festival organizers are excited to bring back the fun and bring back a safe, exciting family tradition.
Festival Hours
The event and most of its activities are open: Friday 6-10pm, Saturday 10am-10pm, Sunday 1-10pm, and Monday 9am-5pm. Arts & Crafts opens Saturday and closes slightly earlier each evening.
Safety Precautions
Out of an abundance of caution, the Community Center will be closed this year, including the quilt, woodworking, and other artisan exhibits. Center indoor restrooms and the baby changing station will not be available. Hand sanitizer will be placed throughout the festival, with an emphasis on the carnival and inflatable areas. Bounce houses that usually contain 6 or more children at once will be replaced with inflatable games that can be cleaned more easily between participant use. Food and craft vendors and Petting Zoo and Kids’ Train will have hand sanitizer and handwashing stations at the ready.
Parade Still Taking Entries
There is still space in the Matthews Alive Parade, held Saturday, September 4 at 9:30am. Go to matthewsalive.org/parade for an application. Deadline for entry is August 16.
Parade Theme & Grand Marshal
This year’s Matthews Alive Parade theme is “Labor (Day) of Love.” Entries are encouraged to decorate with the theme in mind, and self-made float entries that utilize the theme will be given entry fee refunds. Organizers will be recognizing Roland Bibeau, former president of Novant Health – Matthews Medical Center, as grand marshal. Bibeau has been a longtime supporter of Matthews Alive and guided the hospital through the onset of the pandemic. Frontline workers from the medical center will also be honored with him.
Featured Entertainment on the Kinetic Main Stage
On this recent episode of the Inside Matthews podcast, Jim Taylor sits down to have a conversation with Executive Director Lee Anne Moore and the Chairperson of the Matthews Alive! Board of Directors, Julie Bee to announce the 2021 entertainment lineup.
- Carolina Soul and The Chairmen of the Board will bring high-energy beach and Motown fun on Friday night, September 3.
- CONTINUUM, a Journey tribute band from Florida, will headline on Saturday night September 4 at 8:30pm.
- BOHEMIAN QUEEN, a Queen tribute band from Los Angeles, CA will be headlining at 8:30pm on Sunday, September 5.
- Because the indoor stage will be closed, organizers will host an entire day of JAZZ performers on the main stage, from 11:30am until 5pm Monday.
Admission and all concerts are free. The Kids’ Connection train and petting zoo attractions require purchase. Carnival rides and kids’ inflatable games require tickets.
Important Note for Matthews Alive Street Closures
An early closure of South Trade Street will be in effect during the festival set-up. Beginning at 9 a.m. on Friday, September 3, South Trade Street will be closed from the intersection of John Street to McDowell Street. This change will allow vendors to set up safely without the concern for vehicular traffic.
Matthews Elementary afternoon pick-ups and bus travel will still be possible from McDowell, the Sadie/church lot/Community Center rear access road, and lower South Trade. Afterschool pick-ups should approach the school via the Sadie/church lot/Community Center rear access road. The Matthews Police Department will be on hand during afternoon pick-ups to assist drivers and buses through the closures.
Full closure of South Trade, John Street to Main Street, will occur at 5p.m. South Trade Street and all connecting streets will reopen by 11:30pm Monday evening, Sept 6.