Virtual Festival Is A Big Hit!

What started as a general discussion about cancelling the annual downtown Cheerwine Festival, grew into an idea of a full-fledged, virtual event complete with shopping, games and music.

Streamed on social media as a live premiere, the fourth annual Cheerwine Festival was created with pre-recorded videos from Mayor Karen Alexander; event emcee, Katie Garner; five musical acts; and Cheerwine, Food Lion and Hotwire commercials interspersed. 

The Salisbury Communications and Parks and Recreation Departments worked collaboratively over four weeks with Cheerwine officials to pull off an event that has been dubbed “unchartered territory.” Nationwide, few local government organizations have created brand-specific, virtual musical events. 

“We loved the event, hate we couldn’t do it downtown, but made the best of a bad situation” said City Manager W. Lane Bailey. “Of course, I’m very proud of city staff who pulled this together and appreciate Cheerwine and all our great corporate sponsors.”

To date, the concert had a reach of nearly 35,000 people and engagement of 11,800 people. 

The 2021 Virtual Cheerwine Festival will be held Saturday, May 15, 2021.