North Carolina High School Student’s Design Featured On Cheerwine Festival Shirt
All of North Carolina is anticipating the upcoming Cheerwine Festival. The yearly festival returns this May to Salisbury, N.C. with live entertainment, family fun, and more. The festival celebrating the iconic cherry-flavored soda (not wine) will take place on May 20th. The festival will run from noon to 10 pm. It’s a family-friendly event that features local and national bands, Cheerwine-inspired food and drinks, arts and crafts, kids’ activities, and more. They recently ran a contest to determine the design for the 2023 Cheerwine Festival shirt and now we have a winner!
The contest was open to high school students throughout the Carolinas. Students were encouraged to submit original artwork showing their home state pride. A panel of judges then selected the top 10 entries, which were open to public voting. There were close to 9,000 votes cast between both Carolinas with Amanda Nesbit a sophomore at Cuthbertson High School in Wahaw, being crowned the winner. Not only will her design (seen above) be used on this year’s Cheerwine Festival shirts, but Amanda will also receive the following: A $1,000 gift card, a plaque from Salisbury Mayor Karen Alexander at a ceremony during the Festival, a gift basket, and more. Additionally, her art teacher at Cuthbertson High School, David Malady, will receive $500 for new art supplies.
Additionally, a junior from Jesse C. Carson High School (China Grove, N.C.) and a sophomore from Northern Guilford High School (Greensboro, N.C.) were selected as runners-up. They will each receive a plaque from the mayor and a Cheerwine Festival gift basket. Interested in purchasing one of Amanda’s shirts? The 2023 Cheerwine Festival shirt can be purchased here.
Get all the info on the upcoming Cheerwine Festival here. See you in May Salisbury!
10 Brands You Know That Started In North Carolina
1. Cheerwine
Cheerwine was first created in 1917 by Salisbury, North Carolina by L.D. Peeler. The cherry soft drink is still going strong and celebrated its 100 year anniversary a few years ago with a festival in downtown Salisbury.
Learn more about Cheerwine
2. Mt. Olive Pickles
Mt. Olive was founded in the town bearing the same name back in 1926, with only a 3,600 square foot building and $19,500 in capital, according to their website. Today, Mt. Olive has grown to manufacture the best selling brand of pickles in the Southeast. In fact they just announced they are building a whole new facility in North Carolina.
Get more info on Mt. Olive Pickles here
3. Bojangles
The fast food chain known for it’s Cajun seasoning and Bo’berry biscuits Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits location in 1977 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Get more info about Bojangles
4. Cookout
Cookout, the fast-food chain best known for its iconic trays and numerous flavors of milkshakes originated in Greensboro in 1989.
Get more info on Cookout here
5. Krispy Kreme
If you have spent much time in North Carolina you are sure to recognize the Hot Doughnuts Now sign. Krispy Kreme was founded by Vernon Rudolph. The chain first opened in 1937 in what is now historic Old Salem in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Get more info on Krispy Kreme here
6. Lance
In 1913 Phillip Lott a food broker from Charlotte got stuck with 500 pounds of peanuts. He sold them and was then inspired to create the now popular snack company.
Get more info on Lance Crackers here
7. Pepsi
Pepsi dates back to New Bern, NC in 1893. It was first introduced as “Brad’s Drink” named after it’s founder, with the name Pepsi-Cola and eventually just Pepsi coming later.
Get more info about Pepsi here
8. Texas Pete
No, Texas Pete is not from Texas. Its origins are actually in North Carolina. It was created by the Garner family in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Get more info on Texas Pete here
