The Catalina’s
Valdese, NC – Now in its 47th year, the Waldensian Festival is one of the biggest events of the year for Valdese. On the second Saturday of each August, Waldenses around the world celebrate what is called the Glorious Return, commemorating the return of the Waldenses from exile in Switzerland to their native valleys in the Cottian Alps of Italy in 1689. The Town of Valdese, founded by a group of 29 Waldensians on May 29, 1893, celebrates this historical event with live music, specialty food, footrace, bocce tournament, variety entertainment and so much more. Join us as we celebrate the People of the Valleys this August 12 & 13th.
Valdese Main Street will begin closing at 5pm for the Festival kickoff, Friday August 12th. Classic and antique cars will line Main Street for all to admire! Interested in participation in the cruise-in? Visit waldensianfestival.com and see “cruise-in” for all load-in details!
Local restaurants will be open to welcome you. Near the main event area, you can find Myra’s & Myra’s Little Italy, The Levee Brewery & Pub, and 100 Main Restaurant & Bar. A few blocks east of the main stage area you can find Twin Brother Pizza Company and Los Compadres Mexican Restaurant. Friday night will also welcome – Village Inn Pizza Truck and Scoops by the Square.
Cat5
During the festival, beer and wine will be sold along Main Street. Beer and wine sales will open on Friday and Saturday from 5:00pm until 10:00pm. Domestic beers will be sold by American Legion Ladies Auxiliary along with famous peach bellinis and various wines from Waldensian Style Wines. Those that partake in beer & wine are reminded to only consume it within the allowed areas of the festival. Coolers will not be permitted in the Main Stage area.
Friday’s headliner, Cat5, will take the stage at 7pm. “Cat5 burst on the scene in June of 2019 from a trio of top East Coast Bands. Less than a year later in March of 2020 they had to cancel almost 200 dates from their 2020 Calendar due to the pandemic shutdown of Covid-19 in March. The shutdown did not stop them from winning the CBMA Cammy Award for New Artist of the year in 2020. 2021 would bring much more success with Cat5 being nominated for 10 Cammy Awards at the CBMA’s. Cat5 set the ball rolling with the release of their new song The Beach and The Boulevard which won the Cammy for Song Of the year. Cat5 ended up taking a total of 5 awards home in only their second year of performing. Including the prestigious award for Group of the year, Smoothie Of The Year for their remake of the popular song “Something Said Love ‘’, Songwriter Of The Year for The Beach and The Boulevard and Instrumentalist of the year for Cat5 Drummer Camron Dudley.
Saturdays headliner, The Catalina’s takes the stage at 7pm. The Catalinas, NC’s premier beach music band formed in Charlotte, in 1957.Their Beach Music Anthem, “Summertimes Callin Me” was recorded in 1975. Since the band’s conception in a choral room at Meyers Park High School in 1957, THE CATALINAS have been a dominant force on the musical scene in the southeast, having played thousands of corporate parties, weddings, festivals and private parties of all kinds.
Including the latest album, Dancin’ Romancin’ , THE CATALINAS have recorded and released over 75 songs, most notably the regional hit “You Haven’t The Right” in 1967 and the trend setting classic “Summertime’s Callin’ Me” in 1975, a song which was a large part of creating what is now called “Beach Music” and one of the reasons Ripete Records was created. Their latest CD release, “Dancin’ Romancin” is currently #1 on the charts along with the hit “Cool Breeze” from that CD.”
Friday, August 12
5pm: Main Street Begins to Close
6pm: Classic Car Cruise In
6pm: Beer & Wine Garden Opens
6:45pm: Opening Announcements
7pm: Live Music By Cat5 Band
Saturday, August 13
8am: Waldensian Footrace – Valdese Rec
8am: LPDA Regional Bocce Tournament
9am: FREE Kidz Zone Opens: Bouncy Houses, Obstacle Courses, Watersides, Closes at 4pm
9am: Tumblemania Demo
9am: Information Booth Opens
9am: 150 Food/Art/Craft Vendors on Main Street, closes at 6pm
9am: P&W Railroad Museum Open House
9am: RSAF Open Art Competition
10am: Waldensian Heritage Museum Tours
10:30am: Old Colony Singers
11am: Waldensian Presbyterian Church Service
11am: Gravity Check Juggling
12pm: The Brother’s Cooperative
2pm: DHDA Dance Demo
3pm: Lost Wages
5pm: Beer & Wine Garden Opens
7pm: Beach Music By The Catalinas
8pm: Outdoor Drama “From This Day Forward”
For more information go to visitvaldese.com.
