Day one of the Sourwood Festival in Black Mountain is in the books.

The annual Black Mountain tradition offered an array of local vendors and unique honey, and many shops line the streets.

According to the Black Mountain and Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce, since 1977, historic Black Mountain has drawn in more than 30,000 annual attendees for the Sourwood Festival.

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This annual summer community celebration marks the beginning of the sourwood honey-selling season.

“It’s busier than I thought it would be, so I’m really happy,” said Mike Gecewicz, who is the founder and owner of Carolina Bee Farm.

Gecewicz has been a familiar face at the Sourwood Festival for nearly 10 years and says it’s an opportunity to meet fellow honey lovers.

“Four to five different honeys I make, and the rest I get from friends around the country because every year you have a few different types of honey, and I’ve got some even from Mexico,” Gecewicz said.

The annual black mountain tradition is a great economic boost to local businesses that were impacted by Helene.

“I’ve got friends that lost a dozen of hives,” Gecewicz said. “One of my friends lost 150 hives.”

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The Sourwood Festival is free and open to the public.

The Sourwood Festival will feature snack and food vendors throughout the event.

Day two of the festival will be on Sun., August 9, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.