Welcome to the North Carolina Gourd Society!

What’s happening?

  • The 84th North Carolina Gourd Arts and Crafts Festival will be August 29-30, 2026 at the Bethesda Ruritan Community Center, Kenneth E. Harrell Gymnasium, 2001 S. Miami Blvd. in Durham.
    • NEW! Class registration has started!
      • List of classes and registration details: click here
      • Membership in the NC Gourd Society is required to take classes
        • The Registrar will add $15 for a one-year membership to your total cost if you are not a member
      • Last day to register for classes is August 19th
    • Competition is open for registration!
      • Info and registration form: click here
      • Deadline is August 28
    • The 2026 festival theme is “Down on the Farm“
    • Volunteers needed! We appreciate your help! We ask that you be flexible. This is our first year at the new location and due to last minute changes, we may need to ask volunteers to move to a different task where they are more urgently needed.
    • Contact Festival Chair, Judi Fleming with any questions: fleminggourds at yahoo.com
  • Email our Membership Chair to verify if you are an active member or for membership information.
  • Our next quarterly meeting for all members will be Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the festival in Durham.