Live music, dance lessons, craft vendors, and fun competitions like the watermelon carry and the Lake Lift are just a few things that Dirty Dancing fans will love about the Dirty Dancing Festival! If you have yet to participate, there are so many reasons to include it on your summer itinerary for 2019. Read on to discover what you need to know about this incredible two-day event!
Nobody puts Baby in a corner, and nobody should make a trip to this one-of-a-kind festival without our free Lake Lure Vacation Guide. Our guide is full of recommendations on the area’s top attractions, festivals, events, places to eat, and more!
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Your Guide to the Dirty Dancing Festival in Lake Lure
The 1980s was an era of incredible classic movies. Many even shifted the film industry as we know it. One of the most popular flicks to come out was Dirty Dancing, a timeless love story featuring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. Here in Lake Lure, Dirty Dancing is more than a nostalgic film. In fact, it is actually the backdrop of where part of the movie was filmed. Founded in 2010, The Dirty Dancing Festival is a highlight of the end of summer in Lake Lure, and it supports a great cause. The highly anticipated festival is the official event of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and a percentage of all ticket sales are donated to help find a cure.
What to Expect
Not everyone is a dancer, and that’s okay! The Dirty Dancing Festival offers guided lessons where beginners and pros can brush up on their skills. Timeless songs and dance lessons are accompanied by live music, and summer fun, so dress up as your favorite character, grab your keds, and get ready to show off your best moves. With plenty of local food vendors and a beer, wine, and cider garden, there isn’t a more fun way to get a taste of Lake Lure, North Carolina!
Fun Competitions
Nobody can forget the moment that Baby carried the watermelon and was subsequently swept away by Johnny! Inspired by this scene, one of the most popular events at the festival is the Watermelon Games. Are you up for the challenge? Put on your racing shoes and get ready to race across the field, Baby-style, while carrying your own watermelon! Afterward, grab your partner and cool down with the Lake Lift competition, where you can relive the scene where Johnny lifts Baby in the lake.
2022 Event Details
This year marks the 13th anniversary of Lake Lure’s Dirty Dancing Festival. This one-day event takes place on Saturday, September 10, 2022, and tickets 2500 tickets are available for purchase.
Stay at The Esmeralda Inn, Restaurant & Spa
After dancing to your heart’s content, we invite you to join us afterward for an incredible dinner at one of Lake Lure’s most beloved restaurants, The Esmeralda Restaurant. Our specially crafted menu is designed with the seasons in mind and brings our guests the freshest produce, meats, fish, and ingredients possible. From classic Southern dishes like pimento cheese fritters to savory favorites like housemade crab cakes, our chef brings a myriad of experiences to The Esmeralda Restaurant, creating timeless dishes that are sure to please every palate.
If you are looking for the perfect place to relax after dinner, book any of our spectacular guest rooms or cabins. Delicious complimentary breakfast, access to our outdoor spa, and massage services are a few more ways to enjoy your stay!
The Dirty Dancing Festival is one of the most anticipated events of the summer in Lake Lure. Tickets always go quickly, and The Esmeralda Inn always books up for the weekend. Check our availability today to start planning your getaway! We can’t wait to host you at The Esmeralda Inn, Restaurant & Spa.