How do you like your greens? With a side of barbecue?
The annual Gaston Collard & Barbeque Festival celebrates two Southern favorites with a small-town festival built around food, a parade, music, rides, vendors, and family activities.
The parade gets things started at 10 a.m., followed by the festival at the Gaston Civic Center on North Carlisle Street.
Collards and Barbecue
The food is a big part of the tradition here. The festival grew from community members cooking collards and selling plates as a fundraiser, with barbecue eventually becoming part of the celebration as well.
The kitchen opens at 11:30 a.m. with collard and barbecue plates. The current festival listing includes barbecue, collard greens, black-eyed peas, cornbread, pound cake, and tea or lemonade.
Barbecue plates are listed at $13.
If the festival leaves you wanting more collards, try Rodney Scott's collard greens recipe or Melvin's Legendary collard greens recipe at home.
Music, Rides, and More
The 2026 festival includes mechanical rides and a petting zoo, along with crafters, food vendors, exhibitors, and other activities throughout the day.
Entertainment includes the Robbie Cockrell Band, performances by The Goins Dancing School, and music from DJ Jeremy.
Admission is free, and the Town describes the event as a family festival. No alcohol is allowed on the festival grounds.
Start With the Parade
The festival day begins with the 10 a.m. parade before activities get going around the Civic Center.
Here's a look back at the Gaston Collard and Barbeque Festival parade from 2015:
What to Know Before You Go
- Festival: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Parade: 10 a.m.
- Barbecue plates: Available beginning at 11:30 a.m.
- Admission: Free
- Location: Gaston Civic Center, 131 N. Carlisle St., Gaston, SC 29053
- Alcohol: Not permitted on festival grounds
Admission: Free
Event Organizer
Organizer
- Name
- Gaston Town Hall
- Phone
- 803-796-7725
Event Location
Gaston Civic Center
131 North Carlisle St.Gaston, SC 29053
United States
