Started in 1989, the Carthage Buggy Festival is a celebration of the rich history of Carthage, North Carolina. The Buggy Festival is held each year to commemorate the famous Tyson and Jones Buggy Factory that, from the mid-1800's to the 1920's, produced the carriages that were essential to life in rural North Carolina. On Friday, May 10th and Saturday May 11th, 2013, the 25th Annual Carthage Buggy Festival will be held in Carthage, located eight miles north of Pinehurst in the Sandhills region of North Carolina, and it promises to be the biggest and best yet. With an annual attendance of 20,000, the Buggy Festival has grown into one of the biggest and best known festivals in the region.
The Buggy Festival grew out of a suggestion that Carthage, the County Seat of Moore County, needed to stage an event that would draw attention to its history. Since the Tyson and Jones Buggy Factory had been one of the largest buggy manufacturers in the nation for over half a century, the focus on buggies seemed natural. But you couldn't have a buggy festival without a buggy, so where to find them became a burning question.
A search began and soon samples of those early modes of transportation were found and purchased. Each festival since, has seen more Tyson and Jones buggies on hand for festival attendees to view as well as to ride.
There is only one building remaining of the famed factory that flourished in Carthage until after World War I. A fire destroyed one building in 1905, and in 1976 the largest fire in the town's history claimed a small section of the remaining building
The Tyson and Jones Factory may have gone up in smoke, but from the ashes, its memory has been preserved. Each year, the Carthage Buggy Festival is an event people not only from Moore County, but surrounding counties and even surrounding states, look forward to with great anticipation.
On Saturday, May 11th, 2013 the Buggy Festival will be celebrating its 25th anniversary. Over 125 food and craft vendors will surround the Historic Courthouse from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Buggy Festival Idol contest will be held at 4:30 p.m. A stage is set up on the steps of the Courthouse, and is host to a variety of entertainment, including cloggers and bands playing gospel, country, and southern rock music. To find out more about Buggy Festival events call (910) 947-2331 or email
kpohara.admin@townofcarthage.org.
This year we will be searching for the "Tenth Carthage Buggy Festival Idol." Competition will begin on May 11th during the Buggy Festival. The winners in each category will receive $100. Children's rides and games are prominent and always provided
free of charge. An impressive display of buggies and historic tractors can be found, and one of the largest classic car shows in the area also takes place.