NORWOOD — Back for its third consecutive summer, the annual Juneberry Jams festival and concert series at Juneberry Ridge has arrived again with its unique combination of musical acts, guest speakers, spacious views and outdoor activities.
Set at the 525-acre regenerative farm and corporate retreat (formerly known as Lucky Clays Farm) at 40120 Old Cottonville Road in Norwood, each festival date offers a pair of headlining bands, a fireside chat with authors, teachers and prominent thinkers in the area of regenerative farming, as well as a mix of farm-centered experiences for those who attend.
The summer series kicked off on June 10 with Festival Day 1’s “Soil, Bluegrass, and Beatles” theme — a night that included the Nashville-based Beatles cover group Forever Abbey Road, local bluegrass band The Trailblazers and author Daniel Griffith.
Festival Days 2 and 3 are now scheduled respectively for June 24’s “Feeding Local, Folk, & Fleetwood Mac” night and July 8’s “Ethical Meat & Break Out Country Stars” night.
The former is headlined by the Kansas City-based Fleetwood Mac cover band Landslide and supported by Asheville folk group Ashes & Arrows; the regenerative farming forum Know Your Farmers will begin the night.
Festival Day 3 is fronted by country and southern rock artist Ryan Perry with opening support from the Charlotte-based Caroline Keller Band as well as speaker and professional farmer Meredith Leigh.
Single-day tickets are currently on sale at www.juneberry.com, starting at $25 for ages 18 and up and $15 for ages 12-17.
Juneberry Ridge founder Judy Carpenter discussed the company’s name change and rebranding in a video statement shortly after the formation of the venue.
“The company is changing, and the name is changing,” Carpenter said. “It’s exciting because it’s new and different. This is a clean slate for Juneberry. Turning Lucky Clays Farm into Juneberry Ridge makes this a place where we can start anew.”
More than just a local landmark, Juneberry Ridge has become North Carolina’s largest residential renewable energy system. The farm includes rainwater-harvesting technology, an organic greenhouse and stocked fishing ponds, among many other amenities.
“There is a new sense of urgency with both our mission and our vision,” Carpenter added. “Juneberry needs to be sustainable, based on restorable agriculture and needs to make a sustainable profit as well. This company is built to last and is going to be here 300 years from now. I just want to leave the earth in better shape than it was when I got here.”