4 things to know about the annual Matthews Alive Festival over the Labor Day weekend
For the 31st year, the annual Matthews Alive Festival is back for the Labor Day weekend.
The popular event runs from Friday through Monday with entertainment, vendors, food and many activities for visitors.
Chris Melton, board chair for the nonprofit that runs the festival, called it a generational experience for the area. “There are folks who show up to Matthews Alive who came with their parents 30 years ago,” he said. “Now, they’re bringing their grandchildren.”
The festival is managed by a group of volunteers, and the nonprofit uses the revenue generated from the event to support other local non-profit organizations in the greater Matthews area. The festival has donated more than $2 million over the past three decades.
“We are putting on a Labor Day party this weekend and it embodies 125,000 of our closest friends and neighbors,” Melton said, referring to the expected attendance.
Here are some other things to know about the Matthews Alive Festival.
What’s new at Matthews Alive?
Carnival festivities will kickoff a little earlier, at 4 p.m. Friday with an All-You-Can-Ride Wristband Night for $25. Exhibits, inflatables and food vendors will open at 6 p.m.
Melton said changing the time was a good idea, especially with Matthews Elementary being close by and school ending a few hours before the start of the carnival. That will give families with younger children more time to enjoy the rides before more people come in the evening.
“For years, it’s been a packed area, we’re hoping to extend those hours and spread out the wealth of those huge crowds,” Melton said.
When is the Matthews Alive parade and other highlights?
“That’s the caliber of entertainment we’re bringing to Matthews Alive,” Melton said.
The Matthews Alive Parade through downtown Matthews is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Saturday. According to event officials, it is the largest Labor Day Parade in the Southeast.
More than 100 participants will start on Matthews-Mint Hill Road at McLeod Street and continue to Trade Street. Some of them include local marching bands, floats, performers, and local celebrities.
Later on Saturday, Brass Transit will perform at 8:30 p.m. The Chicago tribute band performs music honoring the musical legacy of the group. The live entertainment will continue at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, with the Classic Stones Live, a band paying tribute to the Rolling Stones.
“They never played in this area before,” Melton said. “We try to shy away from someone that you can just go see anywhere that has appeared around Charlotte and Matthews time after time.
In between the lineup of performers, festival-goers can also visit the small shops at the event. More than 130 people signed up to be vendors.
For a full list of activities, go to matthewsalive.org/festival-activities/
How to get to Matthews Alive
Matthews Alive will be held in the downtown area. According to organizers, GPS users should search for “Stumptown Park, Matthews, NC” for directions for the festival area.
Matthews Alive traffic and parking
Matthews will have several road closures during Labor Day weekend.
Starting at 9 a.m. Friday, South Trade Street will be closed from the intersection of East John Street to McDowell Street. Around 3:30 p.m. Friday, the closure will extend to Main Street for the remainder of the festival. The streets will reopen at 11:30 p.m. Monday. Town officials are asking the public to prepare for delays.
For the Saturday parade, be aware of these road closures and times during the event:
- 7:30 a.m. Matthews-Mint Hill Road at Crestdale Road for parade staging
- 8:30 a.m. Trade Street from Matthews-Mint Hill to John Street and Matthews Station Street
- 9 a.m. South Trade Street from Main Street to Fullwood
Streets closed for the parade route (with the exception of South Trade Street) will reopen by noon Saturday.
Free public parking is available by the train tracks at North Trade Street and Charles Street. Matthews Station will also have parking at town hall, along with many businesses and churches on John and Trade streets.
People with disabilities may use the “horseshoe” parking area by Matthews First Baptist Church off Sadie Drive, town public parking areas and nearby businesses that are closed during the festival.
This story was originally published September 1, 2023 at 6:10 AM.
