Burke County offers a wide variety of attractions and entertainment, appealing to all ages and interests.

The county has a strong arts culture, from musicians to painters, potters to sculptors.

Several art galleries are housed in downtown Morganton and Valdese that feature the works of local, regional and national artists.

A Friday night concert series, TGIF, takes place on the Old County Courthouse lawn in Morganton from May through July.

The Historic Morganton Festival has taken place the first weekend after Labor Day for more than 20 years. In the past, the festival featured more than 300 crafters and vendors with more than 65,000 people attending each year.

Morganton has all the charm of small city life. From the historic museum, to the Apple Hill Orchard, to the downtown annual festivals, the city has something for everyone.

Valdese, just minutes east of Morganton, hosts a Friday night concert series during the summer months.

And one of Valdese's newest attractions is Village Park, which features a waterfall and pond, benches and tables and a 30-foot by 40-foot mural depicting early Valdese.

Valdese also hosts a festival. The Historic Waldensian Festival has been held the second week in August for the past 30 years. It features up to 100 crafters and vendors, with close to 20,000 people attending.

Back in Morganton, one of its newest additions is Martha’s Park, which includes a 35-foot water area for children in the center of the park.

The water area has 14 jets set on timers, so the water doesn’t run unless children are present.

Martha’s Park also has bathrooms, shelters, a climbing wall, 48 trees, play equipment, a toddler house, a sculpture and a concrete elephant.

Everything in the park is handicap accessible.

Morganton features a wealth of historic attractions including the Old County Courthouse, 29 sites listed on the National Historic Register and the Sen. Sam Ervin Library.

Inside the Old County Courthouse resides the Heritage Museum, which hosts various historic exhibits throughout the year.

— Brianne E. Boykin

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