Free Two-Day Festival Celebrates Agriculture, Family and Passing Traditions to the Next Generation
Long before there was a Davie Farm Fest, there was a little boy riding beside his dad on an old Ford tractor.
Once CJ Myers was old enough to sit up, his father, Brad Myers, took him for his first tractor ride. CJ was hooked. The two put countless miles on that tractor together, and when CJ attended an antique tractor parade at just two years old, his fascination grew even stronger.
His grandfather, Lindsey Fishel, eventually bought him his first vintage tractor—a 1946 John Deere A.
CJ’s younger brother, Ryan, soon joined in the family’s love of tractors, receiving a 1945 John Deere B from Cliff Myers when he was only a week old.
Those two boys and their fascination with old tractors would eventually inspire something much bigger: Davie Farm Fest, a free community celebration that brings together farmers, families, children, seniors, craftsmen, businesses and agricultural organizations from Davie County and beyond.
The 4th Annual Davie Farm Fest returns to the Masonic Picnic Grounds at 201 Poplar Street in Mocksville on Friday, September 18, from 9 a.m.–9 p.m., and Saturday, September 19, from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Admission is free.
But to understand what makes Farm Fest special, you have to go back to the people who encouraged two young boys to keep asking questions.
Passing Along More Than Knowledge
As CJ and Ryan grew up, the Myers family traveled to tractor shows and events. Along the way, they encountered people willing to stop what they were doing, answer the boys’ questions, and share what they knew.
One of those people was Kenneth Green.
Green loved talking with CJ and Ryan about tractors and was always willing to lend a hand when someone at a show couldn’t get an old tractor running. Later, when CJ went to college with the goal of learning tractor restoration, Green introduced him to another passion: hit-and-miss engines. The two spent hours together as Green patiently taught CJ how the engines worked and how to repair and restore them.
For Brad and Michelle Myers, those relationships became as important as the machines themselves.
“People like Kenneth took the time to teach our boys, encourage their curiosity and share something they loved with them,” Michelle Myers said. “It wasn’t just about tractors or engines. Those experiences stayed with CJ and Ryan, and in many ways, Farm Fest is our family’s way of passing that kindness forward.”
As CJ grew older, he began thinking about how he could give other children that same opportunity—to see tractors up close, learn about farm life and spend time with people willing to share their knowledge.
That idea became Davie Farm Fest in 2023.
A Davie County Family’s Gift to the Community
The Myers family—Brad and Michelle and their sons, CJ and Ryan—are lifelong Davie County residents. Michelle grew up in the Cornatzer community, while Brad and the boys have roots in Farmington.
Interestingly, the Myerses aren’t farmers and don’t own a family farm.
Their connection to agriculture grew from their appreciation for its people, history and traditions—and from the kindness the agricultural community showed their children.
“We aren’t a farming family ourselves, but agriculture and the people who make up our local farming community have become an important part of our lives,” Michelle said. “We have tremendous appreciation for our farmers and for the agricultural history and traditions that are such an important part of Davie County.”
From the beginning, the family was determined that Farm Fest would be something everyone could enjoy, regardless of their circumstances.
That’s why admission has always been free.
“There are families going through difficult times, and we don’t want cost to be the reason someone can’t come spend a day together and make memories,” Michelle said. “We want people to come as they are, bring their children, bring their grandparents and simply enjoy being together.”
“We also hope to help people, especially children, learn more about agriculture and where the things we use every day come from. We want them to be able to talk with farmers, see equipment up close, watch demonstrations, and experience things they may not otherwise have an opportunity to experience.”.
Four Years of Growth
When the Myers family launched Davie Farm Fest in 2023, they didn’t know what to expect.
That first event featured eight demonstrators, three farms in the Farmers Market and about 10 vendors. Each year, more people have heard about the festival and wanted to become part of it. This year, more than 15 demonstrators, 20 vendors, 25 sponsors and five Farmers Market booths had already signed up, with additional participants continuing to join.
“Every year we look back and think, ‘Wow, look how far this has come,’” Michelle said. “But even as we grow, we don’t want to lose why we started. It is still about bringing people together, learning about agriculture and our rural heritage, and giving back to the community.”
Step Into Davie County’s Agricultural Past
At Farm Fest, agricultural history isn’t something visitors simply read about—it comes to life. Visitors can watch blacksmithing, spinning, weaving, farmstead cooking over an open fire, tobacco looping, beekeeping, honey making and other traditional skills.
The Tobacco Farm Life Museum and Mountain Gateway Museum will also bring hands-on history to the festival Saturday, including a Great Wagon Road display.
Children can meet alpacas, pigs, goats, cows, a baby calf, peacocks, chickens, bees and other animals, while local farmers and representatives from Davie Soil & Water Conservation District, the N.C. Forest Service, N.C. Cooperative Extension and 4-H will help connect visitors with agriculture and natural resources.
This year’s featured tractor is fittingly John Deere—the brand that played such a memorable role in CJ and Ryan’s childhood.
“For some people, an old tractor brings back memories of their childhood,” Michelle said. “For a child standing beside them, it may be the first time they’ve ever seen one. There is something special about watching grandparents and older generations share those stories and memories with children.”
Planting Seeds for the Next Generation
Farm Fest isn’t just about preserving the past. The Myers family wants it to create opportunities for the future.
This year, the festival is supporting the Davie County High School FFA program, helping students develop knowledge and skills in agriculture, leadership and responsibility. Remaining event proceeds will benefit Davie County FFA.
For the first time, Farm Fest has also invited young entrepreneurs to set up booths free of charge. Young vendors will offer everything from produce and baked goods to crafts, lemonade and farm products.
“We want young people to experience what it’s like to create something of their own, interact with the public and gain that first taste of entrepreneurship,” Michelle said. “We’d also love to see more children bring their animals, demonstrate farming techniques or teach others something they’ve learned. Children should have opportunities to be proud of what they know and share it with someone else.”
Local farms and farmers can also participate in the Farmers Market free of charge, giving them an opportunity to share what they grow and produce without paying a booth fee.
Come for the Tractors, Stay for the Day
You don’t have to be a farmer—or know anything about tractors—to enjoy Davie Farm Fest.
Families can take hay wagon and barrel train rides, visit animals, explore the Farmers Market, shop local vendors, watch demonstrations and enjoy games and children’s activities.
One of Saturday’s highlights will be the Kids Pedal Tractor Pull at 11 a.m., with weigh-in by 10:30 a.m. First place receives a trophy, second and third place receive ribbons, and every child who participates receives a prize bag.
There will also be plenty of live music. Hazy Ridge performs bluegrass and gospel Friday from 5–7 p.m. Gaining Ground Bluegrass Band performs Saturday from 9–11 a.m., followed by the Johnny Dez Elvis Tribute Show from noon–2 p.m.
Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs—and families are welcome to pack their own lunch.
“We want people to know they don’t have to spend money to enjoy Farm Fest,” Michelle said. “Pack a lunch if you want. Bring your lawn chairs. Listen to the music, let the kids explore and just enjoy the day. We want this to truly be an event everyone can experience.”
Those who want to purchase lunch will have plenty of options. St. John AME Zion Church in Mocksville returns for its fourth year to serve hamburgers, hot dogs and homemade desserts, keeping 100% of its profits to support its nonprofit work. Other food vendors will offer a shrimp boil, roasted corn, kettle corn, sweet treats and more.
A Grand Finale Through Downtown Mocksville
And Farm Fest doesn’t simply end when the activities wind down at the Masonic Picnic Grounds.
The Myers family plans to close out the event Saturday with an antique tractor parade through downtown Mocksville, giving festivalgoers—and the community—one more chance to enjoy the machines at the heart of the celebration.
It’s a fitting finale for an event that began with one little boy’s fascination with tractors: a procession of vintage machines rolling through the heart of the community that helped turn that childhood passion into a growing Davie County tradition.
It Takes a Community
Although Davie Farm Fest began with one family, it has become a true community effort.
Sponsors help make it possible for the Myers family to keep admission free, and several businesses have supported Farm Fest since its first year.
“Without our sponsors, we simply couldn’t do this,” Michelle said. “Their generosity allows families to come here, enjoy the activities, learn about agriculture and spend time together without paying admission. They believed in Farm Fest when it was just getting started, and their continued support means more to our family than we can put into words.”
The family is also hoping to build a larger volunteer team.
Farm Fest’s community involvement extends beyond the two-day festival. Throughout the year, the Myers family takes its barrel trains and hay wagon rides to local churches, nonprofit events and sponsors’ community activities whenever possible.
“There is only so much a family of four can do,” Michelle said. “With more volunteers, we could take Farm Fest even further and do more throughout the year. Our goal isn’t simply to make it bigger. We want to make it better while keeping the heart of it the same—free, family-friendly, educational and focused on giving back.”
Passing It Forward
In the end, the story of Davie Farm Fest comes back to where it began.
A little boy climbed onto an old tractor with his dad.
His grandfather encouraged his interest with a vintage John Deere. People at tractor shows stopped to answer his questions. Kenneth Green took him under his wing and patiently shared what he knew about old tractors and engines.
Those experiences mattered.
Today, the Myers family hopes Farm Fest gives another child the chance to experience that same spark.
“Let them climb on a tractor, talk to someone who farms, watch an old piece of equipment work or take a ride on the barrel train,” Michelle said. “If a child goes home excited about a tractor, an old engine, farming or something new they discovered, then we feel like we’ve accomplished something.”
And you never know where one experience might lead.
“You may come because your child loves tractors,” Michelle added, “but you might leave having learned something new, made a new friend, supported a local nonprofit or farmer, or created a memory your family will talk about for years.”
“Davie Farm Fest is our gift to the community, and we would love for you to come and be a part of it.”
Bring the family, bring the grandparents, bring a lawn chair—and stay awhile.
Make Plans to Attend Davie Farm Fest
Friday, September 18, 2026 | 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
Saturday, September 19, 2026 | 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Masonic Picnic Grounds | 201 Poplar Street, Mocksville
Admission: FREE
Rain Dates: October 2–3
For up-to-date information about this event, like and follow Davie Farm Fest on Facebook.