June 1, 2024
The Livermush Festival celebrates the local favorite food and its heritage in Western North Carolina. It is held from 5-9 PM in downtown Marion, just 35 miles from Asheville. The historic Main Street is filled with a variety of vendors, a long line for a coveted livermush sandwich from food trucks and local restaurants, and hog calling. It's one of our Top Summer Festivals & Events. We loved our visit and took these photos.
Enjoy livermush sandwiches from food trucks and local restaurants. The line stretched for a full city block, so I'm glad we got there early before they ran out. Locals gave us some advice on condiments (mustard is best) and how they like fried livermush even better.
This longtime southern favorite is composed of pig liver and other parts mixed with cornmeal. It is spiced with pepper and sage, so it has a similar taste to sausage.
Typically, it comes in a loaf, then you slice off some for a sandwich, often after it is fried. It is popular as a breakfast meat, served with eggs and grits.
There's more than livermush! Downtown restaurants and food trucks will offer a big variety of food. Try local craft beers at the Refinery 13 Taproom Brewery at 13 N. Main. Burrito Brothers is next door at 9 N. Main. Spillway Bridge (93 S Main St) music venue and taproom has 20 beers on rotation. Mica Town Brewing is located at 25 Brown Drive - just off Main.
Find a big variety of local vendors with art, clothing, and many hog-related items. There's also a kids' area with face painting, balloon making, and inflatables for play.
You can dance off your calories to live music! Stop by Artesana for some homemade ice cream (go early before they sell out). Food trucks and booths offer ice cream, kettle corn, smoothies, and other sweet treats.
Take on the defending Hog Calling Champion at 6 PM.
For more information about the festival, call 828-652-2215.
Bigfoot Festival in September: Return to downtown Marion to celebrate the legendary Bigfoot. Read more.
Also, see our Top 12 Foodie Favorites.
