New band for Taste of Tabor; Inaugural Yam Dance & Fall Bash; Pageant winners

By DEUCE NIVEN

tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com

     Events preceding the North Carolina Yam Festival at Tabor City’s biggest day offer plenty opportunity for fun and fellowship, including two with a new look for 2026.

     JamieLynn & Carolina SunSet will deliver a different sound to this year’s Taste of Tabor, set for Sunnyfield Equestrian Farm on Thursday, Oct. 22.

     Evolving from the traditional Friday night street dance, Fifty Five Athletics will host the inaugural Yam Dance & Fall Bash at the Lake Tabor Field and Park on Lynwood Norris Street on Friday, Oct. 22.

Taste of Tabor

     With influences that include Tanya Tucker, John Conlee, Linda Davis, Sam Cooke, Teskey Brothers, Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson, JamieLynn & Carolina SunSet delivers variety that includes classic rock, country, Christian/gospel, and southern rock, the Aynor based band’s bandmix.com page says.

     Members include lead soloist JamieLynn, Marvin Jernigan on bass, keyboardist Casey Charles, and drummer Jason Conners.

     Scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 22, Taste of Tabor will again be hosted inside the rustic Sunnyfield barn, shelter from any inclement weather, though organizers are always hoping for a clear evening.

     Dress is casual or western themed with a relaxed atmosphere.

     Great food from MacDaddy’s BBQ & Country Cooking is promised for this family friendly ticketed event. Handicapped parking will be located at the barn.

     Adult tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door; $12 in advance and $15 at the door for those ages 7 to 11; free for children six and younger.

     For advance tickets visit the NC Yam Festival Office or First Bank of Tabor City or call 910-377-3248. Look for the festival office next to the Tabor City Public Library, and across East Fifth Street from the First Bank branch.

Yam Dance/Fall Bash

     Scheduled a week ahead of Halloween, the inaugural Yam Dance & Fall Bash runs from 6 to 10 p.m. on Oct. 23 and will include a costume contest with judging at 7:30 p.m.

     Music will be provided by Play That One DJ.

     Fifty Five Athletics leaders dreamed up the “Trick or Treat in the Park” event as a festival companion, directors quickly approved the event.

     It promises to be a “new fun yam tradition,” an event flyer said.

     Look for much more on the festival in our special section out Oct. 21.