2023 Livermush Festival sells 8,000 sandwiches, draws in more than 15,000 attendees

Uptown Shelby drew in record crowds Saturday for the 2023 Mush, Music & Mutts Livermush Festival.

People enjoyed the North Carolina treat on sandwiches, created recipes in a contest, competed to see who could eat the most in the shortest span of time and celebrated all things mush.

The unique festival, which has been a long running Shelby attraction for more than 30 years, drew in crowds of people for its live music, pet costume contest, parade and the popular livermush eating competition.

Karyn Owens, Cleveland County spokeswoman, said between Mack’s, Frank Corriher’s prepared by Shelby Rotary and other food trucks and vendors, more than 8,000 livermush sandwiches were prepared and sold this year, and the Rotary Club said they used more than 550 pounds of mush Saturday.

Although numbers have not been officially tallied just yet, Owens estimated attendance tipped more than 15,000 with people traveling from outside the county to attend and many first time festival goers. Owens said vendors reported they served people from South Carolina, Georgia, Michigan and beyond.

“It was packed from 9:30 to 4, but we are still waiting on final numbers,” she said.

Several other vendors sold out of their products, including We Bark in Style, Whimsical Wiffs and Shelby Spice.

Michael Ellis, who has been competing in the livermush eating contest for years, is once again the 2023 champion for the sixth time, beating his record from last year along with 16 other competitors.

In addition to food, music and the ribbon cutting for the first phase of the Carolina Harmony Trail, plenty of pets were uptown with 60 entered in the costume contest.

Owens said organizers made a strong effort to feature all North Carolina based musicians, including local groups, JAVA, The Dancing Fleas and Dirty Grass Soul. She said Dirty Grass Soul had an outstanding turnout.

“I’m proud that we can support local businesses and vendors here in our community through this festival,” Owens said. “And also be a place where the community and visitors can celebrate our local heritage and bring their families and pets out.”

Mark your calendars for next year’s Livermush Festival scheduled for Sat., Oct. 19, 2024.

This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Annual Livermush Festival celebrates all things mush, music and mutts