2024 Highlight Reel: Video recording and edit - Erin Scannell & Muhammad Kasule

 
 

Saturday October, 11th in Saxapahaw, NC

in partnership with The Haw River Ballroom

Sleepy Cat Records is thrilled to be joining The Haw River Ballroom again in presenting our 4th Annual Sleepy Fest in the beloved community of Saxapahaw, NC on October 11th, 2025! Sleepy Fest provides an important platform for emerging North Carolina-based artists, creates opportunities for our community to connect, and helps raise the funds we rely on to stay in operation. We take pride in using Sleepy Fest as a platform to promote the social justice work that is already happening in our community as well as the kind of thoughtful work we hope to encourage moving forward - including but not limited to racial and environmental justice, anti-colonial/imperialist organizing and discourse for non-western nations, and queer representation/platforming.

The day will kick off with free-to-the-public performances at the Haywagon Stage and  Artisan Market in the spirit of the long-running Saturdays in Saxapahaw series. Ticket holders will have access to the main festival grounds near the Ballroom, enjoying performances between the Haywagon Stage, Ballroom Main Stage, and the Amphitheater. In addition to the shops in town, we’ll have food and beverage vendors, as well special programming by participating local businesses.

As in Sleepy Fest’s past, you can expect a diverse lineup of Sleepy Cat and other artists and one-time collaborations and improvisations. We’re planning visual installations and other non-music arts elements similar to last year’s quadraphonic performances, projections by dance artist Brooks Emanuel and Dye Vat DJs, as well as our Vendor and Artisan Market, Kids Zone, and more! We believe that this event will once again bring a day of joy and music-immersion to attendees, and will continue to foster a deeper appreciation for the wealth of culture and community in our area.

SCHEDULE

  • 11am-430pm // Free-to-the-public Arts Market & Show at the Haywagon Stage

  • 2pm-10pm // Ticketed access to festival grounds - Ballroom & Amphitheater

    Exact schedule subject to change

LINEUP

This year’s festival will feature a blend of performances from our Sleepy Cat Artists as well as non-label artists and friends. So far the lineup includes folk, oldtime, americana, cumbia, immersive electronic, a drag show, a puppet show, twangy punk rock, and more:

Alice Gerrard, Hard Drive, Twain, Stormie Daie, Delver, Lonnie Walker, Trippers & Askers, Slow Teeth, Kill the Buddha, Ancestor Piratas, and MORE!

ARTS AND MAKERS MARKET

This year’s market will be located at Saxapahaw’s Haywagon Stage, home of the long running and family-friendly Saturdays in Saxapahaw. In keeping with that spirit, we will kick off Sleepy Fest with a free/open-to-the-public show and market from 11am-430pm. Our ticketed experience will then run from 2pm-10pm at the main festival grounds between the Ballroom and Amphitheater. Exact schedule subject to change

Signup to be a market vendor -  coming soon.

FOOD & BEV

There will be food and beverage vendors to enjoy all day, including coffee, alcoholic and NA beverages, and vegan food options.

Full food & bev vendor list coming soon.

*You’re welcome to bring your own food items if you have specific dietary preferences, though we encourage you to purchase food onsite from our great vendors and local businesses.

Join our Newslitter and follow us on IG @sleepyfest to stay in the loop as we roll things out.

 

Shots from Sleepy Fest ‘24

Photos by: Cary Kirk, David Prather, Sam Cooke, Shannon Kelly, and Steven Murray

 

TICKETS

GENERAL ADMISSION

  • Adult - $49.50 // EARLY BIRD* - $45

  • Kids 6-12 - $22 // EARLY BIRD* - $20

  • Kids 0-5 - FREE

General Admission tickets provide access to the festival grounds for all programming from 2pm-10am, where you’ll enjoy feature performances between the Ballroom and Amphitheater, Haywagon and Art Market, DJ sets, vendors and other special programming.

*Early Bird is scheduled to end June 1st

VOLUNTEER

SIGNUP OPENS AUGUST

Our volunteers play a big role in making Sleepy Fest what it is. Volunteer for one shift (approx 3 hours) in exchange for free entry to Sleepy Fest. Volunteers are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis, and early signups receive first choice of preferred shifts. Sign up for the Sleepy Cat NewsLitter to get first access

SLIDING SCALE

We’re offering sliding scale tickets for ALAANA/BIPOC/SWANA** attendees. No proof required. Available for all ages. If you have questions or would like clarification on this matter please contact us at sleepycatrec@gmail.com.

Available August

**ALAANA - African, Latine, Asian, Arab, Native American // BIPOC - Black, Indigenous, People of Color // SWANA - South West Asian and North African

Extra Donations

Feeling extra giving? Make stand-alone or add-on donations in $5 increments.

Your extra donation will go towards:

  • Our sliding scale program, subsidizing affordable tickets, and helping make Sleepy Fest more accessible

  • Funding our label projects for 2025, should we have surplus beyond the above mentioned priorities

  • Paying event staff and performers bonuses above base pay

SLIDING SCALE

We’re offering sliding scale tickets for ALAANA/BIPOC/SWANA** attendees as well as those affected by hurricane Helene. If this applies to you and you’d like to purchase sliding scale tickets, please visit our Sliding Scale Ticket Page. No proof required. Available for all ages. If you have questions or would like clarification on this matter please contact us at sleepycatrec@gmail.com.

**ALAANA - African, Latine, Asian, Arab, Native American // BIPOC - Black, Indigenous, People of Color // SWANA - South West Asian and North African

EXTRA DONATIONS

Feeling extra giving? Make stand-alone or add-on donations in $5 increments from our ticket provider. Your donation supports our sliding scale program, helps us pay higher wages, and funds 2025 label projects.

For larger donations or to become a sponsor, please reach out to sleepyfest@gmail.com

Your extra donation will go towards:

  • Our sliding scale program, subsidizing affordable tickets, and helping make Sleepy Fest more accessible

  • Paying event staff and performers bonuses above base pay

  • Funding our label projects for 2025, should we have surplus beyond the above mentioned priorities

Thanks so much!

INFO

PARKING & DIRECTIONS

The Haw River Ballroom is located at 1711 Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Rd, Saxapahaw, NC 27340. Directions

Free parking is available in the following areas in downtown Saxapahaw:

  • Lots outside of the Hawbridge Upper School.

  • Designated parking areas on Pine and Hilltop near & just past the Water Tower.

  • Parking area to the right of Paperhand Puppet Intervention and Haw River Canoe/ Kayak’s spaces.

  • There are also a few accessible parking spots right outside of the Saxapahaw General Store.

    If you are planning on finding other transportation, such as Uber, Lyft, etc, please be aware that cell service in Saxapahaw can be challenging sometimes, so we can’t guarantee you’ll be able to pick up service to call a ride home. Carpooling is highly recommended.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please do not park in the road or in people’s yards or driveways or blocking residential gates. Cars parked in any of these spaces or over the white line on the road may be towed. We ask that you respect that people live and work here and need to be able to feel their homes and property are not affected by people coming in for the event. Thanks.

WHAT TO BRING

  • Cash for merch, concessions, and donations

  • Water bottle

  • Appropriate footwear for uneven ground (Haywagon Stage)

  • Picnic blanket and/or lawn chairs (Haywagon Stage)

  • Warm clothing options for nighttime

  • Sunblock, bug spray, other festival provisions!

WHAT NOT TO BRING

DON’T BRING TO ANY FESTIVAL AREAS

  • Weapons or replicas of weapons

  • ⁠Illegal substances of any kind

  • ⁠Laser pointers

  • ⁠Glass containers of any kind

  • ⁠Drones of any kind

DON’T BRING INSIDE THE BALLROOM

  • Outside alcohol⁠

  • Skateboards, roller blades, scooters, hoverboards, bicycles

  • ⁠Hula hoops, flow toys

  • ⁠Pets, except service animals with proper identification

ACCESSIBILITY

  • The Haw River Ballroom is ADA accessible.

  • There are a few accessible parking spots right outside of the Saxapahaw General Store.

  • Accessible seating for The Ballroom is located on the 2nd floor, which can be reached via the sidewalk that wraps around the building. There are no stairs outside that lead up to this 2nd floor entry.

  • If you require a seat, please email the Ballroom Box Office at boxoffice@hawriverballroom.com to hold your seat in advance and we will make seats available and put your name on them until we reach our limit.

Please email sleepyfest@gmail.com if you have any further questions or special needs. We can provide you information to make the best choice for yourself.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Sleepy Fest & The Haw River Ballroom are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which all are treated with dignity and respect, free from discrimination and harassment. Everyone who enters our venue should be safe from harm, whether it’s while watching, working, or performing. We reserve the right to deny any person who violates our Code of Conduct the privilege of performing at or attending current or future Haw River Ballroom, River Room, Amphitheater and Saturdays in Saxapahaw events.

  • By attending Haw River Ballroom events, you agree to abide by these guidelines:

    NO WEAPONS OF ANY KIND ARE ALLOWED INSIDE THE VENUE.

    The following behavior is not welcome at Haw River Ballroom and is cause for removal from the space by security and a permanent ban from the venue:

    Sexual misconduct or harassment of any kind, including unwelcome verbal or non-verbal sexual attention or unwanted physical contact.

    Acting or speaking in a discriminatory manner or using racist, sexist, ableist, transphobic, homophobic, xenophobic, or other biased language, including intentional misgendering.

    Providing or offering intoxicants, legal or illegal, in a coercive manner, or causing someone to become intoxicated without their consent.

    Disruptive or aggressive behavior, including stalking, threatening, or following anyone in an intimidating or unwanted manner.

    Abuse of power, including but not limited to abuses related to wealth, race, gender, sexuality, or one’s position as a performer or manager.

    While at Haw River Ballroom, you agree to:

    Be proactive in creating a community-oriented atmosphere where the safety of others is prioritized and valued.

    Respect the physical and emotional boundaries of others in the venue.

    Reject and report violent or discriminatory behavior.

    Be responsible for your own actions & be aware that your actions do have an effect on others despite what your intentions may be.

    Respect and adhere to requests and requirements by Haw River Ballroom staff and security.

    Haw River Ballroom’s Commitment to You:

    We honor that “safe” and “safety” feel different for everyone. If you experience harassment, abuse, sexual assault, or if a perpetrator of harm is interfering with your experience at our venue, please approach a staff member to whom you feel comfortable talking.

    ALL STAFF INCLUDING BOX OFFICE, BAR TENDERS, BARISTAS, SOUND BOARD AND SECURITY ARE IN TOUCH WITH EACH OTHER VIA TEXT THREAD. LET ANY OF US KNOW OF ANY PROBLEM AND WE WILL SEND SECURITY TO HANDLE THE SITUATION IMMEDIATELY!

    Please do not stay silent. We are here to help with any conflicts arising from the violation of our policies and this Code of Conduct. Haw River Ballroom staff acknowledge that we are bound by this same Code of Conduct, except that employees may be required, on occasion, to initiate physical contact for the safety of individuals in the venue, and such actions shall not violate this Code. The Haw River Ballroom strives to be a safe space for all people. We welcome humans of all colors, identities, and abilities. We are running on geothermal and solar power

    and are always trying our best to be good to our community, customers, and planet.

OUR TEAM

Gabe Anderson - Co-founder, Executive Director - sleepycatrec@gmail.com

Saman Khoujinian - Co-founder, Programming - sleepyfest@gmail.com

Steph Stewart - Sponsorship Director -  steph@sleepycatrec.com

Cam Laws - Market and Vending Director - sleepyfest@gmail.com

Drew Martin - Digital Marketer

Jess Pusch - Local Outreach Coordinator, Volunteer Director - sleepyfest@gmail.com

Get in touch!