The Start of The Festival
In the wake of Patrick Swayze's passing in 2009, after a two-year battle with Pancreatic Cancer,  the Town of Lake Lure held a candlelight vigil.  1,000 local Swayze fans came together to show their respect, admiration and honor in Firefly Cove, formerly the setting for where much of the classic movie Dirty Dancing was filmed. One year later the Dirty Dancing Festival was  founded in 2010, with the support of Lionsgate Films, the blessing of Eleanor Bergstein (the original writer of the film), and several of the film's cast and crew,  by former dancer-turned-event producer Jo Beyersdorfer of JNB  Events, and PR-guru Michelle Yelton of The McConnell Group. The festival kicked off with over 1,000 attendees in 2010 and stretched throughout the town. In 2011 JNB took over the direction of the festival and produced the event until 2015. In 2016, JNB handed the festival over to the Chamber of Hickory Nut Gorge located in Lake Lure, NC, making it a true, homegrown event!

The festival has grown in numbers  and fame ever since drawing over 3,000 fans from across the country and internationally. It aims to not only be a  large scale fundraising event, but also a weekend celebration of dancing, music and our all-time favorite movie!

Since the festival began, it has taken place over a multitude of special occasions including Swayze's birthday, the film's debut in theaters, the 30th anniversary  of the movie, and 2019's 10th anniversary celebration.
The Dirty Dancing Festival is a non profit fundraising event managed and executed by a team of volunteers to raise awareness, support, and resources for PanCAN and the Chamber of Hickory Nut Gorge.
The Dirty Dancing Festival committee would like to thank The Town of Lake Lure, Rutherford County Tourism, the North Carolina Division of Tourism, and of course all of our sponsors and fans for their continued support of the festival.
We love sharing this special movie with all of you and look forward to seeing you for The Time of Your Life - for years to come!

AUTHOR SUE TABASHNIK

The Dirty Dancing Festival welcomed special guest Sue Tabashnik to the 9th annual festival to share her passion and love of the movie and Patrick Swayze.
Sue has published two books showcasing behind the scenes information from the movie Dirty Dancing and the life of Patrick Swayze, along with many memorable photographs.

You can visit her site to learn more at LikeDirtyDancing.com 
The Dirty Dancing Festival proudly supports The Swayze Foundation!
The Swayze Foundation has been established  to help  kids and special adults who have been caught   in the middle with little or no funds or outlets for their pursuits in dance, sports, the arts, equestrian and animal therapies. Carrying on the family tradition of “giving and volunteering” Don and Charlene Swayze have set up The Swayze Foundation to continue the legacy of helping others, just as Don & Patrick's parents did.  It's the Swayze Way!                
You too can volunteer by giving to the Swayze Foundation. Just go to www.Swayze.co to make a donation or purchase items from the Swayze Store. 100% of the sale proceeds will go to The Swayze Foundation to gift scholarships and programs for children as well as adults in need!