Whether you’re an oenophile or simply someone who likes an occasional touch of the grape, Mount Airy will be the place to be on May 4-5.

Fifteen North Carolina wineries have signed up to attend the Third Annual Budbreak Wine Festival, which will take place in historic downtown.

The festival celebrates the breaking of buds at vineyards throughout the Yadkin Valley and the state at large, and kicks off Friday evening with a wine judging competition and special VIP party from 6-9 p.m. at the Old North State Winery. This year, renowned local jazz vocalist Melva Houston will perform during the VIP event.

Festivities will continue in earnest Saturday as wineries, local artists and vendors will be set up on Main Street from noon till 6 p.m.

Each winery participating this year will provide wine tastings and information about North Carolina’s expanding wine industry.

Wineries signed on to participate in this year’s festival include Carolina Heritage of Elkin; Dennis Vineyards of Albermarle; Divine Llama of East Bend; Ginger Creek of Taylorsville; Herrera Vineyards of Dobson; Native Vines Winery of Lexington; Old North State of Mount Airy; Ole Mill of mount Airy; Round Peak of Mount Airy; Slightly Askew of Elkin; Southern Charm of Lincolnton; Stony Knoll of Dobson; Thistle Meadow of Laurel Springs; Vineyards of the Scuppernong in Columbia; and Waldensian Style Wines of Connelly Springs.

Live music will also be performed throughout the festival, with the headliner this year Rolling Stones sax player Bobby Keys. Keys will take the stage with local band the Mediocre Bad Guys to entertain the crowd with a blend of classic hits from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

Also scheduled to perform this year is Skate Rink Jukebox, a Charlotte-based band that is known for a wide variety of music ranging from beach to R&B to reggae.

Tickets for the festival, co-sponsored by the Mount Airy Rotary Club and the city’s Downtown Business Association, are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. Also available are $5 tickets that do not include wine tastings. Tickets for the Friday night VIP party are $10.

More information is available at www.budbreakfestival.com.

Reach Keith Strange at kstrange@heartlandpublications.com or 719-1929.