Attendance and Impact

To provide greater insight into the Carolina Stampede Music Fest and its impact on downtown Williamston, Williamston Downtown uses location analytics provided through Placer.ai. The information below includes visitor estimates, year-to-year trends, visitor origins, length of stay, and other event insights. 

2026 marked strong year-over-year growth. Estimated visitors increased from approximately 5,500 in 2025 to 6,800 in 2026, an increase of approximately 24%. Saturday visits increased from approximately 3,300 to 4,700, an increase of approximately 42%. While these figures have not yet returned to the event's 2019 level, they represent significant growth from 2025. Historical attendance estimates are available in the table below.

Visitor & Tourism Impact In addition to year-over-year attendance growth, 2026 data showed a 4% increase in out-of-county visitors compared with previous-year averages, representing approximately 300 additional visitors to the area. 

How is attendance estimated? Because the Carolina Stampede Music Fest is a free, open downtown event without ticketed entrances, visitor estimates are generated using location analytics provided through Placer.ai in partnership with Explore Martin County. For 2026, the data estimated approximately 6,800 individual visitors to the Carolina Stampede event area.

Placer.ai also recorded approximately 7,900 total visits during the two-day event. Visits and visitors are different measures because an individual may visit the event area more than once, including on both festival days.

View the complete 2026 Placer.ai consulting report below for additional visitor and event insights.