Jamie Ager’s Family Business Held a 2019 Festival Featuring Unique Performers

Jamie Ager, a Democratic candidate for Congress in North Carolina, is in the spotlight due to his family’s involvement in a fantasy festival back in 2019. This event, aimed at families and children, featured the Beer City Sisters, a group that refers to themselves as “21st Century nuns” and is known for hosting “Drag Comedy Show” events.

Ager is running against Republican state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District. As the CEO and co-founder of Hickory Nut Gap Farm in Fairview, Ager has framed his campaign around his identity as a farmer. The farm’s website presents him as a fourth-generation farmer who, along with his wife Amy, has established the business.

In this election, Ager is positioning himself as a “commonsense Democrat” in a district that supported Donald Trump by nearly ten points during the 2020 election. His campaign includes advertisements highlighting how he and his wife host monthly barn dances while also mentioning their business’s events that featured drag performers aimed at children.

On May 4, 2019, Hickory Nut Gap hosted its “Fantasy Festival at the Farm,” which attracted around 1,500 responses on Facebook. The event encouraged guests to dress up in costumes, offering a variety of interactive games and contests, including one specifically for children.

Admission prices for the festival were structured for families, making it accessible for various age groups. On the day, tickets were priced at $13 for those aged 13 and up, $9 for kids aged 5 to 12, and free for children under four.

The festival schedule highlighted various games and activities, including contests for participants in costume and games for all ages. Notably, the Beer City Sisters were promoted as one of the festival’s main attractions in online communications prior to the event.

In a Facebook post, the farm expressed excitement about having the Beer City Sisters join the festival, describing them as “altruistic nuns” with the mission to promote diversity and eradicate guilt. Their humor and outreach efforts were highlighted, and the post concluded with some colorful emojis.

As of 2019, the Beer City Sisters were known as a group advocating for joy and against stigmas, suggesting their performances aimed to bring community spirit through self-expression and humor.

The sisters have even documented their growth on social media, showcasing their activities and members’ whimsical name tags, emphasizing a sense of community and fun.

Additionally, Ager’s campaign has shown support for nonprofit organizations like Blue Ridge Pride, which seeks to foster inclusivity for LGBTQIA2S+ individuals. Ager supports various progressive policies, including universal healthcare and renewable energy, and has been recognized by environmental groups for his stance on climate action.

Hailing from a politically connected family, Ager has deep roots in North Carolina politics. His connections extend to family members who have held prominent positions in state and federal government. Educated at Warren Wilson College, Ager’s wife also works at the school, which has garnered attention for its inclusive and radical approach to education.

Ager is gearing up for a contest against Balkcom, who recently replaced a representative that withdrew from the race due to an ethics investigation. Balkcom, with her own ties to the local farming community, will be a formidable opponent.

Having received endorsements from notable figures including former Biden administration officials, Ager’s stance on immigration also shows his intent to foster an inclusive society, advocating for pathways to citizenship for long-term residents without legal status.