Appalachian Lifestlye Celebration in Waynesville

June 13, 2015   Appalachian Lifestlye Celebration   A full day celebration of mountain heritage, live music and dance, crafts, and Appalachian life skills. Both educational and entertaining, the event features craft demonstrations such as basketry, wood carving, quilting, along with storytelling, traditional mountain music, clogging, and old time food vendors.10 AM - 5 PM. 

The Celebration is held on Main Street in historic downtown Waynesville NC.

Opening Reception Tonight at Blowing Rock Art and History Museum

March 7, 5:30 - 7 PM - The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (BRAHM) celebrates two new exhibits opening today:

W.R. Trivett: Imaging the Mountains. Students from Dr. Andrea Burns's public history class have diligently researched and curated this new exhibit focusing on Willie Trivett, a local self-taught  "pictureman" who captured individual and family portraits and events happening in our region in the first half of the twentieth century. The Exhibit opens on March 8, 2013

Watauga High School Art Show.  A juried show up through month of March. Tonight's  reception is also a celebration of the Watauga High School Art Show. Selected works from senior art students are currently up in the Community Meeting Room and will be displayed through the month of March. Watercolorist Wes Waugh judged the show. Winners will be announced and congratulated at the reception.

The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum is located at 159 Chestnut Street (corner of Chestnut and Main) in Blowing Rock NC.

Heritage Weekend at the Folk Art Center

A whimmy diddle is an
Appalachian mountain toy
made of two wood sticks

September 15 - 16  at the Folk Art Center, Milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville NC - Heritage Weekend is a two-day celebration of traditional crafts and music.

The 32nd free festival is sponsored by the Southern Highland Craft Guild and features traditional music, dancing and heritage craft demonstrations. A highlight of the weekend is the 32nd Annual World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition on Saturday, 2:00-3:00 PM. Joe “Colonel Buncombe” Bly will emcee the competition.

Apple Chill Cloggers

During Heritage Weekend, visitors learn from area experts about beekeeping, rifle making, coopering, heritage toy making, natural dyeing, spinning, quilting, whittling, print making and furniture making. Other highlights include sheep shearing demonstrations throughout the day on Saturday. The entertainment schedule is jam-packed with regional musicians on both days.

18th Annual Mountain Heritage Festival includes Mountain Crafts

September 15     18th Annual Mountain Heritage Festival    Craft and food vendors line Main Street in celebration of mountain heritage in craft and music. This year's entertainment features Wayne Henderson and Helen White.

With demonstrations of the skills of local ancestors and music that mixes local heritage with modern influences, there is something for everyone. Dancers will be kicking up their heels and  the  Possum Queen will be crowned.

Traditional Mountain Crafts at the Macon County Fair

September 12-15   59th Annual Macon County Fair  An authentic agricultural fair featuring crafts, farm animals and festival foods. Held on the Macon County Fair Grounds in Franklin.

At Educational exhibits you can learn how to grow vegetables or keep bees. Traditional crafts shuck as corn shuck dolls are found along with pottery, jewelry, tole painting and more. Booths with baked goods, flowers, house furnishings, craft demonstrations and more are a part of this popular fair.

Quilting and heritage Crafts at the Franklin Folk Festival

July 21  9th Annual Franklin Folk Festival   More than 100 living exhibits and demonstrations allow visitors to experience what mountain life was like way back when. These folks learned at their parents’ knee woodcarving, moon shining, basket making, weaving and spinning, and all the many other things they’ll be demonstrating.
Exhibits include everything from quilting and moonshinin' to Civil War reenactors. Activities get underway at 9:00 AM and conclude with Pickin' on the Square in the evening.

This year a special event, the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the Franklin Fire Department, will held in collaboration with the festival and will feature booths, speakers, games, and vintage trucks, equipment and memorabilia. There will be antique Fire Engines on Display along the west end of Main Street plus an old fashioned bucket brigade challenge and other games & contests for all ages. The Fire Department Celebration area will kick off at 11:00 AM. in front of Macon Bank with greetings from the NC State Fire Marshal, Wayne Goodwin.

Get a link for more details about the Franklin Folk Festival and Franklin cabin rentals, restaurants and attractions on the Franklin NC Visitor Guide.

Western Carolina University Hosts the Mountain Artisan Summertime Art and Craft Show

June 30 - July 1 Mountain Artisan Summertime Art and Craft Show at WCU Local art and crafts from 10 AM - 5 PM held in the Ramsey Center in climate-controlled comfort.

Contemporary art and crafts as well as heritage crafts including quilting, pine needle baskets, blacksmithing, clay art, folk dolls, corn shuck flowers, broom corn brooms, carved spirit sticks, and primitive furniture.

Weaverville Roots Festival Celebrates Local Heritage

May 26-28     Weaverville Roots Festival   A three-day celebration of the culture and heritage of Weaverville, NC. On May 26 Heritage Day will fill the downtown and park areas with music, demonstrations, food and other entertainment. On  May 27 the town will celebrate its Tree City USA status with Arbor Day activities and ceremonies in the nature park, plus entertain visitors with gospel music and other sacred music. On Memorial Day, May 28th, the town roots will be celebrated by honoring those heroes who gave their lives for freedom as well as those heroes who live in the area. There will also be a commemorative ceremony at Lake Louise.