Scandinavian Heritage Week at The Folk School

March 24 - 30   Scandinavian Week at John C Campbell Folk School   Immerse yourself in the many delightful aspects of Scandinavian life during the popular Scandinavian Heritage Week. Enjoy special foods, music, dance, and crafts from this fascinating part of the world.

Learn easy Danish dances during the March 23 Tuesday night dance. The Keith House Community Room will overflow with Danish merriment and cheer from 7-8 PM. The dance event is FREE.

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.

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.

February 12th-18th Arts & Crafts Heritage Week in Asheville

Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy recently proclaimed the week of February 12-18 Arts & Crafts Heritage Week, citing the role the American Arts & Crafts movement has played in the "artistic, architectural,aesthetic and economic development of the City of Asheville".  The week will include discussions, presentations, and exhibits:

Daily Pack Library Exhibit: “Arts & Crafts of Western North Carolina”

February 13. 5:30-7:00 PM:   Slide Presentation: “From Mountain Crafts to  Arts & Crafts” by Bruce E. Johnson; Renaissance Hotel. Free.

February 14, 6:00-7:00 PM:   Panel Discussion: “Problems and Solutions in Restoring Older Homes” by the Asheville Preservation Society; Masonic Temple. Historic building  will be conducted from 5:00-6:00 PM. Free.

February 15, Noon-1:15 PM:  Luncheon Presentation: “Green and Greener: The New Arts & Crafts Bungalow” by the Asheville chapter of the American Institute of Architects; Princess  Anne Hotel,  Free, Optional lunch is available for $10 - reservations are required, 404-376-7452.

February 16, 6:00-9:00 PM :  Benefit Dinner and Presentation: “The Pottery Tradition of  Western North Carolina” by author Rodney Leftwich; sponsored by the Stickley Museum and  hosted by Biltmore Industries. Limited seating and reservations required.

February 17, 1:00-6:00 PM:  The 25th National Grove Park Inn Arts & Crafts Conference  Antiques & Craftsfirms Shows. Three-day admission $10.

February 18, 1:00-4:00 PM:   Preservation Society House Tours. $35 - reservations 828-254-2343
Noon-6:00 PM: Grove Park Inn Conference Shows. Three-day admission $10
5:00-7:00 PM: Asheville Art Museum Reception, “Artistic Expression of Galle and Tiffany.”  $25 -reservations 828-253-3227.

February 19, 12:30-3:30 PM:  Preservation Society House Tours. $35 - 828-254-2343.
11:00-4:00 PM:  Grove Park Inn Conference Shows.  Admission $10.

Crafts for Kids at the Transylvania Heritgae Museum

Nov 12    2nd Saturday Program at the Heritage Museum   The History of Transylvania -  Crafts for Kids conducted by Rebecca Suddeth  - Brevard, NC

Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF) this Weekend in Black Mountain

October 20-23   Lake Eden Arts Festival ( LEAF)   A weekend celebration of world folk arts: music concerts, dancing, handcrafts, healing arts, poetry, kidventures and workshops. Beautiful mountain camp setting with lakes and camping available.

Get a link for this event and other Black Mountain NC events, lodging and visitor information HERE

Forest Festival Day this weekend in Brevard

October 1    Forest Festival Day   More than 50 traditional craftsmen, exhibitors and entertainers gather at the Cradle of Forestry to celebrate our forests and forest heritage. Highlights include: live music, wood carvers, weavers, blacksmith, and a John G. Palmer Intercollegiate Woodsmen’s Meet. This lumberjack-style event is organized by Haywood Community College. $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for youth, and America The Beautiful and Golden Age pass holders. The Cradle of Forestry is located on highway 276 near Brevard NC.

Curb Market and Old-timey Day this weekend in Hendersonville

September 24    Curb Market and Old-timey Day   The Henderson County Curb Market is the South's most unique Curb Market. This special event includes music, sausage & ham biscuits cooked on a old timey wood stove, antique displays and more. All items sold at the market must be either handmade or locally grown Henderson County. Historic Downtown Hendersonville NC.

Our State Dog: North Carolina’s Plott Hound Exhibit opens at North Carolina History Museum

Sept. 9, at the North Carolina Museum of History, 5 East Edenton Stree tin Raleigh NC -   Our State Dog: North Carolina’s Plott Hound

This traveling exhibit explores the history and evolution of the legendary hunting dog, the only dog breed known to have originated in North Carolina. This small exhibit is from Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center

Traditional Indian Crafts this weekend in Cherokee

August 26 - 27   6th Annual Festival of Native Peoples and Cherokee Art Market  A gathering of tribes from the Americas to celebrate Native culture. Enjoy traditional dancing, food and craft vendors. Indigenous tribes from across the Americas gather for the sixth Annual Festival of Native Peoples this weekend at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds in Cherokee, N.C. Considered the finest showcase of native dance, song and art in the southeast, the event honors the collective history, customs and wisdom of some of the oldest documented tribes.

Avery County Celebrates its Centenial

July 29-31   Avery County Centennial Festival   Avery County is celebrating the county’s 100th year on  July 29 , 30, and 31. Head to Newland NC, the county seat,  and join Avery County for the once in a lifetime event. The county wide celebration includes crafts, food, face painting, kids inflatables,games, historical reenactments, music and  more!
The free family event begins Friday, July 29, at Riverwalk in Newland. Friday’s schedule includes a Cruz-In, juried art festival and a sock hop with featured group, The Tams. The evening caps off with fireworks under the Avery County sky.

On Saturday, July 30, as the whole town comes alive with demonstrations and events, from live bands and dance teams at Riverwalk to the quilt display at Morrison Library. Bring your chairs and beach blankets as the fun starts around 10 AM with the juried art festival. At 11 AM. the Parade of Decades travels through the streets of Newland with each community or organization represented. Demonstrations scheduled include a Civil War encampment, veterans’ ceremonies and tours of Avery County Historical Museum.

At 2 PM., journey to Turbyfill Park for the Dog Daze of Summer Pet event and old-timey games for kids planned by Avery Parks and Recreation Commission. The Barkery has planned dog friendly activities and dog contests with categories for best dog/owner look-a-like, smallest, best tail wagger and many more categories.

Sunday, July 31, concludes the celebration with praise music from 10 AM to 2 PM and the last opportunity to make purchases from the art festival.

For more information on the Centennial event or to pick up a free walking map for the three-day event, stop by the Avery County Chamber office located in the Tynecastle Shoppes of Blowing Rock or call (828) 898-5605.

Celebrate Traditional Crafts today at the Mountain Getaway Museum in Old Fort

July 9    2nd Saturdays at Mountain Gateway Museum: "Traditions in Arts and Crafts"   Day-long celebration of traditional arts and crafts including basket making, pottery, wood working and more. Exhibits and grounds are open free of charge. Bring a picnic and enjoy the day in a shaded setting near the beautiful stream. Demonstrating their creativity and selling their wares are Big Bear Artisans John and Helen Sullivan, photographer/painter Alice Greko, landscape artist Chrys Riviere-Blalock and Laura Whitley with woodburned art.Old Fort NC.