What to do in the Mountains this Weekend

Mountain Music:

July 13
NC City:  BREVARD
Event:      Brevard Music Center Concert: MAHLER Symphony No. 6 in A minor. The Summer Music Festival continues with a 7:30 PM concert with Julian Kuerti, conducting the Brevard Music Center Orchestra. Ticket holders are invited to attend the Pre-Concert Talk at Thomas Hall one hour before this event.   Get a link for this and other NC Events

July 13
NC City:  ASHEVILLE
Event:     River Music Concert Series   Dance under the stars next to the beautiful French Broad River at Asheville's new summer concert series hosted by New Belgium Brewing and RiverLink.  There will be New Belgium beer, a variety of good eats provided by your favorite Asheville food trucks and the waters of the beautiful French Broad flowing right by the stage. Best of all, these events are FREE to the public. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the view of the French Broad River.  Get a link for this and other NC Events
July 13
NC City:  TRYON
Event:     Summer Tracks Concert Series at Rogers Park   This concert features the Russ Wilson Swing Orchestra. The annual concert series offers amazing performers under beautiful, starry skies.  The concert is free, however, a voluntary donation at the gate is encouraged. The donations combined with generous sponsorships provided by local businesses make the shows possible. Food and beverage are sold at the event.  7 PM - 10 PM.  Get a link for this and other NC Events

July 13
NC City:  HENDERSONVILLE
Event:     Music on Main Street   The 14th annual Music On Main Street concert series will be held every Friday evening from June 8 through August 17, 2012. Music On Main Street showcases a diverse lineup of musical talents, from jazz, pop, oldies, rock, to contemporary music. Bring a chair and enjoy the music from 7 PM - 9 PM. Admission is FREE.  Get a link for this and other NC Events

July 14
NC City:  ASHEVILLE
Event:    Shindig on the Green     Held outdoors at Pack Square Park in the heart of downtown Asheville, this FREE event  was voted the #1 Local Outdoor Concert in the Mountain Xpress "Best of WNC" survey for four years. Bring your instruments, your lawn chair or blanket, family and friends and join the fun eight summer Saturdays.   Get a link for this and other NC Events

July 14
NC City:  Just north of Boone in Galax VA
Event:     Appalachian Songsmiths:  Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time / Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road perform at The Blue Ridge Music Center.  Most well-known for his hit song “Murder on Music Row,” eastern Kentucky native Larry Cordle Bluegrass musician concerts, workshops and bluegrass jam sessions in VA knows how to masterfully weave his mountain upbringing and the virtues and vices of the common man into a song.   Get a link for this and other NC Events

July 15 
NC City:  MAGGIE VALLEY
Event:     Maggie Valley Concert Series  Live outdoor concert by the Haywood Community Band. Bring a blanket or a chair, picnic supper and enjoy the beautiful Maggie Valley sunset. Free and open to the public.   Get a link for this and other NC Events

NC Art and Crafts:

July 13
NC City:  WEST JEFFERSON
Event:     West Jefferson Gallery Crawl   Stroll the streets of an historic mountain town, enjoy the cool mountain breeze while listening to the sounds of street musicians and "popping" in and out of West Jefferson's many galleries. Open House in more than 15 art galleries and studios.  Get a link for this and other NC Events

July 14
NC City: BLOWING ROCK
Event: Art in the Park
A juried arts & craft show featuring 90 artists held in the picturesque downtown park once a month from May to October. Some of the best local and regional artists and craftspeople showcase their handcrafted jewelry, pottery, fiber, glass, photography, painting and more. Prices for objects, from a handmade postcard to a large piece of furniture, range from $5 to $5,000.  Get a link for this and other NC Events

July 14
NC City:  ASHEVILLE
Event:     River Arts District Second Saturday   Asheville’s River Arts District Artists open their studios for a day of family friendly fun, educational experiences, live demonstrations and to share their creations. Visit dozens of artists working in all types of media, available for viewing or purchase.  Get a link for this and other NC Events

 July 14
NC City:  HENDERSONVILLE
Event:     Chalk It Up   The sidewalks of Historic Downtown Hendersonville become the canvas for some outstanding works of art. The event is free and open to five age categories from age 5 and under to age 21 and over. This is an all day event.   Get a link for this and other NC Events

Weekend Festivals:

July 13 - 14
NC City:  FLETCHER (ASHEVILLE)
Event:     Carolina Mountain Ribfest   World Class professional barbecue rib vendors from across the country, plus live entertainment, amusement rides, arts and crafts and more. Enjoy mouth watering, award winning BBQ Ribs, Brisket, Pulled Pork and Chicken, with all the traditional side dishes.   Get a link for this and other NC Events

July 13 - 14
NC City:   CHEROKEE

Event:        8th Annual Festival of Native Peoples    The Festival of Native Peoples earned a spot in the top 20 events of the Southeast Tourism Society in 2009. Performer and exhibits includes  pole flyers, dancers, singing, storytelling and art. Members of indigenous tribes from across North and South America captivate audiences with their traditional and contemporary dance, song and celebration. In addition to the unique displays of Native cultures from across the continents, visit the Art Market to barter or buy your favorite handmade Native art.   Get a link for this and other NC Events

July 13 - 15
NC City:  CHEROKEE
Event:     Mid-Summer Trout Fishing Tournament    $10,000 in tagged fish in the rivers on the Cherokee Reservation (excluding the 2.2 miles of catch and release waters) Hundreds of specially tagged fish will be stocked in the Cherokee public fishing waters. When a tagged fish is caught it can be redeemed for cash prizes ranging from $20 to $500 based on the color of the tag. Open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods. Registration necessary to redeem cash prize.  Get a link for this and other NC Events

July 13 - 15
NC City:  HIGHLANDS
Event:     14th Annual Mountains in Bloom Garden Festival   Over 1,000 garden and nature lovers from across the US come together to celebrate. The event features a tour of majestic mountain gardens in the Ravenel community, a flower show that includes flower arrangement, horticulture and photography divisions, an exclusive Benefactor tour of the Southern Highlands Reserve and the always elegant Benefactor Party. Proceeds support The Bascom, a nonprofit visual arts center. Friday-Saturday July 13th -14th Flower Show, Garden Tours, and Luncheon. Sunday July 15th Southern Highlands Reserve Tour and Benefactor Party--For Benefactor Donors Only.  Get a link for this and other NC Events

July 13 - 15
NC City:  HIGHLANDS
Event:    Highlands Motoring Festival  The festival kicks off Friday night at the   Highlands Historical Society with a wine and cheese reception featuring entertainment and attractions relating to the history of the Town of Highlands. Saturday will feature two events: the car show and the Ladies Poker Run. Over thirty awards will be presented to automobiles selected by participant judging. The car show begins at 10:00 AM, and will conclude at approximately 4:00 PM, following the awards presentations. Food and beverages will be available on site at all times. Sunday begins with the annual road rally at 9:30 AM featuring a competitive contest (trivia; not timing) and a beautiful drive thru the mountains.  Get a link for this and other NC Events

June 14-15
NC City:  BREVARD
Event:     Hunger Games Fan Tour   Explore DuPont State Forest and see The Hunger Games movie locations. Learn basic survival skills: orienteering, camouflage, and shelter building. Lunch will be provided in Hunger Games style.  Shuttle service, DuPont State Recreational Forest permit, light Hunger Games lunch and guides provided. Pre-registration required. Cost is $79 per person.  Get a link for this and other NC Events

Lake Junaluska hosts the 11th Annual Appalachian Christmas Celebration

December 9-11  11th Annual Appalachian Christmas Celebration  -  Appalachian Christmas begins at 7:30 PM Friday  in the  historic Stuart Auditorium with a performance by the Lake Junaluska Singers featuring Celtic sounds, traditional carols, and selections from Handel’s Messiah. This year’s Appalachian Christmas Celebration is perfect for the whole family.

On Saturday morning some of the best crafters in Western North Carolina are showcased at the Christmas Craft Show. from 9 AM to 5 PM.

At 2:30 PM the entertainment continues with a concert by the Junaluska Singers and  special guests, Voices in the Laurel. Evening  performances feature the legendary Southern Appalachian Mountains musicians and famous storyteller, David Holt.

On Sunday the Advent Worship Service will be held in the Terrace Hotel Auditorium at 9 AM.

Get a link for the Appalachian Christmas Celebration and other
Lake Junaluska events and visitor information HERE.

Have an ART-Full weekend

Kick-start your holiday gift shopping or just enjoy immersing yourself in the wonderful world of art and craft. Nothing is appreciated more or cherished longer than a hand made gift!

Nov 11-12   The Patchwork Craft Group's  29th Annual Show  9:00 AM - 5:00 PM both days. Juried quality arts and crafts. Located at the Masonic Lodge located at 174 East Main Street, Brevard NC. (across from the Chamber of Commerce).

Nov 12    2nd Saturday Program at the Heritage Museum   The History of Transylvania -  Crafts for Kids presented by Rebecca Suddeth.  Located at the Transylvania Heritage Museum, 189 West Main Street in Brevard NC.

Nov 12    ArtMart   It's time to start your holiday shopping at this one-day blowout sale by local Western North Carolina artists at the Transylvania Community Arts Council. The art sale will last from 9 AM- 4 PM. The Transylvania Community Arts Council is located at 349 South Caldwell Street in Brevard NC.

Nov 12    Mountain Shapes and Color   Indoor art and craft show. Mini workshops, door prizes, food. Located at the Swain Center in Southwestern Community College, off US 19 W. in  Bryson City NC.

12    Historic Carson House Holiday Bazaar  9:00AM -4:00 PM. Purchase unusual, and sometimes rare, handmade gifts. Items include baked goods, gift bags and boxes, decorated trees and wreaths, ornaments, gift tags, gift items for the "special men" in your life, home decorations and jewelry.  Located at St. John’s Episcopal Church Parish House,  289 S. Main Street in Marion NC.
12-13     River Arts District Studio Stroll   During the Studio Stroll, artists of the River Arts District welcome you into their studios to talk with them, see their latest artwork, watch demonstrations, and experience for yourself the magic hidden inside the old factories and warehouses along the French Broad River. Asheville NC

New Handcrafted Holiday Market offered by H.A.R.P,

November 15 - December 24, 91 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville NC: The Handcrafted Holiday Market opens for the first time. The Market has been created by H.A.R.P. (Handcrafted Artisan Revitalization Program) a new program by Arts 2 People to provide local artists an additional opportunity to market their works and the public access to the amazing art and crafts produced in the area. 10% of each purchase will benefit the non profit, helping to create more great vending opportunities through the HARP.

The Market will be open Thursdays 10am - 4 pm; Fridays and  Saturdays 10 AM- 8 PM, with extended hours to coincide with specific Orange Peel (next door) performances. Gift wrapping will be available to complete this uniquely Asheville holiday shopping experience.

  

HARP members wishing to participate in this Holiday Market should submit one booth shot and two product images of work you plan on selling to:  andrew@arts2people.org. Application for space will be open until the space is gone so act now as space is filling fast! The Jury is free for HARPmembers upon receiving membership dues. The Jury will be selecting a broad range of work focused on multiple medias that are geared toward gift giving.  Load in and set up will start on November 12th. Get additional vender details here.

Get a link for the Handcrafted Holiday Market and other 

Asheville Arts and Crafts events HERE

American Craft Week in Western North Carolina

American Craft Week is underway throughout Western North Carolina with receptions, lectures, open studio and special shows and exhibits.

The events kicked off yesterday with a special presentation at the Grove Arcade followed by the Downtwon Asheville Gallery Stroll of 25 Galleries.. Events continue through October 16 with some extending through the entire month of October. For details visit the individual websites of American Craft Week participants:

Asheville NC:The Folk Art Center
Alexander & Lehnert Fine Jewelry
Ariel Craft Gallery
Asheville Art in the Park
Asheville Art Museum
Blue Spiral 1
CURVE studios & gardenGrove ArcadeHandMade in AmericaKMR Handwoven
Mountain Made
Southern Highland Craft Guild
Starnes Cove Baptist Church
Studio B Custom Framing & Fine Art
The Mountain Metalsmiths School of Jewelry & Lapidary
Van Dyke Fine Jewelry and Crafts
WHO KNOWS ART

Bakersville NCCrimson Laurel Gallery

Brasstown NC
John C. Campbell Folk School

Brevard NCNumber 7 Fine Arts & Crafts Cooperative
Burnsville NCFabric SenseToe River Arts Council (TRAC)
Yummy Mud Puddle

Chimney Rock NC
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park

Clyde NCHaywood Community College Professional Crafts program

Hendersonville NCThe Center for Craft, Creativity & DesignWICKWIRE
Laurel Springs NC:
NC Mountain Arts Adventure
Spruce Pine Potters Market

Leicester NC (Asheville)Sue Grier Pottery

Marshall NCFlow ~ handmade adornment, Body + Home
Morganton NCKala Gallery
Murphy NCCharlie Patricolo
Old Fort NCTurtle Island Pottery
Penland NCPenland School of Crafts
Robbinsville (Stecoah) NCStecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center
Swannanoa NC
Black Mountain StudiosEast of Asheville Studio Tour

Sprude Pine NC:
Appalachian Craft Center

Town of Black Mountain collaborative events, Black Mountain NC
Black Mountain Center for the Arts
Black Mountain Yarn Shop Inc
Gingko Tree Gallery
Visions of Creation
Tryon NC
Little Mountain Potter

Waynesville NCArt on Depot - A Studio & Gallery
Sculpture Garden and GalleryTextures

What to do this Weekend: NC Mountain Events and Festivals

August 5    ASHEVILLE   Biltmore concert series:  Smokey Robinson  Enjoy a variety of live performances at Biltmore from July through October held on the South Terrace and the Diana at Biltmore. Dining options available.

August 5   MARION   First Friday Concert   Activities include music  - Free; 7-9pm; Main Street, Historic Downtown Marion.

August 5   WAYNESVILLE   Mountain Street Dances   Downtown is Alive at Night. Put on your cloggin' & square dancin' shoes and enjoy an old-fashioned mountain hoe down! Live mountain music, demonstrations and instruction by local clogging teams. Refreshments available, in front of the historic Haywood County Courthouse. 6:30-9pm.

August 5   NEWLAND   The Newland River Walk Concert Series   6 PM - 9 PM   A variety of music and entertainment in a family atmosphere. Bring your blanket, pop-up tent, table, chairs, cooler or whatever, for a family picnic while enjoying the summer long series.  Located at the Newland River Walk Band shell (adjacent to Lowes parking lot).

August 5   HENDERSONVILLE  Music on Main Street Concert Series  Every Friday evening from June - August . The event feature " oldies rock, beach music, variety and top 40 music. Bring a chair and enjoy the FREE  music.

August 5   HENDERSONVILLE  Music on Main Street Concert Series  Every Friday evening from June - August . The event feature " oldies rock, beach music, variety and top 40 music. Bring a chair and enjoy the FREE  music.
5 -6   BURNSVILLE   55th Annual Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair   The oldest and largest crafts fair in the Blue Ridge Mountains. For the past several years the Southeastern Tourism Society has selected this event as one of the top twenty in the Southeast. Every kind of handmade craft imaginable can be found here... Whether you are looking for a quilt, jewelry from local gemstones, hand-turned wooden bowls, pottery of every shape and size made by skilled artists.

5 - 6   WEST JEFFERSON   Annual Ashe County Bluegrass & Old Time Fiddlers Convention  Celebrate at this family-friendly event that includes competitions between musicians from throughout the southeast for over $3,500 in prize money. If you can pick a note or two, you can even join in on a few of the jam sessions.  Bring your lawn chair & sweater and enjoy the music and cool blue ridge mountains of Ashe County.

August 6    WAYNESVILLE   DOWNTOWN DOG WALK   Courthouse lawn, Proceeds support the proposed Sarge's Adoption Center in Haywood County, 9:30-1pm 828-508-33006  

August 6  BRYSON CITY   Music in the Mountains - Free Concerts   Smoky Mountains Melodies   Every Saturday night from June through Oct, enjoy a FREE concert in Bryson City at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Train Depot from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Sit in one of the old church pews on the covered depot deck or bring a lawn chair to enjoy the show.

August 6    ASHEVILLE    Asheville Downtown Galleries Walk  Take a self-guided tour and explore the diversity of art in downtown Asheville.

August 6   WAYNESVILLE   Art After Dark  Stroll downtown Waynesville's many galleries and art studios the first Friday of each month, May thru December. Watch demonstrations and enjoy artist receptions, music and refreshments

August 6 - 7   ASHEVILLE   39th Annual Village Art and Craft Fair  The fair host 125 artists from 17 states, representing the full spectrum of craft media - jewelry, ceramic, wood, fiber, metals, two-dimensional art and more. The craft fair is a great opportunity to encounter new artists (15 are first-time exhibitors) and to talk with crafters one-on-one. The Fair is sponsored by New Morning Gallery and Bellagio and held on the grounds of the Cathedral of all Souls

August 7   BLOWING ROCK   Riders in the Sky at Tweetsie Railroad   America's Favorite Cowboys, Riders In The Sky will pull into Tweetsie to entertain "The Cowboy Way" and light up the Tweetsie Railroad stage at noon and 3:00 pm daily.  Come listen as this Grammy award-winning classic cowboy quartet captivates with a unique blend of Western harmony and outrageous comedy.

August 7   FONTANA   SERC/US Cup East Series #10   The series ends at without a doubt the most demanding course on the circuit, the trails surrounding the village are as tough as they come, better train hard for this one.

August 7 - 16   FLAT ROCK   Flat Rock Playhouse Music on the Rock  Anything Goes: The Music of Cole Porter.   Summer Music on the Rock Concerts offer audiences a variety of music of well-known artists performed by exceptional singers and musicians.

Blue Ridge Mountain Fair Includes Crafts Fair, Quilt Show and Classic Cars

July 22-23   Blue Ridge Mountain Fair   Discover the handiwork of local artisans at this arts and crafts fair, held in the heart of Sparta NC at Crouse Park. The event also features local entertainment and food vendors.

Fairgoers also have a chance to visit the Alleghany Quilter’s Guild Show at the Black Exhibition Building at the Alleghany County Fairgrounds on US 21, 1.5 miles north of Sparta. Come see the creativity of local quilters and vote on your favorite for the People’s Choice Award.

Classic car enthusiasts will also enjoy the VFW Car Show on Saturday, July 23, located at 120 Trojan Avenue, in the NAPCO parking lot.

Directions: From I-77, take exit 83 (northbound traffic only) or exit 85 and follow US 21 North 28 miles up the Blue Ridge Mountains to Sparta.
To reach the Blue Ridge Mountain Fair follow US 21 (Main Street) to the second traffic light at the Courthouse. Turn right (north) onto NC 18. Crouse Park begins at the second left (Grayson Street).
To reach the VFW Car Show, continue through town to the third traffic light and turn right onto Trojan Avenue. Go 1 1/2 blocks. The entrance in on the right.
To reach the Quilters Guild Show, continue past the third traffic light 1.5 miles. The show is in the Black Building at the corner of the County Fairgrounds on the left.

Find Hog Heaven at the Blue Ridge Barbecue and Music Festival

 One of the biggest and best summer NC mountain festivals is coming up this weekend in Tryon. The Blue Ridge Barbecue and Music Festival has three main components: a KCBS sanctioned barbecue competition and the best of the best barbecue; Musical entertainment with the bigger acts and headliners on the Main Stage and singer-songwriters and acoustical music on the Riverside Stage; The Foothills Craft Fair, a juried fine arts and craft show, includes live artisan demonstrations.

And there's more...Rides and games at the Back-to-back Kids Fun park; Main Street Vendor with barbecue related products for sale along with equestrian, farm and other commercial goods; Special Saturday events including the 3rd Annual Rubber Duckie River Race, the Hawg Run and an Antique Auto Show.

photo credit Erik Olsen

This year's musical lineup offers a broad range of music genres and styles with Nashville recording artist and rising country star, Chuck Wicks headlining. Other Main Stage performers  include Acoustic Syndicate, the Dynamites featuring Charles Walker and Devon Allman’s Honeytribe. Many  local favorites can be found on the Riverside Stage, such as The Shane Pruitt Band, Big Daddy Love and the Tryon Music Review. The Main Stage will have a large dance area for those inclined to shake, rattle and roll.

photo credit Erik Olsen

The Foothills Craft Fair attracts between 15,000 and 20,000 art and craft lovers each year with exhibits of paintings in oils, acrylics, pastels and watercolors. Fine art graphics/drawings, prints, mixed media, photography, and sculpture. Find Crafts and demonstrations in all media -  wood, paper, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, gems, glass, stone, clay, and natural materials.

The barbecue competitors provide their "slow and low" cooked meats and all the sides to BBQ booths where it can be purchase along with sweets and treats and exotic beers in the Biergarten as well as wine by the glass in  the Vineyard Tent. There will also be fresh-squeezed lemonade, soda, tea and bottled water.
 
The Blue Ridge Barbecue and Music Festival began in 1994, the brainchild of Polk County Chamber of Commerce member Jim Tabb. Jim's insistence on assembling the BEST cookers with the BEST judges is credited with much of the Festival's growth and continuing success. The event is held each year at Harmon Field, a geographically remarkable site at the foot of Warrior Mountain along the banks of the Pacolet River. Participants and visitors enjoy tranquil beauty as well as the “isothermal effect,” a local phenomenon that makes the Harmon Field area several degrees cooler in summer than surrounding locales.

Things to do in the NC Mountains: 2011 Season Bigger and Better than ever!

The NC Division of Tourism reports an increase in Festivals, Events and special things to do in the NC mountains for 2011. If May and the Memorial Day Weekend are an indication, both the quality and quantity of mountain events offers something for everyone from sports competitions to arts and crafts to old fashioned family fun.

Enjoy the Great Outdoors and this spring's wonderful weather with mountain biking and the Assault on Mt Mitchell and Marion or Bryson City's  12 Hours of Tsali for the 7th annual Team and Solo competitions, one of the most fun and challenging races of the year. Held on the famous Tsali trail system, the race is10 miles per lap of fast flowing single track through the hills of Western North Carolina. Or test you overall fitness with the Second Annual Lake James Triathlon, a 750 meter swim in Lake James followed by a 22 mile bicycle ride ending with a 3.1 mile foot race to the finish line! And on Memorial Day Weekend Asheville's 11th Annual Mountain Sports Festival  challenges both pros and ametuers in mountain sports in a festival setting. In the High Country The Black and Blue: Double Century Relay  is the only cycling event of its kind in the contiguous United States with 218 miles showcasing the demanding mountainous roads and notable rivers of Northwestern North Carolina, Southwestern Virginia and Northeastern Tennessee. Find more Mountain Sports events here...

Special Festivals with live music and local mountain arts and crafts include Brevard's renowned White Squirrel Festival  voted "Best Spring Music Festival in Western North Carolina" by the reader's of the Asheville Citizen Times and Asheville's 8th Annual Monford Arts and Music Festival  with two stages  filled with continuous live music and entertainment from featured local and national artists. The 8th Annual Arts and Music Festival  in charming downtown Saluda celebrates the talent of more than 50 outstanding local artists and craftspeople during Saluda's 130th birthday year. On Memorial Day Weekend Bryson City hosts  Heritage Festival  a two day event with old – time gospel, classic country and bluegrass, clogging, and Indian hoop dancing. In addition to music, the festival offers local arts and crafts, food, games for the kids, log-sawing contest and fun for the whole family. Pickin' on the Square  in downtown Franklin kicks off its 2011 season with free live entertainment every Saturday night Memorial Day weekend through October. Bring your own chair and enjoy some good mountain music and dancing. On Memorial Day, the Carl Sandburg Folk Music Festival  is held on the grounds of the Carl Sandburg National Historic Site. The folk music which was an important part of Carl Sandburg's life comes alive with instrumentals, folk ballads and spiritual songs.     Find more Music and Arts and Crafts Festivals here...

How does your garden grow? Whether you're an avid gardener or just appreciate the beauty of  spring blossoms you'll want to attend these celebrations of spring: CHimney Rock Park's  Spring Wildflower Guided Hike  includes the maximum diversity of Park wildflowers on several Park trails. Memorial Day Weekend's  18th Annual Garden Jubilee Festival  in Hendersonville offers over 200 vendors selling thousands of plants, arts and crafts along with  garden talks,  clinics, garden accessories, and food. The festival covers 8 blocks of Main Street. Find Fantastic Spring herbs, great local bands, lots of arts and crafts vendors and farmers market items at the Banner Elk Herb Festival.  Asheville's  Annual Asheville-Blue Ridge Rose Society Exhibition features award-winning roses of every color and size. Experts will be on hand and a sale will be held in conjunction with the exhibition, which will include rose plants, fertilizer, and soil amendments.  You can see the mountains' remarkable Catawba Rhododendron up close and personal on Grandfather Mountain's  Remarkable Rhododendron Ramble.  Programs will occur daily at 1 PM and last for approximately one hour. Find more gardening and nature activities here...

And if you're looking for the unusual and just plain FUN events, try Music and More at the Historic Orchard at Alta Pass  in between Little Switzerland and Spruce Pine with music, mountain dancing, storytelling, hayrides, monarch butterfly raising, naturalist tours and birding walks and arts and handwork demonstrations. Or head north to Wilkesboro for the Candle Light Ghost Tours and an evening of tales, mystery and haunts. Learn about the ghosts that haunt the old buildings of downtown Wilkesboro. Visit a cemetery where Civil War Soldiers are buried, stand in the jail cell where Tom Dooley spent his last days.  Love comic books, SI-FI and all things fantasy?   FANATICON2  hosted by Tthe Asheville Art Museum is a free event for fans of comic books, science fiction, fantasy and pop culture. Over 70 artists and vendors will be on hand for an opportunity to interact with Asheville's own independent comic book creators and to shop for comics, graphic novels and collectibles. Lake Lure's 4th Annual  Lure of the Dragons  highlights dragon boat racing, one of  the fastest growing water sports in the world. Enjoyed by both the young and old, the occasional calorie burner, or the weekend warrior, all teams will have a chance to learn and practice the basics of paddling a dragon boat in the fund-raising event. For animal lovers there is the Tryon Summer Premier Horse Show   or the AKC dog Agility Trials  during Memorial Day Weekend. Or find lots of "horse power" in Maggie Valley at the  7th Annual Vettes in the Valley  with over 320 Corvettes from 15 states plus a Road Rally, Vendors, Entertainment, Door Prizes, Contests and a Silent Auction.  The official show car of the NASCAR Nationwide Series will make a “Pit Stop” on Saturday.

Find more May and Memorial Day events, festivals and activities here...

6th Annual Patchwork Folk and Fabric Festival Preserves Heritage Handwork

June 4, 9 AM - 4 PM See Old Time Tatting, Caning, Quilting and Spinning Demonstrations at the 6th Annual Patchwork Folk and Fabric Festival

“I remember as a child when my aunts would drop a quilt from the quilting rack on the ceiling,” says Amy Ammons Garza, co-organizer, “and quilt for days on end until the quilt was completed. Well, this year, we will once more have some special local quilts hanging from the ceiling on display...hand pieced quilts with written descriptive stories attached to each quilt.”

More quilts will be displayed as members of Dogwood Crafters once again share quilt stories in a “Bed Turning” display which will happen every hour on the hour during the day. And to add to the day, the Smoky Mountain Quilters Guild will be demonstrating the art of old time needle quilting.

Other demonstrations this year will include nature illustrations, tatting, caning, corn shuck doll making, wood carving, and other folk arts such as rug braiding, rug hooking, spinning and carting, weaving, crocheting, knitting--with demonstrators from Western North Carolina's towns of Sylva, Cullowhee, Tuckasegee, Hendersonville, Asheville, Robbinsville, Franklin, Waynesville, Lake Junaluska, Whittier and Dillsboro.


Ruth Ensley Bryson from Cullowhee will be on hand to demonstrate her “needle tatting” ability. Tatting is an old craft used to make a type of lace. Tatting has experienced numerous periods of popularity, including during Victorian times and the 1950s and 60s. The English name of tatting is said to be derived from ‘tatters’ and to denote the frail disconnected character of the fabric. In recent years, it has been revived again with great enthusiasm. Tatting can be a very fulfilling hobby - it is easy to learn (contrary to how you might feel when viewing the incredible complexity of designs that result from tatting projects) and there are a vast array of projects available to the avid tatter. Tatting designs are elegant, dainty and useful.

David Ammons, chair caner, weaves his heritage into his craft, for with every row of splints, he recreates his time with his grandfather. “Grandpa Ammons made his own chairs,” he says. “I watched in awe as a child as he wove his magic after carefully framing the chair piece by piece. I often wonder now why I didn’t ask him to teach me when I was that 8-year-old, watching. I just sat there drinking in each movement of his strong, yet gentle, hands. All of this came back to me in 1975 when I sat looking at one of Grandpa’s chairs. I told my wife, Sherilyn, that I thought I could recreate Grandpa’s movements that I remembered so well. I got an old chair frame and some split oak splints and the rest is history.

“Caning comes in many disguises, but all of it is weaving. I watched Grandpa do only the herringbone weave from white oak splints. However, there are many forms of weaving...wicker, rush, splint, shaker tape, rawhide, Danish cord, binder cane, and the 7-step method hand caning. Caning dates back to before 4000 B. C., I have learned, and is still popular in most households today. Someone wise once said that the hands and mind of the caner work together to join the past with the present.”


Another highlight of the festival will be the opportunity to purchase homemade food for lunch, made by the board of directors of Catch the Spirit of Appalachia led by Mary Jo Cobb and Gail Nolen.


Presented by Catch the Spirit of Appalachia, Inc. (CSA), the Appalachian Homestead Farm & Preserve, and the Jackson County Parks & Recreational Department, this indoor folk and fabric festival has drawn crafters in traditional dress from the region to showcase these old-time traditions. The Patchwork Folk and Fabric Festival exemplifies a culture that has grown up and persevered throughout the years.  Come join the nonprofit organizations as they honor local roots, customs, love of nature, love of people.

The Festival takes place at the Jackson County Recreation Center at 88 Cullowhee Mountain Road in Cullowhee NC. Call the Recreation Center for more information at 828-293-3053.

Asheville's Grove Arcade Celebrates American Craft Week

The kick-off for Asheville's celebration of American Craft Week takes place Friday, October 1 at the Grove Arcade from 4:30 PM to 5 PM., immediately preceeding the first downtown Artwalk for the 2010 season. Join craft artists, gallery owners and members of the creative community for a proclamation by Jan Davis, insights from HandMade in America and light refreshments.

Participating Arcade galleries include Asheville NC Home Crafts, Alexander & Lehnert, Fine Arts Gallery of the Carolinas and Mountain Made.  Come for the kick-off and stay to enjoy refreshments and great local art and crafts. In celebration, the Arcade is hosting on-going craft demonstrations in Suite 143 to meet and talk to Arcade Artists.  Get details and a schedule here...

American Craft Week in WNC is the largest regional celebration happening in the country. Festivals, open studios, exhibits, workshops, demonstrations and more are happening. Get a list with links and details of participants.  In celebration, the Arcade is hosting on-going craft demonstrations in Suite 143. Meet and talk with Arcade Artists working in glass, pottery and floor cloths. From October 1 – 10, Asheville NC Home Crafts is offering craft demonstrations. The schedule can be accessed here.

American Craft Week brings together individuals, small businesses and organizations from all fifty states in recognition of the countless ways handmade objects enrich our daily lives and contribute to our national aesthetic and economy.

Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event this weekend in Burnsville

Burnsville North Carolina is home to the 54th annual Mount Mitchell Crafts Fair with more than 200 juried crafters displaying nearly every kind of handmade craft imaginable. The popular annual event is attended by 1000s of people and again has been named one of the Southeast's Top 20 August Events by the Southeast Tourism Society. This designated Blue Ridge Parkway 75 Event continues for 2 days and  includes a variety of live music performances - get a complete schedule.  August 6-7 in downtown historic Burnsville.