Vendor Application for Lake Lure Arts and Craft Festival 2018

PLAN AHEAD! A word to the wise festival-goer: given the however-shifting sands of the pandemic, some festivals may suit their safety protocols or even cancel or reschedule equally their dates grow closer. Be sure to check upshot websites for the latest. Also, note that some beloved WNC events fill up well in advance. At press fourth dimension, two standout fall festivals were already sold out of tickets: the September x-11 Mount Song Festival, in Brevard, and the November 11-14 Highlands Nutrient & Wine Festival.

(Clockwise from height left) Mountain State Off-white; Sporty's Brass Band at LEAF; & State of Oz's Autumn at Oz Festival

Civilization

Mount State Fair
September x-19 - Fletcher
The appearance of the gondola line, Ferris wheel, colorful tents, and stages at the Western North Carolina Agronomical Center is a welcome sight: it's a sure sign that fall has arrived and that the Mountain State Fair, now in its 27th year, is back in all its glory. This mega effect, which includes the food, rides, and exhibits iconic to whatever fair, is also a celebration of the regional traditions. Heritage music and dancing, fine art exhibits, and livestock and agriculture competitions describe crowds of all ages. Prepare to really go for information technology? On Friday, September 10, and Friday, September 17, unlimited rides all day will be bachelor for $28 (plus gate access). wncagcenter.org

Mount Heritage Solar day
September 25 - Cullowhee
Western Carolina University'south Mountain Heritage Day is meant to highlight the all-time parts of Southern Appalachia—art, food, music, history, and more. Over 100 vendors, a 5K race, a car show, and wagon rides will entertain all ages. With special events recognizing the influence of the Eastern Ring of Cherokee Indians on Western North Carolina, this is a rousing tribute to the history and civilisation of the area. wcu.edu

Morgantonfest
September 10-11 - Morganton
Morgantonfest is really iii festivals packed into 1, as the streets of downtown close for merriment on three subsequent weekends, the concluding of which is September 10 and 11. Expect dancing, music, festival food, and craft vendors, along with a special Friday night performance by ACE Party Band. A cool twist: besides at the festival, local middle and high schoolers will face up off in the Morganton Arts Design and Engineering (MADE) Competition, bringing real life robots to the party. morgantonfest.org

Bigfoot Festival
September 17-18 - Marion
**The organizers have postponed this festival to May 27-28, 2022.** Since its inception in 2018, the Bigfoot Festival has proven i of the fastest growing events in contempo WNC history. Created by Bigfoot 911, a local volunteer group that scours the mountains for signs of Sasquatch, the event is both highly entertaining and eminently educational. Researchers, investigators, and cryptozoologists—many challenge to accept seen the elusive large and hairy one—are scheduled to speak throughout the festival. Attendees can participate in the Bigfoot calling and costume contests, mind to music by a local acapella grouping, and sample Bigfoot-inspired foods while perusing what's quite maybe the biggest choice of Bigfoot merch on the planet. marionbigfootfestival.com

Fiesta Hendersonville
October 2 - Hendersonville
**The organizers have postponed this festival until fall 2022.** With over 20 Latin American countries represented, Fiesta Hendersonville offers a spectacular display of civilisation as food, fine art, music, and dance cover blocks of Hendersonville's Main Street. Presented by Hola Carolina, this festival comes with the hope of honoring cultural diversity and raising cultural sensation in Western Due north Carolina through instruction and art. holacarolina.org

Land of Oz's Autumn at Oz Festival
September x-12, 17-19 & 24-26 - Beech Mountain
One time a fully functioning theme park meant to bring the vision of 50. Frank Baum's Oz books to life, the Land of Oz airtight in 1980. Simply later on years of vandalism and structural disarray, the magical place was partially restored and is now open select days throughout the year. For three weekends in the fall, the park welcomes visitors for Fall at Oz. Food vendors, craft, and special performances commemorate the adventures of Dorothy and friends. Feel free to pull your all-time gingham apparel or panthera leo's mane out of the closet—dressing up every bit your favorite Wizard of Oz graphic symbol is encouraged. landofoznc.com

Olde Time Antiques and Collectibles Fair
September 17-eighteen - Due west Jefferson
Halfway between Boone and the Virginia state line sits West Jefferson, a modest boondocks beloved for its landscape, history, and local artists. These artists will be joined past vendors from throughout the region at the Olde Time Antiques and Collectibles Fair. Antiques of all stripes are the primary describe, with local restaurants, businesses, and performers joining in the festivities. visitnc.com

Festival of Mountain Life
September 21 - Cherokee
All year, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park'southward Oconaluftee Visitor Center gives visitors a glimpse into the lives of early European settlers and Native American people who lived on the North Carolina side of the Great Smokies. On September 21, the center's Mount Farm Museum and Mingus Manufacturing plant volition come especially alive. Educational displays and artifacts will demonstrate life on an early on settler farm, as will demonstrations of activities such as blacksmithing, hearth cooking, and lye-soap making. greatsmokies.com

Blue Ridge Pride
September 25 - Asheville
Pride Month officially ended with the concluding day of June, but Asheville'south Blue Ridge Pride will exist belongings its annual pride festival in the region'south height season. The festival, held in downtown Asheville's Pack Square, will align more than closely with National Coming Out Mean solar day in October and features entertainment, vendors, a procession, and the 12th annual PRIDE pageant. blueridgepride.org

Sometime Timey Fall Festival
September 25-26 - Burnsville
To preserve and salute the deep traditions of Western Northward Carolina, the Onetime Timey Fall Festival invites heritage crafters from around the area to demonstrate methods passed down through generations. Singing, clogging, a automobile parade, children's activities, and a smash driving contest are all on the docket. theoldtimeyfallfestival.com

Hilltop Fall Fest and Soapbox Derby
October 4-five - Rutherfordton
The "Become for the Gilt" Soapbox Derby is the headliner at this multifaceted celebration, which also includes pes and cycle races, craft, music and dancing, and special tours of sites on the NC Gold Trail. myrutherfordton.com

107th Cherokee Indian Festival
October 8 - Cherokee
Later on over a century of outings, the Cherokee Indian Festival has perfected its combination of agronomical show and carnival fun. Expect all of the usual canton off-white-way favorites, with the added elements of Cherokee civilization and activities like stickball, archery demonstrations, and art and trip the light fantastic setting this issue apart. visitcherokeenc.com

Foliage 49.fifth Festival
October 14-17 - Blackness Mountain
Twenty-five years since its start, the Foliage Festival has drawn more than half a million "LEAFers" to its events. These people are drawn to (or dorsum to) Lake Eden in Black Mountain to commune with the outdoors and with a customs that values art, music, creativity, and rejuvenation. Cultures from 101 countries have been represented in Leaf's smorgasbord of arts and music, and workshops and panels permit attendees to connect with new forms of creative expression. Entertainment includes Tito Puente Jr., urban Angeleno Cumbia-Folk band Las Cafeteras, Cuban rising star Cimafunk, mandolinist Sierra Hull, slam poets, Unifire Theater, and the Asheville Hoops Troupe, to name just a few. theleaf.org

Punkin Chunkin Festival
October fifteen-17 - Brasstown & Hayesville
A chili cookoff, pie-eating contests, and air cannons and catapults stuffed with pumpkins—information technology's no wonder thousands of people flock to Hayesville for the Punkin Chunkin Festival. Attendees will witness world champions and local teams literally launch pumpkins into the air to see who can fire them the farthest. claychambernc.com

Pumpkinfest
Oct 23 - Franklin
Although Pumpkinfest'southward broad range of activities is not to exist ignored, the true centerpiece of this result is the Earth Famous Pumpkin Coil. Starting at ix a.m., anyone with a pumpkin can register to compete in rolling theirs downwardly Phillips Street in downtown Franklin. If you're coming in from out of town, balance assured that yous tin can buy your pumpkin at this 25th annual iteration of the festival. townoffranklinnc.com

Prohibition Hotrod & Moonshine Festival

FOOD & DRINK

Prohibition Hotrod & Moonshine Festival
September 24-25 - Wilkesboro
A century ago, in the midst of prohibition, modified cars were used to safeguard illegal moonshine away from the police force. These speedy steeds became the first hotrods, creating a whole new kind of a rush, and some NASCAR drivers even got their start every bit bootleggers. Wilkesboro's Prohibition Festival celebrates the joint history of moonshine and fast cars—without the need to run from pesky police. The outcome features a auto testify open to vehicles dating from 1989 or earlier, moonshine tastings, a spirits competition, live music, and food. prohibitionfest.internet

Asheville Greek Festival
September 25-26 - Asheville
The pandemic has made international travel difficult, to say the least, but simply trade the Mediterranean Sea for the Blue Ridge Mountains, and you can still try the food of Greece this autumn. Asheville'southward Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church invites anyone peckish spanakopita, moussaka, meatballs, or baklava to bear witness up and chow downwardly through this two-day, socially distanced bulldoze-thru thing. The menu, bachelor on the issue website, boasts five distinct Greek master plates with a host of sides and desserts. avlgreekfest.com

Spruce Pine BBQ and Bluegrass
October two - Spruce Pine
The boondocks of Bandbox Pine may be famous for its gem and mineral deposits, but the focus shifts to barbeque and classic American music for one twenty-four hours in the autumn. Bluegrass, country, folk, and Americana performers accept the stage throughout the day, with award-winning charcoal-broil served upward by veteran vendors. sprucepinbbqbluegrass.org

VeganFest
October 3 - Asheville
Veganism, wellness consciousness, and local community back up are all pillars of VeganFest. Held in downtown Asheville's Pack Square, this occasion gives opportunities for plant-based and meat eaters alike to attempt new food, learn almost local companies and products, and invest in a good for you lifestyle. ashevilleveganfest.com

Apple tree Butter Festival
October 9 - Bakersville
As the apple season lingers throughout fall, this festival salutes one of the sweetest ways to make the nigh of the harvest. Arts and crafts, music, food, and more than will exist available, not to mention apple butter—in myriad forms—itself. mitchellnchistory.org

Apple Harvest Festival
October 16 - Waynesville
Thirty-four years after it debuted, the Apple tree Harvest Festival now crowds the streets of Waynesville. Over 200 vendors line the downtown area, filling it with food, craft booths, music, and local apple growers. Guests will take no excuse not to try numerous varieties of apple-based treats such as cakes, ciders, and pies. haywoodchamber.com

Tryon Beer Fest
November 6 - Tryon
Heighten a stein (or a few) at the 10th almanac Tryon Beer Fest, a sudsy afternoon of live music, outdoor games, local food vendors, and of course, local brews. A distinctly Western North Carolina affair, the fest will also characteristic some familiar German language Oktoberfest fare and other plumbing fixtures traditions. tryonbeerfest.com

(Clockwise from top) An elk at abode near Maggie Valley; Woolly Worm Festival & Flock to the Rock.

FLORA & Animal

Flock to the Rock
September 18 - Chimney Rock
In the midst of migration season, Chimney Rock State Park'south overlook of the surrounding mountains, lakes, and forests provides a perfectly picturesque backdrop for birdwatchers. Guided hikes, militarist watching, live bird demonstrations, and family-friendly activities are all included in the twenty-four hours'due south offerings. chimneyrockpark.com

DuPont Forest Fest
September 25 - Brevard
Once used as a backdrop for cardinal scenes in the volume-turned-moving-picture show The Hunger Games, DuPont State Forest has a budding reputation for natural dazzler that has spread across the nation. This year, in celebration of National Public Lands Twenty-four hours, the Friends of DuPont Forest will spice up this fest with new adventures, in addition to the traditional hikes and waterfall exploration, outdoor yoga, trail biking, horseback riding, and forest pedagogy. dupontforest.com

Smoky Mount Elk Fest
October i-3 - Maggie Valley
In 2001, 52 elk were released into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in an effort to revive the population afterwards hunting and a loss of habitat sent the species into regional extinction. Now, the herd's numbers have grown into the hundreds, and that is something to gloat. Art, educational activities, and alive music will take place throughout the weekend gathering at Maggie Valley Festival Grounds, with proceeds funding elk-habitat maintenance. visitncsmokies.com

Woolly Worm Festival
October xvi-17 - Imprint Elk
Onlookers auspicious their favorite contender in a festival competition is not uncommon, but Banner Elk'due south Woolly Worm Festival strays from conventions when information technology comes to races. Instead of bicycles or runners, the contestants are thick, prickly caterpillars often colored black, brownish, or rust crimson. Before these woolly worms start their transformation into Isabella tiger moths, legend has information technology that their color can predict weather. Hence, the winner of the festival's race will determine what to expect in the coming wintertime—colder or warmer atmospheric condition, more or less snow. While the race is the almost well-known part of the issue, nutrient and craft vendors and live entertainment aplenty make full out the bill. woollyworm.com

(Elevation) The Sam Bush-league Band performing at 2019's Merlefest; (lesser left) Bascom Lamar Lunsford Festival; (lesser right) French Wide Riverfest

MUSIC

MerleFest
September sixteen-nineteen - Wilkesboro
Founded in 1988, MerleFest honors the life and music of Boil Merle Watson, son of Doc Watson, with an unparalleled festival experience. Today, it has grown immensely, while some aspects have not only remained the aforementioned only become tradition. Held on the Wilkes Community College campus, MerleFest features music the Watsons dubbed "traditional plus"—a mix of southern Appalachian and any other music that they felt up to playing. This yr'due south lineup ranges from Americana to soul, bluegrass to blues. Sturgill Simpson, Tedeschi Trucks, Melissa Etheridge, and Mavis Staples are headliners this year, joined by dozens of other artists on 13 stages over iv days. merlefest.org

French Broad River Festival
Oct one-iii - Hot Springs
Hot Springs is a pocket-sized town—with a population hovering around 500—but it'southward a pop mountain getaway that knows how to roll out the red carpet for outdoors-loving visitors. French Broad River Fest is non but heaps of fun, it starts with a river make clean-up where volunteers raft through the local stretch of the French Broad to pick upwardly litter. The festival offers a weekend of music (Boondocks Mountain, John Stickley Trio, Empire Strikes Dorsum, and more), camping, raft racing, and children'due south events. frenchbroadriverfestival.com

Bascom Lamar Lunsford Festival
Oct 2 - Mars Loma
The Bascom Lamar Lunsford Festival, the second oldest folk festival in Western Due north Carolina, is dedicated to the regional music and dance of Southern Appalachia. This twelvemonth's festival will accept place live and in-person at Mars Colina Academy afterward last year's virtual gathering. mhu.edu

Mount Acoustics Luthier Invitational
Oct 16-17 - Burnsville
The rich history of acoustic music in the Southeast is based not just effectually playing and performing, but also the building of instruments. The piece of work of luthiers includes both edifice and repairing stringed instruments, all washed to perfection to ensure quality and sound. Guitars, fiddles, banjos, mandolins, and harps, fabricated by specialists from Westward Virginia to Florida, will all be showcased at the Mountain Acoustics Luthier Invitational. mountainacoustics.com

Smoky Mountains Bluegrass Fest
October 23 - Maggie Valley
With a prime view of the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains at the height of autumn, Maggie Valley's Festival Grounds makes an ideal location for a fall bluegrass festival. This year's performers are Balsam Range, Kruger Brothers, and Unspoken Tradition. haywoodarts.org

(Clockwise from top left) A work by Mary-Ann Prack at Lenoir's Sculpture Celebration; Jason Janow Jewelry at Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands & a piece of work by Brian Axle at WNC Pottery Festival.

ARTS & CRAFTS

Sculpture Celebration
September xi - Lenoir
The sculpture capital of North Carolina sits just at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in Lenoir. Each year, a talented bandage of sculptors—primarily from the Southeast—comes to compete with fellow artists. Thank you to the Caldwell Arts Council, which stages the commemoration, if yous're interested in browsing for your next favorite piece or want to admire hit sculptures while enjoying food trucks and music, this is the perfect identify to do merely that. caldwellarts.com

Art in Autumn
September 18 - Weaverville
Less than 10 miles from downtown Asheville, more than 100 artists volition come up together in downtown Weaverville to put fine art and local crafts forepart and eye. visitweaverville.com

Fine art on Chief
September 25-26 - Hendersonville
During the terminal week of September, the curves of Principal Street in downtown Hendersonville fill with local and regional makers of fine craft such as fiber art, painting, photography, metal work, and jewelry. The artists, numbering close to 100, are juried throughout the weekend as thousands attend the festival. artonmainnc.com

Madison Heritage Arts Festival
October two - Mars Hill
Ready on the campus of Mars Hill University, the Madison Heritage Arts Festival adjoins the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Festival. The latter celebrates the folklife of Southern Appalachia and the arts festival brings together arts and crafts with traditional local nutrient options, including mouthwatering broiled goods. marshillheritagefestival.wordpress.com

ColorFest
October 2 ›› Dillsboro
At ColorFest, 40 artists volition demonstrate their skills firsthand. Witness the work of local creators while walking the streets of exquisitely quaint Dillsboro, and check out the vendors, local restaurants, and art galleries all geared upwardly for the festival. discoverjacksonnc.com

Asheville Fine art in the Park
October 2, 9 & 16 - Asheville
On the start 3 Saturdays of Oct, local artists will gather in Asheville's Pack Square Park to showcase and sell their handmade works in glass, metal, jewelry, and ceramics. ashevilleartinthepark.com

Spruce Pine Potters Market
October 9-ten - Spruce Pine
Featuring plates, sculptures, mugs, vases, and other pieces, all made by mitt, the Spruce Pine Potters Market hosts the premiere ceramic artists of Western North Carolina. Participating are both emerging and established artists, many of which are connected with the local Penland Schoolhouse of Arts and crafts. sprucepinepottersmarket.com

Tryon International Film Festival
October viii-10 - Tryon
Concluding year brought the near participation yet to the Tryon International Moving picture Festival, and 2021 holds even more hope for filmmakers and watchers alike. Films entered into the competition will be shown at one of six venues, or at a bonus amphitheater where screenings include music, food, and potable. Both the opening gala and honour ceremony are hosted by Tryon Fine Fine art Center and The Tryon Theatre, merely throughout the weekend, the unabridged boondocks participates in the festivities. tryoninternationalfilmfestival.com

Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival
Oct viii-ten - Cashiers
This lively outcome jubilates in both the coming of fall and local artisans. More than than 100 vendors and merchants will be on hand, along with enough of food, music, and a juried art evidence. villagegreencashiersnc.com

Church Street Art & Arts and crafts Show
October ix - Waynesville
The event'southward proper name is a chip of a misnomer: Waynesville's Church Street did indeed once play host, merely in the close to four decades the evidence has existed, it has outgrown its namesake. Now on Main Street, this juried show of art and handcrafted goods features woodworking, jewelry, candles, watercolors, and fibers. When not admiring the art and the demonstrations, attendees tin likewise scout clogging or listen to Scottish pipes. downtownwaynesville.com

Mountain Glory Festival
October 9 - Marion
Whether driving through rural areas and marveling at the sight of painted quilt squares on barns or pondering the centuries-old tradition of quilt making, it'southward easy to connect quilts with mountain life. Marion's Mountain Glory Festival revels in the ongoing popularity of this fourth dimension-intensive arts and crafts, despite the shift from works made from necessity to imaginative pieces of fiber art. Other elements of this festival such as handicrafts, festival food, and quondam-fourth dimension mount music celebrate creativity and life in a quintessential small WNC town. mtngloryfestival.com

Arts and crafts Fair of the Southern Highlands
Oct 14-17 - Asheville
After undertaking a four-24-hour interval online fair in July, the Arts and crafts Off-white of the Southern Highlands returns in person to cultivate a scenic assortment of fine crafts made and sold in the mountain region. The fair will fill both levels of Harrah's Cherokee Center in downtown Asheville. Works range in mediums, roofing everything from forest to glass, fiber to metal, and much more. southernhighlandguild.com

Lake Lure Arts & Crafts Festival
October 16-17 - Lake Lure
There'south no fashion that a day in the community surrounding Lake Lure could ever be boring: nestled in Hickory Nut Gorge, the boondocks has the lake itself on ane side and Chimney Rock State Park on the other. Notwithstanding, with more than 90 craftspersons, at least 10 food vendors, and two total days of entertainment, this festival promises a particularly exciting experience. The costless issue also includes space for kids where they can play mini golf, sit for face up painting, and more. lakelureartsandcraftsfestivals.com

Maggie Valley Arts & Crafts Fall Show
October 16-17 - Maggie Valley
In i of Maggie Valley's oldest and nearly well-attended events, attendees and artisans come together at the base of the Cataloochee Valley to marvel at handmade goods from across the Southeast. On top of the typical creative mediums, the bear witness features items ranging from soaps to wooden bowls, also equally a chainsaw art demonstration. maggievalleyfestivalgrounds.com

Due north Carolina Ceramic Arts Festival
October 23 - Asheville
Many mountain art shows focus on the longstanding community of Southern Appalachia, but the Due north Carolina Ceramic Arts Fest pushes farther. Conventional standbys such as sculptures, pottery, and jewelry are joined by tilework and a sit-in of raku, a Japanese mode of pottery associated with tea ceremonies. All this, complemented by a armada of local nutrient trucks, will be centered in downtown Asheville's Pack Square Park. northcarolinaceramicartsfestival.com

WNC Pottery Festival
November 6 - Sylva
Forty master potters will gather at Sylva Bridge Park to display their handmade pottery every bit the leaves around them reach the peak of fall colour. No matter the weather, Sylva's community will be open to all interested in exploring the world of pottery. wncpotteryfestival.com

Resources:

Photographs courtesy of the festivals; photographs (Watson stage) by Devin Ulery; (Sam Bush band) past Gordon Burns; (Lunsford Festival) by Natural Arts and crafts Photography; (drummer) courtesy of French Wide River Fest; (Doom Flamingo) courtesy of French Broad River Festival; (Flock to the Stone) courtesy of Chimney Stone State Park; (Woolly Worm Festival) by Todd Bush-league; (Prohibition Hotrod & Moonshine, ii) by David Brown Photography; (Mountain Heritage Solar day) courtesy of Western Carolina University; (Punkin Chunkin) by Bob Walters; (Oz) courtesy of Land of Oz, NC; (Leaf) courtesy of Foliage; David Simchock

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Source: https://wncmagazine.com/feature/50_fall_fests

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