By Morgan Slucher
Guest Writer
The John C. Campbell Folk School’s 48th annual Fall Festival returns this year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5 and 6. A premiere destination since 1974, the folk school’s fall festival attracts thousands from across the region to the school’s scenic Brasstown, N.C. campus for an extraordinary celebration of Appalachian craft, culture and heritage.
Festival goers will stroll several wooded paths, visiting a wide variety of fine craft exhibitors showcasing quality works for sale. Talented artisans will demonstrate traditional and contemporary crafts for appreciative audiences throughout the day on our demonstrator’s stage and in some studios. Spirited music and dance performances will fill the air with delightful energy continuously over the weekend on two stages. Regional artists will share old-time, bluegrass, folk and roots music and dancers will entertain the crowds with clogging and Morris performances.
We will have more than 20 food vendors, including the folk school's famed barbecue, so come hungry. Kids activities, including hands-on crafts and face painting from the Cherokee County Arts Council will also be available.
The Fall Festival Banner, a colorful tradition celebrating the school’s rich history and enlivening future, is made by quilter and beloved instructor Dana Bolyard this year. Fall festival commemorative T-shirts and items will be available to purchase from the school’s craft shop.
The fall festival offers plentiful free parking along with a free on-campus shuttle bus and handicapped golf carts. The festival can be challenging for pets because of the crowds and the heat. We encourage those who bring their pets to seek out water stations, keep their pet on a leash, clean up after your pet and be respectful of attendees. Handicapped parking is available in the Keith House gravel lot. The John C. Campbell Folk School is only two hours from Asheville, Atlanta, Chattanooga and Knoxville and a day’s drive for half of the residents of the United States.
Online tickets are now available for purchase on the folk school’s website. Regular admission tickets are $12 for adults 18 and up; $10 for ages 12-17; $10 for seniors 65 and up and veterans and free for children 12 and under. Single-day and multi-day flex passes will be available. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the festival gates with cash or card. ATMs are available on campus.
Interested in volunteering? Visit: www.folkschool.org/fallfestival and fill out a volunteer application. Fall festival volunteers work in approximately 2-2.5 hour time slots based on their availability and preferences. There are many opportunities across the festival and a position for everyone.
For complete event details, visit: www.folkschool.org/fallfestival or call (800) 365-5724. We look forward to seeing you there.
Thank you to our 2024 fall festival sponsors:
Harrah's Cherokee Casinos; Cherokee County Tourism; U.S. Foods; Young Harris College; Erlanger - Western Carolina Hospital; United Community Bank; Bankers Insurance; Blue Ridge Mountain EMC; Ameriprise Financial; Nantahala Bank and Trust; McGuires Millrace Farm/Weddings by the Foster Sisters; Blue Ridge Public Radio and Visual Outdoor Advertising.
We will start this weekend with the Folk School donating 10 percent of our own proceeds to organizations serving those in western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene. The Cherokee Clay Food Alliance will be on hand to collect donations for immediate food and water needs and the Craft Emergency Relief Fund, which provides financial support to artists facing emergencies, will also offer information and donation opportunities.
Some people have expressed concern about holding a festival while others are hurting. We believe holding the festival is especially important this year. We all need more opportunities to connect, feel normal, and find some joy in the face of adversity. We also need to face the reality that our part of far western NC already is seeing negative economic impacts from the hurricane. Fall Festival has an estimated $1 million impact in Cherokee and Clay counties alone – it’s something our community and local artists count on. We feel we can make it happen while also demonstrating compassion and care for our WNC neighbors.
We hope you will join us, but only if it is safe for you to do so. To help you plan:
• Choose the safest route possible. Check out NCDOT’s www.drivenc.gov for more information.
• Check our website and social media for updates on any vendor or performance cancellations.
• Bring plenty of cash and/or your checkbook, as the ability to process credit card and ATM transactions may be spotty at times.
• Check out the 112th Cherokee Indian Fair, October 1-5 in Cherokee, NC (https://visitcherokeenc.com/event/112th-cherokee-indian-fair/)
This is our opportunity to unite and sing behind the plow. Hope to see you this weekend.