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• 2010

Community Events and Announcements

• The Jackson County Department of Public Health is seeking input from residents who’ve used the department’s services and residents who have thoughts on the health needs of Jackson County. http://health.jacksonnc.org/surveys. Info: 587.8288.

• The Jackson County Branch of the NC NAACP meeting for Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 10:00 am will NOT be meeting face to face but online.  The program topic will be "Being Allies to the Asian American Community", presented by Ricky Leung, from NC Asian Americans Together.  Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to receive instructions to join online.  All are welcome!

Business and Education

• Haywood County Community College Small Business Center will hold Business Planning Virtual Learning Series. The first program, on July 20 - 21 will be the ABC’s of Starting a Small Business in Today’s Crazy Economy. The second program, on July 27 - 28 will be Creating a Winning Business Plan. The third program, on Aug. 3-4 will be Dynamite Marketing on a Firecracker Budget. Attendees are encouraged to register for the webinars that best meet their current small business needs and availability. Visit SBC.Haywood.edu or call 828.627.4512. 

• Registration is underway for several session of a Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician program through Landmark Learning. Upcoming sessions include Aug. 7-15, Aug. 21-23, Aug. 29 - Sept. 6, Sept. 5-13, Sept. 18-20, Sept. 26-27 and Oct. 3-30. www.landmarklearning.org.

Volunteers & Vendors

• Haywood Habitat for Humanity will conduct their Annual Meeting on Wednesday, July 29th at 12:30 p.m. via Zoom. The meeting is open to persons supporting the purposes and objectives of the organization. New board members will be nominated and voted on.  Call 828.452.7960 to request a link to the meeting no later than Monday, July 27th. For more information, see the organization’s website www.haywoodhabitat.org.

A&E

• Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host Amongst The Trees at 7:30 p.m., Aug. 1. Free and open to the public. www.curraheebrew.com.

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host JJ Hipps & The Hideaway July 17 and Scoundrel’s Lounge July 18. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. www.froglevelbrewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host karaoke at 7 p.m., July 17. For more information and a complete schedule of events, click on www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Nantahala Brewing (Sylva) will host Shane Meade at 5 p.m., July 18. Free and open to the public. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

• The Overlook Theatre Company will present “A Few of Our Favorites: the Best of Broadway” in a live, drive-in concert at 7 p.m. Friday, July 17, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Tickets: $7 in advance per vehicle, $10 day of show per vehicle. All money raised will go to the theatre in education program which allows children of every age opportunities to experience live, theatrical presentations. 828.524.1598 or www.greatmountainmusic.com. 

•The Hometown Appalachian Heritage Festival will kick off at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 18, in downtown Franklin. Live demonstrations will be showcased and will feature the essence of life in Appalachia. You’ll see quilters, wood carvers, canoe builders and even a live, working gem mining flume. Many other events are planned including a fire truck display, face painting for the kids, Appalachian Music and a checker tournament at the Macon County Historical Museum. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 828.524.5676 or click on www.franklin-chamber.com. 

• The next “Dillsboro After Five: Wonderful Wednesdays” will be held from 3:30 to 7 p.m. July 15 in downtown. Start with a visit to the Jackson County Farmers Market located in the Innovation Station parking lot. Stay for dinner and take advantage of late-hour shopping. Bring the family and enjoy small town hospitality at its best. “Dillsboro After Five” will be held every Wednesday through July 29. For more information, call the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce at 828.586.2155 or click on www.mountainlovers.com. 

• Concerts of the Creek presents Bohemian Jean (classic hits/ acoustic) on Saturday, July 18 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• Presented by the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, the 11th season of Concerts on the Creek will return on Friday, July 17, at Bridge Park in Sylva. Performances will be held from 7 to 9 p.m.

• Artists in all disciplines are eligible to apply for grants to support their professional and artistic development through a partnership of the North Carolina Arts Council and Asheville Area Arts Council, Haywood County Arts Council, Arts Council of Henderson County, Tryon Fine Arts Center, Rutherford County Recreation, Cultural, and Heritage Commission, and the Transylvania Community Arts Council. Artist Support Grants will be distributed to eligible applicants by Haywood County Arts Council in the following counties: Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania. Applications for the grants are available www.haywoodarts.org/grants-funding. The deadline is Sept. 30. Grants will range in awards from $500 to $1,000. For information or questions, contact Leigh Forrester, executive director of the Haywood County Arts Council, at www.haywoodarts.org or 828.452.0593. 

• The Macon County Public Library, in cooperation with North Carolina Humanities Council, will host “Water/Ways” a traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street (MoMS) program. “Water/Ways” will be on view through Aug. 24 at the library in Franklin. The exhibition explores the endless motion of the water cycle, water’s effect on landscape, settlement and migration, and its impact on culture and spirituality. For more information, visit www.fontanalib.org or call the Macon County Public Library at 828.524.3600. The library is open by appointment from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Food & Drink

• Tour the 10-Acre Garden and enjoy a wood-fired pizza Saturday, July 25, at the Ten Acre Garden in Bethel. Danny Barrett will give a tour of his farm, showing the group how he gets water to the whole property, and at the end of the tour there will be pizza made with local ingredients to enjoy. The event is organized by the Haywood Waterways Association as part of its “Get to Know Your Watershed” series of outdoor recreation activities. The event is free for members with a $5 donation for non-members. Donations are also accepted for the pizza, and participants will be able to buy vegetables from the farm. Space is limited to 10 people, with social distancing guidelines followed. RSVP to Caitlin Worsham, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 828.476.4667, ext. 12.

On Stage & In Concert   

• The Overlook Theatre Company will present “A Few of Our Favorites: the Best of Broadway” in a live, drive-in concert at 7 p.m. Friday, July 17, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Tickets: $7 in advance per vehicle, $10 day of show per vehicle. All money raised will go to the theatre in education program which allows children of every age opportunities to experience live, theatrical presentations. 828.524.1598 or www.greatmountainmusic.com.

Outdoors 

• Discover the amazing diversity of life in the Pigeon River with an event on Saturday, July 25, at Jukebox Junction in Bethel. Using snorkeling gear, underwater viewing boxes and nets, participants will learn about the salamanders, fish and other fascinating creatures that make their home in the river. Due to COVID-19, reservations are taken on the hour from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the number of participants for each time slot limited to 10. The event is part of Haywood Waterways Association’s “Get to Know Your Watershed” series of outdoor recreation activities. It is free for members, a $5 donation requested from nonmembers. Memberships start at  $25. All youth under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. RSVP to Christine O’Brien at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 828.476.4667, ext. 11, by 5 p.m. Friday, July 24.

• Mountain True will host a canoe outing on Apalachia Lake in the Hiwassee area from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 26.  Cost ranges from $10 to $25 depending on membership status and boat rental needs. Space limited. The group will meet at the parking area at the TVA Hiwassee Dam Recreation Facility and carpool to the put-in, which has very limited parking. Fishing and swimming are both options along the way, so bring a line if you like. No alcoholic beverages allowed, and everyone must have a flotation device accessible. Register at www.mountaintrue.org/event/apalachia-lake-paddle-waterfall-hike.

Hiking Clubs

• On Saturday, July 18 The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a moderate-to-strenuous 7-mile hike, elevation change 900 ft., from Long Branch to Rock Gap in the Standing Indian Recreational Area. Start at the backcountry parking, hike up Long Branch to the Appalachian Trail. At Glassmine Gap, continue north to Rock Gap and return by the Forest Service Road. Dogs on leash are welcome.  Hike is limited to 6 people. Meet at Westgate Plaza at 11 am, drive 38 miles round trip.  Call Leader: Katharine Brown, 421-4178, for reservations or questions. 

• On Sunday, July 19 The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a moderate 3.5-mile hike, elevation change 500 ft. on. Wayah Bald Loop, starting at Wayah Tower to hike the Appalachian Trail to the junction with the Bartram Trail and coming back via a forest service road.  Beautiful views from the tower and the bald. Hike is limited to 10 people. Meet at Westgate Plaza in Franklin at 2 pm, drive 32 miles round trip.   Call Leader: Gail Lehman, 524-5298, for reservations. 

• On Saturday, July 25  The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a moderate 6-mile downhill hike, elevation change 700 ft., to Bee Cove Falls in South Carolina on an old logging road off 107 near the Fish Hatchery. View this 80' multi-tiered falls in a pretty area near the edge of the escarpment of the mountains. Hike limited to 10 people. Meet at Cashiers Rec. Park at10 am, drive 20 miles round trip.  Call Leaders: Mike and Susan Kettles, 743-1079, for reservations. 

• On Sunday, July 26 The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a 9-mike moderate-to-strenuous hike, elevation change 1,000 ft., on the Cowetta Hydrological Lab Center Loop, hiking up Shope Creek Road to Cunningham Branch to Dyke Gap to come down Ball Creek Rd. Hike limited to 6 people. Meet at Smoky Mtn. Visitors Center on Hwy. 441 at 9 am, drive 10 miles round trip.  Call leader Katharine Brown, 421-4178 for reservations.

A staggering 15 farms and gardens will open their fields and greenhouses to the public during the Jackson County Farm Tour held from 1 to 5 p.m. on July 10 and 11.

Mountain Wildlife Days will bring a line-up of nature talks, wildlife programs and guided hikes to the Cashiers area on July 16 and 17.

The annual event attracts outdoors lovers from across the region. Friday has a series of three guided hikes, while Saturday’s lineup features nature experts and their live animals, from wolves to owls to reptiles.

A special program will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday called “Let Heaven and Nature Sing.” Rooted in the Caring for Creation philosophy, the multimedia presentation combines live music, inspirational narration and nature photography. A program for kids will be held simultaneously with a bonfire, singing and stories.

Hikes on Friday, July 16

• Granny Burrell Falls in Panthertown Valley. 3-mile hike led by Friends of Panthertown.

• Whiteside Mountain. Learn about the Cherokee history of the region when over 50 Cherokee towns and settlements were connected by a system of trails used for local trade and long-distance travel. Steep but rewarding climb involved to reach a rock outcrop overlooking the Cashiers Valley and headwaters region of the Chattooga River.

• Green Salamander Adventure. Join Wild South ecologists in search of the elusive, beautiful and endangered Green Salamander during a short exploration at Pleasant Grove and Heady Mountain.

All hikes depart at 10 a.m. from the Sapphire Valley Community Center. Bring lunch and water.

Programs on Saturday, July 17

• Get up close and personal with wolves. Meet the wolves of mountain man Rob Gudger and gain compassion and awareness for the plight of this misunderstood predator.

• Learn how to coexist with black bears with a program by the Appalachian Bear Rescue.

• Take flight with birds of prey. Eagles, hawks, owls and a variety of other birds will be shared by a ranger from Tennessee State Parks.

• Wildlife Warrior Steve O’Neil will have snakes, turtles and other reptiles on hand for his up-close presentation.

Saturday’s programs run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. There are exhibits and booths setup throughout the day.

The event is held at the Sapphire Valley Resort Community Center located 3 miles east of Cashiers off U.S. 64. It is organized each year by John Edwards, a Cashiers resident who loves wildlife, in conjunction with Wild South, and with support from the Sapphire Valley Master Association and Friends of Mountain Wildlife Days.

Saturday’s program is $7 for adults. The Friday evening program is $8. Children under 12 are free. Friday hikes are free. Tickets can be purchased in advance. www.wildsouth.org or 828.743.7663.

A new video podcast called “Day Hiking and Wildlife” has been created to educate hikers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park — or anywhere in bear country for that matter — on proper etiquette.

The podcast covers park rules, keeping a safe distance from wildlife and what to do in the midst of an encounter.

The video comes on the heels of an unfortunate incident where a small bear repeatedly fed by visitors nipped a man on the foot while he was trying to get a close-up photo. While the man wasn’t injured, the bear was euthanized in keeping with park policy for bears that have shown aggressive tendencies toward humans.

“We hope that this video will be another tool to help hikers safely observe wildlife in its natural habitat, which is one of the privileges we gain by preserving this great landscape for all to enjoy,” said Cathleen Cook, Chief of Resource Education.

The 6-minute podcast is the second of a three-part series on hiking safety. The first one was called “Day Hiking: Expect the Unexpected” and covered how to prepare for the Smokies’ unique weather terrain, and other unexpected circumstances.

Go to thegreatsmokymountains.org/hike_smokies_challenge.

After moving to Western North Carolina, Baker met Evelyn Beck of Whittier, and she became his “Mountain Granny.”

Indicative of enduring character of Appalachian natives, Beck was an unforgettable character to Baker and everyone who knew her. He documented her story in the format of the famed “Foxfire Series.”

Baker will be accompanied by four other regional authors at the book signing. 828.369.6464. www.csabooks.com.

• First, Gary Carden returns to the store for a special program on Appalachian literature and culture, entitled “Going Home with Gary Carden: A Discussion of Appalachian Literature” held 7 p.m. Friday, July 9.

Going home is an important theme in many Appalachian authors’ works and will serve as the focal point of the discussion. Featured books, each of them classics in their own right, will be Harriet Arnonw’s The Dollmaker, Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain, and Lamb in His Bosom by Caroline Miller.

Carden will discuss various ways of looking at Appalachian culture and what makes it special. Each of the novels he will touch on reflects those elements in different ways.

• Bestselling novelist Sharyn McCrumb will read from her new book in her Ballad Series of novels, entitled The Devil Amongst the Lawyers, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 13.

The book takes up the story of a young woman accused in 1934 of murdering her father. Only one journalist really cares about the truth, and he gets help from his cousin, whom readers come to know in her later life as the mysterious Nora Bonesteel, who has “the sight.”

• Celebrate hunting and fishing with outdoorsman and author Jim Casada at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 19. Casada will read selections from his outdoor guidebooks, including Beginner’s Guide to Fly Fishing, Fly Fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and The Wild Bounty Cookbook.

828.586.9499 or www.citylightsnc.com.

The Waynesville Public Art Commission members would like to express their gratitude to all of the artists and all of the public that helped to make Salamander Splash, on Thursday, June 24, a huge success.

Forty-eight Haywood County artists stepped up to the plate and accepted the challenge of making an art work celebrating salamanders! The artwork came in all forms — oil and watercolor paintings, fiber wall art, wood, steel and pottery in various styles.

A huge thank you goes out to the following artists:  David Stone, Brad Dodson, Carolyn Taylor, Jane and Bill Cole, Teresa Pennington, Terrance Painter, Dominick DePaola, Nancy Blevins, Lill Parks, Nancy Bernard, Veronica Von Zwehl, Bonnie and Jere Smith, Chris Sylvester, Marilyn Sullivan, Vickie Beck, Kaaren Stoner, Grace Cathey, Melissa Burrell, Jo Kelley, Ben Kastner, Susan Phillips, J.R. and Kristen Page, Jane Stoner, Frances Williams, Carolyn Strickland, Scottie Harris, Trudy Rapp, Karen Bell, Char Avrunin, Jeanne Colburn and Margaret Remington, Mary Edwards, Mari Coneen, Keri Anna Kelley, Jon Bowman, Janice Swanger, Ed Kelley, Sherri Lesperance, Michael Gillespie, Tanya Collier, Jennifer Riddle, and Dane and MaryEtta Burr.

More than 150 folks plus many of the artists came out to enjoy the fabulous barbecue prepared by Frank McLeod and his team, the music of the Chance Keuhn Trio and the auction conducted by Stacy Woods.

Through ticket sales and sales of the artwork, nearly $12,000 was raised to help pay for the railing to be constructed by Ben Kastner and Richard Coley of Intracoastal Iron, Wilmington, N.C. The goal of raising $20,000, the contracted amount for the railing, is in sight.

Ben and Richard won the design contract  for an artistic railing to be installed at the mini-park at Main and Depot. The park is undergoing a transformation that will offer more seating, new plantings, and a new spot to relax in downtown Waynesville. The railing will be installed in late September and dedicated on Oct. 1, 2010. Richard attended Salamander Splash and answered questions about the work on the railing.

All monies used to pay for this project and the two previous projects undertaken by the Commission — “Old Time Music” and “Celebrating Folkmoot,” have been raised from local businesses and the public.

The Commission would also like to acknowledge the assistance of Ginny Boyer and Phyllis McClure at the Waynesville Town Hall for ongoing assistance in our activities; Jon Bowman and Jamie Cogdill for serving as our bartenders of the evening; Wells Funeral Home for lending chairs; The Downtown Waynesville Association for assistance in selling tickets; and to the Parks and Recreation Department for hauling tables and chairs to the event.

A huge thank you also goes out to HART Theatre for the generous use of their facilities and grounds.

The commission members: Kaaren Stoner, chair: Marilyn Sullivan, secretary and fundraising chair; Chris Sylvester, graphic artist for all commission publicity; Mieko Thomson, treasurer; and  Philan Medford,  David Blevins, Janice Griffen and William King all wish to express their deep appreciation for the generous support of the artists and citizens of Haywood County in this endeavor.

Kaaren Stoner

Haywood County

Full Spectrum Farms is accepting silent auction donations for its annual Starlight Night fundraiser, Oct. 2. The local non-profit helps individuals with autism. Event sponsorships are available for $500 or $1,000. Donations and sponsorships are tax deductable. To donate, contact Donna Harris at 828.293.2521 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., has announced a series of job fairs throughout the summer month.

Workforce training and employer training seminars will run from 10 a.m. to noon July 9 at the Franklin Employment Security Commission Office at 427 Harrison Ave. The seminars will address issues such as resume development, job interview training, tax credits and more. The Economic Security Commission will offer assistance with job applications for local job offers.

A job fair will be held Aug. 14 at the former Coats American facility at 155 Palmer Lane in Marble. Murphy Medical Center will also hold a health fair in conjunction with this job fair.

“Ask the Experts: What’s new for small businesses in 2010” events will focus on access to capital and entrepreneurial development. They will offer updates about new opportunities as well provide a forum for attendees to ask questions about their small businesses or start-ups.

The first event will take place on Monday, July 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Flat Rock campus of Blue Ridge Community College in the Blue Ridge Conference Hall, Cortland Room.

The second event is scheduled for Tuesday, July 13, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Haywood Community College’s auditorium in Building 1500 on the Clyde campus.

Free. For advanced registration, contact the office of Congressman Shuler at 828.252.1651.

A raffle drawing and silent auction will be held on 6 p.m. Saturday, July 24, at Mountain View Intermediate School in Franklin with proceeds going to the Roy Rickman Scholarship.

The Rickman Scholarship is Macon County’s largest local private scholarship. Each year the Franklin Rotary Club awards a $10,000 scholarship and several $1,000 scholarships to deserving Franklin High School graduating seniors based on demonstrated academic achievements, civic involvement and financial status.

The winner of this year’s vehicle raffle grand prize can choose either $15,000 in cash or one of three automobiles: a Ford Focus from Franklin Ford, a Chevy Malibu LS from Smoky Mountain Chevrolet or a Dodge Caliber from Jim Brown Chrysler.

A ticket entitles the purchaser to admission for two to the silent auction and drawing for the grand prize as well as dinner during the event. Cost $100. For more information, call Ashley Vinson at 828.534.3321.

Haywood Habitat for Humanity marked its 20th anniversary at the organization’s Annual Meeting. To celebrate, Habitat Executive Director Marnette Colborne announced the creation of the annual Walton Garrett Award to recognize special volunteers. Garrett started the organization in the county and has worked on every house built. Four volunteers were recognized this year: Hugh Constance, Tom Henry, Ted Lazo and Steve Kirton.

Colborne summarized accomplishments of Haywood Habitat throughout the past year, including completion of the 39th house and ground breaking on the 40th, which was sponsored by Jay and Buckie Somers. The 40th house should be completed this fall.

Habitat for Humanity is a volunteer-based organization committed to eliminating sub-standard housing. For additional information or to volunteer, visit  www.haywoodhabitat.org or call 452-7960.

The Josh Fields Band, based in Haywood County, is emerging as a top act in Western North Carolina thanks to its ability to blend Southern rock, country and bluegrass into an enjoyable musical experience.

The band, also known for its tight, three-part harmonies, will play a mix of cover songs and original tunes. Many of the original songs will be from its forthcoming album, “Tobacco Road,” which will be released in August.

800.962.1911, or www.mountainlovers.com. www.joshfieldsband.com.

What do you get when you mix the pristine vocals of Ella Fitzgerald with the guitar licks of Robert Johnson?

Find out as the “sweetest” singer in Dillsboro, Karen “Sugar” Barnes performs with Dave Magill at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 8, on the front lawn of the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

Sugar has been an aficionado of vintage blues styles for decades, and has created her own engaging persona as a result of singing and writing in the genre she loves most. She also plays guitar, slide guitar and the ukulele.

Dave Magill is one of those musical chameleons who blends in with whatever genre is currently on the playlist. He is equally adept on the guitar, piano and bass guitar. Together Sugar and Dave play their unique blend of standards and originals regularly in Western North Carolina.

The Friends of the Marianna Black Library will be there to provide snacks and refreshments. Concert is free.

828.488.3030 or visit www.fontanalib.org/brysoncity.

The Lonesome River Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 10, on the Grand Old Stage at Stecoah Valley Cultural Center as part of the Appalachian Evening series.

Longtime band member and driving banjo picker, Sammy Shelor, will play, along with two lead vocalists, Andy Ball (mandolin) and Brandon Rickman (rhythm guitar), Mike Anglin on bass and Mike Hartgrove on fiddle.

LRB’s most recent album “No Turning Back” has garnered several nominations from the International Bluegrass Music Association. Sammy Shelor is an inductee of the Virginia Music Hall of Fame.

Traditional Appalachian dinner served family-style perform the performance. 828.479.3364 or www.stecoahvalleycenter.com.

Compelling performances by Cole as Twain have been lauded across the country and on major riverboats like the Delta Queen, Mississippi Queen and the American Queen. Tharon Giddens’ review of Cole in the Atlanta Journal Constitution says, “With the perfect timing of a stand up comedian and the flair and fervor of an evangelist, Cole entertains an audience with recitations of Twain’s tall tales and short anecdotes.”

Suggested donation of $15.

828.524.6777, 828.524.3161, or buy at the door of 89 Sierra Drive.

Designed for rising sixth-and seventh-graders, the camp will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon beginning Tuesday, July 20, and continuing through Friday, July 23. The cost is $35 per child.

With a theme of Cherokee heritage, the camp will allow participants to explore the history and contributions of the Cherokee people, past and present. Youth attending the camp will spend time with a Cherokee crafter, examine artifacts of historic value and visit significant Cherokee sites in the region.

For info, 828.227.7129. To register, 828.227.7397 or visit www.wcu.edu/13177.asp.

Craft artists are invited to submit digital images of their work by July 19 to be considered for inclusion in The Bascom’s juried exhibition “American Craft Today.” This national competition and exhibition will feature original works in all craft media: ceramics, metal, wood, glass, fiber, book arts, etc. Cash awards will be made for various categories including best in show.

The exhibition will take place from October 2 to December 18 in The Bascom’s main gallery in Highlands.

Carol Sauvion will select 40-50 works. Sauvion is executive producer of the Peabody Award-winning and Emmy-nominated “Craft in America” PBS television series.

www.thebascom.org/exhibitions or 828.526.4949.

The art festival will be held on Saturday, October 23, on the streets of downtown Sylva, where festival-goers can watch artists at work. All month, downtown Sylva shops will spotlight the work of regional Western North Carolina artists.

Catch the Spirit of Appalachia is partnering with the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce & TTA and Jackson County’s Visual Arts Association to present ColorFest. Interested artists should visit www.spiritofappalachia.org or call 828.293.2239. Applications are due July 31.

Witness the arresting culture of Apache, Totonac, Aztec, Crow, Navajo and Cherokee through ancient wisdom, song, dance, legend, arts and regalia all in one place. Indigenous tribes will gather for the 6th Annual Festival of Native Peoples on Friday, July 16, and Saturday, July 17, at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds in Cherokee.

Gates to the festival will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with performances throughout the day. The Art Market Preview will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on July 16.

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 from across the Americas, including the 11,000-year-old Cherokee civilization which hosts the weekend’s revelry.

“The tribes are so different, and when we come together to celebrate our collective native heritage, we gain a better understanding of our own history and customs,” said Mary Jane Ferguson, director of marketing for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Daily admission is $10 per person; children six and under free. 800.438.1601 or visit www.cherokee-nc.com.

The Hoop Dance

Four-time world champion Hoop Dancer Tony Duncan will create many designs and images from “The Circle of Life.” By weaving these hoops through his body the dancer creates designs such as, the eagle, a butterfly, the sun, the moon, a snake, and Mother Earth.

Laguna

The Laguna Youth Group dancers share various traditional dances that are both a means of prayer and personification of the animals the Pueblo people hold sacred.

White Mountain Apache

Centuries ago, the Apache believed that there were mountain spirits living in the highest mountains near a cliff or a cave. If sickness came among the people, the mountain spirits’ medicine man had to call these spirits down from the mountain to dance during the night hours of darkness for the people, in order to bless them and keep evil spirits away. Today, there are but a few Crown Dance medicine men among the younger generation, who know the Crown Dance songs and prayers.

Totonac

The spectacular Totonac dancers, known as the pole flyers, will hurl themselves from the top of a 90-foot pole in a spectacle of swirling color in honor of the sun and the Totonac calendar.

The Danza de los Voladores (Dance of the Flyers) represent 57 tribes in Mexico. This sacred ceremony is dedicated to the sun and is similar in intent to the sun dance of the Plains Indians of the United States.

Yurapik

The Yurapik Dance Group of Alazka performs two common styles of Eskimo dancing, Yuraq and Yurapik, a prayer dance and an inherited dance that has been passed down from generation to generation.

Navajo

The Pollen Trail Navajo Dancers have been the featured dance group in the Grand Canyon area for more than eight years. They will perform: the Navajo Basket Dance, in the spirit of Hozho “Blessing Way;” Bow and Arrow Dance; The Dancing Ye’iis; and The Weaving Dance.

Aztec

The Tezcatlipoca Aztec Dancers from Mexico City will perform colorful dances representing the sun, the eagle the earth ad other symbols from their land.

Estun-Bah

The band Estun-Bah combines the traditional melodies of the Native American flute with the contemporary sound of the acoustic guitar, creating a musical journey of traditional and contemporary songs.

Cherokee

New to the festival is one of Cherokee youngest dance groups, the Dora Reed Child Care Center Traditional Dancers. See this energetic group of dancers, ages 3 to 5, doing renditions of Cherokee dances such as Friendship, Quail, Bear, Buffalo, and Eagle. Performer Paula Nelson will share contemporary songs written in the Cherokee language.

The Smoky Mountain News produces a variety of special publications for various regional entities. On a case-by-case basis, SMN staff handles the production of editorial and advertising content, as well as the design and layout of the final product. Options are available for both print and online products. To learn more about how Smoky Mountain News' publishing capabilities can benefit your business or organization, contact Scott McLeod or Greg Boothroyd at 828.452.4251.

Click the links to view select publications in e-book format.

Regional

• Welcome to Western North Carolina, the official publication of Beverly-Hanks & Associates

Haywood County

• Tourism Development Authority visitor guide
• Chamber of Commerce membership directory
• Chamber of Commerce annual report
• Economic Development Commission status report
• Haywood Community College's LifeWorks
• Smoky Mountain Homes

Jackson County

• Our Town magazine
• NC Mountains visitor guide

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• Scott McLeod (cell 828.507.8828), This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Advertising Manager

• Greg Boothroyd (cell 828.506.4112), This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

News Editor

• Kyle Perrotti This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Reporters

• Hannah McLeod This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Garret K. Woodward (cell 518.593.0432), This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Holly Kays This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Cory Vaillancourt (cell 912.508.5640), This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Advertising Sales

• Sophia Burleigh This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Amanda Bradley (cell 828.273.2208) Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties; Cherokee. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Stefanee Sherman Digital Marketing. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Scott Collier (cell 828.246.8470) Classified sales manager. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Designers

• Micah McClure This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Jack Snyder This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Jessica Murray This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Office Manager

• Jamie Cogdill This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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