As the weather gets cooler and slowly transitions to those cozy fall days, a bevy of longtime and beloved festivals start to pop up in the picturesque mountain communities here in Western North Carolina.
These annual gatherings are a way to bring all of us together after an extended period of summer sunshine as we begin to hunker down during the winter months. Filled with locals and visitors alike, those present partake in numerous activities and avenues to support those in your town: Live music, artisan demonstrations, produce vendors, food trucks, nonprofit tents, and whatever else makes your own backyard that much more special.
The Smoky Mountain News presents a handful of key fall festivals that are occurring right around the corner, literally and figuratively, so that you have a better idea of just what amazing people, places, and things will be happening through the next month or so, right here in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Get out there and seize that carp everyone keeps talkin’ ‘bout. Enjoy. And always possess a deep sense of gratitude for being able to not only immerse yourself in such fun experiences but also surrounded by these amazing folks — all aimed at showcasing the genuine essence of WNC.
Colorfest (Oct. 3)
The 18th annual ColorFest will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, in downtown Dillsboro.
Come spend the day in a walk-about mountain town filled with color and history. Enjoy a day of fun, food, live music, artisan demonstrations, entertainment, and shopping.
Dozens of artisans will be displaying authentic Cherokee art, pottery, jewelry, photography, loom beading, handmade soaps, many kinds of needle work, Christmas ornaments, pine cone wreaths, candles, rustic furniture, chair caning, baskets, and much more.
ColorFest is free and open to the public. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit dillsboronc.org.
John C. Campbell Fall Festival (Oct. 3-4)
The 50th annual “Fall Festival” will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 3-4 at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown.
Visit more than 200 fine craft exhibitors and watch dozens of artisans demonstrate traditional and contemporary crafts. There will also be a wide array of live music and clogging, with bluegrass, gospel, Americana, folk, and mountain music all to be performed. There will also be food vendors onsite.
For more information and a full schedule of events, artists, and live music, visit folkschool.org/events.
Cherokee Indian Fair (Oct. 6-10)
The 114th annual Cherokee Indian Fair will be held Oct. 6-10 at the Acquoni Expo Center site, located at 1501 Acquoni Road in Cherokee.
The Indian Fair Parade kicks off the festivities on Tuesday. Like the typical county fair, Cherokee invites a top-of-the-line carnival to provide amusements all week for the young and old alike. There will also be food vendors onsite.
As well, there will be community arts/crafts exhibits, stickball competitions, children’s activities and much more. Nationally known entertainers will hit the stage, with country singer-songwriter Dylan Scott to perform Saturday night.
General fair admission is $20, with no additional cost to catch the Scott performance. For more information and a full schedule of events, click on visitcherokeenc.com/events.
Church Street Art & Craft Show (Oct. 10)
The 43rd annual Church Street Art & Craft Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, in downtown Waynesville.
Attracting over 20,000 visitors each year, the festival features over 100 artisans and crafters. Vendors include fiber art, photography, glass, leather, jewelry, gourmet food, handcrafted items, garden accessories, and much more.
There will also be live entertainment, with bluegrass bands and clogging groups performing on both ends of Main Street. As well, there’s an abundance of food vendors and children’s activities.
The festival is free and open to the public. For more information, visit downtownwaynesville.com.
Stecoah Harvest Festival (Oct. 16-17)
The annual Stecoah Harvest Festival will return Oct. 17-18 to the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center (SVCAC) in Robbinsville.
Featuring a full-day full of family fun — including music, dancing, food, heritage demonstrations, arts/craft vendors, quilt show, pie contest, live animals, and more — the festival celebrates community and gratitude.
The SVCAC is a nonprofit corporation that serves the people of Stecoah and greater Graham County through programs and services that benefit all members of the community.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information and a full schedule of activities, visit stecoahvalleycenter.com or call 828.479.3364.
Apple Harvest Festival (Oct. 17)
The 38th annual Haywood County Apple Harvest Festival will be held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, in downtown Waynesville.
Hailed as one of the “10 Best Fall Harvest Festivals in the Nation,” the annual festival is a celebration of the autumn harvest and Haywood County’s agricultural heritage, attracting upwards of 20,000 attendees throughout the day.
The event features handmade arts and crafts, locally grown apples, and apple products for sale. In addition, the festival will feature food vendors, educational and information booths, authentic mountain music, dance groups, and a children’s fun area.
Hosted by the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce, the festival is free and open to the public. For more information, visit haywoodchamber.com and click on the “Programs and Events” tab.
PumpkinFest (Oct. 17)
The 30th annual PumpkinFest will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, in downtown Franklin.
The centerpiece event of PumpkinFest is the “World Famous PumpkinRoll.” Who can roll a pumpkin the greatest distance down Phillips Street and vie for bragging rights? One past winner rolled 1,021 feet.
Sign up for the “Pumpkin Roll” is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the actual “roll” from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Pumpkins will be available for purchase at the event, or bring your own.
Other highlights of the day include a costume parade and contest, pumpkin pie eating contest, along with dozens of vendors featuring arts and crafts, festival food, and more.
This event is held rain or shine. PumpkinFest is sponsored by the Town of Franklin. For more information, visit townoffranklinnc.com or facebook.com/pumpkinfestfranklin, or call Franklin Town Hall at 828.524.2516.
Smoky Mountains Bluegrass Festival (Oct. 24)
Hosted by the Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC), the annual Smoky Mountains Bluegrass Festival will return from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.
Taking the stage will be Haywood County bluegrass legends Balsam Range, Appalachian Roadshow, Red Camel Collective, Unspoken Tradition, and Olivia Jo.
Since its inception in 2007, Balsam Range has become one of the most decorated and award-winning acts in the wide world of bluegrass music. The band has taken home the following International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) honors: “Entertainer of the Year” (2014, 2018), “Album of the Year” (2013, 2017), “Song of the Year” (2011, 2015) and “Vocal Group of the Year” (2014, 2015), with Melton named “Male Vocalist of the Year” (2014, 2018), and Tim Surrett “Bass Player of the Year” (2018).
An annual HCAC fundraiser, the festival brings all of the organization’s programs and artists together for a truly one-of-a-kind music-themed experience. The event will also include music-themed vendors, raffles, artist member demonstrations/artwork, a child and adult playground, and local food/drinks.
Advance tickets are $69.55 per person (tax included). Children ages 12 and under are admitted free. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit haywoodarts.org/smoky-mountains-bluegrass-festival or call 828.452.0593.
WNC Pottery Festival (Nov. 7)
The 20th annual WNC Pottery Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Bridge Park in Sylva.
Showcasing the work of more than 40 master potters from an array of states. A variety of clay art styles will be presented with over 40 master potters. The event is juried and the lineup of potters are some of the finest in their craft.
The event has been named one of the “Top 20” events in the Southeast for November. Admission is $8. Children under 12 are free. Dogs are not allowed inside the festival.
For more information, visit wncpotteryfestival.com.