The 18th Annual Swain County Heritage Festival will take place on Memorial Day weekend and feature local arts and crafts, food, kids’ games, music and a log-sawing contest.

Bands and singing groups ranging from gospel to country and bluegrass will perform during the holiday weekend event. The festival will begin with Gospel Night from 6-9 p.m. on May 25 at Riverfront Park, near the Swain County Administration Building in Bryson City. Several groups will perform that evening, including Shining Pathway, Brian Birchfield, The Masters Four, One Step Closer and The Hinkle Family.

On Saturday, the musical lineup will include country, bluegrass and gospel favorites, including The Ross Brothers, The Hinkle Family, The Locust Ridge Quartet, Appalachian Fire Blue Grass and Mountain Faith. In addition to the musical performances, Saturday’s events will include performances by the J Creek Cloggers and the Southern Appalachian Cloggers. The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

There will also be dozens of crafters and vendors on hand to sell their products, plus children’s games and a kid’s potato sack race.

There is no charge for persons attending the Festival. Crafters wishing to participate are encouraged to contact Festival organizers.

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