As the weather gets nicer and spring slowly transitions to those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, 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 hunkering down during the winter months. Filled with locals and visitors alike, all 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 — in truth and in method.
The Smoky Mountain News presents a handful of key festivals that are occurring right around the corner, literally and figuratively, so that you have a better idea of just what will be happening through Memorial Day Weekend 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 to be surrounded by these amazing folks — all of which aimed at showcasing the genuine essence of WNC.
GREENING UP THE MOUNTAINS
Presented by the Town of Sylva, the 28th annual Greening Up the Mountains festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 25, along Main Street and Bridge Park in downtown Sylva.
The festival is a heritage arts gathering that celebrates the arrival of spring through both traditional and contemporary forms of Appalachian art, music, food and beverage which honor our community and local artisans.
Greening Up the Mountains. File photo
First created in conjunction with Earth Day celebrations, the festival still thrives to be a good steward of the beautiful mountain town and surrounding area. The event itself has grown to over 12,000 attendees each year.
In addition to over 170 arts, crafts and food vendors, attendees can also enjoy a 5k run, artisan demonstrations, local craft breweries, childrens activities and live music throughout the day.
The Bridge Park Stage schedule will include the JAM Band (Junior Appalachian Musicians) from 10-11 a.m., Bird In Hand 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Fuzzy Peppers 1-2 p.m. and Positive Mental Attitude 2:30-4 p.m.
The festival is free and open to the public. For more information and a full schedule of events/activities, visit greeningupthemountains.com.
AIRING OF THE QUILTS
The annual Airing of the Quilts celebration will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at the Appalachian Women’s Museum in Dillsboro.
The airing of the quilts is a traditional rite of spring in the mountains. After a long winter with families snuggled under layers of handmade quilts, the warmer weather of springtime gave people a chance to freshen up and air out these essential covers.
To honor this tradition, the AWM held its first event in 2018 with more than 65 quilts hanging on the wraparound porch from clotheslines in the yard and on quilt racks and other surfaces throughout the first floor of the museum.
There will also be a fabric scrap exchange, a quilt pattern and book exchange, raffle and live music. The event is free and open to the public.
For more information, visit appwomen.org.
SMOKY MOUNTAIN SPRINGFEST
The annual Smoky Mountain SpringFest will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center in Robbinsville.
With a focus on outdoor activities and recreation, the festival provides a selection of arts, crafts and food vendors, demonstrations, live music, dancing, kids’ activities and more.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit stecoahvalleycenter.com.
SWEET CAROLINA MUSIC FESTIVAL
The annual Sweet Carolina Music Festival will hit the stage from 2-9 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at Veterans Memorial Park in Franklin.
Performers will include John Morgan, Jennifer Hart, Kody Paul, Madison Owenby, Justin Corley, Jason Passmore and Next Paige. Food trucks will also be onsite. Gates open at 1 p.m.
General admission is $30 per person, with VIP passes for $50. Kids ages three and under are free. For information and/or to purchase tickets, visit ticketsignup.io/sweetcarolina.
STEVE SUTTON FEST
The annual Steve Sutton Fest will take place May 8-9 in the Stuart Auditorium at the Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center.
Steve Sutton. File photo
A nonprofit event, the showcase benefits youth music programs in Haywood County. This year’s stellar lineup includes Authentic Unlimited (three-time IBMA “Vocal Group of the Year”), Red Camel Collective (IBMA “New Artist of the Year”), Alecia Nugent, Darren Nicholson, Upstream Rebellion, Donna Ulisse & Rick Stanley, Whitewater Bluegrass Company and more.
There will also be mountain tradition cloggers, dance/songwriting workshops, a special performance by the Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) and other activities.
A longtime member of The Darren Nicholson Band and Whitewater Bluegrass Company, Sutton was 60 years old when he passed away in his sleep on May 13, 2017, one day shy of his 61st birthday.
A Grammy-nominated, multiple IBMA award-winner himself, Sutton graduated from Tuscola High School in Waynesville. Upon graduation, he was simultaneously offered gigs with the “Godfather of Bluegrass” Bill Monroe and bluegrass legend Jimmy Martin.
In 1974, Sutton joined Martin on the road, kicking off a career that took him across the globe, ultimately gracing the Grand Ole Opry stage numerous times. Sutton also had stints with Alecia Nugent and Rhonda Vincent.
Tickets are $30 per day for adults and $10 per day for kids. The two-day songwriting workshop is $250.
For more information, a full schedule of acts and/or to purchase tickets, visit stevesuttonfest.com.
WHOLE BLOOMIN’ THING
The 23rd annual Whole Bloomin’ Thing Festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 9, in the Historic Frog Level District of Waynesville.
Featuring over 70 vendors, there will also be children’s activities, local growers and artisans/crafters, flowering baskets, herbs, outdoor decor, live music and more. Businesses in the district will also be open, including a café and brewery.
The event is free and open to the public. Family-friendly. Rain or shine. For more information, visit wholebloominthing.com.
SEVEN CLANS RODEO
The 13th annual Seven Clans Rodeo will be held May 23-24 at 181 Tsali Boulevard in Cherokee.
Seven Clans Rodeo. File photo
Between the broncos that will be busted, the bulls that will be bucking and the rodeo clowns looking to avoid getting stomped in the head, there will be all sorts of skills competitions and top-name riders in this SRA-sanctioned event. Gates open at 5 p.m. Rodeo starts at 7 p.m. Admission is $20 per person. Children ages five and under are free. Organized by the Cherokee Welcome Center.
For more information, call 828.359.6490 or visit facebook.com/sevenclansrodeo or visitcherokeenc.com.
BEAR SHADOW FESTIVAL
The fifth installment of the Bear Shadow Festival will take place May 29-31 in Highlands.
Featuring some of the biggest artists on the scene today, this year’s event will host performances by Mavis Staples, Charley Crockett, Margo Price, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, The Infamous Stringdusters, Kashus Culpepper, Pony Bradshaw, Marc Broussard and J & The Causeways.
Since 2021, Bear Shadow, a nonprofit organization, has donated nearly $100,000 to local organizations, including the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, Sky Valley/Scaly Mountain Volunteer Fire Department and Highlands Biological Station.
Weekend general admission is $300 per person, with VIP upgrades and single-day passes also available. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit bearshadowwnc.com.