Share Tucked away in the mountains of western North Carolina, John C. Campbell Folk School offers weeklong and weekend classes for adults in craft, art, music, dance, cooking, gardening, nature studies, photography, writing, and more. Our non-competitive and small-sized classes are offered year-round on a scenic 270-acre campus, attracting students from all over the world. The Folk School transforms lives, bringing people together in a nurturing environment for experiences in learning and community life that spark self-discovery. “I sing behind the plow,” the Folk School’s motto since its founding in 1925, reflects the importance of lifelong learning and growth while finding joy in every step of the process.
Description
We invite you to celebrate Appalachian heritage at our 48th Fall Festival, featuring a wide variety of craftspeople, continuous live music and dance, craft demonstrations, good food, and much more! Saturday & Sunday, October 5 & 6, 2024 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Helene Update: Important Announcement Regarding the 48th Annual Fall Festival
The John C. Campbell Folk School is built on community, compassion, and volunteerism. We Sing Behind the Plow has been our motto - and a core value - for nearly 100 years. We don’t take this value lightly. While we were lucky during Hurricane Helene, families, friends and neighbors throughout Western North Carolina are suffering. Their recovery will be a long haul, and we plan to play whatever role we can to steer the plow for others who cannot.
We will start this weekend with our 48th Annual Fall Festival here in Brasstown, with the Folk School donating 10% of our own proceeds to organizations serving those in WNC 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 (CERF), 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, please:
- 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!
Bethany E. Chaney
Executive Director
Venue Details
John C. Campbell Folk School
1 Folk School RoadBrasstown, North Carolina 28902
