Valle Country Fair Saturday
by Anna Oakes
If you’re looking for those unique holiday gift items for friends and family, head to Valle Crucis on Saturday, Oct. 20.
The 34th annual Valle Country Fair takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Valle Crucis Conference Center on N.C. 194. Admission is free, but parking at the fair is $5 per vehicle.
Always held on the third Saturday in October, the Valle Country Fair is an initiative of the Holy Cross Episcopal Church that annually raises thousands of dollars for area ministries and nonprofit organizations.
Shoppers will find pottery, glass work, turned wood items, handmade furniture, fiber arts, weavings, clothing accessories, paintings, handmade jewelry and much more.
“There’s 150 exhibitors,” organizer Catherine Morton said. “There’s a lot of effort over the 34 years that has gone into finding the best craftspeople and getting as much variety as possible, and quality.”
Church members cook up country-inspired concessions, including homemade Brunswick stew, fresh pressed apple cider, apple butter and barbecue.
Offering entertainment are musicians, storytellers and dancers, including Tom Shirley, Holy Smokes, Uphill Both Ways, Carolina Crossings, Green Grass, Orville Hicks, Creekside Grass, Majors Sevens and Bob, Zack Smith and Others, High Country Cloggers, Appalachian Rhythm Cloggers and Matthew Estes Band.
Morton said the best time to come is early, because the biggest crowds are at the fair between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
N.C. 194 between Valle Crucis and Banner Elk is now open after a period of closure for transportation improvements.
Proceeds from the fair are awarded to area agencies and nonprofits in the form of grants.
This year’s recipients are Avery County Smart Start: A Partnership for Children, Children’s Council of Watauga County, Community Care Clinic, Hospitality House, Parent to Parent Family Support Network, WAMY Avery Youth (Avery Yo!) and Western Youth Network.
No pets are allowed.
For more info, call (828) 963-7883 or visit http://www.vallecountryfair.org.
The 34th annual Valle Country Fair takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Valle Crucis Conference Center on N.C. 194. Admission is free, but parking at the fair is $5 per vehicle.
Always held on the third Saturday in October, the Valle Country Fair is an initiative of the Holy Cross Episcopal Church that annually raises thousands of dollars for area ministries and nonprofit organizations.
Shoppers will find pottery, glass work, turned wood items, handmade furniture, fiber arts, weavings, clothing accessories, paintings, handmade jewelry and much more.
“There’s 150 exhibitors,” organizer Catherine Morton said. “There’s a lot of effort over the 34 years that has gone into finding the best craftspeople and getting as much variety as possible, and quality.”
Church members cook up country-inspired concessions, including homemade Brunswick stew, fresh pressed apple cider, apple butter and barbecue.
Offering entertainment are musicians, storytellers and dancers, including Tom Shirley, Holy Smokes, Uphill Both Ways, Carolina Crossings, Green Grass, Orville Hicks, Creekside Grass, Majors Sevens and Bob, Zack Smith and Others, High Country Cloggers, Appalachian Rhythm Cloggers and Matthew Estes Band.
Morton said the best time to come is early, because the biggest crowds are at the fair between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
N.C. 194 between Valle Crucis and Banner Elk is now open after a period of closure for transportation improvements.
Proceeds from the fair are awarded to area agencies and nonprofits in the form of grants.
This year’s recipients are Avery County Smart Start: A Partnership for Children, Children’s Council of Watauga County, Community Care Clinic, Hospitality House, Parent to Parent Family Support Network, WAMY Avery Youth (Avery Yo!) and Western Youth Network.
No pets are allowed.
For more info, call (828) 963-7883 or visit http://www.vallecountryfair.org.