Townsend Fall Festival Showcases Regional Arts, Crafts, Cooking, and Demonstrations
The Townsend in the Smokies Heritage Fall Festival will be held September 26-27 and offers visitors opportunities to experience firsthand some of the area’s great arts and crafts. From woodcarving to blacksmithing, pottery making to rug hooking, artisans from throughoutEast Tennessee will be on hand to demonstrate their talents. The festival begins at 10 a.m. each day.
The festival includes bluegrass music from over 20 bands, foods from more than a dozen vendors, dancing, shopping and Appalachian heritage at its finest. It also brings together visitors and locals to celebrate the fall season and the Great Smoky Mountains culture. Numerous other Appalachian activities, including a farm equipment show and historic demonstrations that showcase the region’s heritage, will be part of this year’s festival.
“We bring together some of the region’s top artisans and craftspeople to share a taste of Appalachia with our visitors,” said Carolyn Roach, chair of the 2014 Townsend in the Smokies Heritage Fall Festival and Old Timer’s Day. “The best part is that after you learn about the heritage and history that goes into the art or craft or food, you can take home a one-of-a-kind souvenir that was handmade in Townsend to remember your visit.”
On-site demonstrations include blacksmith David Thompson, white oak shingle making by Sam White, cornmeal making by Ronald and Angel Fowler and viewing birds of prey with Natalie Long. Demonstrations also include rug hooking with Carol McBride, woodcarving with Lendel Abbott, basket making with Karen Kenst and pottery with Carol Ware.
More than 35 additional craftspeople will be showing and selling their arts and crafts. Visitors to the festival will be able to peruse handmade quilts, baskets, jewelry, soap, pottery, photography, dulcimers and artwork from the vendors
The events are open to the public and a free shuttle service is offered to transport festival visitors to and from various places throughout Townsend. Shuttle’s stops include the Townsend Visitors Center, Trillium Cove, the Little River Railroad Museum and the Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center.
About the Townsend in the Smokies Heritage Festival and Old Timer’s Day:
The Townsend in the Smokies Heritage Festival and Old Timer’s Day, September 26-27, 2014, takes place on the grounds of the Smoky Mountain Visitors Center at Townsend, located at 7906 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway. The event is free and family-oriented. Pets are not permitted on the festival grounds due to health and safety regulations.
Festival sponsors include Premier Sponsors: WATE-TV, The Daily Times; Silver Sponsors: Great Smoky Mountains Association, Alcoa Inc.; Friends Sponsors: Highland Manor Inn, Townsend Shopping Center, Carriage House Restaurant, Pioneer Cabins & Guest Farm, Keep Blount Beautiful, Ingram, Overholt & Bean, P.C.; Tent Sponsor: Wood-N-Strings Dulcimer Shop.
For more information on the Townsend in the Smokies Heritage Festival and Old Timer’s Day, including updates on the schedule, please visit smokymountains.org or call the Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority at (800) 525-6834.
