03 Sep Our 48th Annual Fall Festival Returns on October 5 and 6, 2024
The John C. Campbell Folk School’s 48th annual Fall Festival returns this year on Saturday, October 5, and Sunday, October 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. A premiere destination since 1974, the Folk School’s Fall Festival attracts thousands from across the region to the school’s scenic Brasstown, North Carolina campus for an extraordinary celebration of Appalachian craft, culture, and heritage.
Festivalgoers will stroll several wooded paths, visiting a wide variety of fine craft exhibitors showcasing quality works for sale. Talented artisans will demonstrate traditional and contemporary crafts for appreciative audiences throughout the day on our Demonstrator’s Stage and in some studios. Spirited music and dance performances will fill the air with delightful energy continuously over the weekend on two stages. Regional artists will share old-time, bluegrass, folk, and roots music, and dancers will entertain the crowds with clogging and Morris performances.
We will have over 20 food vendors, including the Folk School’s famed barbecue, so come hungry! Kids activities, including hands-on crafts and face painting from Keep on Walking and the Cherokee County Arts Council, will also be available.
The Fall Festival Banner, a colorful tradition celebrating the school’s rich history and enlivening future, is made by quilter and beloved instructor Dana Bolyard this year. Fall Festival commemorative t-shirts and items will be available to purchase from the school’s Craft Shop.
The Fall Festival offers plentiful free parking along with a free on-campus shuttle bus and handicapped golf carts. Handicapped parking is available in the Keith House gravel lot. The John C. Campbell Folk School is only two hours from Asheville, Atlanta, Chattanooga, and Knoxville and a day’s drive for half of the residents of the U.S.
Regular admission tickets are $12 for adults (18 and up), $10 for ages 12-17, $10 for Seniors (65+) and veterans, and free for children 12 and under. Single-day and multi-day flex passes will be available. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the festival gates with cash only. ATMs are available on campus.
Interested in volunteering? Visit folkschool.org/volunteer and fill out a volunteer application. Fall Festival volunteers work in approximately 2-2.5-hour time slots based on their availability and preferences. There are many opportunities across the festival, and a position for everyone! Volunteer applications are due Friday, September 16.
For complete event details, visit folkschool.org/fallfestival or call 1-800-365-5724. We look forward to seeing you there!
Purchase your tickets online!
Avoid the lines at the gate and purchase your tickets online today. Single day and multi-day pass options are available. You will receive a digital ticket that you can load on your smartphone or print from your email. We will have scanners at all gates ready to admit you into the festival as quickly as possible.
We encourage parties of four or more to print their tickets in advance to help speed up the entry process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pets allowed at Fall Festival?
The festival can be challenging for pets because of the crowds and the heat. We encourage those who bring their pets to seek out water stations, keep their pet on a leash, clean up after your pet, and be respectful of attendees. If your dog is not on a leash, you will be asked to leave the Festival.
Will the craft shop be open? 
The Craft Shop is open this year and they are selling t-shirts in a tent just outside, right by the dining hall’s Famous Folk School BBQ table.
Where will the craft shop demonstrations be located?
Craft demonstrations are taking place at 5 separate locations. Demonstrations will be located on a stage to the left of the Enameling Studio, inside the Woodcarving Studio, outside of the Davidson Hall Wet Room, the Woodworking porch, and Blacksmithing Shop.
Where can I find the Brasstown Carvers?
They will be inside the Woodcarving Studio all day demonstrating and selling their work!
Will there be Kids’ Activities?
The Kids Zone is located in Shady Grove and features a variety of activities hosted by local nonprofits. “Keep on Walking” will offer pumpkin painting, spin art, and an array of yard games for children to enjoy for a flat fee. No cost options will be provided by First United Methodist Montessori Pre-School, the Cherokee County Arts Council and Parents as Teachers of Cherokee and Clay Counties.
Are there any alternate routes to Fall Festival ?
The following roads lead to the Folk School:
Old Hwy 64 West (Coming from Murphy, Peachtree, Andrews, Warne, Hayesville, Young Harris, Hiawassee)
Settawig Road to Old Hwy 64 West (Coming from Hayesville)
Hiawassee Street to Harshaw Road (Coming from Tennessee, Ranger, Murphy)
Hwy 129N to Martins Creek Road to Brasstown Road (Coming from North Georgia, Bellview, Martins Creek)
What is Parking like for the Fall Festival?
Tri County Early College Athletics Association will be managing our parking this year. Your donations will help support their athletics program—please consider contributing!
Is it free?
Yes, parking is free and located in our big field around campus.
On Saturday only there will be parking available at Little Brasstown Baptist Church with a shuttle running to campus on a loop.
Handicap parking
Handicap parking will be available in the gravel lot across from the Keith House and in the fields with spots reserved closest to the entry gates. Please present a valid handicap parking sticker to the attendants for access.
Where can we look for Fall Festival merchandise?
There will be a tent located outside of the Craft Shop with Fall Festival t-shirts, sweatshirts and other logo items!
Where will on campus accessibility locations be?
Parking
Handicap parking will be available in the gravel lot across from the Keith House and in the fields with spots reserved closest to the entry gates. Please present a valid handicap parking sticker to the attendants for access.
Bathrooms
Accessible bathrooms are located in the Keith House circle
Access into buildings?
There will be no building access for this event except for the Woodcarving Studio which has a ramp entrance.
Shuttles?
Shuttles will run from Little Brasstown to campus in a loop and a shuttle will run in the fields to bring people to the gates. these shuttles will not be wheelchair accessible
Where will bathrooms be at Fall Festival?
We will have portalets available on campus for festival goers. They will be located near the Festival Barn, across from Davidson Hall, Studio Row Annex handicap accessible bathrooms are here, next to Bidstrup and behind our Woodworking studio.
Is the Fall Festival rain or shine?
Yes! In case of a heavy down pour we will relocate our Craft Shop music stage over to Davidson Hall and our demonstration stage into Keith House Community Room!
Where are ATMs located?
We will have two ATMS located outside of the Craftshop, and near our Fiber Arts building!
Questions about Vendor & Volunteer Check in?
Vendor Check-In
Vendors will receive an email with their vendor check in location. Please check in to grab your booth sign and other important information for this years Fall Festival. Check in locations will be based on booth locations and located in the Keith House circle, Festival Barn, Craft Shop Info Booth and Marketplace Info Booth.
Check in will begin on Friday, October 4th @1pm and go until 6pm.
Early check-in will not be allowed as we will still have students onsite before 1pm. You will have to wait even if you arrive early.
Volunteer Check-In
We will have two volunteer check in locations this year! Please check in to grab your t-shirt and meal ticket before reporting to your assignment. Make sure you arrive 30 minutes early for this new check-in step. Volunteers’ check-in will be located at a booth near the Craft Shop and at a booth in Marketplace right after you enter the Garden Gate. Your check in gate will be assigned when you receive your volunteer confirmation email.
Have a Question we didn't answer here?
For any further questions please contact our Event and Volunteer Manager!
Morgan Budzinski
Mbudzinski@folkschool.org
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