Updated: 4:00 p.m. – October 2

Supporting Western North Carolina: Hurricane Relief Effort

We have received several inquiries from many in our Folk School community about how they can help support those affected by Hurricane Helene and we wanted to make sure they don’t go unnoticed. In response, we will be collecting limited non-perishable items during this weekend’s Fall Festival. Donation bins will be available at each of the five entrance gates, and we will work with local organizations to ensure that the items are distributed to those in need.

Fall Festival Map

While we are a small nonprofit, the reach and compassion of our Folk School community is vast. Before heading out this weekend, we encourage everyone to view the suggested items list below for possible items they might be able to donate.

In addition, we have some wonderful resources in the area contributing to the cause. Cherokee Clay Food Alliance will have a booth and will accept financial donations as-well as food. We will also have information about CERF and how to donate at each information booth. :

• Cherokee Clay Food Alliance
• Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF)

Please take time to stop by and learn more about how you can further contribute to these efforts.

Suggested items to consider:

• Baby formula
• Baby wipes
• Bug spray
• Canned goods
• Canned pet food
• Diapers (adult & baby)
• Feminine hygiene products
• Hand sanitizer
• Non-perishable foods
• Plastic utensils
• Powdered hydration packets
• Powdered sports drink packets
• Sanitizer wipes
• Tarps
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Trash bags

Items we cannot accept:

• Flammable items
• Fuel
• HAZMAT materials
• Most chemicals
• Used clothes
• Used items
• Water (due to weight)

Disclaimer: For your safety and enjoyment of the fall festival, please refrain from bringing heavy items, as we will not be able to assist with transporting them from your car to the drop-off locations. We believe that by focusing on donating smaller, more manageable items, our community can make a meaningful and collective impact.

Thank you for your generosity and for helping us support our neighbors during this challenging time.

Updated: 10:20 a.m. – October 1

We are pleased to announce that cell phone service has been restored in the area, and Frontier phone and data lines are now operational on campus. Our staff are actively catching up on communications with upcoming students, instructors, festival vendors, and volunteers as we continue preparations for this weekend’s Fall Festival.

Yesterday’s announcement about continuing with our 48th Annual Fall Festival has been well received, and the Folk School is exploring alternative ways for our Folk School community to come together in support of our neighboring communities. We will continue to post updates throughout the week as we ‘sing behind the plow.’ Thank you all for your patience and understanding as we navigate these trying times.

Updated: 3:30 p.m. – September 30

Important Announcement Regarding the 48^th 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 organization serving those in WNC affected by Hurricane Helene.  The Cherokee Clay Food Alliance will be on hand to collect financial 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 112^th 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!

Updated: 5:30 p.m. – September 29

As students begin arriving on campus for this week’s session, please be aware that while our campus was unharmed by Hurricane Helene, our region is currently experiencing internet and phone service outages, and cell coverage is sporadic. When traveling to the area, please note that many local stores are operating on a cash-only basis. If you will be traveling to the Folk School soon, we encourage you to check the state Department of Transportation (DOT) websites for the latest road closure information. Our hearts go out to those affected by Hurricane Helene and to our Folk School community in Western North Carolina.

TRAFFIC & ROAD HAZARD MAPS

• DriveNC – https://drivenc.gov/
• TDOT SmartWay – https://smartway.tn.gov/traffic?features=incident,traffic&position=35.22731299,-84.25173348,8

ABOUT FALL FESTIVAL

We will be meeting Monday, September 30th to determine the best way forward for this year’s annual Fall Festival. We will be updating our webpage, social media and sending out notifications in the coming days so please check those resources for the most up to date information.

Updated: 9 a.m. – September 29

Dear Students,

We know that you’ve either heard about or are experiencing the effects of Hurricane Helene. We hope this message finds you safe and well.

We were very fortunate here at the Folk School and did not sustain any storm damage. Phone service is out across the entire region and our Internet is down on campus, but we have power and water and there is very little damage or disruption in Murphy, Hayesville, and other surrounding towns.

We plan to start classes today Sunday, September 29 and will run the shuttle from the Atlanta airport at our usual times. Because communications have been down, we are unsure how many cancellations to expect, and if we will have any instructor cancellations (most have confirmed they will be here). As we continue to gather as much information as we can and to make contingency plans, please continue to check your email and or folkschool.org for future updates.   

Much of our region is experiencing severe storm damage and has lost communications. We know that the I-40 on both sides of Asheville is impassable and that the I-26 south from Asheville is closed in several places. We’ve heard from folks who have been able to travel to Brasstown from Chattanooga through the Ocoee, Knoxville through Tellico Plains/294, and are encouraging folks to avoid the Nantahala Gorge.  We are hearing that the roads are open in north Georgia and down to Atlanta. Conditions can change rapidly, so please do your research before traveling and be careful. Google maps are showing widespread road closures. State resources such as https://drivenc.gov/ can be helpful in finding additional details.

We know that some of you are in flood zones and don’t have access to communications or may have loved ones that you can’t get in touch with. Our hearts go out to everyone who is impacted.