Discover Jackson County's diverse community of farmers, entrepreneurs, crafters, artists, musicians and local residents at the Jackson County Farmers Market! Join the fun every Saturday in Sylva's Bridge Park parking lot. The Jackson County Farmers Market takes place as follows: Winter Market Hours (Nov. through March), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Spring Through Fall (April through Oct.), 9 a.m. to Noon.  

Fantasia On Mysterium: The Epic Immersive Theatrical Recital is a genre-busting reimagining of a traditional piano recital and theatrical play, blended with artistically created mind-blowing immersive visuals that accompany both the storytelling and the live performances of Russian composer Alexander Scriabin's piano works. The audience joins the pianist/actor/playwright Michael Yannette onstage as he weaves the highly synchronistic real-life stories of both he and the composer, which, as it furthers down the rabbit hole, exposes itself to be highly revelatory to both. Live performances will be held: Thurs., Jan. 25, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. Fri., Jan. 26, at 7:30 p.m., and Sat., Jan. 27, at 7:30 p.m. Please note that unlike other performances in the Bardo Arts Center's Performance Hall, this is a General Admission ticketed event where the audience will be seated on stage. For accessibility accommodations, please contact BAC's Audience Services Manager, Sara Rincon, at srincon@wcu.edu or 828.227.2508. Click here for ticket information. 

Join us for the exciting Outhouse Races, taking place on Saturday, February 17, 2024 in Sapphire, NC! Crazy? Maybe. Dangerous? Perhaps. Fun? Without a doubt! You won't find Outhouse Races on Snow anywhere else in North Carolina! Dozens of homemade outhouses race to compete for the throne. Spectators come from throughout the southeast to line the course and cheer on those brave enough to see if the outhouse crashes or coasts across the finish line. The Outhouse Races have been named a "Top 20" event by Southeast Tourism Society. The event begins at 11 a.m. with food service and drinks available for purchase (or you may bring a picnic). Live music and a static parade happen before the races begin at 3 p.m. WHAT ARE OUTHOUSE RACES? Homemade outhouses may be made of wood, cardboard, plastic or any other homemade items. There are three people to a team. The outhouses are secured on a set of skis which are pushed by two team members, while one team member "sits" inside. The race course is a two-lane track on packed snow (or ice), with two teams racing head to head over approximately 120 feet (40 yards), with the first 30 feet being propelled by the pushers and the last 90 using gravitational power. This event is as exciting as Drag Racing - if you use your imagination. The outhouses can be simple, or as elaborate and creative as desired!

Celebrate the Great American Songbook in all of its playful - and sophisticated- glory, brought to life by two of this generation's brightest stars. Each armed with prodigious trumpet talent and vocal charm, Bria Skonberg and Benny Benack III will relive and re-imagine some of the classic partners in jazz and popular song, including Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland and Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, and Peggy Lee. Featuring songs by Gershwin, Ellington, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and many more, and joined by a who's who of New York all-stars, this is an "unforgettable" evening of singin' and swingin' with Bria and Benny. Click here for ticket information. 

Sylva, NC’s extreme trail race How does running a seven-mile trail race with 2,770 feet of elevation gain sound? Trail runners who compete in the Assault on BlackRock trail race will summit BlackRock at 5,810 feet - and that’s just the halfway point of the race. The course weaves through the spruce forests along the spine of the Plott Balsam Mountains on challenging rocky/dirt roads and single track. The final climb to the summit ridge comprises 650 feet of elevation gain in 1/3 of a mile on steep single track. T-shirts are guaranteed to runners registered prior to 3/1/2024. Awards will be given to the overall top 3 female and male finishers and the top individual female and male "Masters" finishers (50+). For those looking for an additional challenge, runners who complete the BlackRock 101 Challenge will receive a belt buckle. All proceeds from this race will go to Hands on Jackson. Hands on Jackson is a community based effort in Jackson County, North Carolina that focuses on providing assistance to neighbors in need by mobilizing community volunteer teams of all skill levels. Jobs performed range from installing energy efficiency measures, building ramps, cleaning yards/gutters an so on. BlackRock 101 Challenge Runners who complete the course in 101 minutes or less (1 hour 41 minutes) will earn a belt buckle. Can anyone break the 1 hour mark? The first participant to complete the course on race day in under 1 hour will receive a $200 cash award!

Friends night out is a fun event where patrons are encouraged to shop all day at any chamber member establishment, bring back any receipt over $20 to the chamber, and be present for a drawing at the chamber at 6:30 p.m. for gift card collection totaling over $300 to local chamber member establishments. There will be a pre-drawing party at the chamber from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Led by a fleet of restored antique cars, followed by the many hat contestants and featuring the Easter Bunny, the parade begins in front of the Town Hall on Front Street. Get your face painted! Make a hat and come join the parade! Last-minute entrants very welcome. Awards are announced after the Parade. Ribbons are given for the Prettiest, Funniest, Largest, Smallest, Most Unusual, Most Easter-like, Best Smelling, Cutest, Most Outrageous, Best In Show and "Poofiest" hats among other unusual categories. There is even a ribbon awarded to the Best Animal in Show! Fashion your own hat, 10 am - 1:30 pm at Dogwood Crafters on Webster Street. Easter egg hunts (by age group) also start there beginning at noon. Registration for the parade starts at 11 am, with parade at 2 pm.

On April 8, 2024, Jackson County, NC will experience a partial solar eclipse! Approximately 85% of the sun will be obscured in the area, with the maximum point happening at 3:08 p.m. A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking the face of the Sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk. The solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States and Canada. Make your lodging reservations and get ready to experience this celestial phenomenon in the NC Mountains! Solar Eclipse Safety: During an eclipse, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing. Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.  

Join us for an enchanting Farm-to-Table dinner experience amidst the budding beauty of spring in Whittier, NC. Celebrate the beginning of the growing season's freshest flavors harvested straight from the fields of our local farms, surrounded by the serene countryside. Indulge in a culinary journey that highlights the vibrant bounty of spring in a picturesque setting, where every dish tells a story of our commitment to farm-fresh, locally sourced ingredients.