Cherokee Indian Fair

Cherokee Indian Fair

Cherokee Indian Fair

The annual Cherokee Indian Fair promises five days of excitement and engaging activities that will create lasting memories for visitors of all ages! From traditional stickball games and captivating competitions to authentic crafts, delectable food vendors, exhilarating rides, and games, the fair offers a diverse range of experiences for everyone. General Admission tickets are $10 Tuesday through Friday, and $20 on Saturday. Enrolled members of federally recognized tribes can show their enrollment card at the gate for complimentary entry.

Cashiers Halloween Block Party

Cashiers Halloween Block Party

This first-time, free event will bring together several organizations for a celebration along Frank Allen Road in Cashiers. The road will close from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. while festivities are held at four locations: The Village Green, Albert Carlton Cashiers Library, Cashiers-Glenville Recreation Center and the Boys and Girls Club of The Plateau. Dress in your best Halloween costume and join the fun!

Sapphire Valley Arts & Craft Festival

Sapphire Valley Arts & Craft Festival

A great family event, the Sapphire Valley Arts & Craft Festival showcases local, handmade mountain crafts, quality folk art, live music, fine jewelry and much more! And with the resort playground located adjacent to the vendor tents, you can bring the kids and dogs and check it out! The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Farm-to-Table Dinner

Farm-to-Table Dinner

Listen to live music in Sylva’s Bridge Park while dining on the best local food created by Chefs Santiago Guzzetti of Ilda and Ken Naron of Canyon Kitchen. Beer and wine will be provided by Innovation Brewing and Sante Wine Bar. You will be able to meet many of the producers at the event as you enjoy live music by Above Ground. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Reel in an Unforgettable Fall Fly Fishing Adventure in The NC Mountains

Reel in an Unforgettable Fall Fly Fishing Adventure in The NC Mountains

Jackson County, NC, is home to the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail®, the first fly-fishing trail in the county. With over 92,000 trout stocked annually, the rivers that flow through the mountain towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, and Sylva, serve as a fly fisherman’s paradise year-round. As the leaves change and the temperatures cool, changes are also taking place along our rivers.  October and November are the optimal time of year to angle the Tuckasegee River, known affectionately by locals as ‘the Tuck’. Cooler waters mean more active fish, longer feeding periods, lengthier fly hatches, and plentiful stocking for your fly-fishing adventure. Longer Nights = More Bites  Summer’s long warm days are pleasant and bright for many, but the warmer water can have an adverse effect on the fish population. Warmer weather can create stress for the fish, making them conserve energy and spend the majority of the day not actively feeding. According to local guide shop Tuckasegee Fly Shop, autumn provides longer, cooler nights making the season a “sweet spot” for anglers. The benefit of long nights in the fall means more consistent water temperatures. The cooler the water, the more oxygenated it is, meaning more active fish and longer feeding periods throughout the day. Longer Hatches = More Snatches The fly hatches that fish feed on reap the benefit of the cool weather as well. Four main fly hatches can be found along the Fly Fishing Trail® in the fall: Midges, Stone Flies, May Flies, and Caddice […]

“Leaf” It All Behind with an Affordable Road Trip to Jackson County, NC

Fall leaf photo

“Leaf” It All Behind with an Affordable Road Trip to Jackson County, NC

The signs of Fall are everywhere: bright yellow school buses, football games, just a hint of coolness in the air, and – best of all – slight color changes in the leaves. The Jackson County, North Carolina area has one of the longest leaf seasons in the U.S., spanning from early October through mid-November. The area gifts almost two months of nature’s spectacular show, so there’s plenty of time to plan your own Great American Road Trip. Whether you’re traveling on two wheels or four (or more!), taking in the sights and deciding where to stop on your road trip is a big bonus. After all, you can’t do that on a plane. The journey becomes the destination, and it’s all part of the adventure! Budget conscious? Looking for insiders’ tips? We’ve got you. The charming towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, Sylva and places in between all have hidden gems that don’t cost a fortune. Here’s your checklist with tips for an affordable Fall adventure in Jackson County, N.C.! Travel During the Week Not only is there less traffic on the roads, but most accommodations also offer lower rates for weekday travel. Leaf peeping is incredibly popular on the weekends, so stand apart from the crowd and book a stay Sunday through Thursday. Take the Roads Less Traveled Jackson County is nestled between two amazing destinations managed by the National Park Service: Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Both will take you to some of […]

Made in the Mountains: Appalachian Art Abounds in Jackson County, NC

Made in the Mountains: Appalachian Art Abounds in Jackson County, NC

Jackson County, NC is rich with history and heritage rooted in Cherokee tradition and Appalachian culture. Though replicas may exist, there is no substitute for the handmade craftsmanship that fills our galleries, shops, museums and market stalls.   Plan your trip and follow this Guide to Your Appalachian Art Adventure in Jackson County!   Dogwood Crafters  A cooperative showcasing mountain arts, crafts and gifts, Dogwood Crafters has been a staple in Dillsboro since 1976 when it was founded using leftover bicentennial grant funding. Enter the log cabin-style galleries to find handmade treasures created by regional artisans who keep Appalachian craft traditions alive. Its ever-changing inventory features works from 100 or so artists who create everything from corn shuck dolls to wooden bowls to handmade quilts to stained glass to novelty birdhouses. Its hand-crafted items will surely be treasured and invoke fond memories of your time in the North Carolina Mountains.    Joel Queen Gallery  From traditional Cherokee pieces to North Carolina ceramics, pottery is plenty in Jackson County. Don’t miss Joel Queen Gallery, on U.S. Hwy. 441 in Whittier, where you’ll find imaginative work infused with Cherokee culture. Queen is a ninth-generation potter who traces his lineage through the Bigmeat family in the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. His black pottery, the most traditional of styles, is hand built, polished and fired in an open pit using hand-carved tools. You may also discover Queen’s stamped pottery, sculpture and wood carvings in this gallery.   Qualla Arts & Crafts  With more than 3,000 handmade, authentic […]

Stay Cool in a Mountain Lake in Jackson County, NC

Stay Cool in a Mountain Lake in Jackson County, NC

Ah, summertime on a lake! It’s a great way to beat the heat and make memories with family and friends. In Jackson County, NC, the lake life comes with a big bonus: gorgeous mountain vistas that cradle the pristine water.   Whether your favorite activity is boating, paddling, tubing, fishing or swimming, there’s a lake waiting just for you in Jackson County! Need to rent a boat or gear? Local marinas, outfitters and guides can help with that, too. And, before you go, don’t forget to plan for lodging and dining to take full advantage of all the area has to offer.   Here is your list of Jackson County lakes!   Lake Glenville: A Mountain Playground    Perched at 3,494 feet above sea level in southern Jackson County, Lake Glenville is known for being the highest lake east of the Mississippi River. But did you know it also boasts seven islands and four waterfalls?    Nestled among its 26 miles of shoreline (making it the largest in the county), the waterfalls – Hidden, Hurricane Creek, Mill Creek and Norton – gently spill into the glistening lake and are only accessible by boat. Discover them – and the islands – on your own or hop aboard with Lake Glenville Scenic Waterfall Cruises. Catch them at sunset for an extra-relaxing vibe!   Need a vessel? No problem! Signal Ridge Marina has pontoons, tritoons (which offer extra stability), canoes, kayaks and paddleboards for rent. The marina can even set you up with fishing gear, bait and your NC […]

The Best Places to Hear Live Music This Summer in the NC Mountains

The Best Places to Hear Live Music This Summer in the NC Mountains

In the summertime, music fills the mountains of Jackson County, North Carolina. From casual, free outdoor concert series in the cool mountain air to ticketed events featuring tribute bands and exceptional classical music ensembles, you’ll find it here!  Concerts on the Creek – Sylva    Held creekside every Friday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Sylva’s Bridge Park, Concerts on the Creek brings a variety of musical styles to its outdoor pavilion stage. Artists range from folk to bluegrass to pop, rock, soul, country, and reggae, from homegrown favorites to regionally known bands.    Upcoming shows include: July 7 – Arnold Hill; July 14 – Bird in Hand; July 21 – Dashboard Blue; July 28 – Lua Flora; August 4 – Tuxedo Junction; August 11 – TLQ+2; August 18 – Get Right Band; August 25 – Maggie Valley Band; and September 1 – PMA.  The shows are free, thanks to the Town of Sylva, Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department, and Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. Just bring a chair or blanket. Food truck vendors will most likely be on site, but picnic baskets and coolers are welcome, too. Dogs are welcome if they are friendly and kept on a leash.   And don’t forget your dancing shoes, as you’re sure to see concertgoers of all ages taking to the front of the stage to move and groove.  For more information about Concerts on the Creek, call 828-586-2719.  Groovin’ on the Green Summer Concert Series – Cashiers    The Village Green is […]