Calendar of Events
Keep up to date and enjoy the events happenings in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Jackson County North Carolina.
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August 2019
Resounding Change: Sonic Art and the Environment
Featuring contemporary artists who explore environmental issues through sound. The works in the exhibition, which range from a large-scale video installation to more intimate encounters with sound, ask questions about listening, ecology, empathy, climate change, and more. A visiting artist event with Raven Chacon, including a reception and gallery talk, will be hosted on Thursday, September 5 from 5-7 p.m. Above: Alexa Hatanaka, Patrick Thompson, Raven Chacon, Danny Osbourne, Sarah McNair-Landry, Eric McNair-Landry, and Erik Boomer, Gauge, 2013-2015, three-channel sound…
Find out more »Chakaia Booker: Auspicious Behavior
Experience a series of dynamic prints and Booker's signature sculptures made from repurposed tires. Her work addresses African-American identity, racial and economic inequality, and environmental concerns. A visiting artist event with Chakaia Booker will be held on Thursday, October 10 from 5-7p.m. with a reception and gallery talk, following will be a presentation from Booker in the Bardo Arts Center Performance Hall from 7-8p.m. Above: Chakaia Booker, Splitting Moment, 2007, Recycled Tires, 45 x 26 x 15 inches.
Find out more »October 2019
ETHEL + Robert Mirabal: The River
ETHEL, acclaimed adventurous string quartet + Robert Mirabal, Native American musician, instrument builder, and three-time GRAMMY® Award winner, present their next evolution of the cross-cultural concert experience. Their piece, “The River”, immerses the audiences in a flow of music, narrative, and ritual that evokes timeless Native American traditions through contemporary musical artistry.
Find out more »November 2019
WNC Pottery Festival
Showcasing the work of more than 40 master potters from 13 states. This year’s festival has 16 new potters from across the country and will be held at Sylva’s Bridge Park. A variety of clay art styles will be presented. Pre-show events – including the Clay Olympics – will be held on Friday, Nov. 1 from 1 to 3 p.m. The event is juried and the lineup of potters is impressive. The event has been named one of the “Top…
Find out more »Rumble in the Rhododendron Fly Fishing Tournament
What could be better than a day out on the water with your best friend fly fishing? How about competing together for your share of $10,000 in the Rumble in the Rhododendron Fly Fishing Tournament. This two-person team tournament has a $250 entry fee and a $10,000 payout for the top 10 teams. Registration is available at the River’s Edge Outfitters in Cherokee, North Carolina, and further information will be available at the opening meeting on November 1 at 7…
Find out more »An Evening With David Sedaris
New York Times best-selling author and celebrated NPR correspondent, David Sedaris, comes to the WCU Bardo Arts Center stage! With sardonic wit and incisive social critiques, David Sedaris has become one of America’s pre-eminent humor writers. The evening includes live readings of new material, Q&A, and pre/post-show book signing!
Find out more »Sylva Rotary Club Turkey Trot 5K
Do you have what it takes to endure a Thanksgiving meal and a 5K run? With the Sylva Rotary Club Turkey Trot 5K, you can kick off your holiday season by working off your stuffing. This event will kick off right in the middle of Western Carolina University's campus. The race has become a favorite way to make room for the turkey and pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving morning!
Find out more »Gobble on the Green
Cashiers invites you to work off that stuffing at their annual Gobble on the Green 5K. Enjoy the best of the holiday season by embarking on this fun-filled event located on The Village Green Commons in Cashiers. Create a new Thanksgiving family tradition this year by attending this special event.
Find out more »Christmas in Sylva, a Holiday weekend
Kick off the holidays with Christmas in Sylva, a Holiday weekend. Our event starts with the official tree lighting and concert on the historical courthouse steps Friday night. Storefronts on Main and Mill Streets will be done up for Christmas and open for holiday shopping. Santa will make an early visit Saturday for photos. A Winter Market on Main Street Saturday afternoon will feature local crafters and food. Live music will add a festive touch to the Market. The Sylva…
Find out more »Mountain Artisans Hard Candy Christmas
Over a hundred regional artisans have their handmade on display for sale in this folk and heritage craft show. This is a two-day show over Nov. 29 and 30, 2019. The show has everything from quilters to soap makers, basket makers, leather craftsmen, master jewelers and more. Started in 1987, the event has grown every year and now takes place at Western Carolina University's Ramsey Center in Cullowhee, North Carolina. Children under 12 free & free parking.
Find out more »Santa on the Green & Cashiers Christmas Tree Lighting
The park becomes a winter wonderland! Children of all ages are invited to come and tell Santa Claus their Christmas wishes. The Festival of Trees celebrates one of the area's greatest industries and showcases local businesses. After the holiday season, the evergreen trees are planted in The Village Green for continued enjoyment. Cashiers Christmas Tree Lighting Holiday music, s'mores and more! The highlight will be the lighting of the Cashiers Christmas Tree. 2-5 p.m. Visit with Santa at the Gazebo;…
Find out more »December 2019
Sylva Christmas Parade
Downtown Sylva's annual Christmas parade draws hundreds to Historic Main Street for celebration, cheer and a chance to see Santa. This year's theme is "Christmas Past & Present," featuring 50+ floats usually starts at and ends at Mark Watson Park after a loop through town. The start time is 3 p.m., and the parade lasts 45 minutes to an hour. For more information please call 828-586-2719 or click here.
Find out more »Dillsboro Lights & Luminaries
Journey back to the days of yesteryear. Experience the magic as the entire town is transformed into a winter wonderland of lights, candles, laughter and song! 2500 luminaries light your way to shops and studios. Horse and buggy rides are available each night and shopkeepers provide live music and serve holiday treats with hot cider and cocoa. Carolers sing and children visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and there is a live Nativity at Jarrett Memorial Baptist Church. The event…
Find out more »Dillsboro Lights & Luminaries
Journey back to the days of yesteryear. Experience the magic as the entire town is transformed into a winter wonderland of lights, candles, laughter and song! 2500 luminaries light your way to shops and studios. Horse and buggy rides are available each night and shopkeepers provide live music and serve holiday treats with hot cider and cocoa. Carolers sing and children visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and there is a live Nativity at Jarrett Memorial Baptist Church. The event…
Find out more »Cashiers Christmas Parade
Come out and Enjoy the 45th Annual Cashiers Christmas Parade at noon! The parade route starts at Old Cashiers School Road and proceeds on 107 North towards the Crossroads where attendees can enjoy live commentary of the parade on the amplifier system. The parade continues down Hwy 64 West ending at the Cashiers Community Center and Cashiers/Glenville Volunteer Fire Department. Watch a live streaming broadcast of the parade at www.sapphirevalley.com and use #CashiersNCChristmasParade with your own photos and videos. See you…
Find out more »February 2020
Outhouse Races
Join us for the exciting Outhouse Races, taking place on February 15, 2020 at 3pm in Sapphire. Crazy? Maybe. Dangerous? Perhaps. Fun? Without a doubt! You won't find Outhouse Races on Snow anywhere else in North Carolina! Dozens of 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 and burns or sails across the finish line. The Outhouse Races have been…
Find out more »March 2020
Assault on Blackrock
Sylva, NC’s extreme trail race The ninth annual Assault on BlackRock trail race has been set for Saturday, March 21, 2020. Trail running is extreme, and trail running in Sylva, North Carolina is no exception. How does running a seven-mile mountain 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 trail race weaves…
Find out more »April 2020
The Easter Hat Parade
Come at 10:30 am to make a hat (Dogwood Crafters on Webster Street) – or bring your own. Get your face painted!. Meet the Easter Bunny. Egg hunts begin on Webster Street, every half hour by age group beginning at 10:00 am. Registration begins at 11 am. Parade starts from Dillsboro Town Hall at 2:00 pm. Antique cars from the Old Timers Model A Club lead the parade. Calling all ladies, gentlemen, children and dogs. Grab your hat and join…
Find out more »Greening up the Mountains
The Greening Up the Mountains Festival, now in its 22nd year, is a heritage arts festival that celebrates the arrival of Spring through both traditional and contemporary forms of Appalachian art, music, food, and beverage which honor our community and local artisans. The festival is sponsored by both the Town of Sylva and the Main Street Sylva Association and will be held in historical downtown Sylva, North Carolina. The Greening Up The Mountains Festival enjoys crowds upwards 12,000 attendees and has…
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