The Valle Country Fair

VALLE CRUCIS, NC — The colors, flavors, sights and sounds of harvest season in the Blue Ridge Mountains all come together at the Valle Country Fair in scenic Valle Crucis, North Carolina, from 9 am until 4 pm on October 17th.  Started as a fundraiser for a little country church, it has grown into an annual happening that attracts thousands and raised more than $40,000 for High Country charities in 2013.

Always held in Valle Crucis, North Carolina, on the third Saturday in October, the Valle Country Fair takes over the grounds of the Valle Crucis Conference Center on NC Highway 194 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.  Admission is free and ample parking is available in the adjoining field for $10 per car, $25 for a small bus or van, and $50 for a motor coach.

The Fair takes place in a huge meadow between a picturesque red barn and a field of sorghum.  The tents of 150 craft exhibitors line wide lanes that meander back and forth across the grounds.  Bales of hay are stacked in the intersections of these alleys to offer fairgoers a spot to sit as they ponder which craft booths to visit next. 

Exhibitors are juried to find the highest quality handmade crafts available, and to insure that there are a wide variety of unique products available for the shoppers.  Exhibitors selected for the event donate at least ten percent of their earnings back to the charitable work of the Fair.

Two stages are set up to provide entertainment throughout the day.  The stage located near the dining tent features the best in local mountain music.  The youth stage located near the live alpacas, face painters and sand artist booth feature cloggers and other younger performers. Acts expected to perform include Tom Shirley, The Holy Smokes, Emily Stewart and the Baby Teeth, The Major Sevens, Jody Watson, Brett McDonough and the Babyteeth, Kinsey Green and the Bluegrass Mafia, Jodi Howald, Elise Sigmon and Appalachian Rhythm Cloggers and Amber Henley and the High Country Cloggers.

The Kids Area, added in 2013, is expected to be bigger, better and even more fun in 2014.  Activities include pumpkin carving, making fall crafts, old-fashioned carnival games, and a kids market where kids can set up their own booth to sell their own crafts.  Kids of all ages will also find their favorite fall-festival treats, including kettle corn, cotton candy and candied apples!

Eat all you want at the Valle Country Fair because almost all of the food concessions are operated by the church or by other non-profit organizations that return 100 percent of their earnings to local charities.  Tables and chairs are provided under a large tent next to the music stage so that fairgoers can enjoy the entertainment while they dine.

Food concessions include Brunswick Stew, barbecue, chili, hot dogs and hamburgers, corndogs, sausage with onions, ham biscuits, ice cream, funnel cakes, baked goods, jams and jellies, fresh-pressed apple cider, and hot-out-of-the kettle apple butter.

The 2014 Valle Country Fair grant recipients were the Appalachian Seniors Program, Caregiver’s Haven, Avery County Council on Aging, Children’s Council of Watauga County, Club 12, Community Care Clinic, Hunger and Health Coalition, Parent to Parent Family Support Network-High Country, Reaching Avery Ministry, Emergency Food Pantry and the Western Youth Network.  The outreach committee at Holy Cross Church distributes all remaining proceeds to individuals and families in crisis.

For more information, contact Holy Cross Church at 828-963-4609 or visit the Fair on the Web at www.vallecountryfair.org.