March Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds Ramp It Up! 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM This festival highlights two of our mountain delicacies: trout and pungent, wild onion/garlic-like ramps. Held in conjunction with trout season opening on the Qualla Boundary, the festival includes music, our fourth annual horseshoe competition, a barbeque cook off and a trout-and-ramp feast! Leaf Lookers Gemboree October The mountains of Western North Carolina will be alive with more than fall color as the 19th Annual Leaf Lookers Gemboree opens its doors to the public on Friday, October 17. This gem & mineral show is an annual favorite of visitors to the area looking to get a head start on holiday shopping. Dealers from across the United States will offer everything from fine jewelery to rough and cut gems and minerals. For additional information call 800-336-7829. Western North Carolina Pottery Festival The small mountain town of Dillsboro will be covered up in pottery when it hosts the 4th Western North Carolina Pottery Festival on Saturday, Nov. 1. The works of three dozen master potters will be on display and for sale at the event. The juried festival spotlights the work of clay artists across the Eastern U.S. Throughout the day, potters will share their knowledge through hands-on demonstrations that include raku firing, throwing, wood-firing and horsehair firing. An annual highlight is the opening of the wood-fired coffin kiln at Tree House Pottery. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Admission is $2 per person and includes a ticket for a day-long raffle. Children under 12 are admitted free. Singing in the Smokies The Gospel music quartet, the Inspirations, has hosted this annual Singing In The Smokies at  Inspiration Park, located between Bryson City, NC and nearby Cherokee, NC. Singing in the Smokies is a popular event with Southern Gospel fans. Strawberry Jam Festival  A celebration of mountain music and agriculture! Live demonstrations of blacksmithing and mountain workhorse tasks blend with local arts and crafts, plenty of music, and loads of fresh strawberries to make this a very special event! Darnell Farms. US Hwy 19E. Take Exit 69, US Hwy 74. May 17, 2008 828-488-7889 June The Museum of the Cherokee Indian Cherokee Voices Festival — The very best storytellers, dancers, musicians, and craftspeople of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are represented for a day of culture and fun. Whether you want to brush up on your Cherokee or dance the day away - this event has it all! 828-497-3481 Festival of Flowers April -May Discover why Biltmore's "Festival of Flowers" is the perfect place for spring delights. Glorious gardens full of vibrant blooms, Biltmore House dressed in floral splendor, exceptional wines to sample, and 8,000 acres of Blue Ridge beauty to explore. Heritage Festival Weekend Memorial Day Weekend Heritage Festival Weekend This 2 day Heritage Festival has it all! Friday night entertainment is loaded with local talent featuring an emphasis on old – time gospel. Saturday entertainment is as varied as the region - a highlands pipe and drum corps, classic country and bluegrass, or high energy newgrass. In addition to music, the festival offers local arts and crafts, food, games for the kids, and fun for the whole family! Bryson City Riverfront Park Mitchell Street, Exit 67 from Hwy. 74 828-488-3681, 800-867-9246. June Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds Gospel Jubilee Weekend — Local and international Christian groups will converge to share the “Good News” through song at the first Cherokee Gospel Jubilee. Day One will feature Christian Contemporary music sure to please the young and young at heart. Day Two will feature the Crabb Family and other Southern Gospel greats, including local groups. Day Three will be a Sunday service with a guest inspirational speaker and more gospel music favorites. There will also be vendors, crafts and food! Don’t miss the Cherokee Gospel Jubilee! Dillsboro Special Events Darnell Farms Produce Stand and Saturday Night Free Local Mountain Music Mountain Heritage Day Stecoah Valley Center Bele Chere: the Largest Outdoor Festival in Asheville Music in the Mountains Bryson City Every Saturday Night June  - the end of October     6:30pm-8:30pm. Bluegrass and old-time mountain music. Live, free, across from the Bryson City Great Smoky Mountains Railroad parking lot. Bring a chair or blanket. RAILFEST Great Smoky Mountains Railroad   Visiting equipment from North Carolina Transportation museum, motor car display, musical performances, mountain crafts and local entertainment.   1-800-872-4681 Mountain Farm Museum September  Sorghum syrup demonstration using horse-powered cane mill & wood-fired cooker. Hearth cooking, hominy making, apple butter, apple cider, soap making & traditional music. Mountain Farm Museum, Oconaluftee Visitor Center at Great Smoky Mountains National Park 828-497-1904.  Demonstrations include soap making, hearth cooking, hominy, apple butter and cider, plus a working cane mill and wood – fired cooker used for the making of sorghum syrup. Mountain Farm Museum, Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee. The Maple Leaf Festival, Whittier October   Area artists and crafters, heritage and holiday exhibits, flea market, music and food. Whittier Main Street, Take Exit 72 off Hwy. 74.  828-497-2393. Inspirations Labor Day Festival Bryson City Inspirations  Gospel music weekend featuring some of the nation's most famous gospel music groups. Take exit 69 off Hwy 74 or use Hwy 19 to Hyatt Creek Road. 828-497-2060. Inspirations Fall Color Festival Bryson City October   Inspirations  Gospel music in a beautiful mountain top setting featuring many well-known groups. Inspiration Park, Take Exit 69 off Hwy. 74 or Hwy. 19 to Hyatt Creek Road. 828-497-2060. Memorial Day Pow Wow Memorial Day Pow Wow is a full weekend of native dance, food, arts, crafts, and entertainment - an excellent introduction to the Cherokee culture. Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds.Exit 74 (US 441), US Hwy 74. 800-438-1601 Cherokee Gourd Festival June  This event is truly unique! Featuring classes and workshops on all facets of gourd manufacture and design. All this in a fun and lively festival atmosphere. Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds, Exit 74 (Hwy 441), US Hwy 74. 800-438-1601 Cherokee Voices Festival June Museum of Cherokee Indian The Cherokee Voices festival brings together the best storytellers, dancers, musicians, and craftspeople of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for a day of culture and fun. Eleven thousand years packed into one memorable day. Free to all Cherokee Visitors. The Cherokee Voices Festival  June The very best storytellers, dancers, musicians, and craftspeople of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are represented for a day of culture and fun. Whether you want to brush up on your Cherokee or dance the day away – this event has it all! The Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Exit (US 441), US Hwy 74. 828-497-3481. Festival of Native Peoples Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds 498 Tsali Blvd Cherokee, NC This year our annual gathering of tribes from throughout the Americas expands into a showcase of native dance, art and culture. The Festival of Native Peoples is an exposition of non-competitive dance, storytelling and song performances expressing the collected history, culture, tradition and wisdom of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. And for 2007, juried artists and artisans will also display, show and sell their beautiful work. The Cherokee Festival of Native Peoples is unique event that is not to be missed.   July 17-19, 2008 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9xnDccFvaw July Powwow   Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds On the first full weekend in July fireworks happen as a two-day display of authentic Indian dancing, drumming and tribal regalia. Dance competitions http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPozR8Bh30Q September Qualla Arts Open Air Indian Market Cherokee, North Carolina Witness bead making, basket weaving, sculpture, and woodwork being crafted by Cherokee Artists October Annual Cherokee Indian Fair Cherokee, North Carolina Artwork , crafts, agricultural items and traditional food items made by local artisans, top entertainment This nearly century-old October celebration includes artwork, crafts, agricultural items and traditional food items made by local artisans. Vendors from throughout the region participate in craft sales, and top entertainment complements the visual feast. October Cherokee, North Carolina Cherokee Indian Fair — The fair began as a way for members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to showcase their arts and crafts and invite neighboring communities to the Qualla Boundary, the tribe’s traditional homeland. The fair has grown since its early days, but its original focus remains. This is a hugely popular event among Eastern Band members and a great opportunity for visitors to experience the fun, welcoming qualities of the Cherokee culture. October The Old Mill 1886 Fall Harvest Festival — Fall Harvest Festival at The Old Mill 1886 Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 The event will feature a variety of activities, including demonstrations from blacksmiths, corn-husk doll makers, local artisans and Cherokee crafters. The mill is located on U.S. 441 a mile south of Cherokee. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For festival information, call 828 497-6536 October Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, Inc Qualla Arts Open Air Indian Air Market — The Qualla Arts Open Air Indian Market returns for an autumn encore. See first-hand the time, patience and talent which go into each piece of authentic Cherokee artwork. Then satisfy your urge to have as your own an heirloom quality art piece, through the purchase of these beautiful works in stone or wood sculpture, bead work, basket weaving. June, Cherokee, NC, North Carolina State Bluegrass Fest, Featuring many top name bluegrass entertainers. , 706-864-7203 The Rainbow and Ramps, Chief's Horseshoe Tournament and Honor the Elders Day March           Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds This festival highlights two of NC mountain delicacies: trout and pungent, wild oniony,garlic-like ramps. Held in conjunction with the opening of trout season on the Qualla Boundary, the ramp festival includes music, horseshoe competition, a barbeque cook off and a trout-and-ramp feast! Annual Taste of Scotland Festival Franklin, NC