One of Jackson County’s longest-running festivals will be returning this year but will have a new date. After having to completely cancel last year due to COVID19, the annual Greening Up the Mountains Festival, typically held each Spring, has been rescheduled for August 28, 2021.
The delay will give more time for COVID19 statistics to continue improving. The GUTM Committee said that they will continue to monitor COVID 19 protocols and the festival will be conducted in compliance with the recommendations in place at that time.
The Greening Up the Mountains Festival, now in its 24th 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 is held in historical downtown Sylva, North Carolina.
The Greening Up The Mountains Festival enjoys crowds upwards 12,000 attendees and has 175 vendor booth spaces. In addition to a variety of arts, crafts, and food vendors, attendees can enjoy a 5k run, youth talent contest, beverage arts featuring local craft breweries, and live music throughout the day on two stages.
The annual festival, which first began as an Earth Day celebration, has become an important staple for area businesses and civic groups. The event specifically focuses on the sustainability and promotion of local businesses and civic groups — giving them a stage of thousands of people in one day.
The event features multiple music stages highlighting local bands, children’s performances, dancers, and a talent show. Throughout the all-day event, there are children’s activities such as storytelling, face painting, an inflatable slide, and more, making the event perfect for the whole family.
Featured craft demonstrators typically include woodcarvers, cane chair makers, corn shuck doll crafters, basket makers, crochet artists, knitters, and more. The event also always features plenty of food options, including traditionally-made mixed pickles and old-fashioned ice cream.
Vendor applications will be available on the organization’s website beginning April 15, 2021, and the final deadline for accepting applications will be July 2, 2021.
As always, Greening Up the Mountains will be on the lookout for sponsorships and volunteers to assist with creating a safe and fun event for everyone in the community. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or volunteering with the planning or on festival day, please email the event coordinator at greeningupthemountains@gmail.com.
For more information, call 828-631-4587, e-mail greeningupthemountains@gmail.com, visit the website at www.greeningupthemountains.com, like the event on Facebook or call the Town of Sylva at 828-586-2719.
Be First to Comment