Thirty-two High Country Artisans to Exhibit at the Valle Country Fair on October 21, 2023

Last Updated on October 5, 2023 1:29 pm

VALLE CRUCIS, NC — Thirty-two High Country artists are among the 140exhibitors chosen to sell their creations at the 45th annual Valle Country Faircoming up Saturday, October 21. The work they will be offering for sale is alloriginal to the artist, handcrafted and/or artistically created by the exhibitor.

“Although there may be several booths selling work fashioned in the same artisticmedium,” said arts & crafts committee co-chair Carolyn Shepherd, “each artisanwas selected because they have a unique style and point of view that differentiatestheir work from the others.”

The Valle Country Fair is held on the third Saturday in October (Saturday, October21, 2023). The festivities spread out across a large hayfield on the grounds of theValle Crucis Conference Center on NC Highway 194. Admission is free andparking is available in the adjoining field for $10 per car. PETS ARE NOTPERMITTED AT THE FAIR.

The fairgrounds teem with crafts booths, food tents, musical stages anddemonstrations of harvest traditions like pressing apples into cider and stirringapplesauce over an open fire until it becomes the thick, sweet condiment that isapple butter. Tents are set up along wide lanes that meander back and forth acrossthe meadow. Bales of hay are stacked in the intersections of these walkways tooffer fairgoers places to sit while they ponder which booths to visit next.

Exhibitors submit to a jury process designed to make certain that all work meetsthe Fair's primary requirement “to be original in design, form, and concept,” as wellas to ensure that shoppers will have a wide variety of artistic media to choose from.

“We have shoppers who come each year to see what new work their favoriteexhibitors have added to their portfolios,” continued Shepherd, “and others whocome to see what kind of wares the new exhibitors (who have never showed at theVCF before) are bringing to the mix.” There are 20 first-time exhibitors participatingin 2023, which Shepherd says is a few more than average.

“A surprising number of the artists tell us that this is their favorite show,” Shepherdsaid. “And these are people who travel across several states attending multipleshows a year.

“They like the people and the atmosphere, and they like the reason our communityworks so tirelessly to put on a quality event,” she said. “The artists appreciate thatnet proceeds from the Fair go back into the community to help those less fortunate.As a show of support for the mission behind the event, the artists donate 10% oftheir earnings back to the charitable work of the Fair.”

Over its first 45 years, the Valle Country Fair raised more than one million dollarsfor human services and emergency relief in the High Country. Last year the Fairput $55,000 back into the community through grants that support the programmingof local non-profit organizations and through financial assistance to local familieswith emergency needs.

Recipients of grants from the 2023 Valle Country Fair are Amorem, the Children'sCouncil, the Community Care Clinic, The Hearts of Hospitality House, the Hunger& Health Coalition, Jason Project, Mountain Alliance, Parkway After SchoolProgram, Valle Crucis School PTSO and WAMY. The outreach committee at HolyCross Church distributes all remaining proceeds to help local families.

Traffic to and from the Fair has improved greatly over the past two years sinceorganizers created two entrances to the Fairgrounds. During the morning hours,traffic managers direct vehicles off NC 194 and onto the fairgrounds via twodifferent gates, meaning that fairgoers spend less time on the road waiting to getinto the event. When traffic arriving at the Fair slows down around mid-day, thesecond gate is converted into a second exit, allowing cars departing thefairgrounds to get back on the highway quickly and easily.

The single-day harvest festival is held in a large hayfield located alongside NCHighway 194 between Valle Crucis and Banner Elk. Admission to the Valle CountryFair is FREE and parking is available in the adjoining field for $10 per car, $25 fora small bus or van, and $50 for a motor coach. NO PETS are allowed.

Media sponsors for VCF 2022 are Curtis Media Group and Mountain TimesPublications.

The event is produced by Holy Cross Episcopal Church in cooperation with theValle Crucis Conference Center. Proceeds are used to provide grants to local nonprofitorganizations, and relief to local families with emergency needs. For moreinformation, contact Holy Cross Church at 828-963-4609 or visit the Fair on theWeb at www.vallecountryfair.org.

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