Story originally published in The Sylva Herald, March 9 edition.
The first leaves to fall are on the top of the mountain. There is no festival.
But when the first green at the bottom of the mountainsides starts working its way up it is time to wear bright clothes, get out into fresh spring air and enjoy the greening up, both the phenomenon and the festival in Sylva.
The 25th annual Greening Up the Mountains Festival returns from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 22, in downtown Sylva to celebrate the arrival of spring.
Greening Up the Mountains Festival is an arts event, sponsored by the town of Sylva and the Main Street Sylva Association, welcoming in spring through modern and traditional forms of art reminiscent of Appalachian heritage. Visitors can enjoy various mediums and styles with the 175 vendor booth spaces available this year.
This festival began as an Earth Day celebration in its early years and continues to carry values of sustainability, supporting local businesses and ethical spending. This year, festival organizers have arranged with Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority to set up water stations in downtown Sylva.
“We’re eliminating plastic water bottles and to do that, water will be available to refill water containers or use the small recyclable cups we provide for anyone who wants or needs it,” said first-year coordinator Mark Haskett.
Water would also be provided “for our four-legged, furry friends who might attend,” he said.
Organizers anticipate a large turnout this year, having reached vendor capacity after adding more vendor spaces from previous years, Haskett said.
“We’re looking at upwards of 150 vendors this year,” he said. “Lots of arts and crafts or even blacksmithing and glass-blowing.”
There has been an emphasis this year on attractions for the younger audience.
“This year I wanted to try to add a little more for the children ”Haskett said. “So, we’ll have children’s entertainers, balloon artists, mascots from Western Carolina University and so on.”
With the festival comes the Greening Up the Mountain 5K Run set for 9 a.m. followed by the award ceremony at 10 a.m.
Greening Up the Mountains will offer booths and activities on Main Street and at Bridge Park. Live music on the Bridge Park stage begins at 10 a.m. and lasts throughout the event.
There is no admission fee to see:
• 10-10:45 a.m., Asheville Junction.
• 11-11:45 p.m., Seth & Sara.
• Noon-12:45 p.m., The Maggie Valley Band.
1-1:45 p.m., The Fuzzy Peppers.
• 2-2:45 p.m., Lua Flora.
• 3-4 p.m., Bird In Hand
“It’s like the first big party of the year,” Said Haskett “In the third week of April we start to get the warm weather, and everyone can enjoy it for the first time since fall.”
Brew Hop
The sixth annual Brew Hop returns to Sylva on April 1 in downtown Sylva, from 3-7 p.m. at $35 a person. All participants will receive two 4 oz. tasters from each brewery and a Brew Hop souvenir glass.
Concerts on the Creek
The Town of Sylva, Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department and Jackson County Chamber of Commerce team up to produce the Concerts on the Creek series at Bridge Park every Friday from 7-9 p.m., typically from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends.
The 14th annual season starts May 26 (Memorial Day weekend) and ends on Sept. 1 (Labor Day weekend), a total of 15 Concerts on the Creek, with the Fireworks Festivities and concert on Tuesday, July 4, sprinkled in for good measure.
Here is the 2023 schedule, with all shows from 7-9 p.m. on Fridays unless otherwise indicated:
- June 2: Darren Nicholson Band, bluegrass/Americana/traditional country.
• June 9: Andrew Theltson Band, rock covers and originals first hour, Fleetwood Mac covers second hour.
• June 16: Robbie Litt Band, rock and country originals and covers.
• June 23: Gotcha Groove, classic R&B, soul, beach and pop/rock covers.
• June 30: Twisted Trail Band, southern country and rock originals and covers.
• Tuesday, July 4: Fireworks Festivities, Carolina Soul Band, soul/Motown/beach/R&B classics (6:30-9:30 p.m.).
• July 7: Arnold Hill, rock/country originals/covers.
• July 14: Bird in Hand, Appalachian folk/Americana originals & covers.
• July 21: Dashboard Blue, classic beach/pop/rock classics.
• July 28: Lua Flora, folk/reggae.
• Aug. 4: Tuxedo Junction, classic hits.
• Aug. 11: TLQ+2, classic rock and pop hits.
• Aug. 18: Get Right Band, psychedelic indie rock originals.
• Aug. 25: Maggie Valley Band, Appalachian/Americana folk rock.
• Sept. 1: PMA, roots/reggae/dub/fusion.
Concerts on the Creek are free with donations encouraged. Dogs must be on a leash. No smoking, vaping, coolers or tents are allowed, chairs or blankets recommended. Food trucks are available on select nights.
For more information, contact the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce at 586-2155, visit the Facebook page or online at www.mountainlovers.com.
