The dogwoods are blooming and the festival that kicks off the warm season returns.
The Greening Up the Mountains Festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary on Saturday, April 22 beginning at 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
The festival is held in historical downtown Sylva, with the Town of Sylva and the Main Street Sylva Association as hosts.
People travel near and far in North Carolina and surrounding states, averaging 10,000 people each year. The celebration of the greening leaves and Appalachian arts is what makes this festival special.
Over 150 vendors are expected this year sharing an array of arts and crafts, music, food, and beverages.
“We had an overwhelming response from all vendors and were filled to capacity by the end of February,” said Mark Haskett, festival director.
Non-profit vendors will be in attendance, and live music will be performed throughout the day at the Bridge Park music stage.
The live music performance at Bridge Park schedule follows:
10-10:45 a.m.- Asheville Junction
11-11:45 a.m.- Seth and Sara
12-12:45 p.m.- Maggie Valley Band
1-1:45 p.m.- Fuzzy Peppers
2-2:45 p.m.- Lua Flora
3-3:45 p.m.- Bird In Hand
Food and beverage vendors will be in the gravel parking lot next to Bridge Park, while arts and craft vendors will be located along Main Street. There will be two vendors serving local craft beer as well as the local breweries.
A 5k race will take place this year, beginning at 9 a.m. The race will begin and end at 86 Mark Watson Park in Sylva. The award ceremony will begin at 9 a.m.
The course will lead participants at Mark Watson Park to cross over on Business 23 towards Old Dillsboro Rd. Continuing in Monteith Park and circle around to the same route back to Mark Watson Park. The course will consist of both gravel and paved sections.
125 shirts will be given out this year in support of the race.
Roads are to be expected open with course support at two major intersections.
Families and individuals of all ages are welcome to participate, as this year there are 100 to 125 people to be determined. Proceeds gathered will go to the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department for future races and events.
To register, visit Greening Up the Mountains 5k.
Those with the Green Energy Park will be showcasing skills of blacksmithing and glass blowing throughout the day.
Children can look forward to story-telling, face painting, mascots, a balloon artist, and a fly-casting contest.
The Main Street Sylva Association is celebrating the festival by providing a raffle.
Guests can submit their name at one of the information booths to potentially win a prize from a local vendor.
Names may be submitted from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The winner will be announced at 2:30 p.m. from the music stage.
This year, the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority will provide two water stations for the duration of the event located at Bridge Park and the intersection of Main Street and Landis Street.
These water stations will be the final step of a sustainability plan that has been taking place for the last three years in an effort to minimize the environmental impact caused by festival activities, according to Haskett.
“The GUTM planning committee will have reusable water bottles with the festival logo on them available at the two information booths for as long as supplies last,” said Haskett.
There will be no need to stress about if weather permits, Haskett shares the festival is on rain or shine.
COVID-19 restrictions won’t be regulated. Vendors are set to be 4 feet apart and hand sanitizer stations nearby.
Jackson County EMS will be present for the duration of the event for medical attention if needed.
The festivities don’t end at 4 p.m. Local bistro Quirky Birds Treehouse in Dillsboro, NC will be hosting Greening Up the Mountains After Party.
It begins at 5 p.m. with live music performance by local Moody Bridge, Second Heaven, and The Fuzzy Peppers.
To learn more, visit Greening Up the Mountains.
