Cashiers fifth annual Leaf Festival slated for Oct. 11-13

Fifth annual Leaf Festival planned Oct. 11-13: Features music, arts, crafts, food and more

By Kelly Donaldson
The Greater Cashiers Area Merchants Association (GCAMA) is busy planning for the 2013 fifth annual Leaf Festival, scheduled for Columbus Day weekend, Oct. 11-13, at the Village Green and Commons in Cashiers, N.C.

Held each year as the leaves begin to change in this beautiful mountain village nestled at 3,487 feet in elevation, this free event has grown tremendously since its inception in 2009.

This year’s festival expects to welcome around 100 artisans and merchants scattered throughout the Village Green and Commons park, located directly in the center of Cashiers adjacent to the crossroads of Highways 64 and 107.

Visitors will find unique handcrafted wood, pottery, jewelry and much more on display and available for purchase throughout the weekend. There will be plenty of food and drinks available in both parking lots behind the two stages of the park, which will be filled with live music throughout the weekend.

Highlighting this year’s musical lineup is a special Friday night, Oct. 11 concert by Deja Vu, a Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young tribute band based out of Athens, Ga. Take a trip back to the psychedelic 1960s with an intimate evening under the tent with this amazing group, led by John Keane. Keane is a powerful musical force of his own, having shared the stage and/or produced records for the likes of Widespread Panic, REM and the Indigo Girls.

The Friday night concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., and end at 10:15 p.m. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. This will be the only event of the weekend requiring a purchased ticket. There will be a full cash bar including a moonshine margarita bar and a culinary cafe. Everyone is encouraged to dress in their favorite clothing from the 60s-era. Concert ticket prices are $25 for general admission and VIP tickets for $65 per person, which includes valet parking, a reserved table, and a dinner voucher at the culinary cafe. Advanced ticket sale locations are at Bear Paw Design/Robins Nest and Midnight Farms. There will be a presale only for VIP tickets, as a limited number of tables are available. To purchase tickets online, visit www.dejavucashiers.eventbrite.com/. For more information, call 828-743-8428. No pets, coolers or chairs will be allowed at this one event only.

Live music is scheduled from 12 to 5 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 12-13 by 12 acts on two different stages. All of these shows are free and open to the public. Most of these performers are local and regional acts, ranging in genre from singer/songwriters, to jazz, blues, Americana, bluegrass, rock, soul, funk, and much more.

Sunday’s festival finale on the Village Commons stage features popular new regional band Soldier’s Heart with special guest Darren Nicholson of the WNC award-winning bluegrass band Balsam Range. Don’t miss this special one of a kind performance.

Following is the music schedule:
Friday, Oct. 11 at Village Commons
7:30-10:15 p.m.- Deja Vu

Saturday, Oct. 12 at Village Green
12-1- Mountain Dulcimer Group of Highlands
1:30-3- Mountain Eric Young
3:30-5- Tyler Kittle Trio

Saturday, Oct. 12 at Village Commons
12-1- Stan Roberts and Tami Dove
1:30-3- Andrew Scotchie and the River Rats
3:30-5- Nikki Talley

Sunday, Oct. 13 at Village Green
12-1- Tina Eno
1:30-3- Benny Queen and John Warren
3:30-5- Zorki & Friends

Sunday, Oct. 13 at Village Commons
12-1- Blues Mountain
1:30-3- Owner of the Sun
3:30-5- Soldier’s Heart with special guest Darren Nicholson

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Friday, Oct. 11, and run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on both Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 12-13.
Event sponsorships, volunteers and vendor opportunities are still available for artisans, merchants, non-profits and more.
For more information about the 2013 GCAMA fifth annual Leaf Festival, visit www.visitcashiersvalley.com, e-mail info@visitcashiersvalley.com, or call 828-743-8428.