Mars Hill Heritage Festival

Posted on by Alli Marshall

The Mars Hill Heritage Festival has a 19 year tradition as a street fair-style event, offering crafts and local foods in complement to the music of the Lunsford Festival at Mars Hill University. “The two festivals run currently and side-by-side and most folks don’t realize it’s two separate events,” says festival coordinator Rod Bowling. “Either festival could stand on its own as a destination event. The fact that they are concurrent only makes for a more enriched experience for the festival-goer.”

Preserving traditions and celebrating heritage is a custom of significance. With local honey, painted gourds and handmade hats as some of the offerings, there will be over 100 vendors at this year’s event.  “Local craft is a highlight,” says Bowling with a nod towards the many regionally-based craft organizations that have a historical tie to the county. “Handmade in America, the Folk Art Center and other notable craft organizations have their roots in Madison County.” — Steph Guinan

WHAT: Mars Hill Heritage Festival, marshillheritagefestival.org
WHERE: Main Street, Mars Hill, See website for parking and shuttle information.
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

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About Alli Marshall
Alli Marshall has lived in Asheville for more than 20 years and loves live music, visual art, fiction and friendly dogs. She is the winner of the 2016 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize and the author of the novel "How to Talk to Rockstars," published by Logosophia Books. Follow me @alli_marshall
View all posts by Alli Marshall →

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