Schedule

Mountain Heritage Days 2026 Schedule

September 21 - 26, 2026

The Mountain Heritage Days Festival features a full weekend of live music, traditional craft demonstrations, family activities, food vendors, and cultural experiences throughout the campus of 91女神.

Please Note: This schedule is preliminary. Event times, performers, and locations are subject to change. Check back for the latest updates.

 

Monday, September 21

Historic canvas tent on display with two visitors viewing museum exhibits about frontier life and quilts.

People of Colonial North Carolina Opening Reception
3:00PM - 7:00 PM | Mountain Heritage center

Kick off Mountain Heritage Days with the opening reception for People of Colonial North Carolina , a new exhibit exploring the lives, cultures, and communities that shaped early North Carolina. During the evening, guests can also enjoy the featured presentation, Women in Early Colonial America, offering a deeper look at the experiences and contributions of women during the colonial era.

 

 

Tuesday, September 22

Jackson county field day
time: tbd | location: tbd

Mountain Heritage Days welcomes Jackson County second-grade students for a day of interactive learning and hands-on activities celebrating Appalachian history, culture, and traditions. This educational event inspires young learners to explore the rich heritage of Western North Carolina.

 

Wednesday, September 23

Two women wearing sunglasses holding wooden corn cob holders at outdoor event with yellow table.

appalachian craft demonstrations
11:00am - 1:00pm | catafount

Meet talented regional artisans and watch traditional Appalachian crafts come to life through live demonstrations. Learn about the techniques, history, and craftsmanship that have been passed down through generations.

 

 

Thursday, September 24

rooted in the mountains conference
Time: TBD | Location: TBD

The Rooted in the Mountains Symposium brings together scholars, artists, educators, and community members to explore the history, culture, and contemporary issues of Southern Appalachia through engaging presentations, discussions, and workshops.

 

Friday, September 25

rooted in the mountains conference
Time: TBD | Location: TBD

The symposium continues with another day of presentations and conversations highlighting Appalachian history, culture, and regional storytelling.

 
Outdoor picnic event in park with attendees seated in folding chairs under pavilion surrounded by trees.

 

Pickin' in the Park featuring Unspoken Tradition
6:00 PM | Bridge park, sylva

Spend the evening in downtown Sylva enjoying live bluegrass music from Unspoken Tradition. Bring a chair or blanket and experience an evening of great music in one of the region's favorite outdoor gathering spaces.

 

 

Saturday, September 26

Mountain Heritage Days Festival Day
10:00am - evening

All Saturday activities begin at 10:00 AM across campus venues unless otherwise noted.

Plan to arrive starting at 9:30鈥�10:00 AM to explore campus, find parking, and catch the first performances at each location.

 

Band of four musicians performing live with microphones, guitars, and stage lighting equipment visible

 


Balsam music stage (main stage)
10:00am - 3:00PM | Location: TBD

A full day of live Appalachian music, storytelling, and traditional performance.

10:00 AM - Upstream Rebellion
11:00 AM - TBD
11:30 AM - Davy Arch Storytelling
12:00 PM - Molly Johnson & Friends
12:45 PM - Young Mountain Magic
1:30 PM - Bailey Mountain Cloggers
2:00 PM - Whitewater Bluegrass

 

Group of five people posing beside red and yellow classic muscle cars with open hood at outdoor car show

Andy shaw ford classic car show
Time: TBD | Location: TBD

A celebration of classic cars and trucks from a time when they just don鈥檛 make them like they used to. From restored favorites to well-loved workhorses, this show brings together vehicles full of character, history, and stories. Stroll through, talk with owners, and enjoy a laid-back look at automotive nostalgia.

 

 

Shape note tent
10:30am - 2:00PM | Location: TBD

Participatory Appalachian musical tradition open to all.

10:30 AM 鈥� Sacred Harp Singing
1:00 PM 鈥� Christian Harmony Singing

 

Four orange and white chainsaws mounted on a horizontal log with blurred park background and people.

McNeely's chainsaw competition
Time: TBD | Location: TBD

A fast-paced chainsaw demonstration showcasing skill, power, and control in action. Watch operators put their equipment through its paces in a lively, high-energy setting that highlights technique, precision handling, and raw performance.

 

 

 

Shirtless men playing stickball on green grass with spectators watching in background

Wolfetown stickball demonstration
11:00am - 2:00PM | Location: WCU Intramural Field

Living cultural demonstrations of Cherokee traditions and historic demonstrations.

11:00 AM - Wolfetown Indian Stickball Adult Team Demonstration Game
1:00 PM - Wolfetown Indian Stickball Youth Team Demonstration Game

 

 
Pickin' circle
Time: TBD | Location: TBD

Informal jam sessions featuring regional musicians.

 

Group of dancers in navy skirts and light purple tops performing enthusiastically on stage with arms raised.

Mountain heritage days afternoon concert
3:30 PM | Location: Bardo arts center

Join Chancellor Kelli R. Brown for the presentation of the 2026 Mountain Heritage Awards. After the ceremony, stick around for live music and even more traditional clogging to keep the celebration going.

3:30 PM - Mountain Heritage Awards
3:45 PM - Red Camel Collective with the Bailey Mountain Cloggers