Communities in western North Carolina are celebrating fall with the biggest regional event of the year. The NC Mountain State Fair drew more than 160,000 visitors last year, and with new rides, new entertainment, and new food, the lineup looks even better for this year’s fair on September 11-20 at Western North Carolina Agricultural Center in Fletcher. Start planning your visit!
Kaleb Rathbone, with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, talked with Grow NC about what makes the Mountain State Fair such an important opportunity for community connection as well as a driver of local economic and agricultural development. The agricultural exhibits highlight youth involvement, and organizers works in collaboration with Future Farmers of America and 4H clubs to create exhibits and contests.
“Young people across the region work all year, and it’s always great to see the kids who have worked all year get to show their animals off,” Rathbone said.
And the animals are usually one of the most popular features of the fair. This year, the fair offers more options than ever, from livestock competitions to the new Butterfly Experience – where fairgoers can feed three varieties of butterflies. The Mooternity Ward exhibit is ready to welcome brand new Jersey cows and calfs. Descendants from the original herd at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville are bred with timing to give birth at the fair, and veterinarians are on site to talk through every step of the process.
Amid the food and fun of the event, visitors also get a rare opportunity to explore and support more than a hundred small businesses in one place. There really is something for everyone in every generation. Among the heritage crafters, guests can see glass being blown on site, experience making molasses, witness blacksmithing, and do so much more. Bringing more than 150,000 people into the area also results in a lot of hiring. The Mountain State Fair relies on long-time fair employees as well as new hires, and it’s a great way to get local experts and others involved in the long-term economic recovery of the region.
The impact of the Mountain State Fair extends far beyond the fairgrounds and these weeks in September. Wednesday, September 16, is We CAN Fight Hunger Day, when donating five canned food items will get a visitor one free admission ticket and will benefit MANNA FoodBank to help families in western North Carolina. Last year, this resulted in a donation of more than 25,000 pounds of food. Also, scholarships assist students who want to study agriculture, ensuring that this celebration of agriculture is fostering its future, too.
After experiencing the prize-winning agriculture of the Mountain State Fair’s contests and exhibitions, visitors also have the opportunity to tour working farms for other memorable agritourism experiences. On September 19 and 20, Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, or ASAP, is working with 17 farms spanning five counties to create interactive farm tours known as the ASAP Farm Tour. All farms are within an hour of Asheville, and visitors can experience the local food system in action and taste some of the delights this region has to offer.
Oakley Brewer talked with GROW NC about the guided tours and demonstrations available this year. Depending on which tour a visitor chooses, Oakley said, “you can feed alpacas, pet goats, pick your own flowers or apples, view bison, enjoy wine, and purchase farm-to-table food and drinks. I’m particularly excited about Perry’s Berry’s Blueberry Bistro offering made-to-order crepes and sandwiches.”
The various tours offer everything from education and food to family-centered fun, and the experiences are intentionally accessible for a wide variety of visitors. The “Show Me How It’s Done” track can be a great resource for other local farmers wanting to compare best practices and learn from their community. The “Tasty Tour” track offers local foods and beverages in beautiful farmland settings.
ASAP Farm Tours is a great way for folks to support the economic health and viability of the region’s food system while learning about and trying seasonal local foods. The food system in western North Carolina is particularly interconnected. Not only do restaurants heavily source from local farms, but the farms also tend to support each other and offer a holistic array of products at their farmstands.
The fall season brings so many opportunities to connect with the beautiful land and vibrant farm culture in the mountains. For more information on agritourism in North Carolina, NC State Extension shares these resources. You can also scroll through the list below and search Visit NC for more western North Carolina destinations and activities.
September
- September 4-7 – NC Apple Festival, Hendersonville
October
- October 3 – Brushy Mountain Apple Festival, Wilkesboro
- October 17 – The Valle Country Fair, Valle Crucis
- October 18 – 37th Apple Harvest Festival, Waynesville
Visit our WNC Recovery Stories page to find more stories about the people and organizations making a difference in western North Carolina recovery.