Here's a recap of the inaugural Cigar Box Guitar Festival in Robbinsville, NC: June 10, 2023. Take in the mesmerizing melodies, electrifying performances, and soulful vibes of the recent Cigar Box Guitar Festival in the charming town of Robbinsville, North Carolina! Immerse yourself in the unique sounds of handmade cigar box guitars, resonating through the serene landscape of Robbinsville. From bluesy riffs to folk-inspired harmonies, the festival showcased an array of musi

Are you a destination marketing organization looking to improve your marketing strategy? In today’s world, where digital marketing is becoming increasingly important, video has emerged as a powerful tool for promoting visitation to your area. If you’re looking to showcase the natural beauty, cultural heritage, and unique experiences that your destination in Appalachia has to offer, it’s time to embrace the power of video marketing. Below is a brief overview of how you can use

Hayesville is about as far west as you can go in North Carolina without crossing into Georgia. That remoteness is the feature. Lake Chatuge is a Tennessee Valley Authority reservoir that spreads across the state line, and the shoreline here is quieter than most people expect. The Jack Rabbit Trail system winds through terrain along the lake for hikers and mountain bikers both. The Clay County Historical & Arts Museum connects visitors to Cherokee history and the culture of th

Doc Watson was born in Deep Gap. That fact is worth sitting with. One of the greatest guitarists in American music came from a small community in Watauga County, and the region has been making music in his shadow ever since. MerleFest in nearby Wilkesboro is the clearest expression of that legacy. Boone is a college town with an arts scene that surprises people who expect something smaller. Blowing Rock is a short drive and a different altitude. The Blowing Rock Art & History

Polk County is smaller than you expect and more interesting than you'd guess. The county sits at the edge of the Blue Ridge escarpment, and the communities here share something with the broader Appalachian tradition: people who make things, teach each other, and show their work. The Tryon Arts & Crafts School has been doing exactly that for decades. Upstairs Artspace in Tryon and Heartwood Gallery in Saluda give artists a place to show up. What makes Polk different from a lot

Waynesville does not advertise itself as an arts town. It just is one. Twigs & Leaves has anchored downtown for years, showing the work of regional artists and craftspeople who actually live here. Glass by Gayle and Christina Bendo Pottery are the kinds of studios you find by asking a local, not by looking at a tourist map. A short drive over the ridge lands you in Maggie Valley, where Raymond Fairchild spent most of his life. The late banjo legend called this valley home, an

Henderson County doesn't ask you to slow down. It just makes it easy. Hendersonville's downtown is worth walking twice. Woodlands Gallery is the kind of place where you stop to look at one piece and stay for an hour. Outside town, DuPont State Forest pulls serious hikers and casual wanderers alike with 80 miles of trail and three major waterfalls. Ride Kanuga adds mountain biking to the mix. Come fall, the Apple Festival turns Main Street into something you have to see to bel