Breaks Park plans Appalachian Heritage Festival

Breaks Park plans Appalachian Heritage Festival

Breaks Interstate Park will host the first annual Appalachian Heritage Festival on November 5-6, showcasing regional crafters, talent, and time-honored Appalachian traditions.

"Our region has a very rich heritage, and this festival is an opportunity to put the spotlight on that," said Breaks Park Director of Visitor Services Austin Bradley, "Those who attend will have the opportunity to speak with the exhibitors, and see hands-on demonstrations, and in some cases even participate themselves," he said.

The Appalachian Heritage Festival will focus on traditional and cultural art forms, such as woodworking, quilting, jewelry making, handmade crafts, basketry, food preservation and more. Regional authors will also be on hand, and on-site demonstrations will be going on throughout the day, including storytelling, apple butter making, quilting, and Native American craft and jewelry making. Programs are also scheduled focusing on the roles such things as corn meal and moonshine played in the lives of mountain settlers.

Vendors and many exhibits will be held inside the Rhododendron Lodge and Conference Center, while the outdoor heritage demonstrations will take place at the Visitor Center. The festival will run from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday, and 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday. There is no admission charge for the festival. 

"This is a chance to rediscover, or experience for the first time many of the traditions that across time have made this area unique," said Bradley.

Vendor space will be located inside the Rhododendron Conference Center. Bradley said vendor spaces are still available, but the deadline to reserve a table is October 1. For vendor guidelines and fees, contact Bradley at abradley@breakspark.com, or by calling 276-210-4655.

For additional information about this or any other event at Breaks Park, please call 276-865-4413 ext. 260.

Breaks Interstate Park is located on the Kentucky - Virginia border and is accessed by State Route 80. Commissioned by the U.S. Congress in 1954, it encompasses more than 4,600 acres is one of only two interstate parks in the United States. For more information about the park, please visit www.BreaksPark.com.