Last Updated on June 12, 2025 3:09 pm
VALLE CRUCIS, NC — The colors, flavors, sights and sounds of harvest season in the Blue Ridge Mountains all come together at the Valle Country Fair (VCF) in scenic Valle Crucis, North Carolina, on October 18th. Craftspeople from across the region, High Country musicians and the community of Valle Crucis are all busy putting together an extra-joyful celebration this year to purge the disappointment caused when Hurricane Helene forced the cancellation of the 2024 Fair.
“We had to cancel last year’s fair after the hurricane, but we did manage to raise almost $100,000 for
community outreach,” said VCF Co-chair David Johnston. “This community fair exists to raise money for
our neighbors in need, which as you can imagine are greater than ever.”
Begun in 1979 as a small church fundraiser, during its first 45 years the Valle Country Fair raised over
$1.25 million for human service organizations and families in crisis. Since that vital relief stream was
interrupted in 2024, sponsors are doubly dedicated to welcoming thousands of fairgoers to fill up on
barbecue and Brunswick Stew while they peruse more than 120 crafts booths, all accompanied by the
sounds of Appalachian music and the color of autumn leaves.
The Valle Country Fair is always held in Valle Crucis, North Carolina, on the third Saturday in October
(October 18, 2025). The harvest-season celebration takes over the fields in front of the Valle Crucis
Conference Center, located on NC Highway 194 between Valle Crucis and Banner Elk. Admission to the
one-day festival of mountain traditions is FREE, and ample parking is available in the adjoining field for
$10 per vehicle.
“Beth and I are honored to have the opportunity to continue this event that has done so much for Watauga
and Avery counties over the past 48 years,” said VCF Co-chair David Johnston. “Our Church is the main
sponsor, but it is a true community effort. Come help stir the apple butter, fill up on the food, and enjoy
the music and crafts!”
Media sponsors for VCF 2025 are Curtis Media Group and Mountain Times Publications.
The event is hosted by Holy Cross Episcopal Church in cooperation with the Valle Crucis Conference
Center. Proceeds are used to provide relief to local families with emergency needs. For more
information, contact Holy Cross Church at 828-963-4609 or visit the Fair on the Web at
www.vallecountryfair.org.
boy_scouts_funnel_cakes.jpg: The Boy Scouts are among the community organizations that earn much
of their annual budget through the Valle Country Fair. (Photo by Bob Griffin)
Grill_Tent.jpg: The Valle Country Fair brings in the funds that it then puts back into the community by
operating food concessions for the October festival such as the grill tent. (Photo by Bob Griffin)
VCF_crafts.jpg: Valle Country Fair organizers jury the crafts exhibitors to ensure that there is a wide
variety of hand-made crafts available to the shoppers who are thinking ahead for Christmas. (Photo by
Bob Griffin)
kids_eating_corn.jpg: An abundance of harvest-time flavors like roasted corn-on-the cob and
homemade Brunswick Stew are one of the most fun parts of the Valle Country Fair, held on the third
Saturday of each October in a field across the road from the Valle Crucis Conference Center. (Photo
courtesy of ASU CreateAthon)
