VALLE CRUCIS, NC — The 48th annual Valle Country Fair (VCF) is set to return on Saturday, October 17, running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This popular High Country tradition will gather thousands of fairgoers on the fairgrounds located across from the Valle Crucis Conference Center on NC 194, one mile north of Broadstone Road. The event promises a day of music, food, crafts, and community, all while supporting local charitable causes.
What began in 1979 as a small church bazaar at Holy Cross Episcopal Church has evolved into a regionally significant fall festival. The Fair maintains a strong commitment to philanthropy, distributing 100 percent of its proceeds to those in need. In 2025 alone, the Valle Country Fair raised $83,355 for High Country charities. Since its inception, the Fair has generated more than $1.4 million, which has been granted to 128 charitable organizations across Ashe, Avery, and Watauga counties. These funds have also assisted thousands of individuals and families directly with essential needs such as fuel oil, medical bills, and rent.
Preparations for the upcoming Fair are actively underway behind the scenes. Traffic and parking teams are coordinating with the local sheriff's office to ensure readiness for Fair day. Volunteers from Parkway School, who have managed parking for several years, are training new volunteers from Valle Crucis School. This new team will shadow the Parkway veterans during this year's event before assuming full responsibility for parking management in 2027.
Julie Gates, a VCF co-chair, noted that "it all becomes real when the big white tents go up on the fairgrounds." These oversized tents will house the food booths and a central dining area. The nearby red barn will transform into the Fair's main stage and music venue, where “roadies” are preparing microphones and amplifiers for a day filled with homegrown bluegrass, country, and gospel music. Scheduled performers include Jim Lloyd, Tom Shirley, Fern Hill, Graydon Sheppard, Parker's Mandolins, and Redbud Bluegrass.
Three refrigerated container units will arrive before Fair day to keep perishable food items cold. These units will store ingredients for offerings such as burgers, hot dogs, lettuce, and French fries. Moe's BBQ is also expected to arrive on Fair day, bringing pulled pork and Brunswick Stew for attendees. A perennial favorite, the Apple Butter Gang, will be firing up their large copper kettles to make the sweet, spicy apple butter on site. This treat will be prepared over open fires on both Friday and Saturday, continuing a Fair tradition that draws a dedicated following.
The Holy Cross congregation is also diligently preparing in the church kitchen, where Saturdays have been designated as canning days. Both first-time volunteers and experienced cooks are working together, washing jars, chopping fruits and vegetables, and operating pressure cookers. Their efforts will yield dozens of varieties of homemade jams, jellies, chutneys, relishes, and pickles, all of which will be available to fairgoers on October 17.
Volunteer Coordinator Mary Pietan reported that the call for volunteers has been met with an enthusiastic response. She stated that "efforts to complete the list of positions to be filled is coming along nicely," and added, "But we can always use more people. I'm not turning anyone away."
The Valle Country Fair, held annually on the third Saturday in October, is free to attend. Ample parking will be available in the adjoining field for a fee of $10 per car.
The 2026 Valle Country Fair is sponsored by Curtis Media Group and Mountain Times Publications. Additional support is provided by the Watauga Arts Council and the North Carolina Arts Council, which is a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Holy Cross Episcopal Church hosts the event in cooperation with the Valle Crucis Conference Center. Individuals interested in volunteering can email [email protected], while general inquiries can be directed to [email protected]. More information is also available at vallecountryfair.org.