Experience Spring in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Located in the Tuckasegee Valley, Sylva is surrounded by the Balsam Mountain range, the Cowee Mountain Range and the Cullowhee Mountain Range.

In spring, the green leaves begin in the valley and go meandering up the mountainsides as they mature. The Town of Sylva celebrates this very visible sign of spring with the Greening Up the Mountains Festival.

The free festival draws artisans from within its community, spotlighting fine arts and crafts, unique small businesses, heritage demonstrations, and those who work with the natural environment, sustainability and wellness.

Now in it’s 18th year, the festival will host a 5-K run, two full music stages featuring the many music styles of the area, children’s talent contest, dance performances, storytelling, craft demonstrations, community outreach, youth activities and lots of food and fun!

The festival also combines the past, present and future of mountain living by sponsoring the Heritage Alive! Mountain Youth Talent Contest. Youth from all over western North Carolina come to play music, sing, and dance.

One of last year’s contestants was Caleb Turpin, age 9. He hails from Robbinsville, NC, plays guitar, and sings old gospel songs.

Craft demonstrators will showcase their many skills: chair caning, quilting, doll making, jewelry making, loom beading, carving, and much more. Local authors will be on hand to autograph their books.

Enjoy a day full of old songs passed down, and hear some new music too, all while eating barbecue, kettle corn, and boiled peanuts.

Ya’ll come now!

If You Go: Greening up the Mountains Festival will take place on Main and Mill Streets in downtown Sylva, NC, on Saturday, April 25, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact the Town of Sylva, (828) 586-2719.