A variety of food booths, including Greek, Italian, German, Scottish and all the usual fair fare line the plaza. Funky tunes from zydeco to rockabilly to country grace the stage for an inspirational street dance. The program, co-sponsored by the City of Asheville Parks and Recreation Department and the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, began with the simple desire of a few dedicated area musicians to preserve our region's musical heritage. The first stage was set up on the steps of City Hall. The fun usually goes on until 10 PM, or until the last banjo picker or guitar player goes home.
Musicians come from all over the area to be a part of the evening's entertainment.
What began modestly almost three decades ago as a simple desire to keep the ancient strains of mountain music alive has become a living, breathing perpetuation of a unique cultural heritage. A juried craft exhibition, professional demonstrations and fine traditional mountain music set this fair apart from the rest. Artisans from nine different states in the Appalachians descend on the downtown civic center on the third weekends in July and October, offering every kind of craft from wood furniture to glassware to calico dolls and sofa cushions. Swannanoa Chamber Festival 701 Warren Wilson Rd. This annual festival of chamber music is a rarity and a delight.