Mount Airy’s Autumn Leaves Festival from October 12 to 14 marks the 46th anniversary of one of North Carolina’s longest running and most successful events. This festival was chosen as one of the Top Twenty Events for October 2012 by the Southeast Tourism Society.
The roster of artisans and craftspeople covers such media as jewelry, pottery, paintings and textiles. The unique arts and crafts of more than 200 craftsmen line the streets with many demonstrating their talents and skills passed down through the generations.
Then, there is “Food for the Soul”, ham biscuits, collards and cornbread, barbeque, ground steak and more served with hospitality by local civic and service organizations. It’s a walker’s paradise with visual delights and mouthwatering treats at every stop.
The festival showcases Mount Airy’s rich musical heritage, such as Old-time, Bluegrass and Gospel performed by local musicians on the downtown stage. It’s a toe tapping, foot stomping, hand-clapping kind of weekend where old friendships are renewed and new friendships are made. The Autumn Leaves Festival is a homecoming where guests become neighbors.
The festival began as a celebration of the end of tobacco and apple harvesting season over 40 years ago. Now, it celebrate the breathtaking fall season. Through the years, hundreds of thousands of visitors (nearly 200,000 people will frequent the streets of Mount Airy over the three day period) have enjoyed the true flavor of rural America and its distinctive character, rich heritage and scenic beauty.
Mount Airy radiates with the spectacular scenery of the entire mountainside bathed in autumn reds and luminous gold’s set against the scenic backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Visit the festival website www.autumnleavesfestival.com for more information.
For more information about top events in North Carolina take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in North Carolina