45th Annual Heritage Weekend at the Folk Art Center
September 20–21, 2025 | 10 AM–4 PM | East Asheville, NC
Asheville, NC — The Southern Highland Craft Guild is proud to host the 45th Annual Heritage Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, September 20–21, from 10 AM to 4 PM each day at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway in East Asheville. This free event celebrates the rich traditions of Southern Appalachian culture with a full weekend of craft demonstrations, music, and family-friendly fun.
A centerpiece of the weekend is the ever-popular World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition, held at 2 PM on Saturday, September 20th. The Whimmy Diddle is a whimsical mountain toy made from two carved sticks of rhododendron—one with notches and a spinning propeller. By rubbing one stick against the other, the propeller spins either right ("gee") or left ("haw"). Contestants will compete for trophies (and moon pies!) in child, adult, and professional categories, with extra challenges like switching hands or performing behind the back.
Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy live craft demonstrations including:
- Woodworking with traditional tools
- Weaving, spinning, and natural dyeing
- Broom-making and blacksmithing
- Stone carving and printmaking
- Soap-making and more
An interactive activity table will also give guests a chance to try their hand at select crafts.
A music stage will feature live performances of bluegrass and gospel throughout the event. The full band schedule is available online at www.craftguild.org.
The Folk Art Center, located at 382 Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 382) in East Asheville, offers free parking, indoor galleries, and a grassy picnic area, making it the perfect spot to spend a crisp early autumn day. Explore Appalachian heritage, meet local craftspeople, and enjoy the beauty of Western North Carolina.
For more information, including a list of participating artists and performers, please visit www.craftguild.org or call 828-298-7928.
About the Southern Highland Craft Guild
Established in 1930, the Southern Highland Craft Guild is a non-profit, educational organization that supports and promotes the crafts and makers of the Southern Highlands through education, marketing, and preservation. The Guild is an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
