Asheville, North Carolina, October 20, 2025

News Summary

The 78th Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands successfully concluded, showcasing over 100 artists from the Southern Appalachian Region. Held at Harrah’s Cherokee Center in Asheville, the event highlighted traditional crafts across various disciplines and promoted local economy support. The Southern Highland Craft Guild organized the fair, maintaining a long-standing tradition since 1948. Attendees enjoyed interactive demonstrations and engaged with artisans. Additionally, a local pop-up market aimed to bolster small businesses affected by recent challenges, emphasizing community resilience and support for local talents.

Asheville

The 78th Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands concluded on October 19, 2023, at Harrah’s Cherokee Center in Asheville, North Carolina. This celebrated event showcased the creativity of more than 100 artists from the Southern Appalachian Region and aimed to foster community involvement while boosting the local economy.

Featured at the Craft Fair were traditional crafts in various disciplines including clay, fiber, wood, metal, glass, paper, leather, jewelry, natural materials, mixed media, book arts, and printmaking. The event attracted a diverse audience with tickets priced at $12 each, while children under 12 were granted free admission.

The Southern Highland Craft Guild, which has been organizing this Craft Fair since its inception in 1948, continues to highlight the importance of supporting local artisans. Attendees had the opportunity to visit booths featuring individual artisans and engage with their creative processes through live demonstrations, which added an interactive element to the fair experience.

In addition to the main Craft Fair, local community members organized a pop-up market in West Asheville that featured various fashion vendors. This initiative aimed to support small businesses, especially in the wake of challenges faced by artists due to the financial impact of natural events like Helene. Eric Controne, the organizer of the West Asheville Market, emphasized the importance of buying local, particularly since many artists depend on their crafts as supplementary income streams. The pop-up market provided an enjoyable shopping environment, allowing patrons to explore unique offerings while dining at nearby restaurants.

Organizers of the Craft Fair expressed their appreciation and recognition of the resilience shown by exhibitors affected by Helene. The event was not just a marketplace but a testament to the strength of the community and its artists. Moreover, more local markets are scheduled to take place weekly on Haywood Road throughout the year, reinforcing the drive to uplift local commerce.

The Craft Fair’s next edition is anticipated to occur in 2024, with expectations of continued community support and increased engagement with local artisans. The importance of community involvement and the support of local artisans emerged as essential components integral to the local economy during these events.

Key Event Information

• Event Title: 78th Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
• Date: Concluded on October 19, 2023
• Location: Harrah’s Cherokee Center, Asheville, North Carolina
• Number of Artists: More than 100 from the Southern Appalachian Region
• Disciplines Featured: Clay, fiber, wood, metal, glass, paper, leather, jewelry, natural materials, mixed media, book arts, printmaking
• Ticket Price: $12; free for children under 12
• Organizing Body: Southern Highland Craft Guild

Upcoming Features

• Next Craft Fair: Anticipated in 2024
• Weekly Markets: Scheduled locally on Haywood Road throughout the year

FAQ

Key Features of the Craft Fair

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Additional Resources

• WLOS: Craft Fair Concludes
• 828 News Now: Craft Fair to Return
• AVL Today: Asheville Events
• Wikipedia: Asheville
• Google Search: Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands

Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER

The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.