We are making a few adjustments for 2026:

• Moving Unique Offerings craft demonstrations to Davidson Hall Music Studio 

• All other demonstration areas will remain the same 

• Moving Sunday’s Shady Grove music and dance performances to Keith House Community Room 

• Other changes may be necessary based on conditions; signage and gate volunteers will share any last-minute schedule adjustments.  

Tri County Early College Athletics Association will be managing our parking this year. Your donations will help support their athletics program—please consider contributing!

Is it free?
Yes, parking is free and located in our big field around campus.
On Saturday only there will be parking available at Little Brasstown Baptist Church with a shuttle running to campus on a loop.

Accessible Parking  
Accessible Parking will be available in the gravel lot across from the Keith House and in the fields with spots reserved closest to the entry gates. Please present a valid accessible parking permit to the attendants for access.

All vendors selling items or services for profit or fundraising must pay the designated booth fee for Fall Festival in the area where they are assigned. This includes individuals, organizations, and nonprofits.

 Nonprofit status does not exempt a vendor from the fee if  funds are being collected. Booth fees help cover event costs and ensure fairness for all participants.

 Informational-only booths (with no sales or solicitations) may be eligible for a fee waiver, subject to approval.

The festival can be challenging for pets because of the crowds and the heat. We encourage those who bring their pets to seek out water stations, keep their pet on a leash, clean up after your pet, and be respectful of attendees. If your dog is not on a leash, you will be asked to leave the Festival.

The following roads lead to the Folk School:

Old Hwy 64 West (Coming from Murphy, Peachtree, Andrews, Warne, Hayesville, Young Harris, Hiawassee)

Settawig Road to Old Hwy 64 West (Coming from Hayesville)

Hiawassee Street to Harshaw Road (Coming from Tennessee, Ranger, Murphy)

Hwy 129N to Martins Creek Road to Brasstown Road (Coming from North Georgia, Bellview, Martins Creek)

The Craft Shop is open this year and they are selling t-shirts in a tent just outside, right by the dining hall’s Famous Folk School BBQ table.

Craft demonstrations are taking place at five separate locations. Demonstrations will be located on a stage to the left of the Enameling Studio, inside the Woodcarving Studio, outside of the Davidson Hall Wet Room, the Woodworking porch, and Blacksmithing Shop.

There will be a tent located outside of the Craft Shop with Fall Festival t-shirts, sweatshirts and other logo items!

For the safety and comfort of all attendees,  firearms are not allowed on the premises (Pursuant to North Carolina Statutes 14-415.11) at the John C. Campbell Folk School Fall Festival. We appreciate your cooperation in creating a welcoming and family-friendly environment for everyone.

They will be inside the Woodcarving Studio all day demonstrating and selling their work!

The Kids Zone is located in Shady Grove and features a variety of activities hosted by local nonprofits. “Keep on Walking” will offer pumpkin painting, spin art, and an array of yard games for children to enjoy for a flat fee. No cost options will be provided by First United Methodist Montessori Pre-School, the Cherokee County Arts Council and Parents as Teachers of Cherokee and Clay Counties.

Parking
Accessible Parking will be available in the gravel lot across from the Keith House and in the fields with spots reserved closest to the entry gates. Please present a valid accessible parking permit to the attendants for access.

Bathrooms
Accessible bathrooms are located in the Keith House circle

Access into buildings?
There will be no building access for this event except for the Woodcarving Studio and The Log Cabin Museum which has a ramp entrance.

Shuttles?
Shuttles will run from Little Brasstown to campus in a loop and a shuttle will run in the fields to bring people to the gates. these shuttles will not be wheelchair accessible

We are almost a 300 acre campus. We do have reserved accessible parking but our trails are unpaved which could be difficult for wheel chair/walkers. We will also have a few accessibility carts that will be available.

We will have portalets available on campus for festival goers. They will be located near the Festival Barn, across from Davidson Hall, Studio Row Annex handicap accessible bathrooms are here, next to Bidstrup and behind our Woodworking studio.

We will have two ATMS located outside of the Craftshop, and near our Fiber Arts building!

Vendor Check-In
Vendors will receive an email with their vendor check in location. Please check in to grab your booth sign and other important information for this years Fall Festival. Check in locations will be based on booth locations and located in the Keith House circle, Festival Barn, Craft Shop Info Booth and Marketplace Info Booth.

Check in will begin on Friday, October 3rd @1pm and go until 6pm.

Early check-in will not be allowed as we will still have students onsite before 1pm. You will have to wait even if you arrive early.

Volunteer Check-In
We will have two volunteer check in locations this year! Please check in to grab your t-shirt and meal ticket before reporting to your assignment. Make sure you arrive 30 minutes early for this new check-in step. Volunteers’ check-in will be located at a booth near the Craft Shop and at a booth in Marketplace right after you enter the Garden Gate. Your check in gate will be assigned when you receive your volunteer confirmation email.

For any further questions please contact our Event and Volunteer Manager!

Morgan Budzinski
Mbudzinski@folkschool.org