25th Lake Eden Arts Festival

Black Mountain

The autumn Lake Eden Arts Festival at Camp Rockmont in Black Mountain is scheduled for October 19, 20 and 21 at the very height of fall leaf-looker season in the mountains. Marking its 25th festival, the lineup this year is spectacular.

LEAF has become a regular WNC institution with two festivals a year, spring and fall. There are numerous artists displaying their work, plenty of fun activities for children and adults, lots of live music day and night, and many gifted performers. The LEAF sponsors offer programs internationally and in inner cities here in the U.S. that match children with instruments and residency mentors, bringing some of the best from Guatamala, Rwanda, Panama and elsewhere to show off their talents during the festivals.

The setting is beautiful Lake Eden surrounded by mountains, and families can purchase day-tickets, weekend tickets and the “weekend-plus” passes that cover 3.5 days and 3 nights of overnight camping at any of several fine lakeside camping areas.

Headliners on the main stage this year include Tony Trischka’s Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular; the legendary Doc Watson with his grandson and David Holt in their Hills of Home tribute; The Wilders honky tonk fiddle tunes; Fishbone’s mix of funk, ska, reggae and punk; and locals David Lamont, Eliza Lynn, Big Medicine and many more.

There’s the Jabali African Acrobats of Kenya, Mizero Children’s Troupe of Rwanda, John Doyle and Liz Carroll traditional Irish duo, and a big Contra & Square Dance with George Marshall and Beth Molaro. The Paperhand Puppet Intervention will be there again this fall with their giant parade puppets. The world-class Poetry Slam tent will be busy throughout the festival, offering a thousand dollar grand prize this year for the best slammers.

The Kid’s Creativity Zone offers stiltwalkers, juggling, balloon-twisting, storytelling, puppets, sing-alongs and other fun activities. The food comes in both serious pig-picking BBQ and other meat-eating delights as well as vegetarian and vegan offerings, with plenty of cool water, apple cider and cold beer.

This is one family-oriented festival that should definitely be experienced at least once in a lifetime. Of course, once you’ve attended you might be hooked, planning your whole year around the spring and fall festivals! Leafy fall fashions are encouraged for all, bring a sweater for very cool evenings, and buy your tickets early!

Link:

Lake Eden Arts Festival

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Filed under Art, Music, Family Events, Autumn Leaves, Festivals |