TOWNSEND, Tenn. — This spring, the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center invites the community to experience Appalachian culture through hands-on learning, traditional craftsmanship, and immersive history. The season kicks off with the fifth annual Fiber Fair April 24–25 and continues with Kids Take Over the Museum May 9.
“Our spring events are all about creating opportunities for people to experience Southern Appalachian and Mountain culture in hands-on, meaningful ways,” said Francis Graffeo, CEO of the Heritage Center. “Whether it’s learning traditional fiber arts or seeing history come to life through interactive activities, we invite visitors of all ages to connect with the stories and skills that have shaped the Smoky Mountains.”
The fifth annual Fiber Fair is a two-day event celebrating traditional Appalachian fiber arts, with more than 30 vendors offering handmade goods, tools, and supplies across the Heritage Center’s historic grounds. Friday and Saturday, April 24–25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, guests can participate in interactive workshops, try spinning and weaving, and watch live “sheep-to-shawl” demonstrations as artisans transform raw wool into finished yarn. Demonstrators will showcase the skills and techniques that were essential to daily life in the Great Smoky Mountains.
On Saturday, May 9, the Heritage Center will host the fourth annual Kids Take Over the Museum, a highly engaging, interactive event. Designed for children and families, the one-day event will transform the campus into an interactive learning environment where young visitors can explore Appalachian history through hands-on experiences.
Children can try traditional skills such as open-hearth cooking, blacksmithing, and pottery, while more than 25 demonstrations, vendors, and special programs bring mountain life up close and personal across the Heritage Center’s 13.5-acre campus. Families can also enjoy traditional homestead games, food & drink, and live performances throughout the day.
The Center’s Junior Appalachian Musicians will perform traditional mountain music, culminating in a special showcase in the 400-seat amphitheater.
Admission to Kids Take Over the Museum is free, with a suggested donation of $20 per vehicle. Admission to events typically includes access to the Heritage Gallery museum, Smoky Mountain Farmstead, and Smoky Mountain Village featuring authentic log structures relocated from throughout the Smokies.
Looking ahead, the Heritage Center will host its Independence 250 Concert on July 4 from 6:30 to 9 p.m., featuring a 35-piece American brass band and special guests performing a patriotic program in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Learn more at gsmheritagecenter.org/event.
