Famous Fall Festivals
Bluegrass Band, Photo by Ted Moree
By Steve York
Valle Country Fair in Valle Crucis, Photo by Catherine Morton
Quilt Squares Photo by Karen Radenbaugh
Bluegrass Band, Photo by Ted Moree
Valle Country Fair… as Authentic as It Gets!
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ountry fairs have historically taken place with the onset of harvest season to show gratitude for the bounties of nature and to celebrate a shared community spirit. That shared community spirit also included giving back to those who were most in need. In modern times, some such events have become more commercialized, and often at the expense of losing that shared community spirit. But Not So here in our smaller mountain communities. And especially Not So for the Valle Country Fair. Held each year on scenic highway 194 in the picturesque setting of Valle Crucis, across from the Valle Crucis Conference Center, this fair continues to be as authentic as it was some 42 years ago. Fair historian Dedy Traver has been part of the event since its inception. “In 1978 Polly Capps gathered a small group of us folks from Holy Cross Episcopal Church to consider having an old-timey country fair to celebrate how country folks used to do things, to help bring the church and community closer together, and to raise funds towards building a new church parish hall,” recalled Traver. The first Fair was held in 1979 at the Apple Barn at the Valle Crucis Conference Center and has since moved to the open field across from the Center. According to Traver, after that first event their Priest said that if this was to become an annual Fair, future proceeds should only be used for church outreach programs. And, with Polly Capps helping to drive momentum, the Valle Country Fair officially became an annual community-wide fundraising celebration. The event is expected to
24 — Autumn 2021 CAROLINA MOUNTAIN LIFE
draw up to 12,000 visitors this year on Saturday, October 16. Live local bluegrass, gospel and country bands, cloggers, square dancers, storytellers, children’s games, pumpkin bowling, handmade country crafts, Brunswick stew, barbeque, hot dogs, burgers, chili, roasted corn on the cob, sausage and onions, apple cider, apple butter, jellies and jams, and an average of 165 juried exhibitors have topped the menu of food and entertainment each year. Homemade jellies are in huge demand with regular Fair patrons coming back year after year for their favorites. “We normally have 55 to 60 cases of homemade jams, jellies, relishes and pickles for sale and several that you can only find at our Fair! Our biggest seller is Pittsburg Relish, which was a recipe from my grandmother,” boasts Traver, the official ‘Jelly Queen’ and overseer of the Jelly-Jamboree Booth. As for the Fair’s famous apple butter, “I head up what’s called the Apple Butter Gang,” noted Fair apple master, Walter Pitt. “These are 18 to 20 people who work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. the Friday before the Fair and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fair day making and jarring apple butter. Back in 1993 we made it in a single 20-gallon copper kettle. This year it’s four 40-gallon kettles and two 30-gallon kettles to produce 120 gallons. Yet, even that much apple butter won’t be enough to fill demand,” added Pitt. Tracey and John Heiss are current Fair Chairpersons, a role that changes out every two years. “John and I became members of Holy Cross when we moved here four years ago. We first attended as volunteers for the Fair in 2019. Now, as Chairs, we oversee all aspects of running and
coordination of the Fair while engaging the community for support and boosting awareness. It feels good to be part of a something that truly cares for the welfare of those in need here and in surrounding communities,” Tracey noted. Several church membership-operated concessions give 100 percent of their proceeds to the Fair. Other exhibitors are asked to “tithe” ten percent of their revenues. In 2019 the Fair channeled $60,000 to High Country charitable organizations. Generally, some proceeds are disbursed via grants to area ministries and some are retained to assist families in crisis by the Church outreach committee throughout the year. Like many other events, the pandemic forced organizers to put on a Virtual Fair last year. “We had no idea if it was possible. But, under the experienced leadership of past co-chairs Bob and Julie Gates, we were able to exceed our fundraising goal for grant recipients,” noted Traver. From that very first Fair in 1979, giving back to the community has been the shared spirit of the event. As previous Fair Chair Beryl Scuitti always said, “The purpose of the Valle Country Fair was NOT how much money we raised, but to show people that we can do God’s work and have a great time!” Learn more about this year’s Valle Country Fair at www. vallecountryfair.org. Nonprofits in Avery and Watauga Counties may apply for grants by contacting the Church’s Mission & Outreach Committee at www.vallecountryfair. org/funds.
