Upcoming holiday events
The inaugural Papertown Christmas Craft Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Canton Armory.
There will be 35 vendors with a large variety of items, including pottery, jewelry, baskets, framed pen and ink drawings, wood carvings, gift baskets, food items, decorative gourds, handbags, candles, soaps, quilts, knitted items, canned foods and books written by local authors. Lunch will be available from the Simple Taste Restaurant in Canton.
There will be drawings for door prizes with the items being donated by the vendors. Santa Claus will be available for pictures from 10 a.m. to noon. All booth fees will be donated to a local charity.
Festival of Wreaths to help meet hospice patients’ needs
Angel Medical Center is celebrating the season with a “Festival of Wreaths” fundraiser. Wreaths have been donated from churches, businesses and individuals and are being auctioned off to help meet Hospice patients’ needs not covered by insurance. The wreaths will be displayed through Nov. 29, with the winning bids being announced during the reception after the Hospice Tree blessing ceremony.
While on display in the Outpatient Medicine Lobby, patients, families and friends can write down their bids on a bid sheet and place it in the folder by the wreath. The unique and beautiful wreaths can be seen weekdays and the silent bids can be made anytime during the viewing period.
Open house holiday tree exhibit
The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership, the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Eastern National gift shop will hold an open house with a special holiday tree exhibit from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Parkway Visitor Center in Asheville.
Five trees have been decorated in honor of the cultural heritage of outlying counties and will be on display from Nov. 20 through Jan. 7.
Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center will incorporate decorations representing the handmade crafts of its Artisan Gallery and Guild members and performing artists.
Swain County’s tree will be decorated with handcrafted local ornaments and art.
The open house is free and will feature live music and light refreshments.
The unexpected Christmas pageant
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” will take the stage at 7 p.m. on Dec. 1 and at 6 p.m. on Dec. 2 in the Sanctuary of the First Baptist Church in Waynesville.
The story follows a church preparing for this year’s children’s “Nativity Pageant”. At first, it looks like a typical year. Nothing is ever very exciting about the pageant: the same director, same children playing the same parts, the angel choir singing the same song — very traditional and very predictable. However, this year things will be different. Much to everyone’s chagrin, the notorious Herdman children, all seven of them, have decided to join in the play and this very predictable church tradition is turned upside down, teaching everyone involved the true meaning of Christmas.
828.456.9465.
Shelton House hosts Appalachian Christmas
The Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts in the historic Shelton House will host the Appalachian Christmas from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 1 and Dec. 7 at the HART Main Theater in Waynesville.
This year’s presentation, “A Season of Harmony”, will feature the regional Land of the Sky vocalists who specialize in traditional Barbershop-style solos, quartets and group medleys. Not only will Appalachian Christmas feature musical numbers appropriate for the season, but a bountiful table of hors d’oeuvres, desserts, wine and hot cider will conclude an evening that serves to usher in the holidays. Tickets are available at Blue Ridge Books, Christmas is Everyday and Olde Brick House in Waynesville. Tickets may also be purchased at HART ticket office the evening of the program.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12.
Holiday sale at Folk Art Center
The Guild Artists’ Holiday Sale will be Dec. 1 and Dec. 8 at the Folk Art Center in east Asheville.
Members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild will be on hand in the center’s auditorium on these two Saturdays to sell select work at 10 to 50 percent off retail. The sale allows the artists to liquidate overstocks and 2012 items, try out new techniques and sell studio seconds. For the customer, the sale means great deals for holiday shopping and a chance to connect with the craftsmen. It also provides an exciting, festive alternative to mall and big box import shopping. Choose from a variety of gift items including ceramics, jewelry, fiber, paper, glass and wood.
Over 70 artists will be participating during the course of the two sales, with a different group of artists each weekend. The Folk Art Center is located at Milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in East Asheville.
828.298.7928 or www.craftguild.org.
Holiday open house
There will be an open house from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 and from noon to 6 p.m. on Dec. 2 at Mud Dabber’s Pottery and Crafts in Waynesville. Refreshments and a free pottery cup will be available while supplies last.
828.456.1916 or www.muddabbers.com.
Franklin’s Mistletoe Magic is Nov. 23-24
The 7th Annual Mistletoe Magic Art & Craft Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 23-24, at the Macon County Community Building in Franklin.
The event will provide very affordable and unique jewelry, handmade knives, Christmas florals, knitting, crocheting, country crafts, quilting, needlework, painted Christmas shirts, handmade brooms, hand-laced leather clothing and other leather products.
Parking is Free. Admission this year is $1 or a donation of a non-perishable food item — to be donated to a local food bank. Children under 13 years old are free.
