VCF: Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Valle Country Fair Demonstrates the Power of Neighbors Helping Neighbors

VALLE CRUCIS, NC — Helene turned our world upside down last year and forced the cancelation of the
2024 Valle Country Fair (VCF), but the congregation of Holy Cross Episcopal Church rallied and is planning
to reintroduce the beloved Fair on October 18, 2025, at the Red Barn pasture on Highway 194 between
Banner Elk and Valle Crucis.

Since its inception in 1979, the Valle Fair — a celebration of Appalachian food, crafts, and music — has
raised $1.3 million for local charities and for High Country families with emergency needs. A total of 127
different charitable organizations (along with thousands of area families) have benefitted from the Valle
Country Fair.

VCF spokesperson Catherine Morton said that after Helene, "our congregation and friends stepped up and
gave generously to make up for lost proceeds so that our Mission and Outreach Committee would have
funds to help our High Country neighbors facing ongoing crises from Helene.”

The Mission and Outreach Commission at Holy Cross partners with local agencies that cover a range of
needs, from hunger and homelessness to companionship for the elderly and afterschool and summer
camps for local children. Fair proceeds have also benefited multiple service organizations, provided seed
money for women and veterans to start small businesses, funded programs for disabled youth, and
supported Habitat for Humanity and the Humane Society.

"For 47 years, the Valle Country Fair has lived its mission of 'neighbors helping neighbors'," said VCF 2025
Chairman David Johnston. "We are unique in that we not only support local nonprofits, but pitch in to help
individual families with emergencies — things like fuel oil, help with medical bills, and rent assistance. All
of us involved with the Fair are grateful for the ongoing commitment that our partner organizations have
to the High Country community.”

When you come to the Fair, plan on a day of local musicians on the main stage, fabulous foods, and awardwinning artisans presenting their work. Every year, Holy Cross parishioners and volunteers don their
overalls and grow their beards for an authentic apple butter experience or make real apple cider in the
cider barn. Others make barbecue and old-fashioned Brunswick stew, and there’s a jam tent and a bake
sale to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. Our bakers are careful to list the ingredients on the baked goods
and there’s always a big gluten-free selection, too.

The Valle Country Fair is a fall festival held the third Saturday in October in a large pasture with an iconic
Red Barn, located alongside NC Highway 194 between Valle Crucis and Banner Elk. Admission is free, and
parking is $10 per car. The Fair runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. NO PETS are allowed.

Media sponsors for the 2025 Valle Country Fair are Curtis Media Group, WATA radio, and the Mountain
Times Publications. This project was supported by the Watauga Arts Council and the North Carolina Arts
Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

The Valle Country Fair is a joint effort between Holy Cross Episcopal Church and the Valle Crucis Conference
Center. Proceeds are used to provide grants to local non-profit organizations, and relief to local families
with emergency needs. For more information, contact Holy Cross Church at 828-963-4609 ext. 23 or visit
the Fair website at www.vallecountryfair.org.

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Back 2 School Fest.jpg: Watauga County's Back 2 School Festival is one of 127 different non-profit
organizations that have received funds from the Valle Country Fair over the past 47 years. Organizers of
the Back 2 School Festival provide students with school supplies, new shoes & socks, backpacks, haircuts
and healthy food in an atmosphere of fun, dignity and respect. (Watauga County Schools photo)

MA_carrying totes.jpg: Mountain Alliance shows up in force to help with the logistics of putting on the
Valle Country Fair as a truckload of teens show up to help transport equipment and supplies from storage
to the field to set up for the event. The teens return again after the crowds depart to help pack equipment
and transport it back to the storage room. (Mountain Alliance photo)

Wilmoth Award.jpg: Not only has the Valle Country Fair poured more than $1.3 million into assisting
neighbors in need over the past 47 years, in 2019 the Boone Chamber of Commerce recognized the event
as an important driver in the local tourism economy. (Photo by Ahren Koenig)