Singers performing on stage

Festival Highlights

When it's springtime in the mountains
And the dogwood blossoms grow
I'll be back in Happy Valley
As in days of long ago.

Friday Evening: Community Dance and Music (Free Admission)

Join us at 7:00 PM for an old fashion community dance which will include square dancing, contra dancing, and old-time mountain flatfoot dancing. When the feet get tired we will make a little music, have an open mike for campers who are ready to pick and end the evening with informal jamming around the campgrounds. There is no admission fee for Friday evening so come on down and dance or at least pat your feet.

Saturday: Music Competition (Advanced tickets $5 and gate tickets $10)

Music Competition: Preliminary competition for individuals starts at 10:00 AM and ends at approximately 3:00 PM. Preliminary competitions for old time bands and Bluegrass bands are from 3:00 until 6:00 PM. The top three finalists in all categories will compete for top honors in the evening from 7:00 until 11:00 PM.

Other Activities: A unique feature of the Happy Valley Festival is called "the makers meet the players." Instrument makers will display their luthier skills in the Instrument Making Tent, offer instructional advice, play their instruments and generally promote the craft of instrument making.

Their will be a host of children's activities, historic information, story telling, hay rides, a duck derby race, plenty of food and opportunities to just sit on the banks of the Yadkin River.

Sunday: Gospel Homecoming Concert (Free Admission)

Old time sacred music will be on stage from 10:00 until noon. From noon until approximately 3:00 PM, the stage will be filled with local talent and some special guest performers. (Donations are welcomed)

Other Activities

Tours of Fort Defiance -- Just a short drive from the festival is Fort Defiance, the restored 1792 home of Revolutionary War hero and statesman William Lenoir, the namesake of Lenoir, North Carolina. The home features more than 300 pieces of original furnishings and artifacts and is considered one of the country's most unique restorations. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the property also has a family cemetery with graves dating back to 1785. Fort Defiance will be available for tours throughout the weekend. For more information, call 828-758-1671 or visit www.fortdefiancenc.org.