More than 45 vendors will display their wares at the Tryon Arts &Crafts Fall Festival this weekend. Demonstrations and children’s activities will also be available. (photo submitted)Several of these artisans will be demonstrating in their booths how their work is created.

Tours, demonstrations

The Tryon Arts and Crafts (TAC) building will be closed except for scheduled tours during the festival. The tours are designed to help people learn more about Tryon Arts and Crafts and what it offers. Tours will be offered at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. both days.

TAC studios will be represented at the artisan demonstration tent by instructors throughout both days. Check out scheduled demonstrations in clay, fiber, glass, wood, jewelry and lapidary.&bsp; You can even sign up for a class or workshop.&bsp; The forge will be fired up with ongoing demonstrations both days as well.

Kids of all ages will enjoy a variety of activities at the children&squo;s craft tent. They can paint a mini pumpkin or&bsp; their own Halloween tote bag. Kids can learn about rocks and their origins and search for fabulous semi-precious stones.&bsp; &bsp;

Potter Nancy Heim will be demonstrating in the artisan booth and offering children the opportunity to make a small clay bowl on the wheel. For a small fee TAC will fire and glaze the bowls for pick up at the TAC office. For out-of-town visitors, bowls can be shipped for a charge. Some activities are ongoing and some are at scheduled times.

Music

This year&squo;s music lineup includes music from bluegrass to jazz. Kicking off the festival on Saturday will be Paddywhack with Claude Graves, followed by Hickory Grove, Phil and Gaye Johnson, Todd and Doug Elliott, a special performance by YAM (Young Appalachian Musicians), and Wendy Loomis and her Rhythm Rascals.

Sunday entertainment begins at noon with Ramsey & Daughterty, followed by Mark Miller and the Music Makers. Bring your chair or blanket and sit back and enjoy the music.

Food

What festival would be complete without food? Enjoy a variety of choices including Foothills BBQ, Giardini Trattoria, Larkins Carolina Grill and TCBY. Hot beverages, pastries and desserts will be sold at the Tryon Arts and Crafts information booth.

TAC Information Booth

The information booth will also offer for sale mugs, festival T-shirts and tickets for their annual holiday raffle for a 32&uot; flat screen TV. Raffle drawing to be held and announced in December. Be sure to stop by and pick up your festival program and information on upcoming classes and workshops.

The 2nd Annual Tryon Arts and Crafts Festival is sponsored by Polk County Community Foundation, Watson Flooring and Appliance, Larkins Carolina Grill, JB Trees, Tryon Mountain Hardware, St. Luke&squo;s Hospital, McKinsey Printing, Tryon Lumber and Tryon Daily Bulletin.

The festival will be held rain or shine with free admission and free parking; however, donations are always welcome.&bsp;&bsp;&bsp; Also this weekend at Harmon Field is the Tour de Leaves Bike Race sponsored by Friends of Harmon Field.&bsp; So mark your calendar for the weekend of October 17 and 18th and come to Harmon Field for the festivities.