Tryon Arts & Crafts School will present its first annual spring crafts festival on the grounds of the school at 373 Harmon Field Road in Tryon this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 22 and 23.

The free festival, sponsored by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Dept. of Natural & Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, will feature fine arts and crafts from artisans throughout the Southeast plus craft demonstrations, delicious food, and bluegrass music as well as agricultural displays in celebration of Earth Day.

Craft vendors will be represented in mediums such as glass, photography, wood, jewelry, soap and fiber. Local non-profit organizations will also have booths in a community tent where people can pick up information, and there will be activities for children as well. Growing Rural Opportunities will be there with an agricultural display as well as seed starting activities for children.

Along with the craft booths, visitors can enjoy food from Foothills Barbecue, Nana’s Lemonade, Manna Cabana, and funnel cake from JoAnne’s Tasty Treats. Music will be provided by the Overmountain String Band on Saturday morning, and on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, the New Five Cents Bluegrass Band will serenade attendees with their foot stomping bluegrass music.

Inside the school, there will be demonstrations in several crafts, including woodworking, pottery, jewelry, glass, weaving as well as forge. Attendees will also have the opportunity to view TACS’ Crossroads Show, with a central installation collaboratively created by four artists, as well as collaborative and individual work based on the crossroads theme.

The festival is free and open to the public and will be held rain or shine. Come for a look at the beautiful crafts, see the displays, enjoy the music and food!

For additional information, visit www.tryonartsandccrafts.org or call 828-859-8323.

– article submitted by Cathy Fischer