Major festivals on track for Avery County later this year. | Stock Photo
Major festivals on track for Avery County later this year. | Stock Photo
Two of the big summer festivals are still scheduled as planned for Avery County, despite health experts' concerns about COVID-19 long-term existence.
Avery County's annual summer Fine Art & Master Crafts Festivals and the Banner Elk Woolly Worm Festival are still scheduled for the same dates, according to a news release from the Banner Elk Woolly Worm Festival on April 29.
Another announcement reported that the Fine Art Festival was moved to the Sugar Mountain Resort. The festival will be near the resort, within walking distance, and located in the large, paved driveway. It is not in the same area as Oktoberfest but is near the same spot on the flat parking lot.
The chamber added that the move will not affect the amenities that come with the festivals, The Avery Journal reported. The festival will offer chairlifts, golf, biking, hiking, and other fun activities. Discounts on lodging will be available for vendors and guests.
Avery Chamber Board of Directors President Hallie Tucker talked about the process to make decisions to move forward with the festival plans.
“Our hosts, Sugar Mountain’s Kim Jochl, and Town of Banner Elk has offered to host the event on their property and informed us that the events would be allowed to be held. It is optional as to whether each vendor will choose to participate based on their own circumstance and careful decision making,” Tucker said, reported by The Avery Journal.
Tucker also added that the vendors and patrons should make any moves and precautions that they deem necessary at their events.
“The public may use precautions while they attend as they see fit, including wearing protective coverings, hand sanitizing and staying a safe distance from other patrons of the festival,” Tucker stated, reported by The Avery Journal. “Each person in attendance is able to make their own decisions and take all the appropriate precautions. For events to open and for business to begin to recover from this pandemic, someone has to be the first to do so. Avery Chamber of Commerce promotes local businesses and tourism, and even though it is a hard decision, we support our local businesses reopening with the proper safety measures in place.”
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