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35th Annual Valle Country Fair a Massive Success with Record-Breaking 13,000 Attendees; Photos Included

by Madison V. Fisler

Oct. 21, 2013. The 35th annual Valle Country Fair took Valle Crucis by storm on Oct. 19 as more than 13,000 excited festival-goers took to the Valle Crucis Conference Center to enjoy 150 juried vendors, hot apple cider and fresh apple butter, food, live entertainment, a kids area and so much more!

“This year was the most we have ever had,” said Jo Pine, co-chair of the Valle Country Fair.

“There were so many people there before the gates opened that vendors had trouble getting their cars in, but we can’t  complain!”

This highly-anticipated annual event is held each year on the second Saturday in October. For more than three decades, this festival has delighted visitors and residents alike with activities and fare for the entire family. 

The fair, which is sponsored by Holy Cross Episcopal Church and the Valle Crucis Conference Center, draws about 10,000 guests each year and fills up the venue to the brim with music, food and more. 

But the Valle Country Fair isn’t all about fun and games. The fair raises money for grants to be given out to worthy community organizations. 

The grant recipients this year are:

  • Children’s Council of Watauga County
  • Circles of the High Country
  • Community Care Clinic
  • Feeding Avery Families, Inc. 
  • High Country Women’s Fund
  • Hospitality House
  • Parent-to-Parent Family Support Network of the High Country
  • The Hunger and Health Coalition, Inc. 
  • Western Youth Network

“We had a great turnout,” said Pine. “We did really well in every single aspect of the fair, especially the happy faces, which to us is the best part!”

Didn’t get a chance to head out to the fair yourself? No problem! Check out our photos of the gigantic annual event to see what you missed, and be sure not to miss it next year.

Photos by Ken Ketchie

The grounds of the Valle Country Fair
The grounds of the Valle Country Fair

 

Churning fresh apple butter
Churning fresh apple butter

 

Fun for the whole family
Fun for the whole family

 

The venue was packed with eager guests
The venue was packed with eager guests

 

Live music is a staple of this time-honored tradition
Live music is a staple of this time-honored tradition

 

Young and old enjoyed the vendors at the festival
Young and old enjoyed the vendors at the festival

 

This was one great family-friendly event
This was one great family-friendly event

 

150 juried vendors displayed their wares
150 juried vendors displayed their wares

 

Talented artisans displayed their abilities
Talented artisans displayed their abilities

 

Tons of people came out for the event
Tons of people came out for the event

 

Fresh corn was just one of the many items available for hungry guests
Fresh corn was just one of the many items available for hungry guests

 

Just like way back when
Just like way back when

 

Keeping it traditional
Keeping it traditional

 

Vendors showing their wares
Vendors showing their wares

 

Thousands of people came for this decades-old event
Thousands of people came for this decades-old event

 

150 juried vendors were present at the fair
150 juried vendors were present at the fair

 

Ringing in fall with the colors of the season
Ringing in fall with the colors of the season

 

A vendor displays his talents
A vendor displays his talents

 

The Valle Country Fair offered fun for the whole family
The Valle Country Fair offered fun for the whole family