Annual Spring Planting & Music Festival

 

Mule team working.

Live Music, Demos, and More

April 26, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (ET)

Step back in time at the 26th Annual Spring Planting and Music Festival as crafters demonstrate traditional skills you don’t see every day, like blacksmithing, basket-making, hand-spinning, weaving, woodcarving, and even herbal garden traditions and paling fence-building.

You’ll also find plenty to do throughout the day, including:

• Children’s activities
• Interpretive talks
• Fun run
• Bird watching
• Vendors demonstrating and selling handmade goods
• Food for purchase

Explore displays that bring the past to life, including women’s daily life, antique farm tools, farm animals, and old-time toys, fun for kids and nostalgic for adults.

Local musicians perform traditional mountain music throughout the area by various groups such as the Knoxville Area Dulcimer Club.

Don’t miss a visitor favorite: plowing and planting using mules and horses at the Lora Blevins Field. Additional demonstrations will take place at the Oscar Blevins Farm Site.

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Please note that the live demonstrations, vendor participation, and music lineup are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, including weather and vendor availability.

 

 

Know Before You Go

Frequently asked questions.

Where is the event taking place?

Event activities will take place at Bandy Creek Visitor Center and at Oscar and Lora Blevins' home site.

What about parking and getting around?

Parking will be located at Bandy Creek in the field near the swimming pool. A designated bus parking area is available for large groups.

How much does it cost to attend?

This event has free admission. 

What can I bring to increase comfort?

Bring a lawn chair or a blanket, bug spray, and enjoy a great day of good food and music!

Where can I get more information?

For more information, call the Bandy Creek Visitor Center at [phone].

 

Live demonstration of traditional crafts.

NPS Photo

Guests at the old-fashioned toy tent exhibit.

NPS Photo

Live music playing at the Spring Planting and Music Festival.

NPS Photo

 

Roots of Spring Planting

Spring, a time for new beginnings and growth. For many mountain families it was also a time to begin their planting of crops, vegetable gardens and livestock production. It was this production that sustained the family through the rest of the year.

The early families who settled the Big South Fork area depended on their ability to successfully raise animals, crops, and gardens to feed themselves. Most of the farming that occurred here was truly subsistence farming. The family often consumed the entire production of the garden. There was continued use of wild plant and animal foods, but the “kitchen garden” was vital to a sustainable food supply. This tradition continues with many families even today. It is not uncommon for local residents to have large gardens that provide a substantial amount of food.

Along with planning for their gardens and crops, families had a number of annual spring “chores” that were performed -- spring cleaning and airing out of the house and bed linens, repairing paling fences, livestock care and animal husbandry, and mending and making clothing for the spring and summer seasons. Various crafts and forgotten arts of today were skills of yesterday -- skills needed for survival in the area we now call the Big South Fork, Cumberland Mountains, or Appalachia.

 

Vendor Rules and Permits

Want to sell or provide services to visitors here? Find out what’s allowed and how to apply.

Get Started As A Vendor