Welcome to Blue Ridge Heritage Weekend!

The Blue Ridge Heritage Weekend (BRHW) Arts & Crafts Fair 2026 (August 8th and 9th) takes place just three blocks from downtown Waynesville on the scenic Shelton Campus, nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The campus features the historic Shelton House – Museum of North Carolina Craft and History, the Shelton Barn, an on-site Airbnb, the Haywood Historic Farmers Market, and the nearby HART Theater, creating a vibrant cultural destination for visitors and artists alike.

Now in its 8th year, Blue Ridge Heritage Weekend serves as a fundraiser for the Shelton House and celebrates the rich craft traditions of Western North Carolina. The outdoor event features a juried selection of artists and craftspeople, live craft demonstrations, local musicians, and a variety of food trucks. Because the fair is held outdoors, participating artists must provide their own tents.

The Shelton Campus is also part of several regional cultural tourism routes, including the Blue Ridge Heritage Trail, Blue Ridge Craft Trail, Blue Ridge Mural Trail, and the Historic Quilt Block Trail, making the event a natural stop for visitors exploring the region’s creative heritage.

Throughout the weekend, artists, crafters, and volunteers will have access to complimentary refreshments and restroom facilities in the Shelton Barn. On Saturday morning (9:00 am–12:00 pm), the Haywood Historic Farmers Market takes place on the back portion of the campus, offering fresh local produce, meats, dairy products, baked goods, and other regional specialties. Because the market draws a strong weekly following, the arts and crafts fair will open at 9:00 am on Saturday to welcome the market crowd.

This year, we are excited to announce that we are adding a Haywood Market for Haywood County Artists, which will allow local artists offering handcrafted work a space to showcase their work. The Haywood Market will provide a dedicated space for artists living in Haywood County to showcase and sell their work during the festival. The market will be located in the Shelton House barn, and vendors who apply for a space here will be offered individual booth spaces at a reduced fee. Applicants for the Haywood Market are encouraged to apply early, as we only have approximately 12 spaces available.

For full guidelines and eligibility, click HERE