2020 Mountaineer Festival vendor Brian Westveer (right) talks to an attendee during the first event this past October. (MNJ file photo)
BAKERSVILLE — The second annual North Carolina Mountaineer Festival will draw visitors to Bakersville on Saturday, Sept. 18 to celebrate life in the mountains.
Organized by small business owners Harley and John Masters, the festival happened for the first time in October 2020. The two own and operate Southern Ridge Cafe in Bakersville.
In 2019, the two held an anniversary celebration for their eatery to mark one year in business. That smaller celebration gave way to the Mountaineer Festival in 2020 when Harley Masters decided she wanted to offer something even grander for the community.
With a successful first year in the books, she hopes to see the festival continue each year.
The festival allows attendees to appreciate the area in the fresh air with a mountain backdrop. Dozens of food and craft vendors and other local artisans will have booths, spaced out to allow for social distancing.
Live music by Thirty Ought Six, Ages Past, High Mountain Grass, Michelle Leigh, Bandana Rhytym and Wyatt Duvall will fill the air and attendees can also try making their tunes via karaoke.
Kids can enjoy activities while the older crowd prepares for the Mighty Mountaineer Challenge— a contest with a variety of distinct elements that decides who the true mountaineers are by challenging participants with “mountain activities” like building a fire, hauling hay bails and more.
The festival begins at 10 a.m. and runs through the evening. For information, visit ncmountaineerfestival.com or find the event on Facebook (NCMountaineerFestival).