A Tradition About Change

Colorful fall foliage inspires Cashiers’ annual Leaf Festival

By BRITTANY CONLEY » Photos by RODNEY BYAR

By now, many people are delighted to say goodbye to summer's relentless heat and welcome the respite of cooler temperatures, football games, and hot cocoa. Whether you call it fall or autumn, the beginning of the season is affectionately known as leaf season–and the folks who travel to take in the wondrous colors of the mountains often call themselves leaf peepers. And with every picturesque view awash with reds, oranges, and golds, making the pilgrimage to witness it firsthand is a time-honored tradition for travelers and locals alike. The Village Green hosts one of the area’s favorite fall festivals to celebrate changing leaves. The Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival, now in its 15th year, is a plateau mainstay.

“I love seeing the community come together and seeing leaf season. To me, it signifies fall is here,” says Shelby Ward, event coordinator for The Village Green. This 501 c-3 nonprofit park system relies solely on the community's generosity and receives no regional, state, or federal funding. The Village Green, in turn, supports the community with over 80 events and festivals each year.

Among the long list of events The Village Green hosts, the Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival is one of the most attended family-friendly events, connecting thousands of visitors with a growing list of talented vendors and local businesses. This year, it will be held from Friday, October 11th, through Sunday, the 13th. This year, 100 artisans are slated to showcase their unique crafts, including handmade jewelry, kiln-fired pottery, hand-poured soaps, and much more. Culinary vendors will be on-site as well to satisfy the taste buds of the most discerning foodies and to delight even the most persnickety child.

“It’s a great event for families,” says Ward, who notes that not only is there no general admission fee, but there are many options that are geared toward families with even small children, from vendors who create laser-cut ornaments to the ever-popular teddy bear clinic set up by the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital. Kids can bring their stuffed animals or adopt one from the event and practice their caregiving skills. “The teddy bear clinic is super interactive and cute, and it’s a great way to help alleviate some hospital or healthcare fears kids might have,” says Ward. The teddy bear clinic will be at the festival on Friday and Saturday only, but plenty of other kid-friendly opportunities will also be around on Sunday. Even the friendly, family dog is welcome, provided they remain leashed and supervised at all times.

Music lovers will also appreciate a slate of free concerts during the festival, with five acts set to take the stage over the weekend. On Saturday, you can enjoy Jennifer Goree Music at 11 am, Mountain Magic at 1 pm, and Ellie’s Groove at 3 pm. Sunday’s performers are Wild Mountain Time at 11 am and George Reeves at 1 pm. Look for these local musicians at the Gazebo, near the Crossroads and

For families who have already made the Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival a tradition, the much-anticipated 2024 Christmas ornaments will be available for purchase at The Village Green’s tent. These lovely, hand-painted glass ornaments have become a tradition within the tradition for many as they look forward to the upcoming holidays–which is just one facet of the excitement leaf season brings. As the leaves change, the promise of holiday and seasonal traditions settle over us like a warm wool blanket on a cool autumn night.

The Village Green would like to thank its corporate sponsors for making it possible to continue this free, family-friendly event: Premier Sponsor Landmark Realty Group, Rusticks, Laurel Magazine, Africa Awaits, Cashiers Valley Real Estate, Spinx, Ingles, Caliber Fine Properties, WHLC 104.5, Jackson County Parks & Recreation, Appalachian Golf Cars.

This event would be impossible without the vendors and our community, whom the Village Green would also like to thank. For more information about the Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival or to learn about the many volunteer opportunities for this festival and beyond, you can check out VillageGreenCashiers.com and follow The Village Green on its social media platforms.