April 26, 2025 - 10am-4pm

The Greening Up the Mountains Festival, now in its 27th year, is a heritage arts festival that celebrates the arrival of Spring through both traditional and contemporary forms of Appalachian art, music, food, and beverage which honor our community and local artisans. The festival is sponsored by both the Town of Sylva and the Main Street Sylva Association and will be held in Historic Downtown Sylva, North Carolina. The Greening Up The Mountains Festival enjoys crowds of upwards of 12,000 attendees and has 150 vendor booth spaces. In addition to a variety of arts, crafts, and food vendors, attendees can enjoy a 5k run, beverage arts featuring local craft breweries, and live music throughout the day.

​Be sure to visit both Main Street and Bridge Park to enjoy all the festival has to offer.  Like us on Facebook to receive festival updates and information.  

VOLUNTEER: The festival requires all of the staff, law enforcement and numerous volunteers make happen.  If you would like to volunteer, click HERE to fill out the form.  You get a free t-shirt!

VENDOR and SPONSORSHIP Spots are Completely FULL! 

Vendors/Sponsors

More Info.

Volunteer

It takes a village to get things set up and running for the Greening Up the Mountains Festival.  If you would like to volunteer (and get a free t-shirt).

Learn More

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability: In honor of Earth Day and the Greening Up the Mountains festival origins, we are committed to sustainability.  Thank you to Jackson County Solid Waste and our team of recycling volunteers for helping us make the festival clean and green.

  • No single-use plastic water bottles are permitted to be sold or given away at the festival.  TWSA has generously provided water bottle refilling stations at Bridge Park and on Main Street.  We are also giving away reusable water bottles at this year's festival at the information booths.
  • No single-use plastic bags are permitted to be used by our vendors.  This does not apply to products packaged in plastic bags, such as kettle corn, or food items, such as pastries, that are pre-wrapped in plastic.
  • No styrofoam containers, including, but not limited to, cups and plates, are permitted. Vendors must use reusable or recyclable products (paper or plastic food containers are recyclable in our area).​

                                                                             Like us on Facebook to receive festival updates and information. 

DIRECTIONS & PARKING

Directions from Asheville, NC: Click here for Google Maps directions - Travel Time: 45 - 60 minutes

Directions from Atlanta, GA: Click here for Google Maps directions - Travel Time: 2 - 3 hours

Directions from Knoxville, TN: Click here for Google Maps directions - Travel Time: 1.5 - 2 hours

Parking

There will be a drop-off area for patrons with disabilities, as well as parking in front of the Sylva Police Station on West Main Street. You can park and walk, or ride the shuttle, to the festival from two locations. 

Several downtown businesses and organizations are offering "pay to park" locations closer to the festival, and we encourage the patronage of these local businesses.   Other good ideas for parking are Mark Watson Park, Sylva First United Methodist Church on Jackson Street (fundraiser), Behind the Jackson County Library.  Handicapped Parking is available behind the Sylva Police Department and behind Wells Fargo, accessible from Jackson Street via the Detour. 

Pet Policy

​Friendly dogs with leashes are welcome.

Transit

The Jackson County Transit shuttle will be running from the Jackson County Justice Center and Jackson Plaza to the downtown festival area on festival day.  Rides are $1 per person.  Pets are not allowed on the shuttle, but service animals are permitted.

  Jackson County Transit Logo

MUSIC

2025 Music Schedule

10:00-11:00  amTLQ+2
11:30-12:30 pm Maggie Valley Band 
1-2 pm Bird in Hand 
2:30-4 pm Robertson Boys 
FESTIVAL MAP

CONTACT

Mark & Tammy Haskett, Event Coordinators

Mailing Address:
Town of Sylva c/o GUTM 83 Allen Street Sylva, NC 28779

     Sylva Logo

FESTIVAL FOCUS & HISTORY

The 27th annual Greening Up The Mountains festival in Sylva, NC began as a celebration of  Appalachian heritage arts around Earth Day.  Its namesake reflects the gradual progression of spring green moving up the mountains. Local residents and business owners organized the original festival in partnership with the Sylva downtown Main Street program, which is now called Main Street Sylva Association.  2,500 people were in attendance and now the festival has grown to 12-14,000 people.  Early festivals featured talent shows, farm and kitchen demonstrations, nature education, plus costume, essay and baking contests, - even a cake walk!

The festival has evolved into a larger event showcasing heritage arts and locally crafted items for purchase, live music, demonstrations, and food/beverages . . . all while continuing to emphasize environmental stewardship and sustainability.  

Several years ago the organizing committee wanted increase the event’s environmental practices.  Over a 3-year period festival requirements were added to eliminate single-use plastics, plastic bottled water, and plastic shopping bags.  Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority created water filling stations so that attendees could refill their water bottles throughout the day.  Baxley’s Chocolates also offered to provide festival signage to help people understand the county’s trash and recycling practices, complementing the Jackson County Solid Waste’s educational offerings at the event. Demonstration organizations also share their strategies with the public at the festival.   Western North Carolina’s “Feed Me Foam,” truck was added to the festival, demonstrating how they distill a truck load of foam into a solid brick that can be used in other ways.  The Styrofoam recycler picks up Styrofoam each month at Mark Watson Park.