As most of you already know, the John C. Campbell Folk School plays a huge role in our lives. I consider myself very fortunate to live just down the road from the John C. Campbell Folk School.
The first time I remember being at the folk school, I was about 6 years old. My class at school had planned a field trip to the folk school. My Mamaw, Marie Wilson, worked in the craft shop, instead of taking the bus with the other kids I rode to work with her that morning.
Even though the days, weeks, and years have passed quickly since that day, I still vividly recall the trip as the beginning of my fascination with the folk school. First there were the carvings-dozens of little animal figures any child would have been spell bound by them. There was the sliding door refrigerator with more fruit in it than I’d ever seen before, and as I wandered around and lost my way-there was the nice housekeeper who let me follow her back to Mamaw-never scolding me for prowling around and getting lost.
Through the years the folk school continued to weave its way through my life. Pap has performed at many a fall festival and Friday night concert. The folk school even aided in one of the greatest achievements of his musical career when they assisted the North Carolina Arts Council in awarding Pap and his brother the North Carolina Folk Heritage Award for their music as The Wilson Brothers. You can even read about Pap in the JCCFS’s History Center.
The folk school continues to be a part of my life today. Chatter and Chitter clogged on the John C. Campbell Folk School Clogging Team for many years; I teach an Appalachian cooking class for them; we all enjoy attending contra dances; and the whole Blind Pig Gang performs often at the folk school-and is always on one of the stages during fall festival.
When Olive Dame Campbell opened her beloved folk school it was primarily to help our little community of Brasstown and the surrounding area. Her vision was to teach local folks how to use the techniques and talents they already had to better their lives.
To be sure, people from all over the world have benefited from the John C. Campbell Folk School. However, every year when we take our places on the festival barn stage, I know Mrs. Campbell would be proud. Not because of our musical awesomeness, but because 4 generations of the Wilson family who live just down the road, have intertwined their lives with her dream.
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Details:
JCCFS Fall Festival – October 3 & 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the John C. Campbell Folk School. Daily admission: $5 for adults, $3 for ages 12-17, and free for children under 12.
The Blind Pig gang will perform on the Festival Barn Stage at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday Oct 4th. If you make it to the festival PLEASE come up and say hello!
Live close enough to attend the festival? The Folk School generously donated 4 tickets for me to giveaway-so if you want the tickets-leave a comment and tell me. There will be 2 winners-each getting 2 tickets. The tickets are good for one day of the festival-whichever day you decide to attend.
To be entered in the giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post telling me you want to win the tickets. The giveaway will close on Friday September 25 at 3:00 p.m.
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Be sure to drop back by tomorrow for a guest post about Olive Dame Campbell written by Rooney Floyd.
Tipper
About 44 years ago, we were on a trip in the GSM area and found a school that may have been the John C Campbell school. We visited and enjoyed, has the school been around that long?
John-Yes! The Folk School was founded in 1925 so maybe it’s the school you visited 🙂
Tipper,
I would love to make the trip for the Fall Festival but since I am limited in my travel, I would like to donate my tickets,(if I win) to a deserving, local youngster that would otherwise be unable to attend!
God bless!
Tipper: WE WILL BE OVER FOR MY MULTI-CLASS REUNION on 10/3&4th! So let me be on your ‘drawing list’ for two tickets!THANKS SO MUCH! Eva Nell
p.s. I sent your wonderful post on the FOLK SCHOOL to our Librarian here and she MIGHT place it in our library!
Someday I hope to come visit, Tipper, but I’ll have to wait a while longer. Good luck to the folks putting their names in the hat for the tickets!
Hi Tipper, I live just the other side of Hiawasee in the NW Corner of Rabun County. I have had the pleasure of attending the Folk School a couple of times for Jerry Feiffer’s Bistro Cooking Class. Love the Folks School! It is always a wonderful week!
I will be coming over to the festival and would love to have the free tickets!
Hope to see you there!
As much as I would love to come and see you all perform at the folk school, I cannot ride that far. Maybe someday!
Wish I didn’t live so far away so I will wish you God speed and enjoyment.
Tipper,
I love the JCCFS and the Fall
Festival. If it hadn’t been for you
and the Blind Pig Family, I might
have never gone. Oh I knew about
the Folk School for years, but because you started saying all that
interesting stuff, it made me
wonder. I’m glad I go…Ken
Tipper,
Chitter and Chatter still clog with a clogging dance team don’t they? Seems like the name was Kudzu Kloggers or Kickers, hmmm..can’t remember! Refresh my mind! I know those gals can sure dance a jig, even though I know it is not a ‘Irish jig’ in literal terminology. Well yes, I guess in definition, clogging is a ‘jiggy’ movement type dance. Just say ‘in!
DO NOT put me down for a chance to win the tickets. However, if we can, we will still try to travel over to see the Blind Pig Gang on Sunday, at least I’ll try my best! Football takes precedence here on Saturdays!
Yep, wish I could take every week long class there at JCCFS…so interesting and fun!
Thanks Tipper,
Wow, I would love to win a ticket to the Fall Festival. I am coming from Wisconsin to see the Pressley Girls and to experience the John Campbell Fall Festival, attend a week long class at the school, to walk over the Fontana Dam, to Zip-line and train ride in the Smokies, to do the Quilt Trail, to see the
Dellinger Mill, see the Biltemore, etc. etc. I am so excited to come to NC and I can’t wait to hear the music.
Tipper, please include my name in the drawing, I would love to attend. I have heard about the school for years but I have never been there for a visit or a class. It is great to live so close to so many wonderful opportunities.
Oh man, I would love to win those but, I am going to see my new grand-baby at that time. Thanks for the chance anyway.
Pam
scrap-n-sewgranny.blogspot.com
Good morning Tipper, as always thank you for your posts 🙂 I would love 2 tickets for the Festival,I have friends coming into town who have never been to the festival. What a treat this would be! Thank you 🙂
Love your blog, and the music, well, oh my!! My dream is to take almost all of the JCC classes (smile). I would love to go to the fall festival!
Win or lose i intend to be there to personally say hi to you, Tipper, even though i will have to talk a ride outa my bud who drives Franklin t Murphy 5 days a week, but not weekends. Looking forward.
Every time I go to town, that is everyday when I go to the gym, I pass the Folk School. This month I’ve seen them getting ready for the Fall Festival. They’ve got fresh mulch on all the walking paths, mowed all the fields and baled the hay, set up entryways for all the ticket stands, and just in general spruced up the place. The festival is always a well organized activity and real bonus to the community!
I an sorry not to be there to see it this year. It was such fun! Please do not enter me into the contest
I would love a chance to win a pair of tickets and meet you and the rest of the Blind Pig Gang.