FERRUM, VA, August 28, 2026 — Ferrum College’s Blue Ridge Folklife Festival offers an enhanced festival experience on October 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on the campus in Ferrum, Virginia. This year brings a new Arts and Crafts Show to the festivities, with new artisans and vendors, family-friendly activities, and children’s events joining all the traditional offerings. Admission is free this year, while parking fees are $20 per family vehicle, $50 per van or shuttle, and $100 for buses.
Ferrum College is proud to preserve the traditions that have made this festival a regional favorite. For more than 50 years, the College’s Blue Ridge Institute & Museum has produced the festival, connecting generations to the rich heritage and traditions of the Blue Ridge while celebrating the artisans, musicians, and makers who continue to shape its vibrant culture today.
For 2026, Ferrum College is building on that legacy with new experiences, artists, and food to ensure there is something for everyone. With live entertainment, family-friendly activities, demonstrations, handcrafted arts featuring new and returning artisans, interactive experiences, a variety of traditional and new food options, and activities for all ages, the day promises to be one you won’t want to miss.
Visitors can enjoy four stages of live music featuring traditional and contemporary Blue Ridge performers, and hear tales during the Henry Lee Law & Friends Storytelling sessions. The new arts and crafts show will feature more than 100 artisans offering handmade jewelry, folk art, woodworking, pottery, textiles, and other unique creations, along with a variety of activities for all ages.
Families will find plenty to enjoy in the Children’s Area, featuring a petting zoo, face painting, cornhole game, mechanical bull, and a fair-style ride. Guests can also visit the Agriculture Student Showcase, featuring projects and produce from Ferrum College students, and experience traditional folklife demonstrations, including horse pulls, mule-jumping contests, coon dog races, antique tractors, and the Thunder in the Blue Ridge Car Show.
The festival will blend historic traditions with new experiences across campus. Lakeside areas and the 1800-style farm museum will celebrate the region’s long-standing folklife traditions, while Franklin Hall, Bassett Field, and the Franklin Hall Quad side of campus will showcase contemporary artisans, modern crafts, and interactive exhibits.
“We are proud to continue the legacy of the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival while creating a vibrant space for new artisans and family-friendly experiences,” said Dr. Mirta Martin, president of Ferrum College. “This festival honors the past and celebrates the future, connecting our community to the rich culture of the Blue Ridge region.”
Now in its 53rd year, the Ferrum College Blue Ridge Folklife Festival and Arts & Crafts Show remains one of the region’s premier celebrations of Appalachian heritage, drawing artisans, musicians, demonstrators, students, and families for a day of culture, education, and community. Blue Ridge Country Magazine has announced that the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival was voted a Best of the Mountains award winner for 2026.
For additional festival information, visit www.ferrum.edu/blueridgefolklifefestival.
