19th Annual Saluda Arts Festival
Historic Downtown Saluda, N.C.
Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
One of Saluda’s delightful springtime traditions, the Saluda Arts Festival, returns for its 19th edition this year on Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The one-day, free-admission event draws thousands of attendees to Saluda’s historic downtown every year.
Nearly 100 regional artists will offer a wide range of arts and craft across all media – painting, drawing, sculpture, woodworking, jewelry, ceramics, and more. The festival also will feature live music and entertainment (see listings below), and the return of the popular Children’s Tent with face-painting and other activities. The children’s activity tent and children’s entertainment are sponsored by the Polk County Community Foundation.
Parking shuttles will run all day from an event lot next to Saluda Cemetery. Parking also is available in the municipal lot on East Main Street, Saluda Elementary School, and anywhere else parking is permitted. (NOTE: Our Police Department, as well as our neighbors, ask everyone not to block private streets, lots, or driveways.)
A complete list of artists and a festival map will be posted on social media. Keep track of updates on our Facebook and Instagram pages as well as this page at http://saluda.com under the “Events” menu at the top of the page.
https://www.facebook.com/saludaartsfestival
https://www.instagram.com/saludaartsfestival/
For questions, please contact saludancartsfestival@gmail.com
Saluda Arts Festival Music & Entertainment
This year’s Arts Festival features live music in two venues, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. In the courtyard at Saluda Glass Moon Gallery, 24 W. Main Street (between the Historic Depot and the Saluda Visitor Center), the schedule is:
10:30 – 11:30 am: Mountain Song – Saluda’s own joyful community chorus
Noon – 1:30 p.m. Life Like Water – Asheville folk ensemble harnessing world sounds
2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Slow Runner – led by talented songwriter/performer Michael Flynn
This year’s festival also features a wonderful new music location at Saluda Studios, just a step away from the festival artists on Ervin Street, just over the railroad bridge:
11:30 – 12:30 Over Mountain Old Time Band – Appalachian & Celtic open jam group
Arts Festival Volunteers Needed!
The arts festival could not be successful without a fantastic group of volunteers and is always looking for help. Consider signing up for this year’s event!
Volunteers will work one of four shifts – 7 to 10 am, 10 am to 12 pm, 12 to 2 pm, and 2 to 4 pm. Jobs include section leaders, section assistants, SAF information tent, parking supervisors and golf cart drivers.
Here are three ways to volunteer – an email address, a link, and a QR code that takes you directly to the signup page:
Email: boblindabailey@hotmail.com
Link: https://form.jotform.com/233455353355154
