Hike with your Hound Trail Walk

Purrfectly Pampered 78 D S. Catawba Ave., Old Fort, NC, United States

Old Fort dog groomer Purrfectly Pampered will lead you and your furry friend on a trail walk through downtown Old Fort. Meet at Purrfectly Pampered.

Creating a Pollinator Garden Demo

Arrowhead Gallery 77 Catawba Ave., Old Fort, NC, United States

Meet at Arrowhead Gallery in Old Fort as Dana Owen, co-owner of Painter’s Greenhouse leads you in a hands-on presentation on developing and enhancing your pollinator garden. See how easy it is to start a beneficial and beautiful garden space. Leave with a list of her favorite plants and some seeds to get you started. 

Free

Rails & Rhythms Bluegrass Night

Downtown Old Fort 38 S Catawba Ave., Old Fort, NC

Sponsored by the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and the Jazz Foundation of America, we are excited to kick off the festival on Friday night with “Rails & Rhythms Bluegrass Night” Despite the challenges faced by the Old Fort community in the wake of Hurricane Helene, the town is resilient, rallying together to rebuild and […]

Free

Sunrise Hike

Old Fort USFS Picnic Area 2415 State Rd 1400, Old Fort, NC

Don't miss this hike as you watch the skies color at sunrise. The McDowell Trails Association will lead a hike on the Point Lookout Greenway. Yes, a very early start, but we will arrive at Point Lookout for the 6:12 AM sunrise. We will hike at a brisk pace 2.5 miles from the Old Fort Point […]

Fonta Flora 5K Run

Fonta Flora 5K Run 38 Catawba Avenue, Old Fort, NC, United States

Not quite ready for mountain trail running, get those running/walking shoes on for a mostly flat running course along the streets of Old Fort. Race starts at Town Hall. Registration required.

$25.00

Ridge to Rails 50K | Half | 10k Run

Camp Grier 985 Camp Grier Rd., Old Fort, NC

The Ridge to Rails 50k, Half & 10k run presents a unique set of races in the emerging town of Old Fort, NC.  Using a combo of classic and new trails in the area, the Ridge to Rails races take you on some of the best runs. The 50k is one big loop highlighting some […]

$25.00

Yoga Fest

Old Fort Yoga 45 Catawba Ave., Old Fort, NC, United States

Come to Old Fort Yoga on Catawba Ave. for a full day of FREE classes. See schedule below for full details! 9:00 AM  Bhakti 10:00 AM Pilates and Sculpt 11:00 AM Gentle Flow Noon: Strong Slow Flow 1:00 PM Breath & Gentle Flow 2:00 PM Vinyasa Flow 3:00 PM Yin & Restore

Free

Forest Recovery Hike

Point Lookout Greenway 2415 State Rd 1400, Old Fort, NC, United States

Appalachian Land Stewards’ arborist John Odell will lead a hike on the Swannanoa Creek Trail discussing the effects of Hurricane Helene on WNC forests and what forest recovery will look like in coming years. Meet by the gate at Point Lookout trailhead. Limited parking 400’ from trailhead; additional parking at Old Fort Picnic Area (8 […]

Free

Vendor Village

Mountain Gateway Museum 24 Water St., Old Fort

No festival would complete without an awesome lineup of outdoor vendors. Located in downtown Old Fort on the lawn of the Mountain Gateway Museum discover a variety of outdoor equipment, fly fishing and hiking guides, bike demos, food trucks, craft vendors, and live demonstrations designed to teach new skills for your outdoor adventures. Experience Seminars […]

Train Exposition

Come tour the Old Fort Depot & Train Museum and historic caboose. Train inspired vendors will have model train displays and train memoriabilia, history, books and more. The North Carolina Transportation Museum will explain the long railroad history in Old Fort. The Railroad Convict Story will be presented live in a living history performance.

A Celebration of McDowell’s Comback

Mountain Gateway Museum 24 Water St., Old Fort

Join us at the Vendor Village, with the Town of Old Fort, the McDowell Chamber of Commerce and Destination McDowell for a ribbon cutting that will celebrate the resilience, renewal and rebirth Old Fort businesses and people have experienced over the last year.  We’ll gather at the corner of Water Street and Catawba Avenue, right […]