Town & Trailfest 2025

Schedule of Events


Volunteer Day

Friday: 10:00am-4:00pm
Downtown Hot Springs

Join us for a Volunteer Day in downtown Hot Springs on Friday. We’ll be working together to clean up, restore, and beautify our town, and we’d love your help. Whether you can lend a hand for an hour or the whole day, every bit makes a difference. Check-ins are at the First Aid tent at the Hot Springs Resort & Spa.

Carolina Mountain Club Trail Cleanup

Friday: 10:00am-2:00pm
The Appalachian Trail

The Carolina Mountain Club will be hosting a trail cleanup and maintenance hike on Friday morning.

Massage Therapy

Friday: 10:00am-4:00pm
Bluff Mountain Outfitters

True Balance Corrective Bodywork
NCLMBT #15660,  TNLMBT #11830 
828.206.9472 

Amy, a licensed massage therapist, specializes in Structural Balancing to correct imbalances and relieve pain from issues like low back pain, sciatica, and joint discomfort—often caused by repetitive activities like hiking the Appalachian Trail. A full-body balance can improve your gait, enhance stability, and help prevent injury.

Trail Poetry Writing Workshop w/Tiffany Narron

Friday: 3:30pm-4:30pm
Vaste Riviere Outpost

poetry

Led by local writer and creative guide Tiffany Narron, this inspiring experience invites participants to connect with nature and explore their creative voice through poetry.

Dedication of Peace Pole

Friday: 5:00pm
Hot Springs Welcome Center

This Peace Pole was generously donated by the Madison County Rotary Club as part of a global movement to spread the universal message of peace.
 
Members of the Rotary Club and Hot Springs Town Council will be in attendance.  All people are welcome to join and set an intention for love and peace for the weekend and beyond!  Learn more about the project at https://www.worldpeace.org/peacepoleproject/

Appalachian Campfire: Stories & Ballads

Friday: 7:30pm
Big Pillow Brewing

Gather ’round the fire for an evening of haunting ballads and rich mountain tales. Experience the magic of Appalachian tradition as gifted singers and storytellers share the songs and legends passed down through generations.

Scott Doc Varn

Storyteller Scott “Doc” Varn

Scott is an artist, conservationist, and founder of Preserving a Picturesque America, a nonprofit that combines art, history, and environmental stewardship to protect natural and historic sites. 

Inspired by the 19th-century Picturesque America series, he uses storytelling, art, and exploration to revive its conservation message. He also authored Rediscovering a Picturesque America and appears in the PBS documentary, America: The Land We Live In.

Melanie Rice

Ballad Singer Melanie Rice

Eighth-generation ballad singer Melanie Rice grew up in Sodom Laurel, surrounded by Appalachian music, dance, and storytelling. Melanie has dedicated her life to preserving and sharing the ballads, folklore, and dance of Madison County.

Today, Melanie continues to live in Sodom Laurel, on the land where generations before her lived and sang. Hanging clothes on the line and listening to the wind whip across the ridge tops.

Whether you’re a traveler on the trail or a neighbor from town, come pull up a seat, feel the warmth of the flames, and let the stories of the mountains transport you.

Hiker Fashion Show

Friday: 9:30pm
Hot Springs Resort & Spa Campground

Forget Paris and Milan—the runway is the trail, and the designers are thru-hikers! Join us for the Hiker Fashion Show, where Appalachian Trail hikers dig into the legendary loaner clothes box to create the most outrageous, creative, and downright stylish outfits the mountains have ever seen.
From mismatched rain gear to vintage fleece finds, this is a night of fun, laughter, and trail-inspired couture. Strut your stuff, cheer on your fellow hikers, and see who takes home the title of Best Dressed on the AT!

Donation Based Yoga

Saturday: 9:30am-10:30am
Big Pillow Brewing

Visit Big Pillow Brewing’s event space for a donation-based yoga class Saturday morning!  Enjoy a combination of slow flow, gentle stretching, and learn simple mindfulness techniques. This class is perfect for those new to yoga or seasoned yogis looking for a gentle morning stretch!  Bring your own mat and any props that you enjoy using.

Food & 50+ Vendors

Saturday: 10:00am-4:00pm
Hot Springs Resort & Spa Grounds

Come to Hot Springs for our 50+ vendor market! Enjoy delicious food, browse unique arts & crafts, and check out vendors from local nonprofits and outdoor gear companies. It’s the perfect way to support the community while discovering something new.

Welcome from Mayor Abby Norton and Town Council

Saturday: 10:30am
Hot Springs Resort & Spa Grounds

The wait is over—Hot Springs is coming back! Join the Mayor, members of the Town Council, and representatives with Rebuild Hot Springs Area for a ribbon-cutting celebration as we officially reopen our town after the storm. This isn’t just about cutting a ribbon—it’s about cutting loose and celebrating our resilience, our community, and the bright future ahead! The doors are open, the lights are on, and Hot Springs is ready to welcome you home!

Community Folk Dance w/ Charley Harvey

Saturday: 11:00am
Hot Springs Resort & Spa Grounds

Join us for a lively Community Folk Dance led by Charley Harvey!

Whether you’re an experienced dancer or just curious to see what it’s all about, this interactive demonstration is a great way to experience the joy of folk dancing. Come watch, tap your feet to the rhythm, or even jump in and give it a try!

Cornhole Tournament

Saturday: 11:00am
Hot Springs Resort & Spa Grounds

Town and Trail Festival Cornhole Tournament

Grab a partner and get ready to toss! Join us for our Cornhole Tournament where the best teams will walk away with cash prizes and the title of cornhole champions.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a backyard beginner, everyone’s welcome to join the fun. Great competition, good laughs, and maybe even some bragging rights—don’t miss out!

  • Entry fee is $30 per team.
  • 1st Place Team wins $150, t-shirts, and medals
  • 2nd Place Team wins $50, t-shirts, and medals.

Live Music

Saturday: 12:00pm-4:00pm
Hot Springs Resort & Spa Grounds

The Cinners

12:00pm – The Cinners

Ashley Heath

1:00pm – Ashley Heath

75 Single Wide

2:00pm – 75 Single Wide

Pierce Edens and Kevin Reese

3:00pm – Pierce Edens & Kevin Reese

The Hillclimbers

Saturday: 4:00-7:00pm
Bluff Mountain Outfitters

The Hillclimbers

Enjoy live music from The Hillclimbers, an Appalachian Fusion band led by brothers Conner and Blake Nagel.

Duck Race

Saturday: 4:30pm
Bridge St. by the Spring Creek

Do you think your rubber ducky has what it takes to be the first across the finish line? Enter our 50/50 raffle now to find out!

The winner will take home 50% of the raffle proceeds, while the other half is donated to Rebuild Hot Springs Area (RHSA).

You can purchase your own duck at the RHSA information booth or at participating businesses around town.

Inclement Weather Alternative Dates

Sunday, May 4th at 1:00pm
Saturday, May 10th at 1:00pm

Town Night!

Saturday: 5:00-?
Downtown Hot Springs

Hot Springs is back and better than ever, and it’s time to celebrate! Throw on your town shirt and hit the streets for Town Night, a special evening dedicated to supporting our local businesses as they reopen their doors after the storm.

Let’s fill the town with familiar faces, good vibes, and plenty of support for the places that make this mountain town home.

Mitch McConnell & The Senators

Saturday: 6:00-9:00pm
Downtown Hot Springs

mitch-mcconnell-and-the-senators

Mitch McConnell & The Senators bring a fresh twist and a reimagining to traditional Appalachian music, blending old-time roots with a modern, rhythm-forward edge.

“America: The Land We Live In” + Q&A with host Scott “Doc” Varn

Saturday: 7:30pm
Chestnut Hall

america-the-land-we-live-in

Visit the beautiful Chestnut Hall for a special screening of the PBS documentary America: The Land We Live In, which highlights the town of Hot Springs, NC. Following the film, co-host Scott “Doc” Varn will be on hand for a Q&A session.


Hiker Brunch

Sunday Morning: 9:00am-12:00pm
Vaste Riviere Outpost

After miles on the trail, nothing beats a hearty, laid-back brunch! Join us Sunday morning at Vaste Riviere Outpost for a well-earned feast with fellow hikers and locals alike.

Fill your plate with delicious food, swap trail stories over hot coffee, and enjoy a relaxing morning before hitting the next stretch. Whether you’re passing through or just need a break from ramen noodles, this is your chance to refuel, recharge, and reconnect!

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