Who Ya’ Kin To?

Avery County Heritage Fest in Cranberry June 6

Story by Anna Oakes

Learn about your local ancestors at the Avery County Heritage Fest at the old Cranberry High School on Saturday, June 6.

New York Times best-selling author Sharyn McCrumb is among many writers and experts who will be at the annual Avery County Heritage Fest on Saturday, June 6. The event takes place at the old Cranberry High School, located just outside of Elk Park, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Genealogy is a major focus of the festival, and more than 70 Avery County families will be represented, said Cindy Peters, coordinator of the event. The Avery County Historical Museum organizes the Heritage Fest every year.

“It’s really about our culture, our history, our genealogy,” Peters said. “We have a huge bunch of people coming.”

The first Avery County Heritage Fest took place in 1998 in Newland. The festival highlights a different community in Avery County each year. The old Cranberry High School, located at the intersection of Highways 19 East and 194 in the Cranberry community, provides an indoor venue for the event this year.

“It’s unusual for us not to have to worry about the weather,” said Peters.

Avery County families—from Buchanan and Burleson to Watson and Wiseman—set up booths with displays of their family histories, including old photographs, obituaries and other information.

In addition to genealogy booths, the Heritage Fest features music, dancers, storytellers and lecturers.

McCrumb is a Southern Appalachian writer known for such novels as She Walks These Hills, The Ballad of Frankie Silver and The Songcatcher. McCrumb was born in North Carolina and has familial ties to the Avery County area. Other special guests include Michael C. Hardy, a Civil War historian and author, and Dr. Lloyd Bailey, “one of the best genealogists around,” Peters said.

The Avery County Historical Museum will also have a new book available for purchase with obituaries from 1900 to 1950.

Admission to the Avery County Heritage Fest is free. Families are encouraged to participate by sharing any early photos, stories, tales or other information pertinent to the settlement and early history of this area. Musicians who would like to participate are also encouraged to do so.

For more information, call Cindy Peters at 828-765-4787 or click to www.averymuseum.com.