Happy World Emoji Day! Or, as they say in the world of emoji:
For 20 years, digital communication has been slowly taken over by these little pictographs. In the last eight years, since they were officially adopted by Unicode, emoji moved more quickly from their native Japanese homeland to Twitter feeds and selfie comments around the world. And while there is not yet an emoji for everything (we’re still waiting for a simple basket, to be rolled out later this year), the language of emoji has a pretty rich vocabulary.
To celebrate World Emoji Day, we thought it would be fun to use emoji to describe some of Western North Carolina’s most popular annual summer events. Here are 13 local summer festivals written in emoji.
Folkmoot USA
July 19–29, 2018 | Downtown Waynesville and beyond
Folkmoot is a two-week international dance and music festival. The festival is headquartered in Haywood County, but events are also held at venues throughout Western North Carolina.
Learn more: folkmoot.org
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
July 20–22, 2018 | US Cellular Center, 87 Haywood Street, Asheville
The Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands showcases hundreds of artisan crafters from the region. It also offers live demonstrations and other creative activities throughout the weekend.
Learn more: southernhighlandguild.org
Mountain Dance & Folk Festival
August 2–4, 2018 | Mission Health/A-B Tech Conference Center, 340 Victoria Road, Asheville
Since 1928, mountain fiddlers, banjo pickers, dulcimer sweepers, dancers, balladeers, and others have gathered the first weekend in August for the Mountain Dance & Folk Festival.
Learn more: folkheritage.org
LEAF Downtown Asheville
August 3–4, 2018 | Pack Square Park, Asheville
Don’t miss this weekend of live music, dance, and culture put on by the Lake Eden Arts Festival. If you enjoy it, check it out again in October at Lake Eden.
Learn more: theleaf.org
Laugh Your Asheville Off
August 9–11, 2018 | Asheville
Have you been looking for a weekend comedy festival featuring local, regional, and national comedians? This is exactly what you want!
Learn more: ashevillecomedyfestival.com
Sourwood Festival
August 11–12, 2018 | Downtown Black Mountain
You’ll find music, dancing, arts and crafts, superfood, kids rides and games, face painting, and more in an alcohol-free environment at the Sourwood Festival. Oh! And gourmet sourwood honey, too.
Learn more: sourwoodfestival.com
Asheville Wine & Food Festival
August 18, 2019 | Asheville
The Asheville Wine & Food Festival is a culinary event showcasing dozens of restaurants, breweries, wineries, and more. The 2018 festival was deferred due to lack of venue, but save the date for 2019!
Learn more: ashevillewineandfood.com
Smoky Mountain Folk Festival
August 31–September 1, 2018 | Stuart Auditorium, Lake Junaluska
Enjoy two nights of the finest traditional music and dancing in the region! The 48th Annual Smoky Mountain Folk Festival will be held at Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center.
Learn more: smokymountainfolkfestival.com
Canton Labor Day Celebration
September 2–3, 2018 | Downtown Canton
The whole family will love live music, vendors, rides, and children’s activities at the longest running Labor Day festival in the South.
Learn more: cantonlaborday.com
Mountain Song Festival
September 7–9, 2018 | Brevard Music Center, Brevard
The 13th annual Mountain Song Festival will feature food, local artists, children’s activities, nature exhibits, and more in the heart of Brevard.
Learn more: mountainsongfestival.com
NC Mountain State Fair
September 7–16, 2018 | Western North Carolina Agricultural Center, Fletcher
Celebrate mountain traditions with rides, exhibits, art, food, concerts, and more at the annual NC Mountain State Fair. Keep an eye out for various discounts on gate admission. Cash only.
Learn more: mountainfair.org
Greek Festival
September 28–30, 2018 | Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 227 Cumberland Avenue, Asheville
Sample traditional foods while enjoying Greek music, dance, and culture. Join the fun and become “Greek for a day!” Admission is free.
Learn more: romanticasheville.com
Mountain Heritage Day
September 29, 2018 | Western Carolina University, Cullowhee
Named one of the top 20 events in the Southeast, Mountain Heritage Day is a festival not to be missed! The annual celebration features live Appalachian music and dance, with artisan crafters and demonstrations.
Learn more: wcu.edu
What’s your favorite local summer festival? Tell us about it in the comments—and be sure to use emoji!
