A weekend of celebrating Appalachian folk roots will take place this weekend at the 41st annual Mountaineer Folk Festival at Fall Creek Falls State Park.

The three-day festivities will begin Friday, Sept. 6 and last through Sunday, Sept. 8, featuring traditional bluegrass music, country cooking, pioneer skill demonstrations and roughly 100 booths presenting a wide variety of crafts, baked goods and original homemade designs.

Saturday will be filled with pioneer demonstrations such as molasses-making, blacksmithing, chair-caning and others.

Items which will be on sale include woodworking, wrought iron, folk art, soaps, candles, along with many others. A wide array of home-style country cooking will be available to sample and purchase. Two stages will highlight the music and storytelling of the Appalachian culture throughout the weekend.

“This festival offers an outstanding opportunity for people to come together and celebrate the heritage, history and natural beauty of the Cumberland Plateau,” said Charles Molenda, a festival coordinator. “Whether it’s listening to a great musical performance, tasting delicious food or enjoying special events and demonstrations scheduled throughout the weekend, the Mountaineer Folk Festival offers a wide range of cultural and educational opportunities, not to mention a weekend full of family friendly fun with a little something to interest everyone.”

Although the festival is free, suggested donations are $3 per day or $6 for the weekend.

At 7 p.m. on Sept. 6, the event will kick-off with live Appalachian folk music in the Village at Fall Creek Falls State Park until 10 p.m. Hours on Saturday are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. with a silent auction taking place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The festival will resume Sunday at 8 a.m. with live gospel music with activities finishing around 3 p.m. 

For more information, call the Betty Dunn Nature Center at (423) 881-5708 or visit www.tnstateparks.com/fallcreekfalls.