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Graham County, North Carolina
Official tourism page for Robbinsville, Fontana Dam, Lake Santeetlah & Stecoah Valley, North Carolina
Festival season on the Secret Side of the Smokies runs from May through October, and the 2026 calendar is full — bookmark this post so you don’t miss a date!
On Friday nights, Dancing on the Square livens up the Robbinsville Courthouse Square. On Saturday nights, Stecoah hosts An Appalachian Evening in the historic Lynn L. Shields auditorium, a concert series that has featured traditional and contemporary mountain music for decades.
We celebrate four special milestones this year. The Stecoah Schoolhouse turns 100 — it’s been a full century since the little rock schoolhouse first opened its doors. Fading Voices Demonstration Day marks its 40th Anniversary of preserving the traditional ways of the Snowbird Cherokee. Graham County Heritage Festival hosts a special America 250th celebration over the Fourth of July weekend. And last but not least — the popular Dragon Hill Climb event celebrates its 20th race up to Maple Springs Overlook.
Highlights of the 2026 Calendar
🎻 Dancing on the Square — May 15–Aug 28
🎂 Stecoah Centennial Celebration — May 16
🪶 Fading Voices Demonstration Day — May 23; 40th Anniversary
🌺 Flame Azalea Festival — June 20
🎨 Stecoah Artisan Drive About — June 26–27
🎵 An Appalachian Evening — June 27–Aug 29
🇺🇸 Graham County Heritage Festival — July 3 & 4; America 250th Celebration
🎆 Robbinsville Fireworks — July 3
🎇 Fontana Fireworks — July 4
🏁 The Dragon Hill Climb XX — July 24–26
🎹 Hill Climb Unwind — July 25
🎸 Cigar Box Guitar Festival — Sept 19
🎃 Stecoah Valley Harvest Festival — Oct 17 & 18
🎨 Stecoah Artisan Fall Drive About — Oct 23 & 24
Take a screenshot, print it out, tag a friend!
Stop by the Welcome Center at 474 Rodney Orr Bypass for maps, directions, and details.
We'll see you there!
10 hours ago
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Just in time for Mother’s Day — Marie’s Lavender Farm is ready for cutting!
📍3660 Yellow Creek Rd
We have an itinerary full of ☀️ in store for you this Mother’s Day weekend.
✔️ Start your day with a slow morning breakfast at Historic Tapoco Lodge Resort before heading to the Marie’s Lavender Farm for blooms and plants.
✔️ Stretch your legs on the trail out to Yellow Creek Falls for a beautiful photo opportunity.
✔️ Top off your day with a late Mother’s Day Brunch at Snowbird Mountain Lodge or Fontana Village Resort & Marina (reservations may be required.)
✔️ Take a sunset drive along the Cherohala Skyway to soak up the last rays of an unbelievably memorable day.
6 days ago
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
The Stecoah school, located in Graham County, North Carolina, celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026. Join in the Centennial Celebration Saturday, May 16th from 11 am to 3 pm.
The historic schoolhouse, completed in 1926, sits in the center of the beautiful Stecoah Valley and is surrounded by a manicured 10 acre campus that includes a walking trail, Cherokee Courtyard, wind garden and more.
The original structure burned shortly after completion, and the present school building was constructed within the same rock walls. The building, which was expanded in the 1950s after the completion of Fontana Dam operated as a K-12 school until it was closed in consolidation in 1994.
Constructed of native rock with the skill and labor of many local residents, the Stecoah Union School welcomed its first students in October 1926. The community proudly posed for a panoramic photograph that is known as the Dedication Day photograph. A large 18 foot print in the Lynn S. Shield's Auditorium hangs underneath a set of clan masks carved by Snowbird artist, Billy Welch.
After sitting empty following the school's closure, a group of community members and volunteers leased the building from Graham County in 1996 and formed the nonprofit organization that became the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center.
Historically, the Stecoah school was a popular venue stop for musicians on tour from Nashville. In the early 40s and 50s the Grand Old Stage was graced with the top bluegrass performers of that time – Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, Bill Monroe, The Carter Family, Chet Atkins, Bonnie Lou and Buster, Archie Campbell, Carl Story, Elmer Jethro, Martha Carson and the Brewster Brothers to name just a few.
Today, the building serves as a hub for the Center's mission to preserve and promote Appalachian Culture through arts, music, and cultural programming.
Every year, beginning the last week of June, the Center hosts, the popular "An Appalachian Evening" summer concert series. The annual Harvest Festival has established itself as a county-wide celebration that attracts visitors from multiple states who plan their fall vacations around the event every year. The Center also houses an Artisan Gallery representing more than 100 local and regional artists.
Learn more by purchasing a copy of 'An Appalachian Era' — a booklet published in recognition of the recent 25th anniversary of An Appalachian Evening — available at the Graham County Welcome Center.
Take some time this year to visit this historic landmark and become a part of the history and the culture that is Stecoah.
Please share your stories in the comments below.
2 weeks ago
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Come on out this Saturday, May 2nd for the fourth annual Smoky Mountain SpringFest at Stecoah as we celebrate spring in our beautiful Great Smoky Mountains!
This event is focused on outdoor activities and recreation with a selection of quality arts and craft vendors and is held on the beautiful grounds of the Stecoah Valley Center.
The day includes a festival schedule of fun activities for all ages:
🌿 Kid’s Nature Experiences
🪚 Crosscut Saw Demonstration: Partners of Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness
🌱 Garden Swap Shop: Bring Your Own Seeds, Plants, Gardening Gear to Swap
🦋 Airing of the Quilts
🎨 Face painting
🌽 Food Vendors
🎻 Live Music — featuring the Stecoah JAM program
Come on out — 11 am to 4 pm!
2 weeks ago
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
