Old Fort is a small town with a lot going on! Here’s a list of annual festivals and special events, as well as places of interest:
EVENTS
Old Fort Mountain Music - Every Friday night, Old Fort residents and visitors get a toe-tapping treat with Old Fort Mountain Music at the Rockett Building on Main Street. Local musicians have been performing at this free event every Friday for decades and the tradition is still going strong.
ArtsMart - Taking place from 10am to 4pm on the first Saturday of each month, the many talented members of the Arrowhead Artists and Artisans League showcase and sell their locally-made arts and crafts at the railroad depot in downtown Old Fort.
Colonial Days and Pioneer Day - Old Fort was the westernmost outpost of the colonies before and during the Revolutionary War, and two Spring events celebrate the town’s pioneer spirit. Pioneer Day, held at the Mountain Gateway Museum in April, is a day of demonstrations by colonial re-enactors and various exhibits. In the days leading up to Pioneer Day, the Old Fort Chamber of Commerce sponsors Colonial Days, a chance for local businesses to be involved in a public scavenger hunt, with clues based around items used during colonial times and shopowners and staff dressed in period clothing.
North Carolina Gold Festival – The first weekend in June, Old Fort plays host to the North Carolina Gold Festival. The festival aims to educate visitors about our state’s rich gold history. The first gold found in the United States was discovered right here in North Carolina in 1799 and the state was the largest producer of gold until the California gold rush in 1849. The festival features entertainment, special events, exhibits and demonstrations. Details can be found at http://www.ncgold.org/.
Octoberfest - Held annually on the first weekend of October, the Old Fort Chamber of Commerce’s Octoberfest is a family-friendly celebration of autumn and the town of Old Fort. There are local vendors and craftspeople, musicians and special events throughout the weekend. For more information, visit http://www.oldfortchamber.com/.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Andrews Geyser – The Andrews Geyser is a man-made fountain constructed by the railroad in 1885, and rededicated in 1912 and 1976. It is now part of a town park with open green space, picnic shelter and access to Mill Creek.
Arrowhead Monument – The Arrowhead Monument is a tall, hand-chiseled granite structure on the corner of Main Street and Catawba Avenue, right in the heart of historic downtown Old Fort. It was dedicated in the 1930s as a symbolic peace accord between the Catawba and Cherokee tribes and Old Fort residents. More than 6,000 people were in attendance at the dedication, including the Catawba and Cherokee chiefs.
Bradley Park – Bradley Park is a small park on Main Street in downtown Old Fort. See the Bradley Park Beautification Project on our Current/Ongoing Projects page for details about the renovation of this lovely garden space!
Catawba Falls
Catawba Falls – Situated at the headwaters of the Catawba River, which flows eastward through North Carolina, Old Fort is home to Catawba Falls, a waterfall that cascades an estimated 200 feet. A trail through beautiful forest leads to the base of the falls. The Foothills Land Conservancy of North Carolina has been instrumental in making the Catawba Falls area accessible to the public.
Curtis Creek Recreation Area -Curtis Creek is a popular spot for trout fishing, and the Curtis Creek Recreation Area also includes hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding on thousands of acres of protected forest land. The Curtis Creek Recreation Area was the first tract of land purchased through the 1911 Weeks Act, allowing it to be preserved and maintained as part of Pisgah National Forest. For more information, visit http://www.mcdowellnc.org.
Davidson’s Fort Historic Park – A group of dedicated volunteers has spent the past several years constructing a replica of Davidson’s Fort, the Revolutionary War fort used by General Rutherford and the North Carolina colonists. The entire project has been privately funded by donations. Davidson’s Fort Historic Park on Lackey Town Road is open to the public on Saturdays and the Fort holds musters twice a year, with re-enactors and demonstrations. For information, visit http://davidsonsfort.com.
Downtown Old Fort Historic District – Portions of Main Street and Catawba Avenue in downtown Old Fort were named as a Historic District in 2011. Buildings in the district have been designated as historically or architectually significant and include the restored historic train depot, the Rockett Building, buildings already occupied by small businesses and properties that are available for entrepreneurs to open businesses in.
The historic railroad depot and McDowell Tourism Authority office
Historic Railroad Depot - Old Fort was a destination for travelers by rail in the late 1800s, when passengers would step off the train in Old Fort to catch a stagecoach for points westward prior to the construction of the railroad through the mountains into Asheville. The depot has been lovingly restored and features historical railroad artifacts. In addition to serving as a museum, the depot remains a destination for visitors to the area — it is home to the McDowell Tourism Authority.
Mountain Gateway Museum Ampitheatre
Mountain Gateway Museum and Heritage Center – The pioneer era and the preservation of mountain heritage are the focal points of this state museum. In addition, the museum features an outdoor gazebo and ampitheatre, and is the site of summer music concerts and festivals, such as the North Carolina Gold Festival and Pioneer Day. See the museum’s Facebook page for latest news and information on exhibits.
For more events and places of interest, visit the McDowell Tourism Authority’s website.
