The Blue Ridge Trout and Outdoor Adventures Festival makes its annual return Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in downtown Blue Ridge.
Admission costs $10 for those 13 and older; children 12 and below are free. Leashed pets are welcome.
The event brings in over 130 local guides and outfitters, organizations and niche vendors to share insights and sell products. Take advantage of free fly-casting instruction and learn local year-round trout fishing “secrets,” mountain biking sites, resources and services, and area hikingtrails and destinations.
On the Blue Ridge Trout Fest Sound Stage, hear Across the Wide with the Ivan Duke Band performing from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Attendees can also expect a kids' trout-fishing pond, golf chip/putt, long-saw crosscutting, gem mining, mountain bikes, food court, beer garden and more. After the festival, head to McCaysville for the Trout Trot 5K, part of the Riverwalk Run Series, at 6:30 p.m. Learn more and register at trouttrot.com.
The festival will take place rain or shine.
Visit blueridgetroutfest.com to learn more about the outdoorsy weekend or to pre-purchase tickets.
The event is made possible by Blue Ridge Mountain Trout Unlimited, Blue Ridge Lodging Association, Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association,
Fannin County Chamber of Commerce and other sponsors. Can’t wait? Then, make plans to view “Catch It! On Film” at The Art Center, 420 West Main Street, Blue Ridge, Friday, April 24, at 5 p.m. The film is a selection of short films on fishing in the Appalachian region. Entry to the film is $20 and includes food, beverages and access to a live auction.