Festivals & Events
Guest Appreciation Festival (GAF)
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NOC's Used Gear Sale: GAF's perennial centerpiece, this end-of-the-season inventory clearance from our rafting operations, Paddling School and staff gear is the year's best opportunity to find a bargain on great outdoor equipment. |
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Gear Marketplace: While we'd like to think we're the only ones with cool gear to sell, it just isn't true. That's why we host a gear marketplace where guests can barter with each other. Download the 2012 Marketplace Vendor Application (PDF). |
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Deep Deals on New Gear: At GAF, Outfitter Store items are priced to sell. We even work with our vendors to blow out their extra inventory. Expect 10-50% off throughout the store, and even bigger deals out front in our sidewalk sale. |
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Rafting and Paddling: Our onshore events are fun, but they can't beat the Nanty! Call now to reserve your trip, or come to the Wesser General Store for day-of reservations. |
Live Music at The Pourover 2011
2012 Music Details Coming Soon!
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Chalwa: Reggae by the river! A crowd favorite at The Pourover, Chalwa's tunes are sure to set the tone for a fun festival weekend. |
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Brushfire Stankgrass: Boasting one of WNCW's top 100 albums of 2010 and shows at Bele Chere and Durham's World Beer Festival, the band's uptempo fusion bluegrass is sure to please |
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The Freight Hoppers: These local all-stars play "hard-driving old time music with an emotional, raw excitement." Another NOC crowd favorite. |
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The Secret B-Sides: The B-Sides pay homage to American music in its most popular urban styles. Their set list will feature tracks off their new album Flowers & Chocolate, these songs will make make you want to get up and dance. |
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Blue Eyed Girl: For these Asheville-area residents old-time music is a way of life. Expect high-energy dance numbers and authentic Appalachian vocal arrangments. |
Special Events
Each year, GAF features free, fun and exciting events and shows as big thank you to our guests and supporters. Stay tuned for 2012 special-event details.
Plus, look for paddler-friendly events like the GAF Gates Race and the GAF Hometown Throwdown.
2011 Activities and Events Schedule
As you can see, GAF 2011 was jam-packed with fun events for the whole family.
2012 Event Details Coming Soon!
| Friday Schedule of Events | |
| Outfitter's Store Sidewalk Sale | 8am |
| NOC Used Gear Sale | 9am |
| Rock Wall / Bouncy House Open | 11am |
| NOC Paddling School Surf School | noon |
| Appalachian Storytelling |
2pm |
| Climbing Competition | 3pm |
| Live Music: Blue Eyed Girl | 4pm |
| Live Music: Chalwa |
7pm |
| Live Music: Brushfire Stankgrass |
9pm |
| Dance Music Party by Ride Garden | 11pm |
| Saturday Schedule of Events | |
| NOC Used Gear Sale |
8am |
| Outfitter's Store Opens/Store Demo Fleet Sale Begins |
8am |
| Rock Wall / Bouncy House Open |
9am |
| Steve Longenecker's Live Raptor Show | 10am |
| Appalachian Storytelling |
10am |
| King BMX Stunt Show | 11am |
| Hometown Throwdown |
noon |
| NOC Paddling School Surf School | noon |
| Appalachian Storytelling |
noon |
| Steve Longenecker's Live Reptile Show |
1pm |
| King BMX Stunt Show | 2pm |
| King BMX Stunt Show | 4pm |
| Live Music: The Freight Hopppers |
6pm |
| Live Music: The Secret B-Sides |
9:30pm |
| Sunday Schedule of Events | |
| Outfitter's Store Opens | 8am |
| NOC Used Gear Sale | 9am |
| GAF Gates Race | noon |
2011 Event Information
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Appalachian Storytelling: Tim Hall from the Storytelling Center of the Southern Appalachians will be performing his various personas, all fueled by a passion for history, preservation and folklore. Look for kid-friendly and adult-delighting stories. |
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BMX Stunt Show: Freestyle's not just on the water at this year's GAF. Bring the kids and enjoy this high-flying, jaw-dropping exhibition put on by North Carolina's King Productions. |
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GAF Gates Race: Similar to this summer’s Canoe Club Challenge, this is a fun-focused event that allows paddlers to challenge their boating skills in a friendly, unintimidating setting. |
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Hometown Throwdown: Freestyle kayakers of all skill levels compete at the site of the 2013 ICF Freestyle World Championships. See event details online at World Kayak. Register 11am to 12pm Saturday at the wave. |
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Bounce Castle: Let the kids romp around in this 15' x 15' giant. It can accommodate up to ten bouncers at once! |
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Steve Longenecker's Live Raptor Show: See hawks, falcons and owls in this live show presented and hosted by the Nature Director at Falling Creek Camp |
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Steve Longenecker's Live Reptile Show: Learn about venomous and non-venomous species from the area. A hit at last year's event, the reptile show is engaging for kids and adults alike. |
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Rock Climbing: A 30-foot wall with difficulty levels for climbers of all ages. We'll even have a head-to-head climbing showdown Friday night for a little friendly competition. Make it to the top and take the festival in from a bird's-eye-view! |
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Ride Garden Terrain Park: Even we don't know what the Ride Garden folks will build for the festival. (See some of last year's course in the GAF video.) Rumor is there could be a pump track for 2011. Bring your bike and give it a shot! |
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Surf School: Instructors from NOC's Paddling School give free, hands-on help to all aspiring surfers at the walking bridge. Stand up and carve, or sit down and surf; you can learn it all here! |
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Wilderness Medicine/Survival Demonstrations: Watch NOC instructors make fire with a bow drill, or treat a (simulated) emergency situation. These entertaining demos will give information about some of our off-the-water courses. |
Nantahala Releases and Boater Shuttles
| Release Times | Shuttles | |
| Friday | 9:30am to 3:30pm | 11:00am to 2:00pm |
| Saturday | 9:00 am to 5:00pm | 9:30am to 2:30pm |
| Sunday | 9:30am to 3:30pm | 11:00am to 2:00pm |
All boater shuttles are $7 per person, but free for boaters leaving their cars at the put-in. (We appreciate the extra on-property parking spaces GAF weekend while paddlers are on the water. When you are finished boating, we encourage you to come back and enjoy the festival!)
Non-Profits & Craftsmen
NOC is dedicated to building community awareness and cooperation in our small corner of the Smokies, and welcomes qualifying non-profit organizations and local craftsmen to participate in the weekend's festivities. To apply for a booth space, please complete the 2012 Non-profit & Craftsman Application.
Weenend Event Hours 2012
River's End Restaurant: Friday 8am-9pm, Saturday 7am-9pm, Sunday 8am-7pm
Slow Joe's Cafe: Friday 11am-12am, Saturday 7am-12am, Sunday 10am-10pm
Relia's Garden Restaurant: Friday through Saturday, 5pm-10pm
Parking and Camping GAF Weekend
Because GAF is such a popular event, and will be running concurrently with regular rafting operations, our on-site parking won't be able to accommodate all of the weekend's turnout. Please plan on the possibility of parking at a satellite lot and riding a free shuttle to and from the event.
NOC will have additional parking located 2.2 miles up Silvermine Road (which T's into Hwy 19 directly across from the Outfitter's Store). The satellite lot is graveled and will be friendly to all vehicle types, regardless of weather conditions. We rely on our neighbors' goodwill to facilitate GAF, so please treat satellite areas with respect.
Please note that parking along Silvermine Road is not permitted by local law enforcement agencies. Unfortunately we have issues with towing and ticketing every year from guests who park alongside Silvermine. An NOC representative will be located outside the Wesser General Store and Fly Shop with a handout to guide guests to designated parking areas.
Camping on property is allowed for registered event vendors (in their desingated spaces) and authorized event staff ONLY. Camping in parking areas is not allowed. Unfortunately, NOC has limited event parking, and our event security has been asked to keep lots available for day-use parking. However, numerous local campsites, cabins, hotels and bed-and-breakfasts are available just a short walk (or drive) from NOC's Wesser Campus. A few local options include:
- AT Shelters: Rufus Morgan Shelter (0.8 mile South of NOC), Sassafras Gap Shelter ( 6.9 miles North of NOC)
- Camping: Lost Mine Campground, Nantahala Wesser Campground, Tsali Recreation Area
- Hotels: Bryson City Microtel, Bryson City Sleep Inn
- Cabin Rentals: Watershed Cabins
Please visit our Area Accommodations page for a full listing of local lodging and camping options.
Read this GAF parking blog for more event specifics.
