AT Founder's Bridge Festival
|
| Day | Hours of Operation |
| Friday |
8 am - 8 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am - 8 pm |
Live Music, Dancing & Bonfires
Hang out at The Pourover Pub Friday and Saturday evening as we kick off this season's live music series. Friday night will feature contra dancing and live music with Charlotte Crittenden and "Swinging on a Gate," of Brasstown, NC and the renowned John C. Campbell Folk School. Don't worry - our experienced caller will give great instruction for rookies and dancers of all levels. Saturday, join Sam Cooper of Portland, OR, as he plays some songs from his soon-to-be-released album. Each night, warm up with a bonfire by the river while enjoying the live music. We'll keep the snacks and brews flowing!
Event Schedule 2012
| Friday | Time | Location |
| Vendor Fair and Gear Demos | 2pm-5pm | Store Lot & River Left |
| Book Signing with Jennifer Pharr Davis: Becoming Odyssa |
4:30-5:30pm | Outfitter's Store |
| Bill Walker: SkyWalker, Highs and Lows on the Pacific Crest Trail | 5pm-6pm | Event Tent |
| Jennifer Pharr Davis: Adventures on the Appalachian Trail |
6pm-7pm | Event Tent |
| Charlotte Crittenden & "Swinging on a Gate" Host Contra Dancing & Bonfire by the River |
7pm-'til | Pourover Pub |
| Saturday | Time | Location |
|
Trail Maintenance with ATC |
8am-12pm | Meet at Event Tent |
| Vendor Fair and Gear Demos | 9am-5pm | Store Lot & River Left |
|
Matthew Lagas-Rivera: |
11am-12pm | Event Tent |
| Pack Raft Demo on the Nantahala River. Presented by Alpacka Rafts. |
12pm-3pm | Riverside near Event Tent |
| Fire Starting and Backcountry Survival with Wilderness Guru Drev | 12pm-1pm | Event Tent |
| Lightweight Stove Clinic with Etowah Outfitters | 1pm-2pm | Event Tent |
| Edible Plants Walkabout with Botanist and Certified Outdoor Leader Stephan Hart | 2pm-3pm | Meet at Event Tent |
| Live Music with Blue | 2pm-4pm | Pourover Pub |
|
Alpacka Raft RACE on the Nantahala River |
3pm-4pm | Riverside near Event Tent |
| Edible Plants Walkabout with Botanist and Certified Outdoor Leader Stephan Hart | 4pm-5pm | Meet at Event Tent |
|
Bill Walker: The Best Way, El Camino de Santiago |
4pm-5pm | Event Tent |
| Backcountry Presentation and Slideshow with Yosemite Guide Patrick Warren |
6pm-7pm | Event Tent |
|
Live Music with Sam Cooper of Portland, OR & Bonfire by the River |
7:30-'til | The Pourover Pub |
Vendors
Get the down and dirty on new gear, enjoy demos, and register for raffle prizes with over a dozen gear reps:
Ahnu Footwear * Anti-Gravity Gear * Big Agnes * Columbia * Crazy Creek * Deuter * Eagles Nest Outfitters * Etowah Gear * Granite Gear * Keen * Leki * Oboz * Superfeet
Learn about our great local trail organizations! Groups attending the event:
On-Site Camping & Accommodations
We're excited to offer on-site camping for this event! Camping reservations will be $5 per person (not per tent), which covers both Friday and Saturday nights. Camping is located a short walk towards NOC's Flint Ridge Trail (follow directional signs once you arrive on NOC property). Camping and parking along Flint Ridge will be strictly limited to designated spots.
Reservations can be made online and by phone - 800.232.7238.
Port-a-potties are available at the campsites. Indoor bathroom facilities and pay-by-use showers are available at the bathroom building by the train tracks, near the Stonehouse. Spots are limited, so advance registration is recommended. Please be respectful of the camping area so that we may offer camping at future NOC events! (Please note: due to a private school group event, no hostel lodging or basecamp showers will be available for public use April 6-7.)
Visit our Lodging page for information on NOC's Cabins and Nantahala Inn.
Other local campsite rentals, cabins, hotels and bed-and-breakfasts are available just a short drive (or walk) 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 (0.5 mile road walk/shuttle ride from NOC), 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.
Contact
For event related questions please contact Zuzana Vanha at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Other Local Trail Festivals in 2012
Can't get enough of the Appalachian Trail? Check out these other Trail-related events in 2012, compiled by the organizers of the Dahlonega Trail Festival, which marks the spring solstice at the Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail.





