The nation’s second-largest pageant devoted to celebrating the Appalachian Path (A.T.) has been canceled this yr. North Carolina’s Appalachian Trailfest, an annual multiple-day occasion that includes distributors, video games, and dwell music was slated for April 12-14, earlier than occasion host Scorching Springs Tourism Affiliation introduced the cancellation late final month. Presently, organizers haven’t disclosed the explanations for the pageant’s cancellation.
“This occasion is in transition, with plans to proceed in 2025, in partnership with the Laughing Coronary heart Hostel and Scorching Springs group,” the affiliation posted on its web site. “To nonetheless rejoice the Appalachian Path and the city of Scorching Springs, N.C., some favourite occasions will probably be deliberate.”
On April 27, the city will host its iconic Duck Race occasion the place over 700 rubber duckies are positioned into an area creek and race right down to the end line. There can even be the Dinner + Trend Present on the Laughing Coronary heart Hostel on the identical day that will probably be free to hikers and friends.
Northbound A.T. thru-hikers usually sit up for stopping at Trailfest, as a primary large communal gathering throughout their journeys.
“We now have a particular relationship to the Appalachian Path,” Elmer Corridor, a Scorching Springs native and a member of the TrailFest Committee, instructed the Asheville Citizen-Instances in 2023. “It’s the primary one which the northbound hikers come to—the primary path city. They sit up for being right here—to resupply, to take a bathe, to get their garments clear and to take a bit of break.”
Regardless of the cancellation, another occasions celebrating the A.T. are nonetheless on the books for the spring and summer time.
Upcoming A.T. Festivals & Occasions
Cowl photograph: Appalachian Path Descends Jane Bald by way of North Carolina Rhododendron bloom. Courtesy of Getty Photos.
