Mountain State Art and Craft Fair set for Independence Day weekend | News, Sports, Jobs

A variety of musical performances, including bluegrass and Appalachian music, will be featured July 3-5 at the Mountain State Art and Craft Fair. (Photo Provided)

RIPLEY — The Mountain State Art and Craft Fair is returning for its 63rd year from Thursday through Saturday at Cedar Lakes Conference Center near Ripley.

The event was founded in 1963 and celebrates Appalachian heritage, creativity and community spirit.

This year’s event will include some new additions. The fair’s board of directors has been working behind the scenes to grow and revitalize the fair. Like many events across the country, the early 2020s brought challenges, including the effects of COVID-19 and the retirement of many long-time artisans who had been the backbone of the fair for decades. But in the years since, the fair has not only rebounded–it has flourished, officials said.

For 2025, the board set a goal of attracting 25 new exhibitors and concessionaires while maintaining the event’s quality. That goal was surpassed as 27 new vendors will be joining this year.

From pottery and woodworking to fiber arts, glasswork, photography, and jewelry, the fair offers a large array of handcrafted items. There will also be food of many types and live music. A new addition this year will be an open mic session on the opening day. It will be open to solo performers and bands and to apply, visit www.msacf.com/openmicapplication.

Many artisans and crafters will provide demonstrations of their work during the Mountain State Art and Craft Fair. (Photo Provided)

Live demonstrations by master artisans remain a highlight of the fair, and many artisans are happy to answer questions and share their stories.

Family activities will include the Kids Fishing Derby, hands-on crafts and storytelling sessions.

Food is also a big attraction and a new event this year will be the Appalachian Dessert Contest with information about how to enter available at msacf.com/post/mountain-state-art-and-craft-fair-dessert-contest.

The entertainment schedule includes:

THURSDAY, July 3

Sheep sheering will be among the educational and interactive demonstrations featured at the Mountain State Art and Craft Fair near Ripley. (Photo Provided)

* 10 a.m.: Opening ceremonies

* 11 a.m.: Tish Westman

* Noon: Steve and Brenda Pottmeyer

* 1 p.m.: Tish Westman

* 2 p.m.: The Carriers

* 3 p.m.: Robin and Dan Kessinger

* 4 p.m.: The Carriers

* 5 p.m.: Robin & Dan Kessinger

FRIDAY, July 4

* 10 a.m.: Robert Shafer and Johnny Staats

* 11 a.m.: Robin and Dan Kessinger

* Noon: Johnny Staats, Ray and Doug Cosslin, Ray Swanningan

* 1 p.m.: Bobby Taylor, Kimberly Johnson and James Summers

* 2 p.m.: Johnny Staats, Ray and Doug Cosslin, Ray Swanningan

* 3 p.m.: Bobby Taylor, Kimberly Johnson and James Summers

* 4 p.m.: Bobby Kessinger and Dan Kessinger

* 5 p.m.: Bobby Taylor, Kimberly Johnson and James Summers

SATURDAY, July 5

* 10 a.m.: Tracy Miller

* 11 a.m.: Women of Bluegrass – Glenville State College

* 12 p.m.: Exhibitor Auction

* 1 p.m.: Exhibitor Auction

* 2 p.m.: Women of Bluegrass – Glenville State College

* 3 p.m.: Appalachian Lassies

* 4 p.m.: Women of Bluegrass – Glenville State College

* 5 p.m.: Appalachian Lassies