Old Fort Trails & Trains Festival

You’re invited to the 4th annual Trails & Trains Festival! Mark your calendar and help celebrate the Great Trails State by coming to downtown Old Fort. Come celebrate the rich history of this Blue Ridge Mountain community by focusing on its pathways and connections through the town’s notable railroad and Pisgah National Forest history. This multi-day festival includes outdoor exhibitors, such as outdoor recreation brands like Old Fort Bike Shop and Eno Hammocks, plus food trucks, with vegetarian options available. On Friday, enjoy Rails & Rhythms Bluegrass Night, an open air bluegrass jam concert on Friday night plus live music around town all weekend. Saturday night brings a film festival, too. There's going to be guided nature walks with Land Stewards and Notable Forages; guided hikes with G5 Trail Collective and McDowell Trails Association; and sunrise yoga hike with Old Fort Yoga. Enjoy demonstrations from local artists, including Arrowhead Gallery, NANU Studios, and Our State magazine featured artist Omi Salavea. The train expo brings live train demos from railroad train model enthusiasts, train model organizations and historic talks by rail historians.

Please note, this festival is also supported by two major races occurring in Old Fort that same weekend (Ridge to Rails and Fonta Flora Fun Run).

Whether you're a hardcore outdoor enthusiast or just consider yourself "outdoorsy," we have an event for you!