Celebrate the Great Outdoors and the rich railroad history of Old Fort (featured as one of the "23 Best Places to Travel in 2024" by Outside Magazine) at the 3rd Annual Trails & Trains Festival June 5-7, 2025! This festival is chock-full of fun events and exhibits to enjoy with the whole family.
Thursday:
- Sunrise Yoga Hike (6:45-8:30 AM)
- Bernard Mountain Trail Guided Hike (8-11 AM)
- Pump Track Jam (11 AM-6 PM)
- Plein Air Paint Out (2-4 PM)
- Book Signing and Trail Talk with Jennifer Pharr Davis (5-7 PM)
- Nature Trivia (7-8 PM)
Friday:
- Birding Hike (8 AM)
- Copper Ridge Fonta Flora Trail Hike (9-11 AM)
- Forest Recovery Hike (10 AM-12 PM)
- Hike with your Hound Trail Walk (12-1:30 PM)
- Pollinator Garden Demo (1-2 PM)
- Rails & Rhythms Bluegrass Night (6:30-10 PM)
Saturday:
- Sunrise Hike (5:15-8 AM)
- Fonta Flora 5K Run (8:30 AM-12 PM)
- Ridge to Rails 50K | Half | 10k Run (9 AM-12 PM)
- Yoga Fest (9 AM-4 PM)
- Vendor Village (10 AM-4 PM)
- Train Exposition (10 AM-4 PM)
- Fly Fishing and Kayak Demonstrations (10 AM-4 PM)
- A Celebration of McDowell's Comeback (10:30-11 AM)
- Seeker Coffee Vendor Market (10:30 AM- 2 PM)
- Live Music Saturday (11 AM-3 PM)
- Catawba Falls Hike with Jennifer Pharr Davis (12-2 PM)
- Flora & Fauna (12-6 PM)
- Duck Race (3:30-4:30 PM)
- RITUAL Mountain Bike Film Festival (7-9:30 PM)
All Weekend Long:
- Henry the Hiker Scavenger Hunt- Pick Up Your Scavenger Hunt Guide at Arrowhead Gallery & Studios or the Old Fort Visitors Center and begin your hunt at local downtown businesses. Turn in your completed cards on Saturday at the Vendor Village to pick up your prize!
- Trails & Trains, Streams & Dreams- During the festival days, visit Arrowhead Gallery and enjoy their exhibit filled with the amazing works of many talented local artists that honor the beauty and history that abounds in Old Fort and our region.
For a full schedule of events and additional information, visit here.