Ever since moving to the Appalachian mountains seven years ago, Hattie and Fred Kinsey have had a simple dream… to bring their community together three times each year to rekindle the spirit and charm of the traditional mountain festival. To realize this dream they have been hosting festivals on Viking Mountain near Greenville, Tn., for the past three years, one each at harvest time, Christmas time, and springtime.
Each year the gatherings grow stronger, both in number and in heart. This coming May 3 the Kinsey’s are proud to host the 3rd Annual Springfest on the Mountain, where they will bring the folks of Greeneville, TN and the surrounding area together for food, crafts, music, fun, and that wonderful sense of community that comes when people gather for a good time.
The festival will be held 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Viking Mountain at 645 Chandler Circle, Greeneville. From Greeneville take Highway 70 south 15 miles. Left on Viking Mountain Road. Go 1 1/4 miles. Left on Chandler Circle. Follow signs.
This picturesque setting is sure to be the perfect place to usher in spring and reacquaint neighbors and friends after the long winter.
At the heart of the upcoming festival are the handcrafted items that will be available from many local artisans. Attendees will find handmade and homemade items such as metalcrafts, knitted and crocheted items, ceramics, pottery, woodcrafts, pillows, quilts, candles, wreaths, baby items, sunbonnets, jams, vinegars, birdhouses, candies, breads, cakes, pies, honey, original designed Indian crafts, soaps, herbs, & much more. And don’t forget the gourmet coffees and teas offered by Hemlock Hollow Shoppe, which boasts "the best coffee in Greene County"! There will be food available, including sausage, peppers & onions on a roll, Coney Island Hot Dogs, hot wings, cowboy beans, & slaw. Entertainment will be provided including country, bluegrass, easy listening, and gospel music, and attendees are encouraged to bring an instrument of choice if they wish to play a little mountain music or do some pickin’ down by the creek. Bring your blankets or chairs and be ready to relax and enjoy good old-fashioned fun for the whole family.
In the interest of promoting and celebrating the local culture, all participants are local Appalachian
craftspersons with unique handcrafted items. Among the noted participants at the festival will be:
Holly Barron Herbal vinegars & hot sauces
Linda Flanagan Honey & painted items
Nancy Leonard Crocheted slippers, homemade baked goods
Sarah Ledford Honey
Carrie Blaskowski Herbal heat and cold packs, handmade and designed jewelry
Tammy Rupert Ceramics, bird houses
Hattie & Fred Kinsey Baked goods, quilt items, custom embroidery, hanging plants, baby items, g gourmet jams, jellies, coffees, teas
John Dix Custom metalwork, plants
Judy Shelton Ceramics, goat-milk soap, goat petting zoo
Traci Horne Dried flower arrangements
Terri & Ken Watson Flute CD’s, jewelry, clay items, bird feeders, corn husk dolls
Sharlene & Lisa Gregg Fried pies, breads, cakes, home canned foods
Musicians will include a live country/bluegrass band as well as featured performances by Norma Gosnell on the keyboard and Ken Watson on the flute. Weather permitting, Kenneth Gosnell will provide hayrides.