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Wlaf1450TOP PHOTO: Come out to FolkFest in historic Cumberland Gap this Saturday and check out the stringed folk instruments built by Charlotte Underwood. Appalachian Pickin’ Sticks, cookie-tin banjos and more!
CUMBERLAND GAP, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF)- Several local Traditional Appalachian Art practitioners will once again be demonstrating in the historic town of Cumberland Gap on Saturday, August 9, for the annual FolkFest celebration.
FolkFest is a daylong celebration of Appalachian folk arts, crafts, music, storytelling, and community heritage. This “much-loved” event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout downtown Cumberland Gap.
Among the many attractions at FolkFest are live demonstrations of traditional arts. Many of the demonstrators were participants of the Tennessee Folklife Program Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program through the Tennessee Arts Commission. Traditional artists will include everything from gourd carving to barrel making, luthiers and stringed instrument building, Appalachian Agriculture practices and much more! Artisans come from all over the Southeast region.
Jeanette and Charlotte Underwood—mother and daughter from Campbell County—are carrying forward generations of Appalachian agricultural traditions at FolkFest thanks to a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission.
Jeanette, one of the last to grow the rare “Moss Ivey†bean, says, “A lot of people are used to the convenience of the store and don’t make things from scratch or grow their own food anymore. It’s becoming rare and needs preserving.â€
Now, she’s passed these skills—seed saving, canning, foraging, planting by the signs—to Charlotte, who’s been by her side since childhood. “It’s how we survived when I was younger… With the ever-changing world, it’s important to pass these folk traditions on,†Charlotte said.
The past month has been a whirlwind of canning and preserving beans, tomatoes, “granny’s chili†pickles, jams, and more for the Underwoods.
Stop by their booth in the Tennessee Arts Commission tent to learn about heirloom seeds, mountain foodways, and the deep roots of Appalachian farming knowledge this Saturday!
According to FolkFest organizers, the “joy of working with artists who have been a part of the Tennessee Folklife Apprenticeship Program is knowing that their participation in FolkFest continues to encourage future generations to learn about our artistic Appalachian heritage.”
Tennessee Folklife Apprenticeship Program participant Joseph Hensley and wife Samantha (above) will also be showcasing their talents at FolkFest once again this year!
Joseph Hensley, a Claiborne County native, was born with a long- standing family history in music, for at least four generations on both sides, including his Grandfather Robie Farmer who played in several Gospel groups and had a gospel radio broadcast on WLAF, and his Uncle Ben Hensley who built and repaired instruments, as well as playing old time and gospel music. Through Joseph’s experience with his apprenticeships and Steve Gulley’s Acoustic Music Camp, Joseph has found a love in teaching his knowledge to others through demonstrating traditional instrument repair and instrument building, teaching music to his guitar students, and playing bluegrass, traditional country, gospel, old -time, and other traditional Appalachian music.
When not teaching music lessons or demonstrating at various local events, Joseph spends most of his time working on instruments for himself as well as repairing instruments for others. He also performs with his wife Samantha and is teaching her various instrument repair methods. Joseph’s Uncle Ben was and continues to be one of his biggest inspirations. Ben ran an old country store that was originally opened by Jarvis Hensley (Joseph’s Grandfather). Ben also repaired and built instruments in the back of the store. Joseph wishes to follow in his footsteps and eventually start repairing and building instruments in his family’s old country store, as well as once again bringing it to life with old-time music jams for people to enjoy from Claiborne, and the surrounding counties, as Ben once did.
Come see both Joseph and Samantha at FolkFest, supported by a generous grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission.
What to Expect at FolkFest 2025
This year’s event will feature more than 60 vendors, demonstrators, and artisans from across the Appalachian region, along with live performances, craft talks, a picking tent, and special exhibits throughout the town. Festival Highlights Include: Live performances by beloved Appalachian artists under the main tent and on stages and porches across town. There will also be Traditional craft demonstrations, many by artisans participating in the Tennessee Folklife Program, sponsored by the Tennessee Arts Commission. A children’s area offering heritage-inspired activities and the popular Appalachian kids games.
A special screening of The Shiners: Voices from Owsley County, Kentucky, with a panel discussion from individuals featured in the documentary.
Hands-on craft talks and demonstrations by broom makers, oil painters, herbalists, potters, soap makers, and more sponsored in part by the Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC). TAC helps fund arts initiatives across Tennessee through its specialty license plate program.
FolkFest is proudly presented by Guardians of the Gap, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and promoting the rich history and heritage of Cumberland Gap.
“FolkFest reflects our mission to ‘pass on the past’ while building a vibrant, connected future rooted in Appalachian tradition,†said an event organizer.
Plan Your Visit
Parking is available throughout town and at Tex Turner Arena at Lincoln Memorial University, with free shuttle service running between locations. Visitors are encouraged to explore the town, and immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, and stories of Appalachian life past, present, and future. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind celebration of Appalachian culture in the historic Cumberland Gap, Tennessee this Saturday. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-08/04/2025-6AM)