CUMBERLAND GAP, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF)- Several Campbell County artists and traditional art demonstrators helped put the folk in Cumberland Gap’s Folkfest on Saturday.

TOP PHOTO: The mother-daughter duo of Jeanette and Charlotte Underwood could be found at Historic Cumberland Gap on Saturday demonstrating traditional Appalachian Agricultural art practices. 

The all-day festival in historic Cumberland Gap featured multiple music performances, traditional art demonstrators’ part of the Tennessee Arts Commission Traditional Arts Program, as well as tons of art vendors and more.

Campbell County native John Paulley and his wood working booth kept the kids and adults alike busy at Folkfest.

The mother-daughter duo of Jeanette and Charlotte Underwood demonstrated traditional Appalachian Agricultural Practices such as seed saving heirloom seeds, canning and preserving food and planting by the signs. As usual, the pair handed out samples of freshly grown tomatoes, let people sample jams and jelly as well as a piece of persimmon cake.

“We answered questions and talked gardening all day, one of the best questions of the day was when a woman wanted us to look up in the Old Farmer’s Almanac when the best time was to quit smoking because she had a grandkid on the way. Both parents and kids alike loved to try the autumn olive jelly and then taste it raw as a berry, it’s a great learning experience for them,” said Charlotte Underwood.

Local traditional artist Joseph Hensley and his wife Samanthan were demonstrators and performers at Saturday’s Folkfest in Cumberland Gap. Joseph Hensley is demonstrating the traditional art of luthier and instrument repair. 

“We get to talk about what we love doing and that’s gardening and preserving the old timey ways. People bring us beans, and we trade some of our heirloom Moss Ivey beans with them, and it’s something we look forward to in Cumberland Gap each year,” the Underwoods said.

Folk instruments built by Charlotte Underwood were part of the charm at Saturday’s Folkfest in Historic Cumberland Gap.

Joseph and Samantha Hensley from Claiborne County demonstrated the traditional art of luthier and stringed instrument repair. The pair also performed musically in the old Church, along with other performers throughout the day.

Part of a luthier apprenticeship through the Tennessee Arts Commission, Joseph Hensley spent the day answering questions about building and repairing stringed instruments.

Saturday’s Folkfest in Cumberland Gap had something for everyone, including historic demonstrations put on by the Cumberland Gap Historic Park such as the barrel making demonstration pictured.

John Paulley of Campbell County kept kids busy with his hands-on wood working and spoon carving demonstration booth.

Several Campbell County artists affiliated with Postmark LaFollette also had their artworks for sale during the festival.

This year’s Folkfest had something for everyone, from quilt shows, to Appalachian Ballad Singing and more. History lovers got to enjoy multiple historic demonstrations that took place throughout the day.

WLAF’s Charlotte Underwood found Manuel Mesa of the Campbell Culture Coalition at the Cumberland Gap Folkfest on Saturday. Mesa was promoting Campbell County’s own Louie Bluie Festival slated for September 20th at Cove Lake State Park.

Other artisans at Folkfest demonstrated broom making, barrel making, gourd carving, Old Harp singing, Appalachian Blues music and more! (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-08/11/2025-6AM)

Related