Valle Country Fair
The annual Valle Country Fair is sponsored by Holy Cross Episcopal Church in cooperation with the Valle Crucis Conference Center. All proceeds are used to help the community's most vulnerable citizens. This event takes place in one of the most picturesque valleys in the North Carolina mountains at the peak of the fall color season. The gathering is an authentic harvest-season community celebration that revolves around quality hand-made crafts, home-cooked food, and mountain music.
The 44th Valle Country Fair took place on Saturday, October 15, 2022. The Mission & Outreach Commission at Holy Cross Episcopal Church determines, with the Vestry's approval, the outlay of the proceeds from the Valle Country Fair. Abou two-thirds of Fair proceeds are used for emergency calls to the church for such things as rent, utilities, car repairs, medical expenses, etc. The remaining funds go to local non-profit organizations who apply for our grants.
The 2022 grant amount, based upon proceeds from the Fair, was $25,000 and was awarded to the following recipients:
Children's Council of Watauga County - Builds strong foundations for children's learning and development by strengthening familieis, the early childhood system, and the wider community.
Girls on the Run - Inspires girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident using a fun, experienced-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.
High Country Caregivers - Multi-pronged programs include community education, financial support for health-conscious youth activities and counselling support. They serve grandparents raising their grandchildren in Avery and Watauga Counties.
LIFE House - Strives to meet the ongoing residential needs of adults with autism and related challenges, as well as serving as a community resource for people of different abilities and their families. They provide diverse social and recreational programming, including summer programs, life skills and vocational training, adaptive sports, support groups, and workshops.
Mediation and Restorative Justice Center - Strives to reduce the physical, emotional, and financial harm caused by unresolved conflict, litigation, and incarceration by providing meditation, alternative sentencing and other restorative processes that increase the respect, peace, productivity, and safety in the communities served.
Mountain Alliance - Provides transformative experiences and support so that all High Country Teens have the opportunity to lead an empowered, adventurous and service-oriented life, regardless of means or background.
Reaching Avery Ministry - An ecumenical ministry devoted to helping low-income people in Avery County to improve their lives. They provide assistance with food, clothing, prescriptions, fuel, household necessities, emergency shelter and other needs as they relate to a person's ability to meet their basic needs, to be gainfully employed, or care for their family.
Spirit Ride - Provides children with a wide array of diagnoses the opportunity to learn, grow, and strive to become their ideal selves through equine-related therapeutic and educational activities.
The Jason Project - Strives to provide healthy and rigorous outdoor excursions and challenges where at-risk youth can be encouraged and inspired to rise above their adversities and ecell mentally, spiritually, and in life.
Watauga Co. Schools Extended Learning Centers - Strives to promote the academic mission of Watauga County Schools while providing the working parents of our community a sanctuary of safety as well as intellectual, social, emotional, and physical well-being for their children.