Check out the full schedule of events! For additional details, go to townandtrailfest.org.
Friday, May 2nd
Volunteer Day!
10:00am-4:00pm – Downtown Hot Springs
Join us for a Volunteer Day in downtown Hot Springs on Friday. We’ll be working together to clean up, restore, and beautify our town, and we’d love your help. Whether you can lend a hand for an hour or the whole day, every bit makes a difference. Sign up now on our volunteer page to see how you can help and be a part of this community effort!
Carolina Mountain Club Cleanup Hike
10:00am-2:00pm – The Appalachian Trail
The Carolina Mountain Club is organizing a trail cleanup and maintenance hike on Friday morning. If you’re interested in lending a hand, sign up now on our volunteer page. There are 12 spots available, so grab yours while you can!
Massage Therapy
10:00am-4:00pm – Bluff Mountain Outfitter
True Balance Corrective Bodywork
NCLMBT #15660, TNLMBT #11830
828.206.9472
Amy is a licensed massage therapist with a BS in Kinesiology and BFA in Ballet. She focuses on Structural Balancing to restore symmetry while getting to the source or cause of the pain or dysfunction. If the hips are struggling to find or maintain stability, often pain is present somewhere else in the structure.
Structural Balancing is very effective in treating the following conditions: Low Back Pain, Sciatica, Hip Pain, Ankle or Hip Pain, Uneven leg length possibly due to compensation pattern or high volume repetitive movements like hiking the beautiful AT. Treat yourself with a total body balance to increase the efficiency of your gait and reduce your risk of injury.
Dedication of Peace Pole
5:00pm – The Welcome Center
This Peace Pole was generously donated by the Madison County Rotary Club as part of a global movement to spread the universal message of peace.
Members of the Rotary Club and Hot Springs Town Council will be in attendance. All people are welcome to join and set an intention for love and peace for the weekend and beyond! Learn more about the project at https://www.worldpeace.org/peacepoleproject/
Appalachian Campfire: Stories & Ballads
7:30pm – Big Pillow Brewing
Gather ’round the fire for an evening of haunting ballads, rich mountain tales, and the crackle of a warm bonfire. Experience the magic of Appalachian tradition as gifted singers and storytellers share the songs and legends passed down through generations.
Whether you’re a traveler on the trail or a neighbor from town, come pull up a seat, feel the warmth of the flames, and let the stories of the mountains transport you.
Storyteller Scott “Doc” Varn
Scott is an artist, conservationist, and founder of Preserving a Picturesque America, a nonprofit that combines art, history, and environmental stewardship to protect natural and historic sites.
Inspired by the 19th-century Picturesque America series, he uses storytelling, art, and exploration to revive its conservation message. He also authored Rediscovering a Picturesque America and appears in the PBS documentary, America: The Land We Live In.
Ballad Singer Melanie Rice
Eighth-generation ballad singer Melanie Rice grew up in Sodom Laurel, surrounded by Appalachian music, dance, and storytelling. Melanie has dedicated her life to preserving and sharing the ballads, folklore, and dance of Madison County.
Today, Melanie continues to live in Sodom Laurel, on the land where generations before her lived and sang. Hanging clothes on the line and listening to the wind whip across the ridge tops.
Hiker Fashion Show
9:30pm – Hot Springs Resort & Spa Campground
Forget Paris and Milan—the runway is the trail, and the designers are thru-hikers! Join us for the Hiker Fashion Show, where Appalachian Trail hikers dig into the legendary loaner clothes box to create the most outrageous, creative, and downright stylish outfits the mountains have ever seen.
From mismatched rain gear to vintage fleece finds, this is a night of fun, laughter, and trail-inspired couture. Strut your stuff, cheer on your fellow hikers, and see who takes home the title of Best Dressed on the AT!
Saturday, May 3rd
Donation Based Yoga
9:30am-10:30am – Big Pillow Brewing
Join us for a donation-based yoga class! Enjoy a combination of slow flow, gentle stretching, and learn simple mindfulness techniques. This class is perfect for those new to yoga or seasoned yogis looking for a gentle morning stretch! Bring your own mat and any props that you enjoy using.
50+ Vendors
10:00am-4:00pm – Hot Springs Resort & Spa
Come spend the day in downtown Hot Springs at our upcoming community event! Enjoy delicious food, browse unique arts & crafts, and check out vendors from local nonprofits and outdoor gear companies. It’s the perfect way to support the community while discovering something new. Stay tuned for more details!
Welcome Ceremony
10:30am – Hot Springs Resort & Spa
The wait is over—Hot Springs is coming back! Join Mayor Abby Norton, members of the Town Council, and representatives with Rebuild Hot Springs Area for a ribbon-cutting celebration as we officially reopen our town after the storm. This isn’t just about cutting a ribbon—it’s about cutting loose and celebrating our resilience, our community, and the bright future ahead! The doors are open, the lights are on, and Hot Springs is ready to welcome you home!
Community Folk Dance
11:00am – Hot Springs Resort & Spa
Join us for a lively Community Folk Dance led by Charley Harvey!
Whether you’re an experienced dancer or just curious to see what it’s all about, this interactive demonstration is a great way to experience the joy of folk dancing. Come watch, tap your feet to the rhythm, or even jump in and give it a try!
Cornhole Tournament Begins
11:00am – Hot Springs Resort & Spa
Grab a partner and get ready to toss! Join us for our Cornhole Tournament where the best teams will walk away with cash prizes and the title of cornhole champions.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a backyard beginner, everyone’s welcome to join the fun. Great competition, good laughs, and maybe even some bragging rights—don’t miss out!
- Entry fee is $30 per team.
- 1st Place Team wins $150, t-shirts, and medals
- 2nd Place Team wins $50, t-shirts, and medals.
Live Music
12:00pm-4:00pm – Hot Springs Resort & Spa
- 12:00pm – The Cinners
- 1:00pm – Ashley Heath
- 2:00pm – 75 Single Wide
- 3:00pm – Pierce Edens
Duck Race on the Spring Creek
4:30pm – Bridge St.
Do you think your rubber ducky has what it takes to be the first across the finish line? Enter our 50/50 raffle now to find out! The winner will take home 50% of the raffle proceeds, while the other half is donated to Rebuild Hot Springs Area (RHSA).
You can purchase your own duck at the RHSA information booth or at participating businesses around town.
Inclement Weather Alternative Dates
Sunday, May 4th at 1:00pm
Saturday, May 10th at 1:00pm
Town Night!
5:00pm – ?
Hot Springs is back and better than ever, and it’s time to celebrate! Throw on your town shirt and hit the streets for Town Night, a special evening dedicated to supporting our local businesses as they reopen their doors after the storm.
Let’s fill the town with familiar faces, good vibes, and plenty of support for the places that make this mountain town home.
Enjoy live Folk Fusion from The Hillclimbers at Bluff Mountain Outfitters from 4:00pm-7:00pm!
Catch Mitch McConnell & The Senators at Big Pillow Brewing from 6:00pm-9:00pm!