Doggett Gap Tiny Music & Heritage Festival Returns to Rare Bird Farm

Press Release

May 2-3, 2025 | Spring Creek, NC

Rare Bird Cultural Arts is thrilled to announce the Doggett Gap Tiny Music & Heritage Festival, a celebration of roots music, craft, and community at Rare Bird Farm in rural Spring Creek, NC, on Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3, 2025. This intimate, family-friendly gathering showcases a diverse lineup of artists spanning Americana, country, folk, and North Carolina mountain traditions, blending the old with the new in a setting designed to foster connection and creativity.

The 2025 festival lineup features an incredible mix of emerging and established artists, including:

• Kassi Valazza
• Chris Acker
• Mike Gangloff & Kaily Schenker
• Weirs
• The Wilder Flower
• Nicholas Edward Williams
• Tyler Dodson
• Shelton Powe

Attendees can also enjoy immersive folklife and craft experiences, with featured artists-at-large leading interactive sessions:

• Shaped-Note Singing Workshop with Laura Boosinger
• Be Art Experiential Art with Jane Sleeper
• Appalachian Dance Lessons with Linda Block

Building on the success of last year’s Fine Tuned Sessions, which was created in collaboration with Blue Ridge National Heritage Area (BRNHA), Rare Bird Cultural Arts sought to establish this as its signature spring festival. “We wanted to honor both our location and the musical roots of the region by renaming the festival after Doggett Gap, the mountain under which Rare Bird Farm sits, as well as the title of a Bascom Lamar Lunsford song,” said Farrah Hoffmire, Executive Director of Rare Bird Cultural Arts.

Rare Bird’s “tiny festival” model ensures an intimate and low-impact experience, keeping both the land and the community at the heart of the event. “We call them tiny festivals because we want to keep our impact low at Rare Bird Farm and have a max capacity of 150 people. This keeps our connection to the land front and center and allows for an intimate experience for all involved,” said Mitchell Davis, co-owner of Rare Bird Farm.

Supporting the Community and Regional Recovery
This year’s festival is especially important to Rare Bird Cultural Arts and the surrounding community in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which caused significant flooding damage to neighboring towns, including Hot Springs, NC. “In addition to celebrating local music and culture, we’re hoping to encourage visitors to come early for the festival, stay longer in our vacation rentals, and shop locally to help boost the regional economy as our neighbors rebuild,” said Farrah Hoffmire.

Visitors are also invited to participate in Town and Trail Fest on Friday, May 2, where volunteers will work together to clean, restore, and beautify downtown Hot Springs, which was devastated by flood damage. “It’s a great opportunity to help out in the community while enjoying the beautiful landscapes that make this region so special,” Hoffmire added. The volunteer event will take place from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM in downtown Hot Springs.

50% of net proceeds from the Doggett Gap festival will be donated to the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and promoting the heritage of the Blue Ridge Mountains through music, craft, and storytelling initiatives.

With its intimate setting, world-class music, and hands-on folklife experiences, Doggett Gap Tiny Music & Heritage Festival promises a weekend of deep connection, creative exploration, and community celebration.

Tickets and more information: Doggett Gap Tiny Music & Heritage Festival

Contact: Farrah Hoffmire
Rare Bird Cultural Arts
farrah@rarebirdfarm.org
www.rarebirdfarm.org