Mountaintop Rotary raises $15K for PAC Youth Theatre
Another successful arts and crafts show is in the books.
Catherine Connolly, past president of Mountaintop Rotary and one of the show’s organizers, said the Arts & Crafts Show has grown to become the club’s largest fundraiser. Proceeds from the show fund the club’s grants doled out to area nonprofits.
“We focus on creating an experience for everyone,” Connolly said. Nonprofits — Bascom, the historical society, Highlands Cashiers Hospital and others — are invited to be a part of the show, she said, and area musicians such as Nitrograss and Breeze Cable.also perform.
The Rotary Club took over the show from founder Cynthia Strain when she retired in 2022. Connolly said the show pours about $75,000 back into the community via grants and scholarships. Each year the club selects a nonprofit to benefit from donations taken in during the show.
This year’s recipient, PAC Youth Theatre, is the beneficiary of more than $15,000 it can apply to its scholarships and programs, Connolly said.
This was the show’s 19th year which, began as a grassroots art show that has grown into an event that fills the park to capacity.
“We strive for a sense of community,” she said. “Even though we attract many visitors from out of town, they appreciate the local feel of the event.” The event includes a Kid Zone, so there is something for everyone, she said.
Connolly said about 120 artisans from the Southeast participate in the Arts & Crafts Show, which is a juried show. The club puts on two shows per year, the last weekends in June and August.
Susan Davis, a gourd artist who operates Susie Q Gourds based in Sylva, said this past weekend was her first time participating in the Mountaintop Rotary show.
“The people are very helpful, friendly and courteous,” she said. “People really seem to like my art. I’m a gourd artist. I do altered paper on the gourds.” She said other vendors around her were also so friendly and nice. “It was just really a great weekend … and the people really like coming out and seeing different art there.”
“On average we have over 7,000 visitors each weekend, so this really has an impact on tourism and is good for local businesses,” Connolly said, noting that most of the artists also contribute to the town’s economy as they stay locally during the show’s weekend run.
She added that with the Highlands Chamber of Commerce on board as a main sponsor, the club is able to widely market the event and get good attendance.
New this year was the club’s Sip and Stroll. It is a ticketed event featuring beverage selections from Highlands Wine and Provisions and Western Carolina Brew and Wine. Attendees can enjoy a beer or wine while they stroll and shop the various artists’ wares.
Connolly said the feedback among residents in June was positive. They said “it was a great experience at the end of the day to listen to music, have a drink and shop.”
Sip and Stroll was between the hours of 3 and 6 p.m. Club president Andy Walker addressed the town’s commissioners last Thursday and asked that the hours be extended, from 1 to 6 p.m. This way, he said, the club can capture two sets of attendees, the earlier crowd and later crowd.
The June event raised about $1,700, he said. Commissioners gave the go-ahead for extending the hours, provided all proper alcohol permitting is in place.
- Richard Whiting
rwhiting@cninewspapers.com