Press Release

For the 59th year, the Kings Mountain Art Fair will be returning to its traditional in-person “under the redwoods” format but will also offer shopping for those who wish to purchase art online. The Fair is a juried show with over 120 independent artists and up to 20 local mountain artists. All proceeds support the volunteer Kings Mountain Fire Brigade and Kings Mountain Elementary School. The KMAF has a longtime reputation among artists and fairgoers as one of the best art shows on the West Coast.

Every Labor Day weekend, the Kings Mountain Art Fair has taken place and for the past two years, in the face of a global pandemic, the fair transformed into an online event to keep the tradition going.

“With so many events canceled in 2020-21, it was a difficult period for our artists but many used the time to make amazing pieces and they will be back in full force to share their creations at this year’s fair,” said Kings Mountain Art Fair Executive Director Bev Abbott. “We are thrilled once again to be hosting the fair under the redwoods on Kings Mountain.”

Artist booths will pop up around the Kings Mountain Fire Station and the forest becomes an outdoor gallery displaying some of the finest handmade arts and crafts on the West Coast. All art is original and made by the artists who personally exhibit at the show.

The Kings Mountain Art Fair is 100% run by volunteers. More than 400 community members of all ages create the transformation from our quiet rural community to our bustling fair. Local volunteers look forward to this weekend all year long, which is why the person handing you a map as you enter the fair is beaming, and why the folks at the grill are laughing and dancing as they serve up thousands of burgers and veggie delights. Fairgoers tell us the fun and enthusiasm are contagious.

Local residents started the Art Fair in 1963 as a fundraiser to help create a volunteer fire department for our remote Kings Mountain community. The first fair, held in a red barn in the community, featured mostly local artists and raised $50.

Families will find lots of old-fashioned fun activities including crafts and games in Kiddie Hollow, open from 10 am to 4 pm.

The grill serves a pancake breakfast, including blueberry compote, eggs and sausage, as well as a delicious lunch that includes burgers, corn on the cob, chili, mountain nachos, and more. Our volunteers at the cook shack seek out the highest quality ingredients every year. And the Kings Mountain Elementary School has dessert covered with Grandma Jenny’s famous giant cookies, baked by Kings Mountain volunteers.

Proceeds from the Art Fair go directly back to the community, supporting the all-volunteer Kings Mountain Fire Department, which responded to over 300 incidents last year. In August 2020, they worked with Cal Fire to battle the CZU Lightning Complex fire, for which their efforts
received a special commendation from the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. Proceeds also support the Kings Mountain Elementary School, a 3-room school for grades K-5 with approximately 60 children.

Over the years, the Kings Mountain Art Fair has worked to reduce its environmental impact and is now focused on a goal of “Zero Waste,” with efforts to send as little refuse to a landfill as possible. Zero Waste is a fair-wide effort, from the artists who incorporate upcycled materials into their art to the recyclable and compostable items used to serve food and beverages in the cook shack.

Because much of the art is fragile, pets are not permitted on the fairgrounds. People hike, bike, and drive to the Fair. Bicycle racks are available and many hiking trails lead to the Fair. Since the location is in the coastal redwood forest, we recommend dressing in layers, as temperatures can vary dramatically through the day. Enhanced health and safety protocols will be followed; please check www.kingsmountainartfair.org for up-to-date information.