Heritage Walk & Festival slated Sept. 1
Featuring tours, music, arts, crafts, markets & more

The Seventh Annual Heritage Walk & Festival begins in historic downtown Murphy, Cherokee County, North Carolina, on Saturday, Sept. 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This one-day event is packed with fun and interesting venues for all ages and families.

The Heritage Walk is guided walking tours of historic Murphy, featuring characters from times past. Check in at the old L&N Depot for departure times and tour details. Also at the depot, there will be a silent benefit auction, festival merchandise, festival information and a restroom.

New in 2007 will be Cherokee Indian Dancers from the Qualla Boundary. Story tellers will participate including the popular Freeman Owl. Several bed and breakfasts will be on the historic tour and the antique tractor exhibit will be expanded.

Mountain Song Stage will feature live entertainment all during the day by traditional mountain region instrumentalists and vocalists.

Local and regional crafters will be offering original artwork and other items for sale and demonstrations.

Food vendors and the Farmers Market will be set up all over the downtown area, offering beverages, local produce, baked goods, canned goods and other tasty treats. Hospitality tables will be set up for rest and relaxation.

Hosted by the Heritage Partners of Cherokee County, a grassroots organization of volunteers working to preserve the county's heritage, the walk and festival brings together a partnership of over 30 local area organizations, businesses and more than 70 community volunteers to ensure the events success. For information on the festival, visit HYPERLINK "http://www.heritagepartners.org" www.heritagepartners.org. For lodging and travel and other events taking place over Labor Day weekend, call the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, 828-837- 2242; visit the web site at www.cherokeecountychamber. com or email info@cherokeecountychamber.com. The chamber also has information on sponsorship and vendor applications.

"September 1 is just around the corner, so make plans today to visit Cherokee County and enjoy one of the region's grand events," said Sande Kimball, chamber executive director. "The chamber is proud to promote this wonderful event as well as be a contact for people having questions. So call us at 828-837-2242."