PLOTT-TOBER FEST would not be complete without fun and educational things for kids to do! Awaiting you at the Kid’s Fest tent, volunteers share German culture activities, pioneer arts and crafts, wildlife programs, and canine presentations. Read below to see what’s in store!
Children under 18 are admitted free!
German Culture
Do you know the Pennsylvania Dutch word for “apple?”
Have you ever heard and held a sousaphone?
Would you like to play “Quartett,” the German version of Go Fish?
Want to hear the story of Hansel and Gretel, read by the witch herself?
Pennsylvania Dutch and German culture activities entertain and educate kids at the Kid’s Fest tent. Volunteers lead games, read German folk tales, teach the Pennsylvania Dutch language, and even play the sousaphone!
Pioneer Arts and Crafts
Would you like to make a quilt block from fabric scraps?
Have you ever used a craft stick loom to weave a wall hanging?
Do you know how to operate a Gee-Haw-Whimmy-Diddle?
Would you like to make a Button Buzz Saw?
Pioneer children helped their families settle in the mountains of Haywood County. They had plenty of chores to do like feed the animals, tend the garden, and wash the clothes. Children also learned arts and crafts like quilting and weaving to help create things needed on the homestead. But it wasn’t all work and no play for pioneer children – they also liked to play games and enjoyed homemade toys.
Kid’s Fest features pioneer make ‘n take arts and crafts along with an interactive demonstration of homemade pioneer toys!
Dog Friends and BearWise
Would you like to watch a veterinarian brush his dog’s teeth?
Do you know how to safely approach a dog that does not know you?
Do you know how to train your dog to sit?
Did you know black bears live in our mountains?
There is a saying that dogs are man’s best friend! At PLOTT-TOBER FEST there will be plenty of opportunities to see the magnificent Plott hounds in competitions – it might even be a bit noisy at times with all their enthusiastic baying, which will add to the excitement! At the Kid’s Fest tent, make some new canine friends and learn about training and caring for them.
K-9 Curriculum, a dog obedience school in Clyde, can teach you how to safely approach a dog. Watch a dog obedience demonstration and learn what it takes to train a dog to be a good citizen. Learn from a veterinarian how to brush your dog’s teeth, an important part of taking good care of your pet’s health. And therapy dogs will be on hand for a nice pat on the head!
BearWise is a program of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. They like to share about black bears in Western North Carolina and answer your questions about this symbol of the Great Smoky Mountains. You will be bear aware after listening to all they have to say!
Photo Screens, Face Painting, Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe, and Corn Shucking Contest
Do you want to be the face of Hansel or Gretel?
Would you like to get your face-painted with a doggie nose and be the face of a Plott Hound?
Want to play Tic-Tac-Toe with pumpkins?
Have you ever been in a corn shucking contest?
Look for the Kid’s Fest face painting table and photo screens where you can let your imagination run wild! You can also play a game of Tic-Tac-Toe with pumpkins! Don’t know how? Not to worry, our volunteers love teaching new players and then challenging them to a game! And make sure you show up for the corn shucking contest – anyone finding a red ear of corn wins a prize!
Kid's Fest Schedule
3:30 | How to Safely Approach a DogDog Safety with K-9 Curriculum |
4:00 | Hansel & GretelStorytime with the Witch |
4:30 | Sit, Stay, Come!Dog Obedience with K-9 Curriculum |
ALL-DAY ACTIVITIES:Photo Screens, Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe, Face Painting | |
1:00 | Tuba/Sousaphone Demonstration |
1:20 | Make & Take Weaving Craft |
1:40 | BearWise Activities with theNC Wildlife Resources Commission |
2:00 | Hansel & GretelStorytime with the Witch |
2:20 | Make & Take Quilt Block plusDesign a Quilt Pattern Coloring Page |
2:40 | Sit, Stay, Come!Dog Obedience with K-9 Curriculum |
3:00 | Learn to Speak Pennsylvania DutchLanguage Activity |
3:20 | Homemade Mountain Toys plusMake a Button Buzz Saw |
3:40 | How to Brush Your Dog’s Teethwith Dr. Bryant Brummitt III |
4:00 | Learn to Play Damespiel, Die Farbenelf, & Quartett |
4:20 | How to Safely Approach a DogDog Safety with K-9 Curriculum |
4:40 | Corn Shucking ContestFind a green ear and win a prize! |
ALL-DAY ACTIVITIES:Photo Screens, Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe, Face Painting | |