Community

Swappin' Meetin'

Celebrate the stories, skills, and spirit of Appalachian people through music, craft, food, heritage, and community.

Swappin’ Meetin’ isn’t just a festival—it’s a living tribute to Appalachian heritage, where storytelling, music, crafts, and community come together in the heart of Cumberland.

NEW DATE: September 18-19, 2026
Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College
700 College Road
Cumberland, KY 40823

The Swappin’ Meetin’ has been a cherished tradition for over six decades.

In 2026, we reaffirm our commitment to creating an experience that truly celebrates, shares, and teaches the traditions of Appalachia. Our heart remains with stories, strings, and skills.

Swappin’ Meetin’ is far more than a vendor event—it’s a gathering that reminds us of who we are and where we come from. It helps people feel connected to their place, their past, and their neighbors. We want to lift up Appalachian pride, keep our stories and skills alive, honor local history, and strengthen the resilience that has carried this region through generations.

Authentic Appalachian Voices — real storytellers, real craft traditions
Family-Friendly & Interactive — kids’ activities, contests, demonstrations
Community Pride — honoring our region’s heritage and identity
Showcasing SKCTC — programs, student talent, and regional leadership
Fall Destination Event — a must-attend seasonal celebration

2026 THEME:
A Cumberland Homecoming:
A Centennial Celebration of Community & Heritage

(in honor of the 100th anniversary of the naming of the city of Cumberland)

SCHEDULE

Friday, September 18, 2026

* NO ARTS & CRAFT VENDORS ON FRIDAY. FOOD TRUCKS 5-9 PM. *

9:00 AM - YOUTH STORYTELLING COMPETITION
- Each school should send its top 2-3 storytellers for each age category (grades 1-5, 6-8, 9-12). Winners are eligible to advance to the state and possibly national competition. See detail below under "Contests". We follow the format, guidelines, and rules of the Kentucky Storytelling Association and the National Youth Storytelling Showcase. See www.kystory.org or https://nationalyouthstorytelling.org/.
10 AM - 1 PM - APPALACHIAN HERITAGE HANDS-ON EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Reservations required. Contact Jill.Creech@kctcs.edu or call 606.589.3042.
- PLEASE READ: This is a structured educational program for school groups. The festival is NOT open yet and no vendors will be present. Participating students will rotate through scheduled learning stations designed to immerse them in Appalachian culture and traditions, including: artisan demonstrations, storytelling circles, and old-fashioned games and activities. Students will have the opportunity to learn directly from skilled artisans and storytellers while experiencing traditions that have been passed down through generations.
5-9 PM - FOOD TRUCKS OPEN (No merchant vendors until Saturday)
5 PM - FRONT PORCH FRIDAY: Pickin', Grinnin', and Stories
- - Come grab some supper at a food truck and sit back and enjoy an evening of local pickin', great food, and stories.
  - 5 pm - Storytelling with Octavia Sexton
  - 6 pm - Music with Jenny Clark Ross & family
  - 7 pm - Storytelling with Michael Love
  - 8 pm - Storytelling with Darla Jackson
  - 9 pm - Jam session, open mic - bring your instrument &/or voice

Saturday, September 19, 2026
10 AM - 6 PM

10 AM - 6 PM - ALL DAY:
- Vendors & Food Trucks
- Artisan Demonstrations
- Contests
- Cruise-in
- Kids Fun
- Pop-up Pickin'
- Music & Storytelling
10 AM - 6 PM - MOUNTAIN VOICES STAGE
- 10 AM - Storytelling with Dr. Bruce Ayers, president emeritus
- 10:30 AM - Music & Story with Higher Ground
- 11 AM - Music with Tammy Chapman
- 12 PM - Storytelling with Octavia Sexton
- 1 PM - Celebration of Cumberland's 100th & CHS Tribute Room
- 1:30 PM - Music with Ruby & Jake Ravizee
- 2 PM - Center Stage Cloggers
- 3 PM - Music with Brooklyn Burkhart
- 4 PM - Music with Laci Deaton
- 5 PM - Music with Blue Rock'n Grass
1 PM - Celebration of Cumberland's 100th & Dedication of CHS Tribute Room - Honoring the heritage of Cumberland High School, the tribute room features CHS memorabilia from the College's Archives and local donations. Start at Main Stage.
ALL DAY:
- Merchants & Traders (vendors) - Makers, crafters, creators, and vendors of all kinds
- Artisan Village (demonstrators) - Appalachian skills in action...sorghum making, wool spinning and dyeing, traditional broom making, basket weaving, apple butter and molasses making, woodworking, blacksmithing and handcrafted forged items, corn shuck doll making.
- Vittles & Fixins (food trucks) - Redneckers, Redneckers II, CANE Kitchen, Purple Possum, Hickory Fried, Hillbilly Q, Cumberland Lions Club, Busy Bee Lemonade
- Kids' Holler - Bounce houses and friendly fun
- Contest Hall - Come walk through Godbey Appalachian Center to view quilts, art, photography, baked goods, and more. See Contest details below.
- Cruise-In - From vintage cruisers and muscle cars to classic trucks and motorcycles, the Swappin’ Meetin’ Cruise-In is the perfect place to show off your ride and connect with fellow automotive enthusiasts. Moved this year to the lower parking lot.

VENDORS

Join us! Complete the online vendor application below.

VENDOR APPLICATION

CONTESTS

DROP OFF FOR ALL CONTEST SUBMISSIONS:
Godbey Appalachian Center - Ticket Booth - Cumberland Campus
Tuesday through Friday, September 15-18, 10 AM to 2 PM

Baked Goods: Entries can include cakes, pies, breads, and pastries. Each entry must be labeled with the following information: Category, Name, Telephone number, Address, Date item was baked. Only one item per category will be accepted. First, Second, Third, and Best of Show ribbons will be awarded. For details, contact Andrea Massey at 606.589.3064.
Pickles, Jams and Jellies: Entries can include homemade pickles, jams, jellies, sauerkraut, chow-chow, beets, eggs, pickled vegetables and peppers. All entries must have been prepared within the current year and each must have a label with the following information: Category, Entrant’s name, Telephone number, Address, Date entry was prepared. Only one item per category will be accepted. First, Second and third place ribbons as well as a Best of Show Ribbon will be awarded. For details, contact Andrea Massey at 606.589.3064.
Fern Cornett Memorial QUILT Competition & Exhibit: Quilts and fiber arts made during the past year may be entered in the following categories: novelty, pieced, applique, baby quilts, wall hangings, beginning, and other fiber arts (crochet, knitting, clothing, felt work, weaving, etc.). The pieces will be judged on top design, quilt design, color combination, materials used and use of padding, lining and binding. Limited to two entries per category. Best of show, first, second, and third place ribbons will be awarded. Include: Name and address of person entering items, name of pattern, and name of person responsible for the quilt if someone other than the entrant is picking up the quilt on Saturday. Quilts will remain on display until 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, in the Gallery of the Godbey Appalachian Center. Those with older quilts are also invited to bring them to the Quilt Exhibit for public viewing. For more information, contact Ariel Dingus at 606.589.3316 or adingus0003@kctcs.edu.
The Pam Halcomb Memorial Youth STORYTELLING Competition: elementary (grades 1-5), middle school (grades 6-8), and high school (grades 9-12) students (age 6-18 as of Feb. 1, 2026) on Friday, Sept. 18. Competition will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Swappin Meetin stage. Each school should send its top two to three storytellers in each division to compete; Swappin’ Meetin’ winners in each division are eligible to advance to the Kentucky Youth Storytelling state competition with a videotaped entry, with a chance to move on to the National Youth Storytelling Showcase. Entries from schools can be individual tellers or a “tandem” team of two storytellers. For contest details, contact Carlton Hughes at 606.589.3150 or carlton.hughes@kctcs.edu.
Tri-City News Photography Contest: Categories include scenery, flowers, animals, black bears, black and white prints, scenes from Harlan County, and scenes from Cumberland, Kentucky, in honor of our theme celebrating its 100th anniversary. Past winners cannot enter the same print again. All prints must be matted and not framed, no smaller than 5"x7" and no larger than 16"x20". Label on the back: Name of photographer, phone, address, date picture was taken, and photographic category. Photographs will be on display all day Saturday, Sept. 19.
Art Contest: The theme is "A Cumberland Homecoming: A Centennial Celebration of Community & Heritage" in honor of the 100th anniversary of the naming of the city of Cumberland. Entries may be pen and ink, pencil, watercolor, oil paints, charcoal, collages, 3D works, or sculptures. All students who submit art will receive a certificate of participation. First, Second, and Third place winners, and a Best of Show will receive ribbons with an honorable mention in each category. Include following info on paper attached to back of artwork: Name, Grade, Age, Address, Phone, School, Teacher Name, Media, Title of Work. Protectively package your art! Drop off your artwork at times listed above OR to administrative offices of: Harlan Elementary, Harlan Middle, Harlan High School, Cawood Ledford Boys & Girls Club, JACES, Harlan County High School, Rosspoint Elementary, Cumberland Elementary, CES Boys & Girls Club, any of SKCTC campuses. A trophy is awarded to the winning school with the most participants and winners. Art will be displayed in the Godbey Appalachian Center through September. Swappin’ Meetin’ cannot assume responsibility for missing or damaged artwork.
Cumberland Tourism Cornhole Tournament: Registration at 2 p.m. Saturday, Tournament starts at 3 p.m., Blind draw double elimination. $10 per person. 100% payout. 1st place 50%, 2nd place 30%, 3rd place 20%. Upper Parking Lot behind the food trucks.
Horseshoe Contest: Teams will compete Saturday.