The annual Mountain Heritage Arts and Crafts Festival will begin Friday, June 14 and run through Sunday, June 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Approximately 200 quality juried artisans and craftspersons from 11 states will demonstrate their created work at the festival.

Each year offers return crafters as well as new vendors providing exquisite hand-made goods for purchase. A variety of mediums can be found among the crafters including woodwork, metalwork, photography, rugs, pottery and more.

A sampling of crafters for this weekend’s event include Forest Flower Jewelry in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. The crafter offers the natural beauty of real flowers and real leaves that are protected to prevent fading by enriching the original color. Each petal and leaf is delicately handpainted using lacquer, 24K gold and sterling silver. The pendants are reversible. The back side shows just as much detail with a little added color from the green stems or lighter shading.

Also on the grounds for the June festival are Easy Street Leather and Kathy Whitley Pottery.

Max and Kathy Whitley have been full-time craftsmen for over 30 years. They work out of their studio in the countryside of eastern North Carolina, near Pink Hill. They consider it a privilege to be able to make a living at something they both enjoy.

Max makes superb quality belts and bags of the finest leather available. He takes pride in starting from the unfinished cowhide to cut each belt. Many meticulous steps are enacted using various materials to reshape the surfaces of his belts.

Kathy makes pots out of stoneware clay on a potters wheel. After each pot is shaped by hand, it is individually decorated and glazed using original glazes before it is fired in a gas kiln. Firing in a gas kiln produces an atmosphere that enhances the pottery to give it rich, warm, earthy colors.

Local artisans also will be featured at this year’s festival. Mary Kay Anderson, of MK Designs of Shepherdstown returns to the festival again this year. Anderson offers beautifully painted decorative wall hangings and other creations.

Hedgesville company, KMH Creations, offers their Cuddlebabe Infant Wrap, a unique and creative baby gift.

Food tasting and packaged food items are available from a variety of vendors. Concessions are on-site for immediate consumption.

There will be activities for children such as a children’s tent where crafts will be made, face painting, a moon bounce and a rock wall. Appalachian crafts, workshops, and activities for children. Hands-on arts activities that emphasize rich Appalachian heritage and culture will be the focus. Drop by the children’s workshop and create a traditional Appalachian craft. All ages are welcome. The children’s events come courtesy of Miss Emily’s Summer Camp.

For those who enjoy bluegrass music, four great bands will perform: Patent Pending, The Hillbilly Gypsies, Bill Emerson & The Sweet Dixie Band and Nothin’ Fancy. They will perform Saturday and Sunday, rotating schedules. For more information on the bands or to get a schedule, visit www.jeffersoncountywvchamber.or/festival.

Admission to the festival is $7 for adults, $4 for children 6-17. Parking, arts/crafts demonstrations, wine tasting, live bluegrass music and children’s crafts are included. There is a minimal charge for the moon bounce.

All pets and alcoholic beverages are prohibited Also prohibited are firearms of any kind. For more information, call 800-624-0577. Visit the above website for discounted tickets.