VISIT HAYWOOD COUNTY NC

Follow a trail of creative scarecrows built by Canton’s local shops, restaurants, non-profits, and other small businesses! The 2026 theme is Grimms Fairy Tales. Once you’ve explored, head to the trail website to cast your vote for the Funniest, Most Creative, and Best Representation of the Fairy Tale. The display that has the most votes overall will win the People’s Choice Award. Pictured: Vince, the frog prince scarecrow, created by Cold Mountain Art Collective.

Haywood Handmade Gallery's "Go with the Flow" exhibit celebrates the beauty, power, and importance of Haywood County’s waterways. In partnership with Haywood Waterways, this exhibition invites artists to create works inspired by rivers, streams, and other bodies of water—both literally and metaphorically. From flowing currents to reflections on life’s journeys, the show highlights how waterways inspire creativity while raising awareness of the need to protect and conserve our local watershed. Pictured work is by Peter Brown.

No parking pass is needed to park in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on these days. Hike your favorite trails, watch the wild elk in Cataloochee Valley, have a picnic with family and friends, and take in the Smoky Mountain views!

Held Thursdays from 4pm-7pm at the Sorrells Street Park in downtown Canton, the Mill Town Farmers Market celebrates Haywood County’s local farmers and artisans. Browse handcrafted wood carvings, metal work, and pottery to spruce up your living space, pamper yourself with botanical skincare and perfumes, and stock your pantry with locally grown produce, farm-fresh dairy, homemade jams, baked goods, and much more! Enjoy live music, family-friendly activities, and sip on a fresh lemonade while you browse.

Set in Haywood's historic mill town, the monthly Mill Around Town event sees downtown Canton come alive with an extended evening of shopping, dining, deals, and entertainment. On the final Friday of each month, "mill" around to the record store, pottery studio, fly fishing shop, cafe, trendy boutique, bookshop, dark-academia flower shop, and more against a backdrop of live music and fun activities. Mill Around Town is free to attend, but supporting local businesses with purchases is encouraged.