# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Steve Sutton Fest 2026
- **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 08 May, 2026 at 06:00 pm – Sat, 09 May, 2026 at 10:00 pm
- **Event Description**: STEVE SUTTON was a Western North Carolina musician who spent his whole life entertaining audiences, sharing joy and helping others. The Steve Sutton Festival and The Steve Sutton Memorial Charitable Trust (501(c)(3)) were created to continue that legacy. 

This year's lineup for Steve Sutton Fest features a great variety of roots music traditions!

Authentic Unlimited (3x IBMA Vocal Group of the Year)

Red Camel Collective (IBMA New Artists of the Year, 2026 Grand Ole Opry debut)

Dennis Parker, Shawn Lane, and Darren Nicholson

Alecia Nugent

Molly Johnson & Friends

Upstream Rebellion

Donna Ulisse & Rick Stanley

Whitewater Bluegrass Co.

Mountain Tradition Cloggers

Junior Appalachian Musicians

Dance Workshops & More

New in 2026 - Steve Sutton Fest includes a focus on songwriting with a world-class Songwriting Workshop Experience, available to an intimate group of 25 attendees. 

New in 2026, Steve Sutton Fest is proud to partner with Tall Oaks Music and the Little House Songwriting Workshop to offer an intimate, two-day songwriting intensive led by two of roots music's most celebrated writers: Donna Ulisse, 2016 IBMA Songwriter of the Year, and Rick Stanley, Grammy-nominated writer for The Stanley Tradition album.

Over two full days of instruction (Friday and Saturday, 10am-3pm), you'll work alongside Donna and Rick in a small group setting that makes real learning possible. Each morning opens with gentle song critiques and creativity exercises designed to get your imagination fired up and your pen moving. From there, you'll dig into the craft of co-writing, then put it all into practice - writing original songs in small groups with Donna and Rick rotating through the room to offer hands-on guidance every step of the way.

By the end of the workshop, your group will vote on the best song written during the two days. The winning writers will perform their song live during Donna and Rick's set on the festival stage.

Your workshop registration includes admission to both nights of Steve Sutton Fest, so the music doesn't stop when the writing does.

Space is limited to 25 participants. This is an experience for songwriters of all levels who are ready to compete, grow, and write something they're proud of.

Proceeds from Steve Sutton Fest are distributed to Haywood County Schools Foundation, who facilitates music scholarships in partnership with Steve Sutton Memorial Charitable Trust at three local schools: Tuscola High School, Pisgah High School, and Early College. In addition, proceeds are distributed to Haywood County JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians).

All tickets are General Admission. Come early for the best seats - or contact us about sponsorship options!

Each day $30 advance ticket/$40 at gate

Songwriting workshop $250 (all-inclusive, only 25 spots available)

STAY AT THE LAKE!

Visit this link to make reservations at Lake Junaluska for Steve Sutton Fest with a special discount! https://www.reseze.net/servlet/SendPage?hotelid=1593&skipfirstpage=true&page=210847

If you'd prefer to make your lodging reservation by phone, call Lake Junaluska at (800) 222-4930, and be sure to mention Steve Sutton Fest!

Our 2026 event is sponsored in part by Visit Haywood.

Join us for two great days of music for a great cause in memory of Steve Sutton!
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/lake-junaluska/steve-sutton-fest-2026/200029831527510
- **Event Categories**: festivals, workshops, nonprofit, music, entertainment, art, literary-art, dance
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 68

## Ticket Details


## Event venue details

- **city**: Lake Junaluska
- **state**: NC
- **country**: United States
- **location**: Lake Junaluska
- **lat**: 35.52478
- **long**: -82.9816
- **full address**: Lake Junaluska, United States

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: Steve Sutton Fest 2026
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events2/banners/28dc448acf49ef135c53820abbf8bd7b3740d26d317f7934191034054e923139-rimg-w1200-h852-dcd7dad9-gmir?v=1777468509

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is Steve Sutton Fest 2026 being held?
  - **A:** Steve Sutton Fest 2026 takes place on Fri, 08 May, 2026 at 06:00 pm to Sat, 09 May, 2026 at 10:00 pm at Lake Junaluska, United States.
- **Q**: Who is organizing Steve Sutton Fest 2026?
  - **A:** Steve Sutton Fest 2026 is organized by Steve Sutton Fest.
- **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me?
  - **A:** Steve Sutton Fest 2026 is ideal for festival lovers, culture enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a vibrant, immersive community experience. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Lake Junaluska, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. With 60+ people already showing interest, this is clearly an event worth adding to your calendar - don't miss out.

## Structured Data (JSON-LD)

```json
[
    {
        "@context": "https://schema.org",
        "@type": "Festival",
        "name": "Steve Sutton Fest 2026",
        "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events2/banners/28dc448acf49ef135c53820abbf8bd7b3740d26d317f7934191034054e923139-rimg-w1200-h852-dcd7dad9-gmir?v=1777468509",
        "startDate": "2026-05-08",
        "endDate": "2026-05-09",
        "url": "https://allevents.in/lake-junaluska/steve-sutton-fest-2026/200029831527510",
        "location": {
            "@type": "Place",
            "name": "Lake Junaluska",
            "address": {
                "@type": "PostalAddress",
                "name": "Lake Junaluska, United States",
                "addressLocality": "Lake Junaluska",
                "addressRegion": "NC",
                "addressCountry": "US"
            },
            "geo": {
                "@type": "GeoCoordinates",
                "latitude": "35.52478",
                "longitude": "-82.9816"
            }
        },
        "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode",
        "description": "STEVE SUTTON was a Western North Carolina musician who spent his whole life entertaining audiences, sharing joy and helping others. The Steve Sutton Festival and The Steve Sutton Memorial Charitable Trust (501(c)(3)) were created to continue that legacy. \n\nThis year's lineup for Steve Sutton Fest fe",
        "organizer": [
            {
                "@type": "Organization",
                "name": "Steve Sutton Fest",
                "url": "https://allevents.in/org/steve-sutton-fest/25630846"
            }
        ]
    }
]
```