Guest Appreciation Festival

Description

Celebrate the end of the adventure season with a spooky twist at NOC’s Haunted Guest Appreciation Festival! Snag scary-good deals on used boats, gear, and apparel, enjoy thrilling paddling events, live music, and eerie specials on food, drinks, and activities. Explore the Used Gear Graveyard, the Witchy Artisan Market, and the Outfitter’s Store while soaking up haunted mountain vibes. More chilling details coming soon—if you dare.

Used Gear Market

Friday 2-8pm
Saturday 9am-7pm
Sunday 8am-Until…

Dig into the ultimate gear treasure hunt at NOC’s Used Gear Market! With 20+ vendors offering everything from boats and PFDs to hiking boots and mountain bike gear, it’s your one-stop shop for outdoor adventure essentials.

**All Used Gear spaces have been filled for this year. If you would like to be notified should any openings become available, we encourage you to join our waitlist at the bottom of the page. Thank you for your interest! **

Used NOC Raft Sale

Friday 9am-5pm
Saturday 9am-5pm
Sunday 9am-Until…

Own a piece of NOC history! During GAF weekend, we’ll host a Used Raft Sale right in front of the Adventure Center. A limited selection of 8-man and 5-man inflatable rafts retired from NOC’s commercial fleet will be available in varying but decent condition, and are being sold as-is (all sales final).

Payment options: Cash or card accepted.
Incentive: Prices drop each morning of the weekend until all rafts are gone!

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly craft for whitewater adventures, this is your chance. Inventory is limited. Come early for the best pick, or gamble on waiting for an even better deal!

Artisan Market

Friday 2-8pm
Saturday 9am-7pm
Sunday 8am-Until…

The local artisan market is a vibrant showcase of local goods, crafts, and art. Come explore unique, handcrafted treasures from talented regional artisans.  

**All ARtisan VEndor spaces have been filled for this year. If you would like to be notified should any openings become available, we encourage you to join our waitlist at the bottom of the page. Thank you for your interest! **

Outfitter’s Store End of Season Sale
Friday 2-8pm
Saturday 9am-7pm
Sunday 8am-Until…

The Outfitter’s Store will be open all weekend, and you won’t want to miss their large pop-up tent located across from the Adventure Deck in the main parking lot, just across the river from the store. It will be packed with flash sales on end-of-season gear and clothing from your favorite outdoor brands.   

Make sure to check out the Asheville Tea booth outside the store. Asheville Tea Company crafts farm to teacup blends for a vibrant taste of our region. They’re mission is to redefine how teas are sourced and enjoyed by partnering with small, regional farmers who utilize sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices.

Live Music
Friday 3-6pm
Saturday 2-8pm

Enjoy free live music all weekend at GAF! On Friday, local singer-songwriter Christina Chandler kicks things off at 3 PM, while Saturday features Laura Thurston from 2–5 PM, followed by Brew Davis closing it out on the main stage from 5–8 PM. 

Spooky Fun Activities

In the shadowy Backyard of Big Wesser, a tarot card reader awaits to reveal your fate, while eerie costumes take center stage in a chilling costume contest. A face painter will help you transform into something spooky or strange, and across all NOC campus stores, trick-or-treating for Halloween candy hidden in every haunted corner.

Partner & Guide Recruitment Booths

Located next to Big Wesser and the Founder’s Bridge, the Partner & Guide Recruitment booths will feature opportunities with Cataloochee Ski Resort and NOC’s Raft Guide School. Stop by to connect with SOLO, NOC, and other outdoor partners to learn how you can get involved in upcoming adventures.

Used Gear & Artisan Market Waitlist