Welcome to the new Hillbilly Jam website. Hillbilly Jam has always been about more than just an event. It is about the mountains, the people, the music, the stories, the craftsmen, the characters, and the independent spirit that makes Western North Carolina unlike anywhere else. At the heart of it all is a deep respect for Appalachian heritage and the people who helped make that heritage known far beyond these mountains.
Names like Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton and Jim Tom Hedrick became familiar all across America, but what made them memorable was bigger than moonshine or television. They represented a kind of mountain character that is hard to duplicate: self-reliant, inventive, stubborn in the best way, funny, resourceful, and proud of where they came from. Popcorn Sutton became one of the most recognizable figures connected to old-time Appalachian moonshine culture, while Jim Tom was remembered for his stories, still-making knowledge, music, humor, and unmistakable personality. They are part of a much larger Appalachian story, and that story is part of what Hillbilly Jam continues to celebrate.
Hillbilly Jam is not about trying to recreate the past exactly as it was. It is about keeping the spirit of the mountains alive while making new memories of our own. Over the years, the event has grown into a gathering place for moonshine personalities, live music, vendors, craftsmen, makers, families, and folks who simply love mountain culture and a good time. And as Hillbilly Jam continues to evolve, we are making even more room for the things that make this celebration truly unique.
One of the biggest changes moving forward is that the car show has been removed to open up more space for the Hillbilly celebration itself. That means more room for vendors, entertainment, personalities, mountain traditions, music, food, and the kind of experiences that bring people back year after year. The goal is simple: to make Hillbilly Jam feel even more like Hillbilly Jam.
There is something special about walking through the event and hearing music in the air, seeing familiar faces, meeting new people, browsing handmade goods, visiting with vendors, and listening to stories from people who have lived this culture their whole lives. Some folks come because Maggie Valley feels like home. Others arrive for the first time and quickly realize they have found something they want to come back to again. That sense of community is a big part of what makes Hillbilly Jam special.
And now, we are getting ready for what comes next.
The first event on the calendar is the Moonshiner Jerry Christmas Party on December 5, 2026. It will be a chance to gather with friends, enjoy some mountain-style Christmas cheer, visit with familiar faces, and keep the Hillbilly Jam spirit going through the holiday season. More details will be shared as the event gets closer, so keep an eye on the website and our social channels.
After that, Winter Jam returns February 18 through February 20, 2027. Winter Jam gives everyone another reason to come together, catch up with old friends, meet new ones, enjoy the atmosphere, and kick off another year of Hillbilly Jam memories. If you have never experienced Maggie Valley in the winter, this is a great excuse to come see the mountains from a different point of view.
Then comes the big summer celebration. The 2027 Summer Jam festivities begin Thursday evening, July 22, with the Pre-Party at Valley Tavern in Maggie Valley. For a lot of people, the pre-party has become part of the tradition. Folks start rolling into town, old friends reconnect, stories start flying, and the excitement begins building for the weekend ahead.
On July 23 and 24, 2027, Hillbilly Jam returns to the Maggie Valley Fairgrounds in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, USA. This is where the full celebration comes together with music, vendors, craftsmen, mountain personalities, food, families, fans, and plenty of Appalachian spirit. With more room dedicated to the Hillbilly side of the event, 2027 is shaping up to be one of the most authentic and entertaining gatherings yet.
Hillbilly Jam is proud of its roots, proud of the mountain culture that helped shape it, and proud of the people who have supported it over the years. We are also excited about where things are headed next. This new website is part of that future, and we will be using it to share event news, schedules, photos, videos, vendor information, sponsorship opportunities, personality features, and stories from past Jams.
Hillbilly Jam keeps growing because people keep showing up. They bring their families, their businesses, their stories, their personalities, and their love for Appalachian culture. Together, they make Hillbilly Jam what it is.
So mark your calendars, tell your friends, and plan your trip to Maggie Valley, North Carolina. The mountains are still here. The stories are still being told. The music is still playing. And Hillbilly Jam is making even more room for the celebration.
See y’all at the Jam. 🤠🇺🇸
