41 years ago an idea was born. Tens of thousands of people a year come to the small town of Seagrove, North Carolina to visit its world-famous potteries. The problem for the folks who traveled there was the fact the potteries were spread out and not centralized. In 1981 Richard Gilson of Hickory Hill Pottery decided to form the Museum of NC Traditional Pottery, a non-profit whose sole purpose was to bring all the potters together under one roof. That year, the first Seagrove Pottery Festival filled the Seagrove Elementary school gymnasium with all the area potteries, several other crafters and artists, and thousands of appreciative and delighted festival-goers.

For over four decades since the inaugural show, the Festival has greatly expanded in size and variety. Virtually every style of pottery has been represented, from colorful raku to solid, dependable, utilitarian stoneware to vibrant copper red to rare crystalline. Throwing demonstrations and on-site kiln firings have delighted crowds of people over the years. Pottery isn't all the festival has to offer though! Every style of arts and crafts has been represented including tinsmiths, photographers, woodworkers, florists, jewelers, glassblowers, sculptors, blacksmiths, and knifemakers. Each year, new artists, crafters, and potters join the Seagrove Pottery Festival family!

No event would be complete without food and the Seagrove Pottery Festival is no exception. From the standard sort of event fares like kettle corn, cotton candy, funnel cakes, and snow cones to heartier victuals including hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, and NC-style BBQ to more refined delights like Asian fusion and artisan baked goods, the Seagrove Pottery Festival has something for every palate. Every year, we try to have unique and delicious food for you to enjoy!

Whether you are a lifelong collector of pottery and other crafts or just looking for that perfect gift for a special someone, the Seagrove Pottery Festival has something that will appeal to you. Held on the weekend before Thanksgiving, it's the perfect chance to get your holiday shopping out of the way before the shopping season even begins, and who doesn't like that? So, mark it on your calendar, head down to Seagrove, and find what it is you have been missing!