2025 Vendors:

Click HERE to apply to be a 2025 Vendor. Here’s who’s confirmed so far.

D. Rickert Musical Instruments

Don Rickert Musical Instruments is a premiere designer and maker of innovative custom and historic musical instruments. Since 2007 Don has dealt primarily in instruments of the bowed variety (e.g. violins, fiddles and related instruments such as octave fiddles) as well as designed and made a number of fretted instruments: mandolins, parlor guitars, acoustic bass guitars, tenor guitars and the like. A member of the Professional Member of the Industrial Designers Society of America, Dr. Rickert has been playing, designing, making and modifying stringed musical instruments for more than 40 years. Stop by his spot at the top of the Grove field for high-end vintage and custom instrument plus bows, strings, shoulder rests and minor repairs.

John C. Campbell Folk School

Tucked away in the mountains of western North Carolina, the John C. Campbell Folk School offers weeklong and weekend classes for adults in craft, art, music, dance, cooking, gardening, nature studies, photography, writing, and more. Our non-competitive and small-sized classes are offered year-round on a scenic 270-acre campus, attracting students from all over the world. The Folk School transforms lives, bringing people together in a nurturing environment for experiences in learning and community life that spark self-discovery. “I sing behind the plow,” the Folk School’s motto since its founding in 1925, reflects the importance of lifelong learning and growth while finding joy throughout every step of the process.

Richard Bowman Instruments

Richard Bowman is an old-time fiddler from Mt. Airy, NC.  He has been playing the fiddle for 51 years, learning first hand from fiddlers such as Tommy Jarrell, Earnest East, Ivan Weddell and others in the Patrick and Carroll counties of Virginia and Surry County North Carolina. Richard’s old-time fiddling has won awards in local fiddlers’ conventions at Galax, Mt. Airy, Fiddler’s Grove and other area fiddlers’ conventions in Virginia and North Carolina, and he is a recipient of the 2023 North Carolina Heritage Award. The last 42 plus years Richard has been the leader of the Slate Mountain Ramblers which has also won numerous awards at fiddlers’ conventions throughout the area.

Richard has been repairing fiddles for 25 years — he works on other instruments, too, making repairs as needed.  He began practicing as a luthier in 2011 and is currently working on fiddle number 40-something. Plus banjos, mandolins and a bass.

Just a Tish Designs

All things tie dyed! If it is a natural fiber and Tish McDermott can get a rubber band around it, she’s going to tie dye it! Just a Tish offers a mix of new and recycled clothing, blankets, tapestries, onesies, totes and more. Focusing on recycled fabric helps to keep the manufacturing footprint low and keeps clothing out of the landfill for a little longer. Just a Tish also offers soul-supporting, hand wrapped stone accent jewelry.

Bethesda Hemp

Bethesda Hemp is a registered, small family-owned hemp business located in Burgaw, NC. Their aim is to bottle as much of their organically-grown hemp as possible and market the full spectrum product that helped their own family with crippling medical conditions.

Leathercraft by Bridget

Leathercraft by Bridget, based in Morganton, NC, is owned and run by Bridget LaBelle, a seventeen-year-old aspiring towards a career in leatherwork. Now with four years experience, her specialties include tooled guitar, ukulele and banjo straps, and small pick-pouches. Her work is sold locally (to her) at Morganton Music Patch in downtown Morganton, NC. She has been a vendor at several events now and is looking forward to bringing her leather goods to Hoppin’ John this year.

Food & Beverage Vendors:

BMC Brewing: Serving Chatham County one pint at a time!

Shakori Hills Pizza: Homemade pizza, New York Style

Shakori Café: Offering something for every meal of the day, including vegan and vegetarian options. Menu posted by September 5th.