For the 23rd year, arts and crafts lovers will be heading to the Kentucky hills the day after Thanksgiving for Harlan’s Festival of the Mountain Masters, a two-day celebration of Appalachian heritage on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 23n24.

The event, free and open to the public, is expected to attract approximately 5,000 visitors who come to watch dozens of artisans demonstrate their skills and stop by about 50 booths featuring handmade arts and crafts. Several Kentucky authors also will be on hand.

Each day, there’s live music all day from bands including the James Family Band n a mother, father, and four sons from Corinth, Ky. n playing traditional bluegrass, country, and gospel music on beautiful stringed instruments they made by hand.

Amateurs and professionals compete for bragging rights, award ribbons and plaques in the photography contest, and there is also a quilt show and contest. Competitors can enter as late as Friday morning, with no entry fee required.

Festival goers can enjoy local cuisine, including soup beans and cornbread, barbecue, apple cider, mountain-style funnel cakes, and kettle corn.

And if you want to take in the beauty of the hills up close, you can participate in the Mountain Masters Trail Run, a 16-mile run on Little Shepherd Trail along the ridge of Pine Mountain on Saturday at 8:30 a.m.

Festival times are 10 a.m.n8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.n6 p.m. Saturday at Village Center, located off U.S. 421 South to U.S. 119 North, about 10 minutes from downtown Harlan.

For more information call (606) 573-2900 or go to http://www.festivalofthemountainmasters.com.