Mountain State Art and Craft Fair Announces 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees

Since its founding in 1963, the Mountain State Art and Craft Fair has remained committed to preserving and celebrating the artistic traditions, craftsmanship, music, and cultural heritage that define Appalachia and the Mountain State.  Each year, the Fair honors individuals whose dedication has helped sustain that mission by inducting them into the prestigious MSACF Hall of Fame.

The Mountain State Art and Craft Fair is proud to announce the 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees: James Summers and Greg Page — two individuals whose lifelong dedication to Appalachian traditions embodies everything this recognition was created to honor.

James Summers

Preserving the Sound of Appalachia

For more than four decades, James Summers has dedicated himself to preserving the rich traditions of old-time Appalachian music. Growing up surrounded by family, neighbors, and legendary musicians from Central West Virginia, James developed a lifelong appreciation for the authentic mountain sounds that have shaped our region's cultural identity.

James first began performing at the Mountain State Art and Craft Fair in 1995, becoming a beloved and familiar part of the Fair experience for generations of visitors.  Through countless performances over the years, he has helped introduce audiences to the beauty and importance of traditional Appalachian music while keeping these treasured musical traditions alive for future generations.

Beyond the stage, James has also contributed to the Fair alongside his wife, Wendy, assisting each year in her pottery booth and supporting the artisan community that makes the Fair so special.

Through decades of musical preservation, service to the Fair, and unwavering commitment to Appalachian heritage, James Summers represents the very spirit of the Mountain State Art and Craft Fair and is a deserving member of the 2026 Hall of Fame Class.

Greg Page

Carrying Forward a Family Tradition

The Mountain State Art and Craft Fair is also proud to recognize Greg Page of Mountain Top Fudge as a 2026 Hall of Fame Inductee, honoring his decades of service and dedication to preserving one of the Fair’s most beloved traditions.

Greg’s connection to the Fair began early in life as he learned from his father, Don Page, whose passion for traditional Appalachian craftsmanship and food heritage left a lasting impression. Many of those lessons were learned right here at the Mountain State Art and Craft Fair, helping shape Greg’s lifelong connection to both the Fair and the traditions it celebrates.

After joining the United States Army Reserve in 1978 and later serving during a seven-month deployment to Saudi Arabia, Greg worked in Florida’s construction industry before eventually returning home and continuing his family’s legacy at the Fair.

For decades, Greg has been the craftsman behind Mountain Top Fudge, one of the Fair’s most recognized and anticipated traditions. As the Fair’s own Master Fudge Maker, Greg has continued sharing his skills while preserving an important part of Appalachian food heritage that visitors have enjoyed for generations.

Through his years of dedication, service, and commitment to carrying forward tradition, Greg Page exemplifies the values the Hall of Fame was established to celebrate and is a deserving member of the 2026 Hall of Fame Class.

Honoring Those Who Preserve Our Heritage

The Mountain State Art and Craft Fair Hall of Fame exists to celebrate those who go beyond participation — individuals who actively work to preserve the traditions, artistry, craftsmanship, music, and heritage that make West Virginia unique.

Both James Summers and Greg Page have dedicated decades of service to ensuring these traditions continue to thrive, helping make the Mountain State Art and Craft Fair what it has been for more than 60 years: The Heart of Handmade.

Please join us in congratulating James Summers and Greg Page, and thanking them for their extraordinary contributions to preserving the traditions and cultural heritage that continue to inspire future generations.