The "Hard Candy Christmas" fine art and craft show reaches the quarter-century milestone this Nov. 23-24.

For the 25th year in a row, the show will present a selection of the best arts and crafts in the southern Appalachians.

Always held Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, the show has grown from a tiny gathering of eight artists in a community building in Franklin to an assembly of more than 110 artists in the Ramsey Center arena at Western Carolina University.

The two-day event features a variety of items from basket weavers, potters, wood carvers, quilters, furniture makers, blacksmiths, glass blowers, doll makers and more.

Holiday items available include candles, ornaments, trees, wreaths and peanut brittle.

This year's featured artist is Debra Parker Romero of Buford, Ga. A sculptor and owner of Old World St. Nicks, Romero specializes in creating original handmade Santas, elves, and other figures and ornaments. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Admission is $4 per person, with children under age 12 admitted free. Parking is also free.

For show info, call Doris Hunter at (828) 524-3405, or visit www.Mountain Artisans.net.