The Poke Sallet Foundation is a community-driven nonprofit dedicated to preserving the culture, history, and traditions of Jackson County while investing in its future.

Founded in 2022, the Foundation was created to provide a permanent home for the beloved Poke Sallet Festival, an event that has brought our community together for more than 45 years. After decades of the festival changing hands between various nonprofit organizations, the Poke Sallet Foundation was established to ensure long-term stability, consistent leadership, and sustainable growth—so the festival and other community events never have to start over again.

Our flagship event, the annual Poke Sallet Festival, held each May on Mother’s Day weekend, attracts thousands of visitors from across the region. Proceeds from the festival support local economic development, tourism, and meaningful community initiatives. In 2025 alone, the festival welcomed more than 5,000 attendees and helped raise critical funds for both the event and our scholarship program.

One of our proudest initiatives is the Blue-Collar Scholars Scholarship, which supports Jackson County high school seniors pursuing careers in skilled trades. These scholarships help students attend trade schools and technical programs, strengthening the backbone of our local workforce and creating long-term opportunity for our community.

At our core, the Poke Sallet Foundation exists to bring people together—celebrating where we’ve been, supporting where we are, and investing in where we’re going. Every donation directly supports community events, youth opportunities, and the preservation of Jackson County’s rich heritage.

Your support helps ensure these traditions and opportunities continue for generations to come.

Gainesboro Ghost Walk 2026