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Weekend Roundup: Things to Do This Weekend in the High Country; Check ‘em Out and Make Plans Aug 16 – Aug 18

by Madison V. Fisler

Aug. 16, 2013. The High Country has so many exciting events to offer its community and visitors, especially in the summer months. Check our site every Friday for something new and exciting to look forward to while you’re watching the hour hand crawl to 5 o’clock. Find live music down the street, explore a nearby town’s local secrets or try out a new square dancing class. There’s always something fun to do in the High Country.

Weekend Long Events

Avery County Fine Arts and Master Craft Festival: This event, which spans the entire weekend starting on Friday at 4 p.m. at Historic Banner Elk Elementary School in downtown Banner Elk features 85 specially chosen artisans who craft wares in a variety of mediums. There is something for everyone at this free family friendly event. For more information on the festival, see our article here.

Dog Days of Summer at Leatherwood Mountains: This event, which lasts from Aug. 16-18, is a dog-friendly weekend with wine tasting in Ferguson. Enjoy live music, wine, picnics on the lawn and much more. For more information about this event, click here

Friday, Aug. 16

Wilkesboro’s Weekly Open Air Market: Wilkesboro hosts a weekly Open Air Market on West Main Street in the heart of historic downtown, offering farm-fresh fruits, vegetables and plants, as well as handmade crafts. The market’s focus is on supporting and sustaining the local farm and artisan community. The market takes place every Friday from 4 to 8 p.m., from April 19 through Oct. 18. Admission is free. The town of Wilkesboro will also provide an open mike opportunity during the regular Open Air Market Fridays for local and regional musicians. Open mike signups will be available weekly April through October, not including the Third Friday Events, which are held April through August. To sign up, or for more information, contact Andrew Carlton at Wilkesboro Town Hall at (336) 838-3951.

Summer Concerts at the Jones House featuring the Mountain Laurels and Steve & Ruth: Every Friday evening at 5:00 in the summertime the Jones House on King Street in downtown Boone comes alive with yet another Summer Music on the Lawn concert. This week, the Mountain Laurels and Steve & Ruth will provide the entertainment. The event is completely free and open to the public. Just bring a blanket or a lawn chair and sit down to enjoy this High Country Tradition. Due to the iffy weather conditions bring an umbrella with you, as the show will go on rain or shine. For more information about the show, see our article here.

Altapass Foundation Annual Fundraiser Takes on the “Roaring Twenties”: The Altapass Foundation’s Annual Dinner/Dance will be held on Friday, August 16, from 6 to 9:30pm. This year’s theme is The Great Gatsby. The event will feature entertainment by Brian Gurl and Band. Dinner will be catered by Switzerland Café. The cost is $75 per person with proceeds going to the Altapass Foundation. Beer and wine will be available.

Bluegrass at Todd General Store: Join us every Friday from late May until Thanksgiving and listen to a variety of live Bluegrass Acts. Dinner will be served at 6pm and music starts at 7pm. Come early to be sure you get a seat. For more information, click here

Music in the Valle: Join Valle Crucis Community Park as we celebrate the 11th anniversary season of Music in the Valle! All concerts begin at 7:00 and end at sundown. Admission is free, but a $5 donation per person to the park is recommended. Pets are welcome but must be leashed. There is absolutely no smoking allowed in the park. Bring a picnic, a blanket or chairs, and enjoy! This week’s entertainment features Dashboard Hula Boys, sponsored by Valle Crucis School PTSA.

Groovy Nights Variety Show: The final installment of the three part show will take place this Friday. The Blowing Rock Community Foundation (founded in 1985) is putting on another fun show to raise funds in pursuit of its goal of service to the citizens of Blowing Rock. Everyone is welcome! For more information about Groovy Nights, view our article here

Saturday, Aug. 17

The Fabulous Fence Festival at ArtSpace: Come help ArtSpace fix their fence and replace it with beautiful, vibrant hand painted pieces by you! The Watauga Arts Council is hosting the Fabulous Fence Festival on Saturday, Aug. 17 from 4-6 p.m. at the Blue Ridge ArtSpace. The Blue Ridge ArtSpace is located at the corner of Shadowline Drive and State Farm Road.  It is the new home of the Watauga County Arts Council. For more information about this event, see our article here

The BIG Sale: Starting at 8 a.m. at Legends on Appalachian State University’s campus in Boone, the BIG sale is held each year to sell donated items like furniture, rugs, posters, shower caddies and so much more, with all profits donated to local nonprofits and put toward scholarships for Appalachian State students. Hosted by Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT), items for the BIG sale are collected at the end of every school year all across campus in order to contribute to this sale. The sale will go on until 2 p.m so make sure to stop by to get some good stuff for a great cause.

Mountaineer Fan Fest: Fan Fest at Appalachian State University is a highly anticipated annual event that allows new students and community members to meet and learn more about the Mountaineer football team, cheerleaders and the coaches. This year, Fan Fest is completely free of charge. At 7 p.m. the Mountaineers will hold their final scrimmage before their season opener on Aug. 31, and immediately following will be a dazzling fireworks show. All of this will take place at Kidd Brewer Stadium at Appalachian State University in Boone. For more information, see our article here

Boone Bar Crawl and Music Fest: The Boone Bar Crawl and Music Fest is a day-long celebration of music, craft beer and the High Country community on Saturday August 17, 2013 in Boone and Blowing Rock. Experience the best bars, restaurants and venues in the High Country, the best local brews, live music & entertainment from a wide range of the area’s most talented artists.

Avery County Rotary Pancake Breakfast: The Avery County Rotary Club will hold a pancake breakfast on Saturday, August 17th at the Linville Land Harbor golf house beginning at 7:30 and ending at 10:00 am. Pancakes, eggs, country ham, biscuits and gravy, bacon, orange juice, and coffee will be served. It’s all you can eat for $7.00 with all proceeds going to the various Rotary partners like Avery County Schools, Habitat for Humanity, Feeding Avery Families, 4H, Mayland Community College, Blue Ridge Wildlife Center, Grandfather Home, and more. Bring your families for one of the best values in town and help your community at the same time !

Watauga County Farmers’ Market: Every Saturday morning from May to November you will find quality locally farmed meats, fresh produce, artisan cheeses, dried and fresh cut flowers, hardy local plants, delicious edibles, and a wide variety of quality crafts. The Watauga County Farmers’ Market is located in the Horn in the West parking lot in Boone beside the Daniel Boone Native Gardens. 

Lenoir Downtown Farmers’ Market: The Lenoir Downtown Farmer’s Market is a local producers only market. All goods are grown, made, designed or processed by the market vendors. Our vendors include vintners, local grass fed beef and pork, free range eggs, goats milk soaps and lotions, honey, alpaca wools, various produce, local arts and crafts, heritage eggs, herbs and spices, both living and dried, Herbville and Crane teas and sauces, just to name a few. We also feature a variety of live music including Celtic music, classic acoustic rock, Jazz saxophone, and many more. Need another reason? Here it is. Our market often features a specific product from one of our vendors, and we’ll be grilling up something almost every weekend, chicken wings, 100% beef hot dogs, grilled corn, tomatoes, and asparagus! Don’t miss this chance to meet and support your local farmers and producers, and help keep North Carolina foods close to home.

Take A Swing at Cancer Golf Tournament: The inaugural Take a Swing at Cancer Golf Tournament which is sponsored by the Avery Cancer Resource Center, will he held at Sugar Mountain Golf Course on Saturday, Aug. 17. The shotgun start begins at 8:30 a.m., and the tournament will be a four-man captain’s choice format. The entry fee is $75 per player and includes green fee, cart, lunch and door prizes. For more information, contact Sallie Woodring at (828) 737-7538.

Grandfather Mountain Amateur and Professional Camera Clinic: Top photographers gather to share on the nuts and bolts of making good photographs. Free to working press, additional cost for non-professionals. Online registration begins July 15.

Olde Town Market and Cruise-In of Jefferson: Come enjoy a wonderful evening in downtown Jefferson at Olde Towne Market and Cruise-in, August 17th from 3pm to 8 pm. Come take a walk around and check out custom classic cars, trucks and motorcycles. Along with all these wonderful cars will be some wonderful local produce and local vendors. Music, dancing, 50/50 raffle and lots of stuff to do for the kids. Don’t miss out on this free event right at Museum of Ashe county History in downtown Jefferson. Both Produce and Vendors are still being accepted but space is limited for an application stop by Carolina Farm Credit or by emailing mayelegacy@gmail.com All cars, trucks and motorcycle welcome for the cruise-in This event is sponsored by Olde Towne Business Association.

Music in the Park: This week’s show features Lizzy Ross at Cook Park in Todd. Admission to the concert is free but donations are always welcome. 

Sunday, Aug. 18 

Music in the Vineyard at Grandfather Vineyard featuring Don Vallarta: A perfect setting for live music, the terraced vineyard, which borders the banks of the Watauga River, is located at the base of Grandfather Mountain in Foscoe. For more information about this event, see our article here

Howard Street Exchange Festival: The Howard Street Exchange Festival is happening once again! We had to cancel our last festival in July due to rain, but we’re back this month with more live music, food, beverages, artists, vendors, nonprofits, businesses and other community groups, located on the west end of Howard Street, from Depot to Water Street. This street festival is extra special! In addition to being move-in weekend at the university, this Sunday marks the first day that the Boone Community Network will be live online ready for the public to start using. So come on out, bring your friends, meet some new people, enjoy live performances, and participate in some Boone community culture! Appalachian Mountain Brewery and Linville Falls Winery will both be selling drinks, while Boone’s selection of food trucks will be serving up hot food.

Vintage Valle Music: An afternoon of “Community music,” performed by local musicians, The Mennonite Brethren Praise Choir & Band and the Turkey Tracks Trio. We invite ending with a sing-along jam. Gospel, Bluegrass, Folk, Patriotic, Familiar & Original Tunes. Casual. Indoors. Drop in any time. No “preach’n.” No food. Just neighborly pick’n and grinnin’.

Music on the Veranda at the Green Park Inn: Join the Green Park Inn this Sunday, August 18th for the Charlie Ellis Jazz Trio! Bring a blanket or a chair as seating is limited. This is a free event and open to the public. 

Alpen Summer Concerts: Join in the summer fun at the Alpen Inn Pavilion on Beech Mountain for free outdoor concerts every Sunday from 5:00 to 9:00 (weather permitting), Memorial Day thru Labor Day. The event is free and open to the public. Bring a lawn chair, blanket, or use seating provided. Food and beverages are available for purchase on the lawn through the Alpen Inn Restaurant. Events are family and pet friendly (permitted on leash). Musical acts scheduled to perform: The Lucky Strikes, Shane Chalke BE Jazz, Smokey Breeze, The Mercury Dames, Sound Traveler, Echo Park, Klee Liles/Klee and Mike Show, Liz Hayes and the Common Threads, Amantha Mill. Music ranges from Jazz, Swing, Old-time Americana, Blues, Beach, Classic Rock-n-Roll and more.