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Weekend Roundup: Things to Do This Weekend in the High Country; Check ‘em Out, Make Plans Dec. 13-15

by Madison V. Fisler

Dec. 13, 2013. The High Country has so many exciting events to offer its community and visitors, especially as the blustery winter season is already upon us. 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

Check out what’s playing this week at the movies here

Boone Sunrise Rotary Citrus Sale Pickup: The Boone Sunrise Rotary’s annual Fruit Sale, one of the High Country’s most popular and successful annual fundraisers, has enjoyed a record year. According to Susan Pettyjohn, chair of the Sunrise Rotary’s fundraising committee, those who haven’t placed an order may still be able to purchase fruit on the final day of the distribution. To read the article on this event click here.

SugarFest: First started in 2003, Sugar Mountain’s SugarFest has become a weekend that everyone in the High Country looks forward to every single year. This year, SugarFest will take place Dec. 13-15 with a weekend stuffed full of family-friendly festivities for all to enjoy including ski clinics, ice skating, the SugarFeast, demonstrations, demos and more! “Everything is very open and accessible,” said Kim Jochl, marketing manager at Sugar Mountain Resort. “It’s all about coming to do what you want and participating in whatever you want. It is a fantastic weekend.” To read the full article on this event, click here.  

The Nutcracker at the Schaefer Center: Studio K will once again take part in the annual performance of The Nutcracker at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. The performance will take place on Friday, Dec. 13 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 15 at 3 p.m. This performance will mark the first time that the annual holiday ballet has been performed in the Schaefer Center after it was renovated from Farthing Auditorium. To read the article on this event click here.

Live Nativity Scene: On Friday, Dec. 13 and Saturday, Dec. 14 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Poplar Grove Baptist Church will host their annual drive-thru nativity. The title of this years nativity is “A Child is Born.” Grab the whole family and drive around the church to view the beautifully decorated scenes that tell the story of the birth of Jesus. For the full story, click here.  

Christmas in Blowing Rock 5: The holiday season is almost here, and for many no holiday would be complete without Ensemble Stage’s annual presentation of “Christmas in Blowing Rock.” This year, the performances will span over 3 days, Dec. 13, 14 and 15, and promise to bring out the holiday excitement in even the staunchest Scrooge. For the full story, click here

Friday, Dec. 13

The Nutcracker at Heritage Hall: On Friday, Dec. 13, The East Tennessee Youth Ballet Company will present The Nutcracker, sponsored by The Wednesday Music Club. The show will premier at Heritage Hall Theatre in Mountain City, Tenn. at 7 p.m. and is a timeless classic enjoyed by audiences of all ages. For the full story, click here

Nativity Art Display at the Boone Mall: Enjoy the display of entries and winners of the third annual Bethlehem & Beyond Nativity Art Contest. Artists grades K-12 have depicted various aspects of the birth of Christ. Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff sponsors by providing gift cards for the winners of each of 3 age divisions.

Peace Feast: Pasta dinner and silent auction to benefit Two Rivers Community School. The climbing wall and arts & crafts will be available as well as gluten-free pasta.

Looking Glass Gallery: “Illusory Permanence: The Persistence of Nature,” an exhibition by Bachelor of Fine Arts candidate Katherine Meeks will be on display through Dec. 13 in Looking Glass Gallery located in Appalachian State University’s Plemmons Student Union. A reception will be held in the gallery from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13. In this display, Meeks explores the relationship between the human desire for order and the tendency of nature toward disorder.

Saturday, Dec. 14

ASU Commencement: Yet another batch of Appalachian State University Students will be making the transition from students to graduates next weekend at the Fall Commencement ceremonies at The Holmes Convocation Center. On Dec. 14, commencement ceremonies will be held for those graduating in December. The speaker for this December’s commencement ceremonies will be Dr. Anne L. Matthews, vice president of Rotary International. To read the full article on this event click here.

Reindeer Run: The Williams YMCA 5K Reindeer Run and Blitzen Bash will take place December 14, 2013 at the Crossnore School starting at 10:00AM. Race is $20 for YMCA members, $25 for non-members and $10 for kids 17 and under running with a registered adult. Register online at www.ymcaavery.orgor at the front desk of the YMCA. Blitzen Bash is FREE and will be a fun family event following the race. Santa wil be there to take pictures, cookies and hot chocolate, mucic, face painting, bounce house and more! During the Blitzen Bash there will also be a silent auction from 11:00-12:30. All proceeds form the race and silent auction will benefit the Williams YMCA Strong Kids Campaign. More information can be found atwww.ymcaavery.org or contact Bonnie Clark at 828-737-0050 ext. 313 or bonnic@ymcaavery.org.

Christmas Bazaar: Come on out to our “Christmas Bazaar” at Trinity Baptist Church Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be lots of fun with a variety of vendors selling great holiday gifts for some last minute Christmas shopping. This will include candles, shoes, leather goods and much more.

Blitzen Bash: The Williams YMCA of Avery County is hosting the Blitzen Bash and Silent Auction following our 5K Reindeer Run. The Blitzen Bash is FREE and will have Santa there to take pictures, cookies and hot chocolate, face painting, bounce house and more. There will be a silent auction set up with some awesome items up for grabs! All proceeds fromt he auction will benefit the Williams YMCA Strong Kids Campaign. Blitzen Bash wll begin at 10:30 and Silent auction will be open feom 11:00-12:30.

Sunday, Dec. 15

High Country’s Got Talent: If you have a talent and a desire to help out a good cause, the inaugural “High Country’s Got Talent” talent competition may be just what you are looking for. On Dec. 15, the finals will be held to determine the overall winners of the contest. For the full story on this event click here

CNN Heroes Special: On Dec. 15, CNN will present a special, hour-long presentation on local nonprofit Wine to Water with “Wine to Water: A CNN Heroes Special Presentation” airing at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. and on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. The special will also air on CNN International and CNN en Espanol For the full story, click here.

Holiday Handbell Concert: The sounds of Christmas will come alive when the Bethany United Methodist Church Adult Handbell Choir, The Ding-a-Lings, presents a concert of holiday music on Sunday evening, Dec. 15, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary of the church. The Ding-a-Lings were formed in 1985 and are under the direction of Jane Lonon. For the full story, click here.  

Christmas Caboose Santa Visit: The public is invited to visit with Santa Claus on the campus of Wilkes Community College on Sunday, Dec. 15, from 2-4 p.m. His earlier scheduled visit was postponed due to threats of inclement weather. Santa will be at the Waldon Christmas Caboose located on the lower campus near the Children’s Playground. Children will have the opportunity to get their photo made with Santa and to share their Christmas wishes with him. The WCC Rotaract Club will be taking photos for purchase as a club fundraiser or parents may bring their own cameras to use in taking photos.