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Weekend Roundup: Things to Do This Weekend in The High Country; Memorial Day Weekend 2013

Compiled by Madison Fisler and Mariel Gambino

May 24, 2013.  The High Country has so many wonderful events to offer its community and visitors, especially on a holiday weekend. 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.

Friday, May 24, 2013

“Back of the Dock” Tag Sale at BRAHM: This event is held at the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (BRAHM) on Friday, May 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The tag sale will specialize in and selling surplus merchandise, surplus office supplies and various items.

Chick-Fil-A Carnival Night: Children can come out and enjoy Carnival Night from 5:30 to 7:30 on Friday, May 24. This is a family friendly event that features a giant slide and Chick-Fil-A’s mascot Moo Cow. Children can enjoy free cotton candy at this event as well. 

Saturday, May 25, 2013

William Mast Memorial Ride – May 25, 2013 Local motorcyclists and supporters are invited to the first William Mast Memorial Ride in honor of the deputy who died responding to a call last July. Registration is at Watauga High School (300 Go Pioneers Drive) from 9:30 to 11:30 AM. It is $20 for single riders and $25 for riders with a passenger.Riders travel on U.S. 421 South to Brownwood Road, onto Railroad Grade Road, Three Top Road, and into the beautiful High Country before returning to Watauga High. After the ride, cyclists and members of the community are asked to come together for a meal from Big Mo’s. Door prizes, a 50/50 drawing and a silent auction will also be a part of the event. The silent auction will include items such as Bristol Race jackets and a leather coat from Carroll Leather. Blue Country will provide entertainment for the event. 

Memorial Day Arts and Crafts Show May 24 – 27, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: The Memorial Day Arts and Crafts Show, located in the K-Mart parking lot, will be held May 24 through May 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The show is free and open to the public.

Watauga County Farmers Market: The Watauga County Farmers Market is located at Horn in the West Parking Lot. The market will provide shoppers with 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 event starts at 8:00 a.m. 

5th Annual Banner Elk Herb Festival: The town of Banner Elk holds its fifth annual Banner Elk Herb Festival this Saturday, May 25 at 9:00 a.m. The festival lasts until 5:00 p.m. and is held at the Historic Banner Elk School. A Plant sale, art and craft vendors, kid’s zone, pony rides, dunk a firefighter and live bands will take place. 

Wine Tasting at Peabody’s: Peabody’s Wine & Beer Merchants is offering a free wine tasting this Saturday, May 25 from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. A 10% discount is offered tasted bottles of wine.

Wildcat Lake Opening Celebration: Wildcat lake will officially open for free fishing, swimming and various family friendly activities on Saturday, May 25, at 10:00 a.m. The lake is located on Hickory Nut Gap Road in Banner Elk. 

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Watauga Community Band: Each year the Watauga Community Band holds a Memorial Day concert. This year, join the local band at Rosen Hall to enjoy musical numbers such as Samuel Augustus Ward’s America the Beautiful, Leroy Anderson’s Bugler’s Holiday and John Philip Sousa’s The Stars and Stripes Forever.

Mountain Home Music: The Town of Blowing Rock invites you to experience Mountain Home music perform a concert to observe Memorial Day this Sunday, May 26. The concert, entitled “Musical Memories: Memorial Day” will showcase music by David Johnson and the Studio Band.

Sunday Jazz Brunch with Todd Wright and Friends. A no cover brunch at Canyons of Blue Ridge with Todd Wright and Friends starts at 11:00 a.m. Diners enjoy a beautiful view while listening to the area’s finest jazz musicians.

The Enchanted Island Ballet: The Enchanted Island is a fun-filled ballet performing at ASU’s Valborg Theatre on Sunday, May 26 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $8 for children or students and $10 for adults. Tickets are available May 21 and May 22 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Valborg Theatre Ticket Office, or at the door one hour before the ballet. They can also be purchased through the ASU Theatre and Dance link online. 

Memorial Day – Monday, May 27, 2013

Memorial Day Celebration: A Memorial Day Celebration to honor those who have served in the Armed Forces will take place in the Boone Mall this Memorial Day Monday. It takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

ASU Memorial Day Ceremony: ASU is holding a Memorial Day Ceremony at the Veteran’s Memorial on the west side of Dougherty Administration Building on campus.

Blowing Rock Memorial Day Ceremony: Blowing Rock hosts an annual ceremony to remember and celebrate U.S. military veterans in Blowing Rock. Two former U.S. veterans, Ron Oberle and Bill Parker, will speak of their experience through the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Weekend Long Activities

Visit Nantahala, Pisgah, Uwharrie or Croatan national forests: Visitors to Boone and the surrounding area can enjoy one of the four national forests during Memorial Day weekend. Nantahala forest is the largest of NC’s four national forests. Pisgah forest holds impressive waterfalls and heavily forested slopes. The Uwharrie forest is an impressive 51,000 acres of beautiful scenery. The Croatan Forest is the only true coastal forest in the East. Each of these forests provides explorers with recreational acrivities such as bicycling, camping and cabins, climbing, fishing, hiking, horse riding, hunting, nature viewing, outdoor learning, picnicking, scenic driving, water activities as well as other outdoor activities.

Tweetsie Railroad: Tweetsie Railroad is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Memorial Day Monday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This park provides live entertainment, an interactive train ride, food and shopping. Adult tickets are priced at $37, children ages three through 12 are $23 and children two and under are free.