Events Archives

Update from the Watauga Arts Council: Efforts We Currently Have On Our Agenda

October 9, 2024 We hope this note finds you safe as we face the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s devastation. Our hearts go out to everyone who lost their homes and had damaged property. We are incredibly encouraged by our community’s resilience and unity in the face of this tragedy. Our residents and neighbors near and far have been selfless in service. Thank you for your contributions. We are committed to serving our residents and helping our artists during this difficult time. We are here for you. Come by the office anytime if you need to talk, charge your devices, use Wifi or our kitchen or make cards with us. We have drinks in the fridge.

September 26, 2024 The Carolina Snowbelles are pleased to announce their first annual Carolina Snowbelle Soirée. The fundraising event will take place at the Fairway Cafe & Venue at 433 Fairway Drive on October 12, 2024 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm. TICKETS are now available, and a limited number of tickets will be available at the door. Put on your festive best and join us for a fun filled evening with music, dancing, heavy hors d’oeuvres & a complimentary drink ticket provided by C.R. Catering Co. and Casa Rustica Restaurant, proud sponsors of the event.

September 26, 2024 Thirty-two local non-profit organizations serving the High Country will share the $90,250 net proceeds from this year’s 66 th annual Blowing Rock Tour of Homes. The St. Mary of the Hills Outreach Committee received over $182,000 in requests from programs serving those in need, demonstrating that the work of the many volunteers who pitched in to make this year’s Tour a resounding success is more urgent than ever. The programs feed the hungry, clothe the needy, provide shelter and sanctuary, offer educational and recovery services, and care for children. Fr. Andrew Hege announced the grants saying, “We are called by the Gospel to care for those who need us, and the Tour provides one way to answer that call.”

September 25, 2024 Watauga County Habitat for Humanity is thrilled to announce the 12th annual Blueprints and Bow Ties fundraiser! This live and silent auction event will be hosted at Appalachian State University’s Grandview Ballroom on October 3rd, from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at wataugahabitat.org Auction-goers can expect to be greeted upon entry, and can enjoy adult beverages and food catered by Appalachian State’s Grandview Catering and Events, while browsing silent auction items

September 25, 2024 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is set to begin its annual Fall Color Ramble, marking one of the most beautiful times of the year. This series of guided nature walks allows guests to experience the season’s signature colors like never before. The Fall Color Rambles will be offered daily, weather permitting, from Saturday, Oct. 5 through Monday, Oct. 14. The short excursions begin at 1 p.m. outside the entrance of the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, and they typically last for 30 minutes.

September 25, 2024 The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts is excited to invite the community to a special evening during the October First Friday Art Crawl on Friday, October 4th to be held from 5-8PM. This free event will offer an unforgettable blend of art, community, art activities and live entertainment. At 6PM, join members of our curatorial team and exhibiting artists for an exclusive guided tour of the exciting new installations along the Arts Corridor. Explore the latest additions to the corridor with insights from the artists themselves who will guide you through each piece, offering a deeper understanding of the sculpture and artists behind the work.

Fall Repair Hub at the Watauga County Public Library Sepotember 28th

September 23, 2024 Don’t let your possessions “fall” into disrepair! The Watauga County Public Library will host the ever- popular Repair Hub on Saturday September 28th from 10am until 1:00pm. They will be offering knife sharpening, electrical repair, costume jewelry repair, and sewing. Repair Hub is free, but donations toward supply costs are gladly accepted at the Watauga County Public Library Circulation Desk.

September 20, 2024 Registration is open for Appalachian State University’s 14th annual Spooky Duke 5K/10K Race and Costume Contest. The event will be held on the Boone campus Saturday, Oct. 19. Spooky Duke benefits Parent to Parent Family Support Network-High Country, a nonprofit that serves families who have a premature baby, are grieving the loss of a child, or have a child with special needs. The program, housed in the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness, serves Alleghany, Ashe, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties. Last year’s Spooky Duke raised a record $31,600 for the organization.

September 18, 2024 The annual Fall Bazaar at Boone United Methodist Church in Boone is just hours away and is an event you don’t want to miss. “Not just another rummage sale,” the bazaar draws thousands of folks from miles around each year and always has a long line waiting for the doors to open to the church’s family life center. This year, the fun begins on Friday, Sept, 20, (7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.) and continues on Saturday, Sept. 21 (7:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.) After months of planning and preparation, the serious countdown began earlier this week with the church family moving items from storage, arranging, pricing and taking care of last-minute prep for another great fundraiser. By Sherrie Norris

New York Times Bestselling Author, Leigh Ann Henion, Returns to Boone Spotlight for New Book Launch On Sunday, Sept. 29, at 2 p.m

September 18, 2024 If you’ve been in the High Country for any amount of time, the name Leigh Ann Henion must surely ring a bell. For several years, her byline was a familiar attraction, drawing readers to her well-written and captivating stories through her association with Mountain Times Publications. Fast-forward a few years through amazing life and career developments for this young woman who still calls the area “home,” and who reached for the stars and literally made it to the top as a New York Times bestselling author. And she’ll be in the Boone spotlight once again during a whirlwind tour to promote her newest book. On Sunday, Sept. 29, at 2 p.m., Henion will be greeting friends, new and old, at Booneshine Brewing Company, while celebrating the release of Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark. By Sherrie Norris

September 18, 2024 This fall, the streets of Downtown Boone will come alive with music, art, food, and festivities! The Watauga Arts Council, in partnership with the Downtown Boone Development Association, is proud to present the 4th Annual Buskers Fest and the brand-new Boonetoberfest on October 4th and 5th, 2024, for a Boone Fall Fest weekend. Mark your calendars for a weekend packed with vibrant entertainment, local talent, and fun for the whole family. On Friday, October 4th, from 5 PM to 9 PM, the streets of Boone will be filled with artists and performers for Buskers Fest—a unique celebration of the arts where local musicians, magicians, dancers, and visual artists showcase their creativity in unexpected places. From fire dancers to live painting, there’s something to delight everyone!

September 17, 2024 After nearly a year of talking, planning and gathering support for a much-needed chapter in Watauga County’s history and heritage, a group of visionaries came together to celebrate a major milestone on Saturday, Sept. 14. Honoring their past, with a mission to preserve and protect it all for future generations, this group of about 30 people, along with families and friends, publicly proclaimed on Saturday that they are moving ahead with plans to establish a heritage museum for Watauga County. Chaired by Diane Cornett-Deal, the Watauga County Heritage Museum committee, officially recognized on Saturday as charter members, is comprised of citizens representing longtime families from every corner of the county, and all with a passion for preserving local history. By Sherrie Norris

September 17, 2024 Appalachian State University’s High Country Humanities — with support from North Carolina Humanities — will present “Folk Music as an Expression of Culture: Talks with Acoustic Demonstrations” on Sunday, Sept. 22, from 2:45–4 p.m. at Valle Crucis Community Park’s Herrick Pavilion and Stage, located at 2892 Broadstone Road in Banner Elk. The event is free and open to the public. Join App State Hayes School of Music faculty members for folk music demonstrations, and listen and learn to identify the defining characteristics of folk genres. Dr. Laurie Semmes will speak about the bandura, the national instrument of Ukraine, and Mark Freed will present on Appalachian folk music. Following these presentations, Dr. Jacob Kopcienski will lead an audience question-and-answer session.

September 17, 2024 The twelfth annual Wayne Benfield Memorial Benefit will be held Saturday, September 21 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Crossnore First Baptist Church Family Center, located at 220 East Crossnore Drive (just a half mile off U.S. Highway 221) in the Crossnore Township of Avery County. Everyone is welcome to attend.As in the previous Memorial Benefits, it will support an Avery County community member or members in need. There is no set cost to attend, but donations will be accepted at the door that covers music, food and drink, and fellowship with others, of which all are offered at the Memorial Benefit. Proceeds generated at this year’s Memorial Benefit will be given to cancer patient Haley Carroll, to pay toward her massive medical bills. Carroll is battling triple-negative breast cancer, and with her diagnosis came extremely high bills due to her many medical appointments and related expenses. By Tim Gardner

September 16, 2024 Spencer, N.C. – With the holidays quickly approaching, the N.C. Transportation Museum is celebrating the return of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride in Spencer, N.C.! This immersive family-oriented experience hosted nearly 1.6 million riders at 54 locations in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia in 2023. Popular dates and times are expected to fill quickly, but seats are now available for departures beginning November 8 and continuing on select dates through Dec. 23.

September 13, 2024 The Schaefer Center Presents (SCP) performing arts series, presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources, welcomes acclaimed modern dance company AILEY II: The Next Generation of Dance on Oct. 4 at 7:30pm. The company, known as the younger version of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, celebrates 50 years of creativity, artistry and choreography at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts to open the SCP fall season. Tickets range from $25-$45, with $15 tickets available for all students.Purchase tickets at TheSchaeferCenter.org, in person at the Schaefer Center box office (733 Rivers Street), or by calling 828-262-4046.

September 13, 2024 The Blowing Rock Garden Club is excited to announce its upcoming fundraiser, “Wildflower Bingo,” set to take place on Thursday, September 26 from 6:00-8:00p.m. This lively event will be held to raise funds for the maintenance and improvement of the beloved Memorial Garden in downtown Blowing Rock. Tickets for Wildflower Bingo are priced at $20 each, which includes a bingo card, a raffle ticket and a selection of snacks to enjoy throughout the evening. Attendees will have the chance to win fantastic prizes from local businesses and artisans, while supporting a great cause that benefits the entire community. In addition, silent auction items will be available, such as Tweetsie Railroad tickets, 4 rounds of golf from Linville Harbor, art prints and carvings from local artists.

September 11, 2024 On Sunday, October 13, Two-Time GRAMMY® Award winners Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer will be bringing their musical talents to The Jones House Cultural Center in downtown Boone, offering both a live concert and a series of educational workshops. The event will kick off with two free workshops from 4:00 to 5:00 PM, where participants can learn from these master musicians. Although the workshops are free to attend, an RSVP is encouraged to ensure a spot.

September 11, 2024 The annual Frank and Kay Golf Classic is set to tee off on Monday September 30, 2024, 1:30 p.m. at Hound Ears Club. This signature event, at the private, award-winning George Cobb designed golf course, supports the endowment for Hospitality House of Northwest N.C. and honors the legacy of philanthropy and leadership that Appalachian State University Chancellor-Emeritus Frank Borkowski and his multi-talented wife Kay have bestowed upon the High Country since their arrival in 1993.

September 10, 2024 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, will be hosting its 53rd-annual Girl Scout Day on Saturday, Sept. 21. Girl Scouts and troop leaders are admitted free with proof of membership (all or part of a uniform or a troop roster with the leader’s name on it), and family members will receive discounted admission ($1 off child admission and $2 off adult admission). The day also includes special programming – from 10 a.m. to about 4 p.m. – for scouts, who are invited to join the park’s naturalists for an exciting learning adventure on Grandfather Mountain.

September 9, 2024 Saturday, October 19 marks the 46th consecutive year that Holy Cross Episcopal Church and the Valle Crucis Conference Center have invited the public to join them in the heart of one of the most ethereal valleys in Western North Carolina for their annual fall festival, the Valle Country Fair. Harvest flavors of Brunswick Stew, Western NC barbecue, homemade apple butter, and hundreds of cakes, pies and breads are served up in this elevation of all things homegrown, handmade and local.

September 5, 2024 For three decades, Boone native Travis Cottrell has risen in the ranks in the world of contemporary Christian music, and is coming home again for a good cause. On Friday, September 27, Cottrell will appear in concert at Alliance Bible Fellowship in Boone as a fundraiser for The Hope Center of Boone. Excitement is building around Cottrell’s return to his hometown and those closest to the event realize what a unique opportunity it is to have him back on a local stage. In a recent interview with Cottrell, High Country Press was reminded that, regardless of the time and distance between Boone and his current residence in the Nashville area, that he will always have a special place in his heart for the High Country. By Sherrie Norris

September 5, 2024 Avery County High School officials would like to invite all Military Veterans and Emergency First Responders (medical, fire, law enforcement, and dispatch) to come and watch the Vikings football team play Bessemer City on Friday night, September 6, and be honored for their service during a special ceremony on the MacDonald Stadium turf. All Military Veterans and Emergency First Responders will be admitted free to the game. They will receive a complimentary meal provided by the Avery High School JROTC and Hospitality/Culinary Departments as well as be recognized at the center of the MacDonald Stadium field with the presentation of the school’s new giant 50-foot by 30-foot “Old Glory” American flag during the playing of the National Anthem. By Tim Gardner

September 4, 2024 Lees-McRae College will host the annual Homecoming celebrations this year Friday, Oct. 4 through Sunday, Oct. 6. The weekend is scheduled full of athletics events, family fun, and Bobcat cheer for all ages, and this year, Lees-McRae extends an invitation to the community to join in on the celebration. Local organizations and businesses will have booths to promote their products and services, and all-ages events will be held throughout the day on Saturday. Community events throughout the weekend are as follows:

September 4, 2024 Lucas Hundley, woodworking, and Crystal Hurt, watercolor/shadowbox art, will close Edgewood Cottage’s 2024 Artist in Residence Program this summer. Come enjoy their work from September 2 – September 8, 10-5 p.m. daily, with a free artist reception on Thursday, September 5 from 5-7 p.m. Function, beauty, feeling and fun drive Lucas Hundley’s work. Lucas’s hope is that the energy he invests in every woodworking piece flows to the users and enriches their lives. Whether his creations are functional or decorative, the wood he uses is sourced responsibly from local woodlands. Every twist, curl, knot, bug hole, shake ring or rotten spot speaks to the life of the tree and the environment in which it grew. And did I mention his work is beautiful?

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Update from the Watauga Arts Council: Efforts We Currently Have On Our Agenda

“A Carolina Snowbelle Soiree” Set for Saturday October 12 at the Fairway Cafe

2024 Blowing Rock Tour of Homes Grants over $90,000 to 32 Local Groups

Watauga Habitat for Humanity – Blueprints and Bow Ties Auction on October 3rd

Annual Fall Color Ramble Returns to Grandfather Mountain on Oct. 5 with Guided Nature Walks

Turchin Center Celebrates October First Friday Art Crawl with Exclusive Tours, Mountaineer Meet-Up and Buskers Fest

Fall Repair Hub at the Watauga County Public Library Sepotember 28th

Registration is Open for App State’s 14th Annual Spooky Duke 5K/10K Race and Costume Contest

Boone United Methodist Church Hosting Annual Bazaar Sept. 20-21

New York Times Bestselling Author, Leigh Ann Henion, Returns to Boone Spotlight for New Book Launch On Sunday, Sept. 29, at 2 p.m

Join Us for the Boone Fall Fest Weekend: Buskers Fest and Boonetoberfest! Oct. 4 and 5

Celebrating and Preserving Local Heritage: Watauga County Heritage Museum One Step Closer to Reality

App State’s High Country Humanities Presents ‘Folk Music as an Expression of Culture’

Wayne Benfield Memorial Benefit to be held Saturday, September 21 at Crossnore First Baptist Church Family Center in Avery County

Do You Believe? THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride Returns to the N.C. Transportation Museum!

Ailey II Kicks off the Fall Season of The Schaefer Center Presents Series on October 4th

Blowing Rock Garden Club to Host Wildflower Bingo Fundraiser for Memorial Garden Sept. 26

Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer to Perform in Concert and Lead Workshops on October 13

Frank & Kay Golf Classic at Hound Ears Club to Benefit Hospitality House of Northwest N.C.

Grandfather Mountain to Host Girl Scout Day on Sept. 21 Robust Schedule of Offerings

Homegrown Meets Handmade at the Valle Country Fair on Saturday, October 19, 2024

Award Winning Christian Worship Leader, Singer, Songwriter, Travis Cottrell, Coming Home for Benefit Concert on September 27

Avery High to Honor Military Veterans and Emergency First Responders at School’s Football Game Friday, September 6

Lees-McRae College to Host Homecoming 2024 Celebrations for Campus and Local Community Beginning October 4th

This Week at Edgewood Cottage… Lucas Hundley, Woodworking, and Crystal Hurt, Watercolor/Shadowbox Art