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Events

After a Helene Hiatus, Banner Elk’s Woolly Worm Festival Returns Oct. 18-19

October 3, 2025 The Woolly Worm Festival returns to downtown Banner Elk on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18-19. After a one-year cancellation due to Hurricane Helene, the festival is back and stronger than ever, with new features designed to enhance the visitor experience.

For nearly half a century, more than 20,000 festivalgoers have gathered in Banner Elk the third weekend in October to cheer on woolly worms racing up strings for a chance to become the official predictor of the High Country’s winter forecast.

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The Original Creations of 142 Regional Craftspeople Will Be on Display at the Valle Country Fair Saturday, October 18, 2025

October 3, 2025 VALLE CRUCIS, NC – The 47th annual Valle Country Fair (VCF) coming up Saturday, October 18 will feature the original handmade creations of 142 craftspeople from across the Southern Appalachians. Of those, 36 artists are exhibiting their work for the first time in 2025. “Each artisan was chosen because they have a unique style and point of view that makes their work different from the others,” said VCF Arts & Crafts Committee Chair Carolyn Shepherd.

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Dia Latino at the King Street Farmer’s Market and the Upcoming Winter Market!

October 3, 2025 Come and honor the rich cultural heritage of Latino communities in the High Country at  the Tuesday Farmers Market! This Tuesday, October 7th, community members will celebrate our Latin-American community from 3:30 to 6:30 at 126 Poplar Grove Connector with community group Immigrant Justice Coalition (IJC), a local non-profit supporting the local migrant community. They will be sharing community resources and information to learn more about supporting their cause.

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Blowing Rock School Fall Festival Celebrates Community Resilience

October 1, 2025 BLOWING ROCK, NC – The Blowing Rock School Parent-Teacher Organization will host its annual Fall Festival this Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the school field and inside the gym, located at 165 Morris Street in Downtown Blowing Rock. The annual event supports teachers and students through PTO funding for school improvements, classroom supplies, special projects and educational experiences.

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AppleFEST at the Watauga County Farmers’ Market – Saturday, October 4th

September 30, 2025 Boone, NC – The Watauga County Farmers’ Market will celebrate the height of apple season with AppleFEST on Saturday, October 4th. Located at 591 Horn in the West Dr. in Boone, this bustling market with nearly 60 local vendors runs from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. every Saturday through November. This community tradition highlights the bounty of local orchards and the flavors of fall with fresh cider samples, an apple press experience, and the annual Apple Pie Contest.

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VCF 2025 – “Come Hungry to the Fair!”

September 30, 2025 Come Hungry to the Valle Country Fair on Saturday, October 18
VALLE CRUCIS, NC – “Come hungry,” said Food Chairperson Trish Lanier. “Nibble your way through Fair flavors like apple cider, roasted corn and fried pies before you stock up on barbecue, Brunswick Stew or chili to take home for your evening meal. Everything you eat helps raise money for the charitable works of the Fair, so there is no such thing as eating too much!”

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VCF 2025 – Gallehers 31st Year as BBQ Bosses

September 29, 2025 VALLE CRUCIS, NC – The October 18 Valle Country Fair (VCF) will be the swan song for BBQ Booth chairs Mike and Debbie Galleher, as the 2025 festival will be the last in their 31-year run as members of the VCF leadership team. “We started going to Holy Cross church and wanted to get involved in the Valle Country Fair,” said Mike. “We were told that everyone starts with garbage.”
Always held on the third Saturday in October (October 18, 2025), the Valle Country Fair is an authentic harvest-season celebration that revolves around hand-made crafts, home-cooked food and mountain music. Proceeds are used to provide grants to local charities and relief to local families with emergency needs. Admission is FREE and parking is available in the adjoining field for $10 per vehicle.

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VCF 2025 – “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” Release

September 25, 2025 Helene turned our world upside down last year and forced the cancelation of the 2024 Valle Country Fair (VCF), but the congregation of Holy Cross Episcopal Church rallied and is planning to reintroduce the beloved Fair on October 18, 2025, at the Red Barn pasture on Highway 194 between Banner Elk and Valle Crucis.

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HCC A Night at Chetola is a hit!

September 23, 2025 Blowing Rock (NC) – “My Girl” echoed around Chetola Resort on Sept. 11 as hundreds of people gathered to raise money for High Country Caregivers, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting grandparents and other kinship caregivers. The 5th Annual “A Night at Chetola”, a gala fundraiser sponsored this year by The Kennedy-Herterich Foundation, Chetola Resorts, UBS — Wickham Cash Partners, Blowing Rock Brewing, and Ron & Reba Kennedy. 

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National Storytelling Festival returns to Jonesborough Oct. 3–5

September 22, 2025 JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. — Large white tents will once again transform historic downtown Jonesborough into a stage for the imagination as the National Storytelling Festival returns Oct. 3–5 for its 52nd year. Recognized as America’s premier storytelling event, the Festival draws visitors from across the country and around the globe to the Storytelling Capital of the World. Since 1973, audiences have gathered in Tennessee’s oldest town to be inspired and entertained by folktales, fables, myths, legends, and personal stories told by master storytellers.

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Watauga County Habitat for Humanity – Blueprints and Bow Ties Press Release – 2025

September 22, 2025 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 23th, from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Auction-goers can expect to be greeted upon entry, and can enjoy adult beverages with drink tickets provided for every ticket holder, and food catered by Appalachian State’s Grandview Catering and Events, while browsing silent auction items.

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 Frank and Kay Golf Classic is Back at Restored Hound Ears Club

September 16, 2025 September 15, 2025: One year after Hurricane Helene forced its cancellation, the annual Frank and Kay Golf Classic is back on the newly restored golf course at Hound Ears Club. This signature event, at the private, award-winning George Cobb designed golf course benefits 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. 

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Appalachian Theatre Announces Fall 2025 Lineup Featuring Music, Magic, Film, and More

September 12, 2025 BOONE, NC — The Appalachian Theatre of the High Country unveils an extraordinary slate of events this fall, bringing world-class entertainment to Boone with a dynamic mix of film, music, magic, and cultural programming. From cult film favorites to Grammy- winning musicians, the historic venue continues its mission of presenting experiences that engage, entertain, and educate the High Country community.

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The 47th Annual VALLE COUNTY FAIR Scheduled for October 18, 2025

September 11, 2025 VALLE CRUCIS, NC — The colors, flavors, sights and sounds of harvest season in the Blue Ridge Mountains all come together at the Valle Country Fair (VCF) in scenic Valle Crucis, North Carolina, on October 18th. Craftspeople from across the region, High Country musicians and the community of Valle Crucis are all busy putting together an extra-joyful celebration this year to purge the disappointment caused when Hurricane Helene forced the cancellation of the 2024 Fair.

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2025 Gatsby Gala Highlights

September 10, 2025 We are thrilled to share the success of our 3rd Annual Gatsby Gala! Thanks to your generosity and support, we doubled last year’s revenue and raised over $32,389 to preserve and advance the mission of the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country. This year’s event sparkled with community spirit, glamorous fun, and an outpouring of commitment to our historic, independent theatre. We are especially grateful to our presenting sponsors — Allen Wealth Management, Mast General Store, and Neil & Nancy Schaffel and our Sioree Table Sponsors — who’s leadership gifts helped make the evening possible.

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Buskers Fest Returns to Downtown Boone on Saturday, September 20, 2025

September 10, 2025 Boone, NC — The Watauga Arts Council (WAC), in collaboration with the Downtown Boone Development Association (DBDA), is thrilled to announce the return of Buskers Fest on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 2-7 p.m. The streets of downtown Boone will come alive with music, performance, demos, and hands-on art experiences for all ages.

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Boone United Methodist Church – Fall Bazaar 2025 

September 3, 2025 The Bazaar has evolved into one of the most fun and effective ways of recycling used furniture, clothing, linens, seasonal items, books, puzzles, home décor, toys and yard sale items. You can also find jams, jellies, and baked goods as well as lunch on Friday.

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The Watauga County Republican Party is Hosting a Lincoln- Reagan Dinner

August 25, 2025 The Watauga County Republican Party is hosting a Lincoln-Reagan Dinner, featuring Guest Speaker, Representative Jim Jordan, (R-OH). The event is Saturday, September 20 at the Grandview Ballroom at ASU Kidd Brewer Stadium from 5-8 PM. Tickets: Standard – $100, VIP – $250,  www.zeffy.com/ticketing/watauga-coounty-gop-lincolnreagan-dinner  or phone/text: (828) 406-4502 for tickets and information.

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Blowing Rock Art & History to Facilitate and Host an Oral History Recording Event Near the One- Year Anniversary of Hurricane Helene

August 25, 2025 BLOWING ROCK, N.C. (August 19, 2025) — In the spirit of remembrance, resilience and reflection, the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) is partnering with Appalachian State University, Blowing Rock Historical Society, Our State Magazine, StoryCorps, and WFDD Public Radio,  to create a unique opportunity for High Country residents to come together and share their stories in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

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John Peterson, Mary Greene, and Sarah Kate Morgan & Leo Shannon Close Out the Jones House 2025 Summer Concerts August 29

August 25, 2025 BOONE, NC – The 2025 Summer Concerts at the Jones House series concludes on Friday, August 29, with an evening of music that celebrates Appalachian roots and showcases some of its most compelling voices. The lineup features John Peterson, Mary Greene, and the duo of Sarah Kate Morgan & Leo Shannon. Music begins at 5:30 p.m. on the Jones House lawn in downtown Boone.

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FloydFest 25~Aurora Celebrated as “One of the Best FloydFests Ever” by Organizers and Patrons

August 9, 2025 Heralded as “one of the best FloydFests ever” by Across-the-Way Productions’ Chief Operating Officer and Co-Owner Sam Calhoun, FloydFest 25~Aurora is receiving rave reviews online and via patron surveys, in only its second year at its new home, FestivalPark, located at 5826 Floyd Highway North in Check, Va. The latest edition of the Southeast’s premier summer outdoor music festival, FloydFest 25~Aurora took place July 23 to 27, 2025, following being named “Best Music Festival” in Blue Ridge Outdoors’ ‘Best of the Blue Ridge 2025,’ as well as “Best Festival 2025” in Virginia Living Magazine’s ‘Best of Virginia’ readers’ survey. 

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