Events Archives

You’re Invited: Open House at Explore Boone’s New Downtown Visitor Center on May 8

April 29, 2025 Explore Boone is excited to invite the community to the Open House of its new Visitors Center and offices on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The event will take place at 171 Grand Blvd. in downtown Boone, located behind the Jones House Cultural Center. Doors open at 3:30 PM, with a ribbon cutting at 3:45 PM. Swing by anytime before 6 PM to tour the beautifully restored historic home, meet the Explore Boone team, and enjoy tasty bites from Lost Province Brewing Co. Whether you’re a longtime local, a community partner, or just curious, we’d love to see you there!

April 29, 2025 MerleFest, presented by Window World, wrapped up its 37th annual celebration with a romp-roaring tribute to the music and community that folk icon Doc Watson championed throughout his life. Over the course of four vibrant days, nearly one hundred acts ranging from rising stars to seasoned legends graced a dozen stages across the campus of Wilkes Community College, drawing thousands to the rolling hills that canvas the region. Founded in 1988, MerleFest has grown into not only a musical cornerstone of North Carolina but also a vital economic engine for the area, fueling scholarships, capital improvements, and educational programs throughout the community. The 2025 edition continued that legacy, blending genre-defying performances with a deep sense of purpose rooted in place and people.

April 25, 2025 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has announced the initial details related to this year’s Grandfather Glows firefly viewing events. Research on Grandfather Mountain has confirmed the presence of 10 species of fireflies or illumining insects, including synchronous fireflies (Photinus carolinus), blue ghost fireflies (Phausis reticulata) and glowworms (Orfelia fultoni). Synchronous fireflies are habitat specialists and thrive in northern hardwood forests, such as those found at Grandfather Mountain. These glowing wonders only appear for a few weeks each year

Volunteer Registration Open for 2025 Special Olympics North Carolina Summer Games

April 24, 2025 Volunteer registration is now open for the 2025 Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) Summer Games, to be held May 30 – June 1 in the Raleigh area. More than 1,000 volunteer opportunities are available for individuals as well as groups. The SONC Summer Games will feature more than 1,500 Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners, individuals without intellectual disabilities, from across the state competing in athletics, basketball, bowling, gymnastics, powerlifting, swimming and volleyball at venues in Raleigh, Cary and Holly Springs for SONC’s largest state-level competition.

April 16, 2025 The Town of Boone is excited to announce the 2025 Boonerang Music & Arts Festival kicks off with the all-ages, talent show Boone’s Got Talent. The event showcases some of the High Country’s best local performers at the historic Appalachian Theatre in downtown Boone. A wide array of acts with a connection to the town will take to the Doc Watson Stage on Thursday, June 19, 2025, starting at 7:30 PM. In collaboration with the Appalachian Theatre and Mountain Home Music, the official Thursday night kick-off event for the 2025 festival features the second annual Boone’s Got Talent showcase after a successful debut in 2024.

April 16, 2025 The Town of Boone Town Council and Historic Preservation Commission cordially invite the public to attend the unveiling ceremony of the Boone Cemetery Interpretative Panels on May 2, 2025, at 5 PM. The ceremony will be held at Boone Cemetery, located at 678 Howard Street, near Appalachian State University’s Howard Street Hall and Student Union Center. This event is scheduled in conjunction with the First Friday festivities hosted by the Downtown Boone Development Association with the Watauga County Arts Council. The ceremony will feature opening remarks, followed by a cemetery tour in collaboration with the Watauga County Historical Society.

April 16, 2025 Stars from across the music spectrum will perform three benefit concerts this summer at Hayes Auditorium on the campus of Lees-McRae College. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Oates of Hall & Oates, Country Music Hall of Famer Jimmy Fortune of The Statler Brothers, and two-time Grammy winning singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale are among the star-studded lineup. All artists are donating their time to raise money for Hurricane Helene victims in the greater Banner Elk area.

April 15, 2025 Wilkesboro, NC – The final countdown is here! In just one week, MerleFest, presented by Window World, will enter its 37th year, inviting music lovers from all backgrounds to enjoy a world-class lineup amidst the beautiful foothills in Wilkesboro, NC. The energy is undeniable as staff and volunteers put the finishing touches on this year’s event. MerleFest veterans and newcomers alike are scouring over stage schedules, downloading the official MerleFest Mobile App, and perfecting their plans for a stellar, jam-packed weekend. Next weekend, April 24-27, begins MerleFest’s 37th festival, and this year’s lineup features a bounty of all-star acts and jams. With headliners like Bonnie Raitt, The Avett Brothers, Watchhouse, and The Steeldrivers.

April 14, 2025 The Ensemble Stage Professional Theater has announce their 2025 summer season line-up of shows along with ticket information. There will be four productions at the 99 seat Summer MainStage located in Banner Elk. Season tickets go on sale April 14 and single tickets will be available beginning April 28. Season tickets are available only by calling 828-414-1844 or stopping by the box office at 185 Azalea Circle located at the Historic Banner Elk School.

April 14, 2025 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has once again updated its popular nighttime expedition series, Grandfather by Night, for 2025. The evening starts atop Grandfather Mountain at the Mile High Swinging Bridge, where participants can explore and observe sunset, weather permitting, from this lofty vantage point. During this time, park educators will be on hand to discuss the unique flora and crepuscular (active during twilight) fauna that call Grandfather home. Two variations of the Grandfather by Night series will be offered this year — the Twilight Hike and the Naturalist Program.

April 11, 2025 The Town of Boone is excited to announce the 2025 Summer Concerts at the Jones House, a beloved Friday night tradition returning to downtown Boone with a season packed full of outstanding local and regional talent. Presented by the Town of Boone and sponsored by the Downtown Boone Development Association (DBDA), Omega Tees Screen Printing and Embroidery, Mast General Store, ECRS, Melanie’s Food Fantasy, and Stick Boy Bread Company, the concert series will run from June 6 through August 29, with concerts starting at 5:30 PM each Friday on the Jones House lawn.

April 9, 2025 App State will host its “Battle at The Rock” spring football game on April 12 at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Admission will be free, and fans will be treated to a variety of pregame and in-game opportunities to engage with App State Football and purchase special opportunities. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. There will be a Pregame FanFest from 10 a.m.-noon in the Jerry Moore Plaza featuring football team autographs and a DJ, as well as a Kid Zone with bounce houses and more. Junior Mountaineer Kids Club members can enter the Kid Zone free of charge. Kid Zone tickets for non-members will be $5.

April 7, 2025 Over 1400 people showed up for a planned protest march on Saturday in Downtown Boone that was organized locally by INDIVISIBLE Watauga, whose founder is Peter Nesbitt. The event was part of a peaceful, nationwide mobilization planned for April 5th. The theme of the march was “Hands Off.” The Boone march started behind the Turchin Center for Visual Arts and proceeded down the King Street sidewalk to an area beside the courthouse, about a half a mile away. The march started at 2:00 and and at one point marchers filled the sidewalk continuously for that whole half a mile. Marchers were encourage to bring signs to hold up during the march, and that they did.

April 7, 2025 Billy Strings & Bryan Sutton with Royal Masat announce two nights of performances at Appalachian State University’s Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts, September 11 and 12. These shows will be ticketed as a lottery, with ticket requests open now until April 21 at 2:00pm ET. Request tickets at billystrings.com/LATL. 2x Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and musicianBilly Strings joins forces with renowned guitarist Bryan Sutton to release their new collaborative album, Live at the Legion. Recorded live on April 7, 2024 at Nashville’s American Legion Post 82, the album showcases the acclaimed duo performing 20 traditional bluegrass and folk songs, including new renditions of Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright,” Doc Watson’s “Way Downtown” and more.

April 7, 2025 The mountains will be alive with the sound of music as Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, hosts a new event, “Sounds of Nature – Kids’ Music Day.” The fun-filled, nature-themed afternoon of music will take place Saturday, April 26 in the Williams Outdoor Learning Space, located next to the park’s Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. Families can groove to the sounds in nature through an interactive concert celebration, featuring lively performances from Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation staff, as well as visiting Chimney Rock State Park staff, plus eco-themed songs and hands-on activities.

March 28, 2025 A class of 16 emerging leaders and a longtime industry and community mentor were among the honorees at the 9th Annual 4 Under 40 Awards, held Wednesday, March 26th, in front of a crowd of over 200 people at the Appalachian Theatre in Downtown Boone. The event was made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. This year’s finalists embody the traits of community leadership by shaping young minds in classrooms, stabilizing and growing businesses in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, driving the missions of local non- profits, and providing talent, energy, and insight to established local businesses. While this annual showcase honors these emerging leaders as the next generation of community advocates, their current impact on key issues and projects more than demonstrates their abilities and passion for serving the High Country.

March 27, 2025 One week before ticket prices increase for FloydFest 25~Aurora, Across-the-Way Productions, Inc. and Blue Cow Arts Foundation, Inc. announce the award-winning festival’s On-the-Rise Competition Class of 2025, a quintessential cornerstone of the FloydFest brand, which fosters emerging talent by giving the next generation of up-and-coming performers a stage, a leg-up and an audience.

March 27, 2025 Appalachian State University’s annual summer arts celebration, An Appalachian Summer presents its 41st season June 28-July 26 with a diverse lineup of music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and film programming. Artists spanning a variety of genres — folk and pop rock, soul and jazz, R&B and Broadway, chamber and classical, dance, film and visual arts — will be featured in multiple venues on the campus of App State. Tickets go on sale to the public Wednesday, April 16 at 10am.Discounts are available for children/students, App State faculty/staff, and local residents for select performances. For more information, visit www.appsummer.org or call the box office at 828-262-4046.

March 25, 2025 On behalf of all of the F2F team and Cold Mountain Productions, I’d like to invite you to the screening of our 2025 film short documenting our organization and some of the key barriers facing Appalachian farmers. There will be refreshments provided from 5:30-6 for our VIPs (that’s you!) and a chance to chat before the film screening begins at 6pm.

March 25, 2025 The King Street Farmers’ Market will host Senior Day on March 29th 2025 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m at 252 Poplar Grove Rd, Boone. Join us for our last Winter King Street Market of the season to celebrate Appalachian Culture on March 29th, 2025. Local organization, Stateline Resource Station, will be providing an Appalachian Breakfast fundraiser at the demonstration kitchen, swing by to support a local mutual aid and get a yummy breakfast! While you shop for a variety of local goods, foods, and products, enjoy live old time music by Noah Williams and friends!

Dr. Harry Davis To Be Honored with Respect Your Elder Award at Boone Area Chamber of Commerce 4 Under 40 Awards

March 19, 2025 As part of the 9th annual 4 Under 40 Awards, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce will recognize Dr. Harry M. Davis with its Respect Your Elder Award. This is one of five awards that will be presented during the ceremony, which will be held Wednesday, March 26th, from 5:30-7:30PM, at the historic Appalachian Theatre in Downtown Boone. This annual showcase is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. Dr. Davis is a distinguished leader in banking and economics, serving as Professor of Banking and Economist for the North Carolina Bankers Association.

March 18, 2025 The Downtown Boone Development Association (DBDA) is excited to welcome nationally recognized business expert Jon Schallert for an Advanced Destination Workshop on Tuesday, March 25 at the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country. This opportunity is made possible through the NC Main Street Program, utilizing an economic development grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, which continues to support the growth and success of downtown Boone and its local businesses. Schallert, a leading expert in destination marketing, will provide in-depth training for downtown businesses that is focused on helping businesses transform into consumer destinations.

March 12, 2025 Due to challenges resulting from Hurricane Helene, the 2025 Blowing Rock Trout Derby has been rescheduled to Saturday, May 3. The event, originally slated for April 5, has been postponed to align with the delivery of fish that are being stocked for the event. This delay, in tandem with a shift to Catch and Release-only participation, is also intended to allow some additional recovery for local trout populations following hurricane flooding in September.

March 12, 2025 Spirit Ride Therapeutic Riding Center is excited to announce its Fundraising Derby, taking place on May 3rd, 2025 at the beautiful Broyhill Equestrian Preserve in Blowing Rock. This lively event will support Spirit Ride’s mission of providing equine-assisted learning opportunities for children with a wide array of diagnoses—at no cost to families. Public ticket sales begin March 10th, 2025, with proceeds directly funding Spirit Ride’s essential operating costs. The goal? To raise $25,000 to ensure children continue to learn, grow, and strive toward becoming their ideal selves through equine-assisted services.

March 12, 2025 Acclaimed bluegrass musicians Darren Nicholson and Shawn Lane will take the stage at the Jones House Cultural Center in downtown Boone on Saturday, March 15th, for an evening of world-class acoustic music. Before the concert, the artists will offer a free mandolin workshop at 5:00 PM, providing fans and musicians alike the chance to learn from two of the finest pickers in the genre. The ticketed concert begins at 7:30 PM, offering an intimate, up-close experience with these award-winning musicians.

+ More Articles

You’re Invited: Open House at Explore Boone’s New Downtown Visitor Center on May 8

MerleFest Concludes 2025 Festival; NC Governor Josh Stein Makes Special Appearance

Grandfather Mountain Announces Grandfather Glows Firefly Viewing Lottery Details

Volunteer Registration Open for 2025 Special Olympics North Carolina Summer Games

4th Annual Boonerang Music & Arts Festival Kicks Off with Local Talent Showcase June 19

Town of Boone’s Historic Preservation Commission Boone Cemetery Interpretative Panels Unveiling Ceremony on May 2

Helping Hands Concert Series Brings Big Names to Banner Elk at Hayes Auditorium

Next Weekend, April 24-27, Begins MerleFest’s 37th Festival; Tickets Still Available

Ensemble Stage Professional Theater Announce Their 2025 Summer Season Line-Up

“Spruced Up” Grandfather by Night Series Returns to Grandfather Mountain for the Summer

Jones House Announces 2025 Weekly Summer Concert Series Lineup on Fridays at 5:30

Details for April 12 Battle at The Rock Spring Game at Kidd Brewer Stadium; Admission Free

1400 People Filled the Sidewalk of King Street in Boone on Saturday for a Planned March by INDIVISIBLE Watauga Against Trump’s Agenda

Just Announced! Billy Strings & Bryan Sutton with Royal Masat, Live at the Schaefer Center for Two Nights! September 11 and 12

Grandfather Mountain Announces New Event: “Sounds of Nature – Kids’ Music Day”

Winners Announced for 2025 Boone Area Chamber of Commerce 4 Under 40 Awards

Ticket Prices Increase April 1; On-the-Rise Competition Class of 2025 Announced for FloydFest 25~Aurora

An Appalachian Summer Announces Lineup for 2025 Season June 28-July 26

Frontline to Farm: April 18 Documentary Film Screening Invitation

Appalachian Culture Day at the King Street Market on March 29th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m

Dr. Harry Davis To Be Honored with Respect Your Elder Award at Boone Area Chamber of Commerce 4 Under 40 Awards

Downtown Boone Development Association to Host Advanced Destination Workshop with Jon Schallert on Tuesday, March 25

Blowing Rock Trout Derby Postponed to Saturday, May 3

Gallop for Good: Spirit Ride Kentucky Derby-Themed Fundraiser Tickets go on Sale March 10th – Don’t Miss Out!

Darren Nicholson & Shawn Lane to Perform at The Jones House in Boone on March 15th