Featured Photos Archives

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.

September 30, 2025 In May of 2020, Lillie and Kevin Troyer commissioned local artist Roger Allen Nelson to paint a 9 foot by 12 foot work of art entitled “A Community on a Mountain with a Garden and a City.”The Troyer’s and Mr. Nelson collaborated diligently for 5 years to implement the vision for the piece that was planned to be placed in 4 Forty Four’s new office in Blowing Rock. The Troyer’s purchased the property for the new office in July of 2018 and had the first stage of their design / build business model completed to the extent that they had identified a location on a wall in the central room of the new office to accommodate this 9’ by 12’ canvas and frame.

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.

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.

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.

August 27, 2025 Boone, NC – The Watauga County Farmers’ Market is proud to announce a special celebration of Hispanic Heritage Day on Saturday, August 30, 2025, presented in collaboration with Q’Pasa Appalachia. This vibrant event will feature live music, dance, and cultural performance, alongside a delicious fundraiser to benefit the Immigrant Justice Coalition.

December 14, 2023 Sugar Mountain Ski Resort, North Carolina.
Wednesday, 13, 2023. – At Appalachian Ski Mtn. earlier today the North Carolina Ski Areas Association (NCSAA) announced the findings of an economic value analysis study of the North Carolina’s snowsports industry. The study, conducted during the 2022-23 winter season, found that North Carolina’s six ski areas, Appalachian Ski Mtn., Beech Mountain Resort, Cataloochee Ski Area, Hatley Pointe Ski Resort, Sapphire Valley Ski Area, and Sugar Mountain Resort generated a $244.3 million annual economic boom to rural communities scattered up and down the state’s mountainous western border and along the highest peaks of the Appalachian Mountain range, within the short window of four months.

October 25, 2023 Life can be rather uncanny in the way that at times, some things seem to come “full circle.” For about 40 years, our family (James and Cheryl, and then later to include our sons Jimmy and Jason) attended our favorite mountain crafts festival in Valle Crucis, NC. We all very much loved the crafts, the food, and the people, and looked forward to this special Fall event every year. This annual event is sponsored as a fundraiser by the Church Of the Holy Cross, an historic Episcopal Church in the center of Valle Crucis. Each year, we would see which local non-profit organizations were recognized and supported by these activities.

October 4, 2023 The High Country Breast Cancer Foundation is excited to announce the 5K Run for Breast Cancer Awareness, scheduled to take place on October 28, 2023. This event is a significant step in our ongoing mission to raise awareness and to provide support to local breast cancer patients and their families.The High Country Breast Cancer Foundation has been serving our community for 7 years, supporting individuals and families affected by breast cancer. Our commitment to this cause is unwavering, and the 5K Run is a testament to our dedication to making a difference.

September 25, 2023 WCNC-TV Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich spoke at Grandfather Mountain Sept. 21 as part of the organization’s Grandfather Presents speaker series.Prior to the evening event at Grandfather Mountain, Panovich visited Newland Elementary where he spoke to kindergarteners through fifth graders.

June 29, 2023 Santa is on summer vacation. He will be HIKING through the Beech Mountain Farmers’ Market on Friday, July 7th. Come visit Santa from 4 – 6pm and learn what he loves to do on the mountain. FREE photo opportunities and children’s activity area.

PLUS…35 vendors will showcase their local fresh organic produce, honey, baked goods, ice cream, plants, flowers, microgreens, gourmet dog treats, art, homemade crafts, jewelry, body and hemp products, farm raised beef/poultry/eggs and much more.

May 25, 2023 BOONE, N.C. — National Geographic Society CEO Jill Tiefenthaler will give the keynote address at the 2023 Appalachian Energy Summit, hosted by Appalachian State University’s Office of Sustainability on Wednesday, June 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts.The talk is free and open to the public, with reserved tickets available at the Schaefer Center box office. Attendees are encouraged to secure their tickets early.

May 3, 2023 Spruce Pine, NC – There’s something breathtaking and awe-inspiring about driving through the mountains of western North Carolina, nature herself showing that she is the original artist.It doesn’t matter if you live up the hill or across the state, the Toe River Arts Studio Tour, June 2-4, 2023, provides an adventure for the intrepid seeker of the art experience. The art is as diverse as the artists with the tour featuring the work of glassblowers, jewelers, printmakers, potters, fiber artists, ironworkers, painters, sculptors, and woodworkers.

May 1, 2023 On Thursday, May 4, Christians around the country will be gathering to observe National Day of Prayer, held each year on the first Thursday of May, with a focus on prayer for our nation and its leadership. This year’s theme is “Pray Fervently In Righteousness And Avail Much,” based on scripture found in James 5:16. By Sherrie Norris

January 31, 2023 With ringing in the new year, there is a lot of focus on resolutions – especially when it comes to wellness and its eight dimensions: financial, vocational, intellectual, social, environmental, spiritual, emotional, and physical. And there is a locally owned Avery County yoga studio that believes in the holistic and multidimensional approach to wellness and strives to provide an inclusive safe space for people of all ages. By Harley Nefe

January 12, 2023 BOONE, N.C. — Propelled by an enthusiastic reception in its inaugural year, the Boonerang Music & Arts Festival today announces its music lineup for the second annual free community event presented by the Town of Boone and supporting partners. The festival returns to downtown Boone Thursday through Saturday, June 15-17.

November 21, 2021. The Beaver Moon partial lunar eclipse began early Friday morning, which meant the moon passed into the shadow of the Earth, resulting in a red-brown hue covering the moon. Local photographer Todd Bush took this occurrence as an opportunity to leave in the early hours to attempt to capture the event at his favorite mountain — Grandfather Mountain. Running on only a couple of hours of sleep, he arrived at the parking lot for the Mile High Swinging Bridge around 3 a.m. Friday and found “crazy high winds with car-rocking, knock-stuff-over gusts.”

July 26, 2021. Many people gathered in Blowing Rock on Friday to attend the highly-anticipated event of the summer, the 34th annual Symphony by the Lake at Chetola Resort. The return of the beloved event after last year’s symphony was canceled brought forth lots of smiling faces to be seen as friends had the opportunity to reunite with each other. This year’s theme was Music from around the World, and uplifting music filled the atmosphere. With beautiful weather as well, it was hard to ask for a better day for the musical symphony. Longtime photographer Lonnie Webster captured some great photos of the event that he was willing to share with the High Country Press.

Boone Lights Up Blue in Tribute to Sgt. Chris Ward and K-9 Deputy Logan Fox

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May 12, 2021 As Watauga County and the High Country continue to grieve in the wake of the events of April 28, the community has been displaying blue ribbons and shining blue lights in observance of Sgt. Chris Ward and K-9 Deputy Logan Fox. Here are a couple photos from Tuesday night showing the welcome to Boone sign and the Watauga County Administration Building.

A Valentine Collection of Rocks from the Ocean

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February 15, 2021 Photo contributor Tara Diamond shared this photo of heart shaped rocks she has been collecting from the California coast for the past several years. For Valentine’s Day she arranged them for a photo to share with her friends – and now with our readers.

Win or Lose, Trump’s Campaign Stop in Hickory Sunday Night Will Be One of His Last Election Rallies During His Presidency

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November 3, 2020 President Donald Trump stopped in Hickory to speak at a ‘Make America Great Again’ campaign event on Sunday, Nov. 1, which will be one of his last election rallies during his presidency. Trump Campaign officials made the announcement of the rally just a day before it took place. This event followed Vice President Mike Pence’s visit to Boone to attend a Sunday worship service at Alliance Bible Fellowship on the same day. By Harley Nefe

Fall Leaf Colors are Beginning to Peak at Areas with an Elevation of 3,000 Feet and Below

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October 23, 2020 While there are some colors still hanging around in areas of the High Country, the place to be in the next week are areas with an elevation at 3,000 feet and below, according to the latest update from Dr. Howard S. Neufeld, Appalachian State’s own Fall Leaf Guy. “I think you will have one more good week and the next weekend to see good colors in the High Country. After that, you’ll have to focus on sites located at lower elevations, like Stone Mt. State Park, Chimney Rock State Park, Hanging Rock State Park, and Gorges State Park. The Smokies should also be good this week and next, as will be places north on the Parkway up into Virginia,” said Dr. Neufeld. “Once you get above 3,500 feet though, the colors quickly drop out and by 4,000 feet, most of the leaves are gone or barely hanging on.” Some leaves have been able to hang on to their color a little longer than usual due to the unseasonably warm temperatures this week according to Neufeld. By Nathan Ham

Alpine Ski Shop at Appalachian Ski Mtn. Holding Annual Preseason Sale and Swap Now through October 25

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October 23, 2020 Ski season is just around the corner and the Alpine Ski Shop is ready for customers with the 23rd year of its annual preseason sale. The sale began last Friday and will continue through Sunday, October 25. “The response from our customers has been extremely positive and there has been lots of excitement about getting on the slopes this winter! We have made numerous changes this year to be COVID compliant to make things safe for our staff and customers for our preseason sale,” said Brenda Speckmann, who operates the ski shop. Each year, the Preseason Sale and Swap at the Alpine Ski Shop is located in the downstairs lobby at the base lodge. The sale offers customers some great deals on clothing, ski and snowboard equipment, and accessories. By Nathan Ham

Avery Chamber Holds a Two Worm Woolly Worm Race on Saturday Where the Winning Worm Predicts Forecast for Upcoming Winter Season

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October 19, 2020 In a winner-take-all virtual woolly worm race Saturday afternoon, it appears that we could be in for a cold and snowy start to the 2020-21 winter season. The two leading sponsors for the annual Woolly Worm Festival, the Avery County Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club of Banner Elk, each had one worm competing for the top spot, the Chamber Charger and the Kiwanis Kicker. Even with the annual festival being canceled because of COVID-19, the race had to go on. “We use this festival not only to raise money for the Kiwanis Club and Avery Chamber, but the winning worm is used to predict the winter weather,” said Adam Binder, who handled the play-by-play call for the race. “One of the most important things and one of the biggest reasons why it was so difficult to cancel this festival is that we raise about $125,000 and that goes back into the community. Half of that money is used by the Kiwanis Club and we give Woolly Worm grants and the Avery County Chamber of Commerce uses the funds to promote tourism in our area so losing a festival for a small county and a small town like this is very serious. Obviously, there was no question with what is going on, having that many people together was not the right thing to do.” By Nathan Ham

A New Startup, Boone Underground, Has Created a Technology Rich Co-Working Facility

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October 14, 2020 A new business startup created by an Appalachian State alumnus hopes to boost technology careers and help start businesses right here in the High Country. Robert Huddleston, a member of Appalachian State’s graduating class of 2000, moved back to Boone about two and a half years ago and brought along with him his own IT consulting company, Avoda Group, from Raleigh. “We moved it here because we wanted to see if we could chase App State students and bring them on board, train them up in Cloud Technology and get them in our consulting group,” Huddleston explained. Not long after this came the idea of Boone Underground, a 4,000-square-foot facility on State Farm Road with modern technological upgrades to offer clients meeting spaces, high-speed internet, private desks, and numerous valuable resources to develop business plans and ideas. By Nathan Ham

+ More Articles

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

“A Community on a Mountain with a Garden and a City”, New Art Piece in Blowing Rock

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

HCC A Night at Chetola is a hit!

National Storytelling Festival returns to Jonesborough Oct. 3–5

Watauga County Farmers’ Market to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Day with Q’Pasa Appalachia

Snowsports is Western North Carolina’s Economic Engine

Valle Country Fair —- A Family Comes Full Circle !

High Country Breast Cancer Foundation Announces the 5K Run/Walk to Support Breast Cancer Awareness

WCNC-TV Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich Speaks at Grandfather Mountain and Visits Local School

Santa Visits Beech Mountain’s Farmers’ Market July 7th

National Geographic Society CEO to Speak at App State’s Appalachian Energy Summit June 7th

June 2023 Toe River Arts Studio Tour

High Country Community Gathering on National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 4

Avery Community Yoga: Community is Where the Heart is

Boonerang Music & Arts Festival releases 2023 music lineup

Todd Bush Photographs the Beaver Moon Lunar Eclipse While Battling High Winds at Grandfather Mountain

Lonnie Webster Shares His Photos from Symphony by the Lake on Friday Night