July 10, 2017. The 50th Annual Grandfather Mountain Marathon was held on Saturday, July 8, as part of the 62nd Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. While there were numerous participants who were all amazing athletes, there were a couple of people who took the win. / Read more…

July 10, 2017. Starting on July 13,
The Art Cellar Gallery in Banner Elk will be hosting “20 Years in Review,
A Retrospective,” which will be featuring artwork by Tony Griffin over the last 20 years. On July 15,
there will be an artist reception from 4-6 p.m.Photo Courtesy of The Art Cellar Gallery / Read more…

July 10, 2017. The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games brought athletes of all kinds out over the weekend. Whether they were from Tennessee, North Carolina or other surrounding states, all of the athletes did their best. The results varied, but Craig and Chambers came out on top with the “Outstanding Track & Field Athlete” Honors. / Read more…

July 7, 2017. The High Country is a popular place for a wedding or some other kind of event. With beautiful scenery, rustic decorations and the most friendly people you could ever meet, our home is a picturesque dream for people everywhere who are wanting to experience a mountain wedding. The success in the wedding and event profession doesn’t just benefit people within that field, but it also benefits local economy, bringing in revenue for hotels, restaurants and local businesses throughout the community. By Katie Benfield – Photo by Ken Ketchie / Read more…

July 7, 2017. Ensemble Stage welcomes the High Country to enjoy their production of Mary and Myra, a historical drama by Catherine Filloux. The play will be performed at the Historic Banner Elk Elementary School. By Katelyn Jenkins / Read more…

July 7, 2017. On Friday, July 7, at 7 p.m., the Nth˚ Gallery & Studios will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary in the High Country as part of the First Friday Art Crawl in downtown Boone. The Gallery’s primary fundraiser of the year will be serving as a celebration of two decades in this wonderful community. The event will have artwork from past and present members, the Free Expression Wall and food and beverages.
By Katie Benfield – Photo Courtesy of the Nth˚ Gallery & Studios / Read more…

July 7, 2017. “The Bear” is a grueling, five-mile hill climb that pits approximately 800 runners against the steep switchbacks of Grandfather Mountain, climbing 1,568 feet from the town of Linville, N.C., to the mountain summit. In the most recent one, Johnny Crain set a new record, surpassing the previous record that has been set for over ten years. / Read more…

July 5, 2017. The Banner Elk “Party in the Park” took place yesterday in Tate Evans Park with delicious food, fun and family-friendly activities and games, races of every kind and animals all throughout. With this incredibly community event, everyone in attendance spent their July 4 in one of the best ways that they could. Photo Courtesy of Jan Todd / Read more…

July 5, 2017. The Town of Boone 4th of July Parade pulled much of the community out of their homes and into downtown Boone to watch the stunning, patriotic parade full of community members who dressed in red, white and blue and other various costumes, including Smokey Bear By Katie Benfield – Photo by Ken Ketchie / Read more…

July 5, 2017. The 4th of July is a national celebration for people all across the United States of America. With red, white and blue and excited energy, the people of Banner Elk truly did celebrate our nation and its independence through the Banner Elk 4th of July Parade. Photo Courtesy of Jan Todd / Read more…

July 5, 2017. After suffering from a stroke in January of this year, things didn’t look good for Shirley Ellison, a local woman from Deep Gap. It was assumed that, because of the stroke, Ellison would never be able to move her right side, stand, walk or speak again. The Foley Center in Blowing Rock thought otherwise, and this one woman’s story will inspire you for days to come. / Read more…

July 3, 2017. The Bethel Baptist Church presents for another year one of the most exciting Fourth of July celebrations in the High Country, the Bethel Blast! With free BBQ and live music starting at 5 p.m., this July 4th celebration will be a whole evening full of laughter, community and fellowship. By Katie Benfield / Read more…

July 3, 2017. The Blowing Rock 4th of July Parade took place on this past Saturday, thanks to the Blowing Rock Parks and Recreation Department and all others involved in the parade. With people wearing red, white and blue and smiles as big as ever, this year’s parade was more festive and patriotic than ever before. By Katie Benfield – Photo by Ken Ketchie / Read more…

June 30, 2017. All throughout the summer season and on, Sugar Mountain, in cooperation with Sugar Mountain Ski Resort, will be offering the community several opportunities to participate in fun and exciting events. The first event, starting on July 1 with the Summit Crawl & Classic Car and Truck Cruise-In. Don’t miss out on these exciting summer events that are sure to make your summer memories the best ones yet. / Read more…

June 30, 2017. For the first time in the High Country, Sugar Mountain Resort will be hosting the first annual Sugar Mountain Summit Crawl and Classic Car Cruise-In this upcoming Saturday. The Summit Crawl allows people of all ages to hike via foot in a race up the side of the mountain, a total of 6,500 feet! Photo Courtesy of Sugar Mountain Resort / Read more…

June 30, 2017. The Lees-McRae Summer Theatre started its 2017 season off with a bang with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat — a production that has its last shows today at 7 p.m. and on July 1 and 2 at 2 p.m. Starting on July 12, the Summer Theatre’s next performance, Million Dollar Quartet, is going to be just as much of a hit! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to see a Tony Award winning musical by talented actors in our home right here in the High Country. / Read more…

June 30, 2017. As part of the 2017 Summer Concerts at the Jones House series, the Good Vibes Jazz Trio and The King Bees will be performing on the lawn at the Jones House this upcoming Friday, June 30, starting at 5 p.m. Bring a lawn chair, blanket and some snacks and enjoy these two amazing bands as they play through the evening. / Read more…

June 29, 2017. Make sure to visit the gorgeous Inn at Crestwood for their jamming summer music series that is currently in full swing. The music series features a different local artist every Thursday this summer at 6 p.m. With incredible views, and even more incredible people, this summer series is a one-of-a-kind for your High Country summer experience. By Taylor Hawkins – Photo Courtesy of The Inn at Crestwood / Read more…

June. 28, 2017. Boone Parades 5th Annual Back 2 School Festival still seeking $12,000 in sponsorships to buy school supplest for Watauga County kids. – Photo Courtesy of the Kendra Sink / Read more…

June 28, 2017. The Hickory Ridge Living History Museum is scheduled to celebrate independence on July 1 with its annual Burning in Effigy of King George III. The celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. Photo Courtesy of the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum / Read more…

June 28, 2017. The 2017 Mile of Flowers, put on the Blowing Rock Garden Club, consisted of stunning gardens of homes and churches throughout Blowing Rock. Along with this, there was a boutique and a tea party, providing participants with a day full of beauty, fun and community. By Katie Benfield, Photo Courtesy of Lonnie Webster / Read more…

June. 27, 2017. Scotland returns to Grandfather Mountain on July 6-9 for the 62nd annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. / Read more…

June 26, 2017. The Blue Ridge resort towns of Banner Elk and Beech Mountain come together for the 2nd annual Mile High Fourth of July, a five day celebration that includes live music, fireworks, a parade and plenty of family fun throughout the two towns which are only four miles apart. Photo Courtesy of Todd Bush / Read more…

June 26, 2017. This past Friday, The Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge held its annual primary luncheon fundraiser called “The Power of the Purse.” The Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge constantly strives to create positive change and economic assistance to women and children within our home. Story and Photos by Jan Todd / Read more…

June 23, 2017. On July 1-2, Art on the Greene in Banner Elk is offering artists the chance to showcase their talents by displaying their artwork on the green at the Historic Banner Elk School. Artists include jewelry makers, wood workers, painters, potters and metal artists. By Katelyn Jenkins / Read more…

June 23, 2017. Since 1987 Christmas in July has been filling the streets of Downtown West Jefferson with live music, food, arts and crafts, dancing and most importantly Christmas trees. On June 30 the Festival returns at 3 p.m. until July 1 at 7 p.m. Thousands of people travel each year to enjoy this special event. You don’t want to miss it! By Katelyn Jenkins – Photo Courtesy of the Christmas in July Festival / Read more…

June 23, 2017. Wahoo’s Adventures is partnering with Boondocks Brewing Tap Room & Restaurant of West Jefferson to bring the Float Fest back to the High Country. The Float Fest takes place on the New River, featuring tubing, disc golf, games, local music, local food trucks and local beer. All proceeds go towards benefitting High Country Pathways. / Read more…

June 23, 2017. Blood, Sweat, and Gears will be hosting their 19th Annual ride Saturday, June 24th in the High Country. The ride will begin and end in Valle Crucis with an option to do a 90 mile or a 50 mile ride. The estimated time it takes to complete the routes is around 9 hours. Be on the watch on June 24 for bike traffic and cyclists during the day. By Taylor Hawkins – Photo Courtesy of Blood, Sweat, and Gears / Read more…

June 21, 2017. Strictly Strings and Strictly Clean & Decent will be performing at the Jones House as part of the 2017 Summer Concerts at the Jones House. The two bands will be setting up and playing from the Jones House porch, starting at 5 p.m. / Read more…

June 23, 2017. FORUM at Lees-McRae has been well-known for decades for providing the community with amazing and high-quality performances. FORUM’s 2017 summer series begins June 26th, having already sold out general admission for their first show. By Taylor Hawkins – Photo Courtesy of FORUM at Lees-McRae and Double Grande / Read more…

June 23, 2017. Lees-McRae will present its performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on June 25th. This play lasts from June 25 until July 2.
By Taylor Hawkins – Photo Courtesy of Lees-McRae Summer Theatre / Read more…

June 23, 2017. An Appalachian Summer Festival returns to the High County with amazing performances in music, dance, theatre, film and other visual art. Each performance is unique and stunning, and regardless of taste, everyone will be able to find something they enjoy throughout the series that starts on June 27 and lasts until August 5. By Katie Benfield – Photo Courtesy of Appalachian State University / Read more…

June 22, 2017. The 36th Annual Cornbread Cook-Off returns to the Old Hampton Store in Linville this Saturday, June 24, from 10:30 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. Competitors will need to bring in their cornbread by noon on Saturday in order to be in the running for the winning cornbread. Photo Courtesy of the Old Hampton Store / Read more…

June 20, 2017. The Watauga County Farmers’ Market is still in full swing. Every Saturday, until the month of October, the Farmers’ Market will be offering the community the freshest produce and most skillfully crafted items, all local, from 8 a.m. until noon. By Katie Benfield – Photo by Ken Ketchie / Read more…

June 20, 2017. Carlton Gallery’s 35th Spring Group Exhibition with Florals, Still Lifes and Interiors is currently in full swing, featuring artists Mary Dobbin and Tonya Bottomley. The Spring Group Exhibition also displays paintings by Dottie Leatherwood and Debbie Arnold. Photo Courtesy of Carlton Gallery / Read more…