June 19, 2017. Ensemble Stage opened for the 2017 season on Friday, June 16, with The Star Spangled Girl by Neil Simon. The opening performance was a major success, bringing in a fantastic audience to Ensemble Stage’s new venue at the Historic Banner Elk School. The Star Spangled Girl will run until June 24, so purchase your tickets today and don’t miss out on an uproariously funny play that christened the new theater with laughter and community. Photo Courtesy of Ensemble Stage / Read more…

June 19, 2017. The 3rd Annual Homegrown Music Festival returns to the High Country on Saturday, August 12, at the Foscoe-Grandfather Community Park. The renowned music festival will be presenting various local bands and performers, such as Amantha Mill, The High Country Boomers, Adam Church, Blue Country and so many more. Along with music, there will be craft vendors and food to add to the festivities. / Read more…

June 16, 2017. The Children’s Council of Watauga County has been providing support and services for children in the High Country for the past forty years. Now, on June 25, they invite all of the community to come out, offer their support and celebrate with them as they continue to do all they can to improve and promote the lives of children within our home. By Katie Benfield – Photo Courtesy of The Children’s Council of Watauga County / Read more…

June 15, 2017. The Todd Summer Concert Series is back beginning on June 24 until August 19. There are 6 bands lined up to play throughout the summer. Enjoy this free event rain or shine at Cook Park in Todd, NC. By Katelyn Jenkins – Photo Courtesy of ToddNC.org / Read more…

June. 14, 2017. High Country Farm Tour will begin this Saturday June 17th with the Watauga Garden Tour By Taylor Hawkins – Photo Courtesy of High Country Farm Tour and Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture / Read more…

June 14, 2017. Bethany Jewell wanted to set out to understand and explore the everyday heroes that are doing extraordinary things in any way that they can. She interviewed Kathy Myers Reece, who is involved with a feral cat rescue and who has been working towards the greater good in animal rescue for the past twelve years, and illustrated beautiful depictions of the work that Reece accomplishes. By Bethany Jewell / Read more…

June 14, 2017. Today until Sunday, Beech Mountain Resort will be hosting the Pro Mountain Bike Gravity Tour. Along with watching the race, spectators and racers alike can participate in other events and activities going on Beech Mountain Resort, such as live music and Mile High Yoga on Saturday. By Katie Benfield – Photo Courtesy of Beech Mountain Resort / Read more…

June 13, 2017. Banner Elk Summer Concerts in the Park is back and kicks off June 22, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy live music from the Buick Mackane Band. Vendors will be serving various food, wine and beer. Come enjoy this exciting, fun event for free! By Katelyn Jenkins – Photo Courtesy of Visit NC / Read more…

June 13, 2017. Where was Phil? Phil’s final flush in the High Country was with the ever-generous and constantly supportive and community-minded Wendy’s! By Katie Benfield / Read more…

June 13, 2017. The Hospitality House Gardens are preparing for a busy summer season. Ever since 2011, the Gardens at Hospitality House have grown more and more, with this year expected to be the most productive season yet. / Read more…

June 12, 2017. Singing on the Mountain returns for its 93 year in the High Country at the base of Grandfather Mountain in MacRae Meadows. This year, Singing on the Mountain will be bringing numerous beautiful singers and performances for a day filled with amazing people, community and connection. / Read more…

June 12, 2017. Grandfather Mountain will be holding an animal birthday party for its animals on Wednesday. The whole day will be filled with celebrations, including arts and crafts, contests and other events and activities that have been geared towards honoring the animals that call Grandfather Mountain home. / Read more…

June 12, 2017. The Children’s Council of Watauga County will be hosting its signature fundraiser, Party with a Purpose, on Sunday, June 25, from 2-5 p.m. at the Green Park Inn. All proceeds from the event go towards funding programs and services that support children in Watauga County. Tickets must be purchased in advance. / Read more…

June 12, 2017. Throughout the summer season in the High Country, there are countless outdoor concerts and events to attend on a warm, summer evening. The Banner Elk Concerts in the Park is just that summer experience that you don’t want to miss out on as the music starts playing every Thursday at the Tate-Evans Park. / Read more…

June 12, 2017. On June 22, as part of the Grandfather Presents lecture series, Jennifer Pharr Davis will be making an appearance at the Grandfather Mountain Nature Museum from 6-8 p.m. where she will be telling stories, showing pictures, answering questions and reading excerpts from her book that accurately portray the inspiration she constantly finds in nature. / Read more…

June 7, 2017. The Avery County Chamber of Commerce brings the Avery County Beer and Wine Festival to the High Country once more. This festival, which takes place this Saturday from 12-5 p.m., is a special and unique event for members of the High Country to enjoy wines and beers from all over our community at the Blind Squirrel Brewery Campground in Plumtree. By Katie Benfield – Photo Courtesy of the Avery County Chamber of Commerce / Read more…

June 7, 2017. Blowing Rock’s Art in the Park has been around for 55 years, but in all that time, it’s never lost its appeal to both artists and community members alike. One Saturday a month, Art in the Park brings people from all over the Park Avenue for a showcase of talent and skills that awe us all. The following Sunday is a Blowing Rock Concert in the Park, featuring a different band every time. This weekend full of artistic talent and musical performance is one that won’t be wasted. By Katie Benfield – Photo Courtesy of the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce / Read more…

June 7, 2017. Returning for the 15th year is the Watauga County Emergency Fest! With educational demonstrations, information about how to handle various emergency situations and fun and games for people of all ages, the 2017 Emergency Fest is sure to be a blast! Photo Courtesy of the Watauga County Emergency Fest / Read more…

June 7, 2017. Last December, when Lulu Bovino awoke after her tonsillectomy at Watauga Medical Center, she was greeted with a teddy bear. The surprise companion comforted Lulu and inspired her to instate a teddy bear program at the medical center. / Read more…

June 7, 2017. The Blue Ridge Mountain Club brings the High Country one of the best daylong outdoor music festivals throughout the summer! With food, local beer, music and activities for the whole family, the Summer Soulstice Music Festival will be an awesome time for a good cause! By Katie Benfield – Photo Courtesy of The Blue Ridge Mountain Club / Read more…

June 7, 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. 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! By Katie Benfield – Photo Courtesy of Sugar Mountain Resort / Read more…

June 6, 2017. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 1 p.m., both children and adults alike can visit the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center on the Lees-McRae College Campus for the free summer wildlife presentation series. Each presentation is an hour long. / Read more…

June 6, 2017. Where’s Phil? His time in the High Country is coming to a close, and with his final days approaching, Phil has one final flush left — the Royal Flush. By Katie Benfield / Read more…

June 5, 2017. On Saturday, June 10, BRAHM will be presenting the 2017 Blowing Rock Church Tour in which residents of the High Country can tour nine churches throughout Blowing Rock. These self-guided tours extend the opportunity to explore the interiors of the churches, as well as the ability to learn the histories of each one. Photo Courtesy of the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum / Read more…

June 5, 2017. Where Was Phil? Over the weekend, Phil attended the kickball tournament hosted by WAMY and the We Can So You Can Foundation. He had a blast kickin’ it for the kids in order to raise money to help them attend WAMY’s summer camp that will provide them with the opportunities and safe and supportive environment to learn and explore! By Katie Benfield / Read more…

June 5, 2017. The Carolina Ramble Review hits the High Country on the Jones House lawn this Friday, June 9. It will feature three prominent bands — Possum Jenkins, Wurlitzer Prize and songwriter Molly McGinn. Don’t miss out on this eclectic mix of wonderful musicians and performers! / Read more…

June 2, 2017. FORUM at Lees-McRae has had a long history, but ever since its founding in 1979, FORUM has continued to grow and bring culturally enriching and entertaining performances to the High Country for all of the community. The first performance of the 2017 FORUM is Three Redneck Tenors on June 19. Photo Courtesy of Lees-McRae College / Read more…

June 2, 2017. Grandfather Mountain’s Nature Photography Weekend returns for another year. Starting today, photographers of all skill levels will join together to learn about nature photography, practice their own photography talents and capture the beauties and wonders of Grandfather Mountain. Photo Courtesy of Grandfather Mountain / Read more…

June 2, 2017. Sound Traveler, an acoustic band that travels to various areas bringing musical joy to all they meet, is returning to the High Country to perform at mutliple venues throughout the entire summer. Don’t miss out on this shining duo that will blow you away with their talented skills and passionate hearts. By Katie Benfield – Photo Courtesy of Sound Traveler Band / Read more…

June 2, 2017. The Art Cellar Gallery is open for the season, presenting the High Country with its first show, the “Welcome Back and Throwback” exhibition in the “cellar” that is going on from now until June 24. Tomorrow, June 3, there will be an artist reception from 4-6 p.m. Photo Courtesy of The Art Cellar Gallery / Read more…

June 2, 2017. Appalachian Regional Healthcare System has partnered with The Williams YMCA of Avery County to bring the community the 4th Annual Health Splash. The health fair will be taking place on Wednesday, June 7, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. / Read more…

June 2, 2017. The Hospitality House will be holding its 3rd annual High Country Charity Golf Tournament to raise money for the men, women and children of the Hospitality House. / Read more…

June 2, 2017. In/Visible Theater brings to the High Country its latest production, a play by Lucas Hnath called The Christians. It will be performed at various venues throughout the High Country, so don’t miss out on seeing these talented actors in an incredible play! Photo Courtesy of In/Visible Theater / Read more…

June 1, 2017. Where’s Phil? On this bright, warm day, he is hanging out outside of the New River Farms Apartments near the Boone Mall! Swing by and catch him before he leaves! By Katie Benfield / Read more…

June 01, 2017. Linville Falls Winery hosts their first Honey Bee Festival on June 3, 2017 from 12-6 p.m. By Katelyn Jenkins – Photo Courtesy of the Linville Falls Winery / Read more…