Festivals Archives

Dance and Country Legends Wrap Up An Appalachian Summer Festival this Week

July 24, 2024 Paul Taylor Dance Company has been transforming modern dance since 1954. Founder Paul Taylor, who created 147 dances over the course of 64 years, is noted for the inventive, sometimes sardonic and frequently humorous dances he choreographed for his company. Brad Paisley is one of country music’s most talented and decorated singer-songwriters (as well as a highly acclaimed guitarist), boasting Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, and Country Music Association Awards, including an Entertainer of the Year honor. A member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2001, the West Virginia native has written 21 of his 25 No. 1 hits, his past works amassing nearly five billion streams.

July 16, 2024 This week at An Appalachian Summer Festival, July 16-21, there’s a little something for everyone — from violin, piano and cello, to funk, soul, R&B and more. The festival, now in its 40th year, runs through July 27 and features a diverse mix of music, dance, visual arts, and film programming. For information and tickets, visit AppSummer.org.

July 3, 2024 The long and storied tradition that is the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games returns to MacRae Meadows on Thursday, July 11, continuing through Sunday, July 14. This marks the 68th year for the beloved and historic celebration of Scottish ancestry and heritage, with the popular festival once again bringing a “wee bit o’ Scotland” to the High Country of North Carolina. Throughout the weekend of events, guests can take in the awe-inspiring spectacle of traditional Scottish athletic competitions, which includes Scottish heavy athletics, track and field competitions, Highland wrestling and more.

July 9, 2024 The Watauga County Farmers’ Market is excited to announce a month-long celebration in honor of its 50th anniversary, culminating in a grand anniversary party on Saturday, July 27th. The festivities began this past Saturday, July 6th, commemorating the day North Carolina Governor James E. Holshouser attended the formal dedication of the market in 1974. Throughout July, the market invites the community to immerse themselves in its rich history with the Market Memory Installation. This special exhibit encourages customers to contribute cherished photos, news clippings, and favorite memories, creating a tapestry of shared experiences and community spirit.

July 9, 2024 If you have a fascination for antique engines, tractors or other old vehicles and equipment — or if you would like to learn more about them, or maybe you just like to mingle with those who already know all about what makes them chug — the 44th annual High Country Crank-Up is the place you ought to be. For three big days — Thursday-Saturday, July 25-27 — one of the premiere events in the southeast for lovers of all things old, hit or miss, will be converging upon the High Country Fairgrounds for this once-a-year event. Sponsored by the Carolina Flywheelers, this attraction draws folks in from all over the country, with something for the young, and especially the young-at-heart. By Sherrie Norris

July 9, 2024 Watauga County residents will be among over 38 million people in 18,000 communities across the country, including U.S. territories and military bases worldwide, coming together for National Night Out 2024. Easily considered the biggest block party anywhere, and happening in most locales on the first Tuesday of August, the event will once again unite individuals and families from all walks of life for one evening of celebration. Watauga County will be no exception as on Tuesday, Aug 6, the upper parking area at Watauga High School in Boone will once again be transformed — for two full hours, 6 p.m. -8 p.m. — into a mecca of entertainment, awareness and community spirit at its best. By Sherrie Norris

July 8, 2024 An Appalachian Summer Festival, Appalachian State University’s annual summer arts event, shines this week, July 9-14, with Canadian Brass (the very best of brass bands), Buddy Guy (a pioneer of Chicago’s fabled West Side sound), and Norm Lewis (owner of Broadway’s silkiest baritone), plus the award-winning film The Taste of Things and the 38th annual Rosen Sculpture Walk & Competition. The festival, now in its 40th year, runs through July 27 and features a diverse mix of music, dance, visual arts, and film programming. Purchase tickets online at AppSummer.org, by calling 828-262-4046, or in person at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts box office, 733 Rivers St.

July 1, 2024 On July 4th, 2024, the Town of Boone will be hosting all-day festivities to celebrate the Fourth of July. Please see the information below regarding the scheduled events and road closures. Prior to the Town of Boone’s annual Fourth of July Parade, the Jones House will be hosting the Watauga Community Band on King Street in front of the Jones House. The Watauga Community Band, a local band of musicians of all ages, will play patriotic tunes for all to enjoy. Parking before the parade is available at all Town-owned parking stations; however, it should be noted that cars will be unable to leave until after the parade if parked on King Street. All Town-owned parking spaces are free on July 4th. Public restrooms and port-a-potties will be available at the Jones House.

June 28, 2024 New vendors and activities have been revealed for 2024’s annual Fairy Day in the Daniel Boone Native Gardens on Saturday July 13, 2024, from 1-5pm. Admission is free for children and adults dressed in mythical/fairy attire and $3 for un-costumed adults with proceeds benefiting the Daniel Boone Native Gardens, a non-profit garden, located at 651 Horn in the West Drive in Boone. Music and dance will be ongoing throughout the afternoon with local singer/songwriters: Erin Williams Banks and Cayla Fralick, Noelle Austin with a song circle and scarf play leading into Beginner Ballet with Gigi Perazolo. Neighborhood yoga will provide a kid friendly yoga flow, Sole Impact Studios will showcase a clogging performance, Old Souls are playing old time music along with The Walls, a gospel family band with members 13 and unde

June 25, 2024 The Avery County Heritage Festival, a popular and family-oriented annual function, will be held Saturday, June 29 on the county square across the road from the courthouse (200 Montezuma Street) in downtown Newland. There is no admission charge to the event. It will start at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. Those attending can visit booths and vendors while tracing their ancestral roots in the county. Visitors can also view demonstrations of homesteading skills from pioneer days. Nationally renowned genealogists, artisans from a variety of media, war battle reenactors, and traditional mountain singers and musicians will appear to collectively help celebrate Avery County’s history, which spans 113 years. By Tim Gardner

June 24, 2024 Appalachian State University’s annual summer arts celebration, An Appalachian Summer Festival, kicks off its 40th anniversary season this week. The festival runs June 29-July 27 and features a uniquely diverse and world-class mix of music, dance, visual arts, and film programming. Performances take place at multiple venues on the campus of App State. From alt-rock, bluegrass and blues, to soul, Broadway, classical and more, the festival offers something for everyone. Purchase tickets online at AppSummer.org, by calling 828-262-4046, or in person at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts box office, 733 Rivers St.. Click here for full schedule:

June 14, 2024 During An Appalachian Summer Festival, visit the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts (TCVA) as it hosts a variety of contemporary art exhibitions and programs that complement the performing arts being celebrated this July. Join us for the Summer Exhibition Celebration on July 5 from 5 – 9 pm, a trademark festival event honoring the visual arts. TCVA will unveil three new exhibitions, offering guests a chance to engage with the artists and delve into the excitement of the featured exhibitions. The Belle Peppers will be performing live on the plaza; refreshments and a cash bar are available. Admission is free and open to all, thanks to our community arts supporters.

Parking and Road Closure for Boonerang Music & Arts Festival on June 14 and 15

June 6, 2024 Come join the Town of Boone for the third annualBoonerang Music & Arts Festival, on Friday, June 14, and Saturday, June 15, in Downtown Boone! The Boonerang Music & Arts Festival celebrates Boone, North Carolina with a free downtown street festival; this community homecoming brings Boone-connected artists and fans together every third weekend in June to “Boonerang” back to the place we love. For the safety of guests, staff, and volunteers, the following roads will be closed on June 14, and will reopen late in the evening on June 15:

June 3, 2024 “The third annual Boonerang Music & Arts Festival will be held in downtown Boone the weekend of Friday and Saturday, June 14 and 15. Presented by the Town of Boone and supporting partners, the free street festival and community homecoming event features performances and activities on multiple stages, as well as local food and drinks, a vendors market, silent disco, dance and cultural demonstrations, and kids’ activities. Boonerang especially emphasizes artists with a connection to Boone and the High Country. The full lineup of performing artists includes The Nude Party, Melissa Reaves, Snake Oil Medicine Show, Empire Strikes Brass, Gringo Star, The Tan & Sober Gentlemen and dozens more acts spanning genres from funk to folk and rock to reggae.

May 22, 2024. Presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts & Cultural Programs, this annual celebration of the performing and visual arts is held every July in venues across the university campus, and features an eclectic, diverse mix of music, dance, theatre, visual arts and film programming. An Appalachian Summer Festival began in 1984 as a chamber music series, and retains strong roots in classical music, combined with a variety of other programming geared to almost every artistic taste and preference. The festival has risen in stature to become one of the nation’s most highly respected summer festivals, acclaimed for the breadth and quality of its artistic programming.

May 21, 2024 The wildly popular Carolina Renaissance Festival is holding open auditions for colorful personalities of all types to bring to life the Festival’s make-believe Village of Fairhaven. Amateur and professional opportunities are available for actors, street performers, cosplayers, historical reenactors, musicians, singers, dancers, variety acts, and stagehands too! Auditions will be held on Saturday, June 15th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and Saturday, June 22nd from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy located at 16115 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville, NC.

Blowing Rock School to Host New Annual Event “Rocket Run” at Davant Field May 24

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May 14, 2024 Blowing Rock School is set to host a new annual event with its first-ever Rocket Run on May 24, 2024 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Davant Field. As a start to the summer, the fun-run style event will include a bubble run, food trucks, music, games, bounce houses, a photo booth and more. The event is free and open to the public, with proceeds benefiting a newly endowed Playground Maintenance Fund. When the school’s Parent-Teacher Organization was reestablished following the pandemic, it came to the board’s attention that the school playground – widely enjoyed by residents and visitors alike – had no plan for ongoing maintenance. The needs are vast and costly, from the turf surface to the beams and ropes that make up the play space so many children and families enjoy year-round.

May 14, 2024 The Small Town of Spruce Pine North Carolina prepares for a RETURNAlien Invasion of massive proportions! On June 8th the town of Spruce Pine awaits the visitation of 10’s of thousands of show guests and Alien Interstellar visitors to the downtown Main Street Spruce Pine, NC on Oak Avenue. Alien Lovers and UFO believers don’t want to miss the Spruce Pine Alien Festival and hear the latest information from the Spruce Pine Alien experts, scientist & researchers on the local area sighting, as well as, the recent shoot downs of Unidentified flying objects over Alaska, the US and Canada and recent sightings in Spruce Pine and surrounding Mountain towns and woodlands.

May 13, 2024 North Carolina’s Beech Mountain Resort has announced the return of its annual outdoor concert series this summer. The series will kick off June 8 with performances by The String Cheese Incident and The Wood Brothers; followed by an extended Party on the Mountain weekend July 19-21 with NEEDTOBREATHE, Dispatch, Greensky Bluegrass, Yola, and Maggie Rose; with Sylvan Esso and Soccer Mommy rounding out the season on August 10.

April 25, 2024 Ready to plan your perfect festival weekend? Stage schedules are now available for the 2024 Boonerang Music & Arts Festival, slated for Friday and Saturday, June 14–15. Check out who’s playing when and where at BoonerangFest.com. The full lineup, featuring The Nude Party and Melissa Reaves, includes over 30 acts spanning genres from funk to folk and rock to reggae. Presented by the Town of Boone and supporting partners, the multi-day street festival features performances and activities at many downtown locations, a vendors market, silent disco, international festival, dance stage, and kids’ activities — complementing the array of food, drinks and shopping always available in downtown Boone.

April 20, 2024 Patterson Farm Market & Tours celebrates the start of the highly anticipated Pick-Your-Own Strawberries! This year, the farm has 94 acres of strawberries in production. Visitors are invited to come out to the farm to pick berries, eat ice cream, and enjoy Spring Fun on the Farm activities! Patterson Farm Market & Tours provides endless fun for the whole family. Feed the animals and have an adventure at PawPaw Carl’s Playground & Barnyard. There are so many attractions to enjoy from Big Red’s Slide and the Spider Web to the Tractor Tire Mountain and Sand Pit Area. Cool off from play time with the farm’s seasonal homemade ice cream. Seasonal flavors include: Lemon, Cookie Monster, Strawberry Shortcake, and Violet Vanilla.

April 20, 2024 Get ready to groove and unwind as the Town of Boone presents the 2024 Summer Concerts at the Jones House series, spicing up downtown every Friday evening in June, July, and August. Starting at 5:30 p.m. each week, enjoy performances by talented local musicians and regionally acclaimed artists alike. Admission is free, so simply bring your favorite blanket or lawn chair and settle in the Jones House lawn for an evening of live music. Concert goers can feel free to pack a picnic and bring their own drinks, including alcohol for those 21 and up. Parking is free in downtown Boone metered spaces and lots after 5 p.m.

April 17, 2024 Tickets are on sale now for Appalachian State University’s annual summer arts celebration, An Appalachian Summer Festival, celebrating 40 years June 29-July 27 with an exciting mix of music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and film programming. Performances will take place at numerous venues on the campus of App State. From alt-rock, bluegrass and blues, to soul, Broadway, classical and more, the festival has something for everyone. Purchase tickets online at AppSummer.org, by calling 828-262-4046, or in person at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts box office, 733 Rivers St.

March 20, 2024 Appalachian State University’s annual summer arts celebration, An Appalachian Summer Festival (AASF), celebrates 40 years June 29-July 27 with an exceptional lineup of music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and film programming. Artists from all genres — alternative rock, blues, soul, country and Broadway, to bluegrass, chamber, classical crossover, dance and more — will perform on and around the campus of App State. Tickets go on sale to the public Wednesday, April 17 at 10am; tickets for country star Brad Paisley are on sale now.

Lineup Announced for 2024 Beech Mountain Summer Concert Series with Five Dates

March 13, 2024 North Carolina’s Beech Mountain Resort has announced the return of its annual outdoor concert series this summer. The series will kick off June 8 with performances by The String Cheese Incident and The Wood Brothers; followed by an extended Party on the Mountain weekend July 19-21 with NEEDTOBREATHE, Dispatch, Greensky Bluegrass, Yola, and Maggie Rose; with Sylvan Esso and Soccer Mommy rounding out the season on August 10.

+ More Articles

Dance and Country Legends Wrap Up An Appalachian Summer Festival this Week

Violin, Piano and Cello; Funk, Soul and R&B, a “Perfect” film, Visual Arts, Take the Stage July 16-21 at An Appalachian Summer Festival

Highland Games Set to Return to Grandfather Mountain’s MacRae Meadows July 11 – July 14

Watauga County Farmers’ Market Celebrates 50th Anniversary Throughout July

The High Country Will Be Cranking it Up With Carolina Flywheelers, July 25-27

Block Party of the Year Returns To Boone Aug. 6 National Night Out Bringing Communities Together Across the US

Brass, Blues, and Broadway Shine at An Appalachian Summer Festival this Week

Town of Boone Announces Fourth of July Day Events and Road Closures

The Annual Fairy Day in the Daniel Boone Native Gardens is on Saturday, July 13th from 1-5pm

Avery County Heritage Festival to be Held Saturday, June 29 in Newland’s Town Square

An Appalachian Summer Festival’s 40th Anniversary Season Kicks Off June 29 with a Classic(al) Fusion of Music Genres

Visual Arts On Display at An Appalachian Summer Festival Summer ’24

Parking and Road Closure for Boonerang Music & Arts Festival on June 14 and 15

3rd Annual Boonerang Music & Arts Festival to be Held June 14–15 in Downtown Boone

A Symphony of Sounds: Tuba and Trombone, Violin and Cello, Piano and … Banjo! App Summer Tickets on Sale Now for Broyhill Concert Series

Carolina Renaissance Festival is Holding Open Auditions on Saturdays June 15 and June 22

Blowing Rock School to Host New Annual Event “Rocket Run” at Davant Field May 24

Spruce Pine Alien Festival Prepares for a RETURNAlien Invasion of Massive Proportions on June 8th with Experts & Researchers

Beech Mountain Resort Announces the Return of its Annual Outdoor Concert Summer Series

Stage Schedules Now Available for the Third Annual Boonerang Music & Arts Festival

Berry Sweet Fun: Patterson Farm’s Pick-Your-Own Strawberry Season is Here

Summer Concerts at the Jones House Announces 2024 Lineup Beginning June 7

Tickets for An Appalachian Summer Festival’s 40th Anniversary Season on Sale Now!

An Appalachian Summer Festival Announces Lineup for 40th Anniversary Season

Lineup Announced for 2024 Beech Mountain Summer Concert Series with Five Dates