By Jessica Isaacs
Photos by Ken Ketchie
Celebrate the holidays and spread some cheer in the heart of the High Country with a variety of special events in Boone this weekend, including this month’s First Friday art crawl and the town’s annual Christmas parade.
“This is going to be a great weekend in downtown Boone. There are so many fun events happening that it’s hard not to get into the holiday spirit,” said Downtown Boone Development Coordinator Virginia Falck. “Plus, this weekend’s line-up of events and activities really highlights our region’s rich cultural offerings and showcases all the wonderful community organizations thriving in the High Country.”
The fun begins on Dec. 4 with the holiday edition of the First Friday Art Crawl. Hit the streets on Friday night and stroll through galleries, shops, restaurants and more. At the Jones House Cultural and Community Center, enjoy live music from 5-8 p.m. during the “ChristmaHanaKwanzika” local singer-songwriter showcase hosted in part by ASU’s Split-Rail Records. At 6:30 p.m., the university’s Sustainable Energy Society will help host the annual lighting of the Jones House tree, which features solar lights.
Throughout the evening, local establishments will offer a variety of events and specials, including Old World Galleries on King Street, Lost Province Brewing Co. on Depot Street, Neighborhood Yoga and Kindly Kitchen on the top floor of the Shoppes at Farmer’s, Anna Banana’s on the corner of King and Depot and Boone Belle’s on King Street. Check out the Downtown Boone Development Association online for more details on these specials.
If you want to wrap up the night with some classic Christmas music, head over to ASU’s Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts and enjoy the annual Holiday Scholarship Concert at 7:30 p.m. Each $10 ticket helps provide scholarships for students in the Hayes School of Music. Call 828-262-4046 for tickets and more information.
After a fun-filled Friday night, keep the party going with all-day festivities on Saturday.
Kick off the day bright and early with the Flapjack Flip pancake breakfast at Watauga High School to support the Watauga Education Foundation and follow it up with a trip to the opening day of Boone’s Winter Farmers’ Market. When you’ve had a great breakfast and stocked up on fresh local foods, make your way to King Street and find a good spot to enjoy the parade.
The parade will depart at 11 a.m. from the Watauga County Human Services Center (which houses organizations like the health department, the project on aging and social services) on the Poplar Grove Road Connector. It will travel east along King Street through downtown Boone and will conclude in the parking lot of Legends on the ASU campus.
Wave hello to your friends and community leaders as they roll by in the parade, which will feature the Watauga High School marching band, many local organizations and an appearance by Santa Claus. Immediately following the parade, enjoy refreshments at the Jones House or head over to the Watauga County Public Library on King Street for a holiday reception and kids’ after party, which will feature food and drink, games, crafts and a chance to chat with Santa.
There are two great ways for you to wrap up your Saturday night with live holiday music this weekend.
At the Jones House, see North Carolina Heritage Award winner Sheila Kay Adams in concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Mazie Jones Gallery at $20 per person.
At Grace Lutheran Church, enjoy “An Appalachian Christmas” with performances by headliners from throughout the season of Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music. This free concert will serve as a fundraiser for the Hospitality House and for Santa’s Toy Box. Visit mountainhomemusic.com for more information.
“The Town of Boone’s Cultural Resources department is excited to be partnering with ASU’s Sustainable Energy Society and Split-Rail Records to host the annual downtown Boone Tree Lighting celebration at the Jones House Cultural and Community Center in conjunction with First Friday events,” said Downtown Boone Development Coordinator Virginia Falck. “There will be wonderful entertainment and refreshments and we are expecting a great turn out for First Friday.
“We encourage people to visit downtown Boone again on Saturday morning for our annual Christmas parade starting at 11 a.m. We are delighted by the number of individuals and groups participating in the parade and invite the community to enjoy cookies and cider at the Jones House after the conclusion of the parade.”
“We have a tremendous amount of participation in the parade this year, which I’m very excited about. As always, the town would like to thank Watauga County and Appalachian State for assisting us with the starting and ending locations of the parade.”
Want to join the parade? Click here to download an application.
For more information on the parade, call 828-268-6280 or visit downtownboonenc.com.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
First Friday Art Crawl: Dec. 4, 6-8 p.m. in downtown Boone
“ChristmaHanaKwanzika” Singer-Songwriter Showcase: Dec. 4, 5-8 p.m. at the Jones House
Tree Lighting: Dec. 4, 6:30 p.m. at the Jones House
Holiday Scholarship Concert: Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. at ASU’s Schaefer Center
Flapjack Flip Pancake Breakfast: Dec. 5, 7:30-11 a.m. at Watauga High School
Boone’s Winter Farmers’ Market: Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to noon at the N.C. Agricultural Extension Conference Center
Boone Christmas Parade: 11 a.m. on King Street
Holiday Reception and Kids Party: Immediately following the parade at the public library on Queen Street
Sheila Kay Adams in Concert: Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. at the Jones House
JSMHM’s An Appalachian Christmas: Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 115 E. King St.
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