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Compilation: Holiday Events All Around the High Country Taking Place Throughout Month of December

Compiled by Paul T. Choate

Events in December

Ski Mountains

SugarFest 2012, Dec. 14-16

1992 Olympic Figure Skating Silver Medalist Paul Wylie will dazzle crowds with an amazing ice show followed by an on ice skating clinic, a meet and greet session and a chance to hold a real Olympic silver medal. Consumer ski/snowboard equipment demos, live North Carolina bluegrass music by Boss Hawg, fireworks, preseason adult ski clinic featuring Olympian Diann Roffe, a rail jam sponsored by RIDE Snowboards & Alpine Ski Center, appearances by Sweetie and Sugar Bear and lodging specials are some of SugarFest’s fun happenings. If that’s not enough let the SugarFEAST entice you. Indulge in a hot chocolate and whip cream bar, a soup safari or North Carolina barbecue.

For more information, visit skisugar.com

Santa at Sugar, Dec. 8-24

Santa will be skiing, riding and talking with all the good boys and girls at Sugar Mountain Resort throughout much of the month of December.

For more information, visit skisugar.com.

Ski With Santa, Dec. 24

Join Appalachian Ski Mountain from 1 to 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve to see Santa Claus like you’ve never seen him before – on the slopes!

For more information, call 828-295-7828.

Midnight Blast Holiday Nights, Dec. 26-30

Experience the High Country’s only late night skiing and snowboarding over the Christmas week at Appalachian Ski Mountain. All slopes will be open until midnight on these special dates.

For more information, call 828-295-7828.

Arts and Entertainment

“Christmas in Blowing Rock 4” Variety Show, Dec. 14-16

Blowing Rock Christmas shows are steadily becoming one of the most popular holiday productions in the High Country. Located at the Blowing Rock School Auditorium and patterned after the Andy Williams and Perry Como television specials of the 60’s and 70’s, it’s filled with music, dancing, beautiful costumes and silly skits.

For more information, call 828-414-1844.

High Country Holiday Throwdown, Dec. 14

Soul Benefactor will host the second annual High Country Holiday Throwdown at Boone Saloon. The event will feature a wide array of well-known local artists and kicks off at 9 p.m. The cost for admission is $5.

For more information, visit soulbenefactor.com.

Melissa Reeves Holiday Show, Dec 14

Internationally renowned recording artist Melissa Reeves will host her 11th annual holiday show at Char. The show will begin at 8 p.m. and the cost for admission is $9.

For my information, visit char179.com.

Studio K Presents ‘The Nutcracker: Clara vs. The Mouse King,’ Dec. 15-16

Continuing a High Country holiday tradition that has endured for 15 years, Studio K Dance Workshop will present “The Nutcracker: Clara vs. the Mouse King” on Dec. 15 through 16. The ballet will be exhibited in the Ross Auditorium at Watauga High School this year, due to the ongoing construction at Farthing Auditorium at Appalachian State campus. 

For more information, visit hcpress.com/?p=51705.

Santa and Mrs. Claus

Santa Visits Beech, Dec. 15

Every year just before Christmas Santa makes a special visit to Beech Mountain to spread Holiday Cheer. Visit with Santa beside the fireplace and enjoy hot chocolate, cider and cookies at the Four Seasons at Beech. After your visit, bring a homemade ornament and join the Chamber of Commerce for the lighting of the Christmas tree. 

Contact the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce at 828-387-9283 for more details.

Breakfast with Mrs. Claus, Dec. 22

While Santa and his elves are busy making Christmas toys for all the little girls and boys, Mrs. Claus comes to Beech Mountain to have breakfast and spread Christmas cheer to all of the children of the community. Visit the Buckeye Recreation Center from 9 to 11 a.m. as Mrs. Claus comes to read Christmas stories, visit and take photos with the children. A light breakfast will be served free of charge, but donations are appreciated.

For more information, call 828-387-3003.

Other events

Yule Log Bonfire and Hayride, Dec. 29

What better way to welcome in the New Year than to celebrate with friends and family around a roaring Yule Log fire? So grab your blankets and hats and come to the Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria at 7:30 p.m. to have some hot cocoa, cider, and s‘mores as you cast your New Years wishes at the annual Yule Log Bonfire! Hayrides to see the lights of the holidays will be leaving from the Bonfire free of charge.

For more information, call 828-387-3003.

Religious Events

Laurel Springs Baptist Church, Dec. 2 and 23

Laurel Springs Baptist Church in Deep Gap will be holding a children’s Christmas program on Dec. 2 at 10:50 a.m. Then, on Dec. 23, Laurel Springs holds their special Christmas music service p.m. 

When: Sundays, Dec. 2 (children’s program), 10:50 a.m.; Dec. 23 (Christmas music service), 6 p.m.
Where: Laurel Springs Baptist Church, 7504 U.S. 421 South, Deep Gap
For more information, call 828-262-1330.

Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church, Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 24

Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church of Blowing Rock has several events coming up during the holiday season. Events include a children’s choir on Dec. 2, a sanctuary cantata performing the “Voices of Christmas” by Joseph Martin on Dec. 9, the anthem “How Great Our Joy” by Craig Courtney with string quartet on Dec. 16 and also multiple Christmas Eve services at 5, 7 and 11 p.m.

For more information, call 828-295-7675.

Banner Elk Presbyterian Church, Dec. 16 and 24

Banner Elk Presbyterian Church will be holding two special musical events to coincide with the Christmas holiday. Events include a performance by the choir singing “Lead Me Back to Bethlehem” on Dec. 16 at 11 a.m. and two Christmas Eve services at 5 and 7 p.m. with special music and communion.

For more information, call 828-898-5406.

Mount Jefferson Presbyterian Church, Dec. 14

Mount Jefferson Presbyterian Church is a welcoming and nurturing community led by Christ. They are dedicated to Christian action, emphasizing meaningful worship and fellowship. Visit them at 7 p.m. on Dec. 14 for some holiday events.

For more information, call 336-846-7481.

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dec. 24
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church hosts three services on Christmas Eve at 4:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Grace Lutheran is located at 115 East King Street.

For more information, call 828-264-2206

Saint Elizabeth of the Hill Country Catholic Church, Dec. 24

Saint Elizabeth of the Hill Country Catholic Church in Boone will be hosting multiple holiday masses on Christmas Eve at 4, 6 and 8 p.m., and on Christmas day at 10 a.m. Events include a holiday family mass, Hispanic mass and midnight mass on Christmas Eve as well as a special Christmas day mass on Christmas morning. 

For more information, call 828-264-8338.

Boone United Methodist Church, Dec. 24

Boone United Methodist’s holiday event includes a Children’s Liturgy at 4 p.m. in the chapel with cookies and hot chocolate fellowship following the service. Praise and worship services with communion will be held at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Lessons and Carols will be from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Blackburn’s Chapel Worship will be from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Blackburn’s Chapel in Todd.

For more information, visit booneumc.org.

Mabel United Methodist Church, Dec. 24

Mabel’s Christmas Eve service will start at 6 p.m., and will include a candlelight service with luminaries during the singing of Silent Night.

For more information, visit hcmcumc.org.

First Baptist Church of Boone, Dec. 24-25

The First Baptist Church will have their annual Christmas Eve service with candlelight communion at 6 p.m. as well as a Christmas Day luncheon beginning at noon.

For more information, visit boonefirstbaptist.org.

Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Dec. 30 to Jan. 2

Mount Calvary Baptist Church of Banner Elk will have a special youth winter break getaway after Christmas this holiday season. The youth group will be traveling to Gatlinburg, Tenn., where they will be staying at the Gatlinburg Mansion. 

For more information, call 828-898-4735; ask for Ben Price if you are interested in going.