1) Mark Your Calendars: 14th Annual NC Blackberry Festival Held July 11
The Caldwell Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 14th annual NC Blackberry Festival, scheduled for Saturday, July 11, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in Historic Lenoir. The NC Blackberry Festival will again fill historic Lenoir with outstanding festivities including the Colossal Cobbler Brigade Parade with the largest patchwork of delicious blackberry cobbler to be enjoyed by the festival goers, as well as the Blackberry Princess Pageant, blackberry eating contests, live entertainment, children’s activities and hundreds of artisan and food vendors. This year marks the third year of the “Pre-Heat Party” on the Friday evening before in historic Lenoir which includes the BlackBEERy Beer Garden, the Blackberry Recipe Contest and the Front Porch Pickin’ Competition. Registration is open for the recipe and picking contest applications are available at www.NCBlackberryFestival.com. Cash prizes will be given to contest winners. Vendor applications are now open at the website. Vendors are encouraged to provide quality artisan arts and crafts and other types of products and services. Applications will be approved based on uniqueness of items and overall value and contribution to enhance the festival experience for festival goers. For more information about the exceptional NC Blackberry Festival, please contact event coordinator Libby Killian at the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce by calling 828-726-0616 or visiting www.CaldwellCoChamber.org.
2) Contra Dance Held Jan. 17
The Boone Country Dancers will be at the Old Cover Creek School in Sugar Grove for its next community contra dance on Saturday, Jan. 17. Everyone is welcome to attend regardless of dance experience. The evening will begin with a beginners’ workshop from 7:30-8 p.m. The goal of the workshop is to teach the fundamentals of contra dance with a focus on having fun. After the workshop, the regular dance will run from 8-11 p.m. with a waltz break at 9:30 p.m. The dance will feature the band Bare Knuckle Quartet and the caller is still to be determined. Dancers of all ages are encouraged to attend and no partner is necessary. Come as you are but you must wear clean, soft-soled flexible shoes for dancing. As always, our dances are smoking and alcohol free. Admission to the dance is $7 for adults, $5 for high school students and free to anyone 12 years old or younger. For more information please visit the Boone Country Dancers webpage at boonecountrydancers.org.
3) Regleg Husky at Lost Province Brewing Company Jan. 16
Local band Redleg Husky will be performing at Lost Province Brewing Company on Jan. 16, at 7:30 p.m. The event is free.