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Email Announcements We Are Receiving Today: See What’s Going On Around The Community

1) 12th Annual Home Sweet Home Show Held July 19

The 12th annual Home Sweet Home Show is back and better than ever. The event will be held on July 19 from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at 676 South Main Street in Jefferson. This year’s event promises to house everything you need to buy, build, renovate and decorate your home. This is a community event with tremendous participation over the years, bringing thousands to view the many vendors that come from all over the country along with local companies that are headquartered in Ashe County. The event features some of the best names in the “home” industry such as Lowe’s Hardware, SkyBest Security, Scott Brothers Heating & Air, Bath Fitter, Northwest Landscaping and many more. All told, more than 75 booth spaces will be present. For more information visit www.MainStreetMarketingBoone.com.

2) Join BRWIA for a Gathering at Ripshin Goat Dairy

Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture (BRWIA) announces a BRWIA Gathering focused on the care of dairy goats at Ripshin Goat Dairy. This informal tour and potluck will present valuable information and networking opportunities for a variety of learning levels. The program will take place from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, July 20 at Ripshin Goat Dairy in Happy Valley. Liza Plaster owns and operates Ripshin Goat Dairy, an animal welfare approved goat dairy that sold cheeses through a variety of outlets until 2012. Although Lisa Plaster has retired from cheese making, she is excited to teach others about the care of dairy goats and share her story. The informal program will be a comfortable setting for persons with any level of experience to learn more. “I’m very excited that our BWRIA Gathering for July is taking place at Ripshin Goat Dairy,” said program coordinator Suzanne Fleishman. “Lisa Plaster has a wealth of information to share. Anyone who owns or has an interest in dairy goats shouldn’t miss it.” The workshop will take place on July 20 from 3-6 p.m. at Ripshin Goat Dairy located at 1865 N.C. 268 in Lenoir. Please RSVP to Suzanne Fleishman at programs@brwia.org or 828-386-1537. The event is free but attendees are encouraged to bring a potluck food item to share. Attendees must wear durable, closed toed shoes and sun protection.

3) Banner Elk Heritage Day Celebration Held July 19

The Greater Banner Elk Heritage Foundation has planned a wonderful day of fun and educational activities. This free event starts at 9 a.m. on July 19. The Banner House Museum will be open for tours from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. There will be crafts, demonstrations and activities at the Banner House. Also starting at 9 a.m., bus tours of Historic Banner Elk will be sponsored by Lees-McRae College. Orville Hicks will be telling tales at the museum starting at 10 a.m. Following the stories, at 11 a.m. members from Boone’s young talented band Strictly Strings will play traditional fiddle tunes on the covered porch. Rhody Jane will be at the Banner House demonstrating musical instruments and there will be woodworking demonstrations. The celebration will move to Tate-Evans park at 1 p.m. where the Corklickers will start off  the show. Next, the Avery Smooth Dancers will perform. Rhody Jane will perform with a group of celtic singers. Amantha Mill will end the show with their traditional mountain sound. At 5 p.m. there will be a drawing to select the winnre of the Heritage Quilt, raffle tickets will be available at the park. There will be children’s inflatables and barbecue for sale. All day long there will be an antique quilt display at AC Pride, the former Banner Elk Elementary School. A small donation will be asked for the preservation of the quilts. For more information call the Banner House Museum at 828-898-3634.

4) 23rd Annual Fine Art and MasterCraft Festival Held July 18-20

This is one art festival you won’t want to miss. Eighty-five artisans presenting their handcrafted fine art and masterfully crafted mediums for those with discriminating taste and for the whimsical in all of us. This is a free family event with food and music held July 18, 19 and 20. On Friday the event will be from 4-8 p.m., on Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The event will be held on the lawn of historic downtown Banner Elk Elementary School sponsored by the Avery County Chamber of Commerce.

5) High Country Pet Fest Held July 25-27

The third annual High Country Pet Fest returns to downtown Banner Elk on Friday, July 25-July 27. The event will be held from 3-8 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. This is a free family event. The festival will feature vendors and educational programs catering to dogs and other critters and will benefit the Local Dog Rescues. Bring your lawn chairs and join us at the school to dance to the music of Madd Dog and the Whip Daddies who will perform at 5 p.m. The vendors will include rescue groups, the Avery County Humane Society, veterinarians, trainers, pet accessories, apparel, treats, the Avery County K9 unit and more. For more information call 828-898-5605.

6) Fall of the Mighty Giants Program Held July 19

American Chestnut trees once dominated the landscape. Like the chestnuts, the hemlock trees are in decline. These prominent trees played an important role in the forests of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Now they are either gone or diminishing. Join a ranger and learn about these changes to the makeup of the forests surrounding the Blue Ridge Parkway and its effects on not just plants but every living thing. This program will be held July 19 at 7 p.m. at Linville Falls Campground Amphitheater at milepost 316.