Compiled by Jessica Isaacs
Head for the hills as the vibrant colors of fall come to life in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our little slice of heaven boasts the most perfect atmosphere for harvest season fun, and you definitely don’t want to miss this year’s festival lineup. Visit a new one this year, return to your old favorite or try them all. Either way, good times are in your future.
GHOST TRAIN HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL
Friday and Saturday Nights, Sept. 23 to Oct. 29 | Ghosts and ghouls abound at Tweetsie’s Ghost Train Halloween Festival. Daytime visitors can still enjoy everything they know and love about the park, and can expect the unexpected when the sun sets and the Halloween Festival comes to life. Ride the Ghost Train, which runs every half hour, and follow monster hunters as they try to uncover rumors of terrifying creatures that roam these mountains. The festival features fun that’s safe for all ages. Tickets are limited, so get yours online now! For more information, visit www.Tweetsie.com or call 877-893-3874. All aboard!
BOONE HERITAGE FESTIVAL
Oct. 9 | Celebrate Appalachian heritage with 18th century living history demonstrations, craft vendors, music jam sessions, children’s activities, live music and storytelling. The Southern Appalachian Historical Association and the Town of Boone will present the festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. among the beautiful outdoor wooded setting of the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum, 591 Horn in the West Drive, where eight original log cabins and outbuildings transport the visitor to another time. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.booneheritagefestival.com or call 828-264-2120.
OKTOBERFEST AT SUGAR MOUNTAIN RESORT
Oct. 8-9 | Herald in the changing season at Sugar Mountain Resort’s annual Oktoberfest! Ride the new high-speed six-seat Summit Express chairlift. Enjoy traditional German foods like Knockwurst, Bratwurst, German style potato salad and apple strudel, all paired with barrels and barrels of Spaten beer straight from Bavaria. Hot dogs, burgers, soft drinks and other festive foods will be on hand, too. Dance along to the 15-piece Harbour Towne Fest Band and bring the kids to the ski school play yard. Parking, shuttle service and admission are free. Fun takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. For more information, visit www.skisugar.com or call 828-898-4521. Ein Prosit!
VALLE COUNTRY FAIR
Oct. 15 | Ring in the glory of the harvest season amidst the natural wonders of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Valle Crucis at the 38th annual Valle Country Fair. The fun carries on all day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the fields along N.C. Highway 194 across from Holy Cross Church and the Valle Crucis Conference Center. Admission is free and ample parking is available in the adjacent field at $10 per car, $25 per small b us or van and $50 per large bus or motor coach. Enjoy the fair’s famous Brunswick Ste, chili, BBQ, fresh baked goods, homemade jams and jellies and apple butter made while you watch. Shop juried handmade arts and crafts and tape your feet to all-day live music or sit back and listen to the storytellers. Featured exhibitors donate 10 percent of proceeds to the event’s charitable work, which supports various nonprofits in the community. To learn more, visit www.vallecountryfair.org or call 828-963-4609.
WOOLLY WORM FESTIVAL IN BANNER ELK
Oct. 15-16 | Head out to downtown Banner Elk for the annual Woolly Worm Festival, which will feature worm races, crafts, food, rides and all sorts of fun for the whole family. The festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Of course, race your woolly worm while you’re there! Saturday’s race offers up a $1,000 prize followed by a $500 prize at Sunday’s race. All proceeds support local schools, businesses and tourism in Avery County. For more information, visit http://www.woollyworm.com/or call 828-898-5605.
BLOWING ROCK HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL
Oct. 29 | Visit the town of Blowing Rock for family-friendly Halloween fun all afternoon. Prizes will be awarded for the costume contest and for the scavenger hunt. Events begin at 2 p.m. and include spooky stories and creepy crafts at Blowing Rock Art and History Museum, air walks in Memorial Park, games and a fun house in the recreation center, hay rides through town starting at Memorial Park, a Monster March parade, trick-or-treating, costume contest and moonlight scavenger hunt. For more information, visit www.blowingrock.com/halloween or call 828-295-5222.
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