IT’S BACK! Football season is officially in full swing in the High Country and the town has a lot to offer this game day weekend. The first ASU home game of the season starts at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday against Howard University, but don’t wait until then to get the fun going. Enjoy these ongoing events over the next couple of days and get your tailgating started early on Saturday morning — it’s going to be a great weekend!
Downtown Boone Art Crawl — Friday
Get the weekend started tonight at the First Friday art crawl in downtown Boone. Enjoy live music, art gallery openings and receptions, food at local restaurants and specials at participating downtown shops. Enjoy live music from the Jones House as part of a launch party for a new student-based online magazine at ASU and stop by the Nth Degree Gallery for its annual fundraiser. There’s a lot going on in Boone tonight!
Mountaineer Football v. Howard — Saturday
You don’t want to miss this weekend’s season opener home game at Appalachian State University as the Mountaineers take on Howard University. The Mountaineers return 20 offensive and defensive starters, including starting quarterback Taylor Lamb, who was the Sun Belt Conference’s “Freshman of the Year” last year. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at appstatesports.com/tickets, by phone at 828-262-2079 or in person at the Appalachian State athletics ticket office, located at the Holmes Center. During the game, The 2015 Appalachian Athletics Hall of Fame class, which includes legendary coach Jerry Moore, football stars Armanti Edwards, Chip Hooks and Daniel Wilcox and cross country/track and field standout Leigh Cooper Wallace, will be recognized.
Specials at Stick Boy Bread Co. — Saturday
If you’ve got a full day of tailgating slated for Saturday, you’re going to need some coffee to get you going in the morning — a fresh-baked pastry wouldn’t hurt, either! Sport your proudest black and gold ASU swag when you stop by Stick Boy on Saturday and enjoy 25 percent off your entire purchase.
Mile High Kite and Craft Festival — Saturday and Sunday
Make your way to the town meadow in Beech Mountain for the 13th annual Mile High Kite and Craft Festival. The fun takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days with free admission and an all-ages street dance from 7-9 p.m. on Saturday. Fly your kite from an elevation of more than 5,000 feet and enjoy games, activities, food vendors, craft vendors, scenic chairlift rides and more at this free weekend of fun. Prizes will be awarded Sunday for the biggest kite, smallest kite and best-decorated kite. As an added bonus, a four-pack of tickets will be given away each day to Beech Mountain’s Autumn at Oz celebration, which sells out each October.
Art on the Greene — Saturday and Sunday
The town of Banner Elk will host its final “Art on the Greene” event of the season from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday at the Historic Banner Elk School. This weekend’s free show will host 40 artists from across the country. You can expect to find high quality crafts and items made by highly skilled artisans and all display items will be available for purchase. Artists will be representing a wide variety of art fields, including painting, photography, clay, glass, jewelry, wood, soap, leather, dog-items, clocks, rings, gemstones, beading and furniture. Check out some of Banner Elk’s great restaurants while you’re in town. For more information, call the Town of Banner Elk at 828-898-5398 or visit www.townofbannerelk.org.
New River Blues Festival — Sunday
Located at River House Inn in Grassy Creek near West Jefferson, the New River Blues Festival is produced by Ashe County residents Donovan Murray, and Rob Baskerville and Penny Zamagni of the internationally acclaimed band, The King Bees. It stands as the only Blues festival in the North Carolina Mountains. It has been named by “Our State Magazine” as one of the “Top Ten Things To Do On Labor Day.” Festival fans are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and the kids. Food, soft drinks, beer, wine, and mixed drinks will be available for purchase. Please no pets or coolers. Rain or shine. Gates open at noon and the music begins at 1pm. Advance tickets are available for $17; tickets are $20 at the gate on Sunday Sept. 6. Children 12 and under, free.