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Photos from Blowing Rock Tour of Homes for Charity Taking Place on Friday, Last Shuttle Leaves at 3 PM

Tour of Homes in Blowing Rock NC
Participants line up this morning at the shuttle in downtown Blowing Rock. Photos by Lonnie Webster

By Jesse Wood

July 25, 2014. Sponsored by St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church, the 56th annual Tour of Homes is taking place today.

This annual fundraiser to help those in the community showcases some of Blowing Rock’s fabulous homes. This is year the tour features five homes: Jan and David Bradford, Gigi and Shawn Pole, Curt Andrews, Mary Bickers and Mark Murphy and of Steve Price and Chris Frye. 

Hostesses:

  • Jo Ann Hallmark – “Bittersweet” home of Steve Price and Chris Frye
  • Page Parsons – “Blythe Wood”  home of Gigi and Shawn Poole
  • Sabine Miller and Kay Snow – “ Bradford Blessing”  home of Jan and David Bradford
  • Amanda White – “ Buddy’s Hill” home of Mary Bickers and Mark Murphy
  • Louann Kitchell – “Wintersweet” home of  Curt Andrews

The first shuttles left St. Mary of the Hills at 9 a.m. and the last will leave at 3 p.m. The homes will be open until 5 p.m. 

Each of the homes are unique, many of which are the historic homes of past political figures and famous residents. Attendees will get the opportunity to see a variety of beautiful architectural styles, vast collections of artwork, elaborate gardens and one-of-a-kind interior decor.

Tickets cost $25 and are available at St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church or Blowing Rock Chamber. For more information about the Tour of Homes, visit StMaryofTheHills.org or call 828-295-6331.

More info from a prior article:

A lunch from Roots at the Church Café will be provided for $10 and will include a vegetarian option. Tickets to the Café may be purchased at St. Mary of the Hills and are available on the day of the tour.

There are also several additional features of the tour. The Italian Marketplace will be a feature, offering Italian baked goods and sweets and the Timeless Treasure silent auction will offer attendees a chance to bid on a number of unique items including original artwork, jewelry, a Wall of Wine that boasts more than 100 bottles of wine, numerous antiques, a large collection of priceless Christmas ornaments that have been donated, seasonal wreaths and many live plants.

The Tour has been a hit in the past with nearly 1500 people in attendance each year. Last year, the event managed to raise $55,000. Loy McGill, Tour of Homes Committee co-chair encourages another big year.

“It’s a wonderful way to spend your Friday and visit homes that you wouldn’t normally be able to see. It’s also a way for you to give to the community because your dollars will be funneled to those who need it. You can give and enjoy at the same time.”

She would also like to show her appreciation for everyone involved.

“It’s a real community effort. Certainly this isn’t something that can be done by just the church alone. There is a real spirit of generosity by organizers, home owners, volunteers, patrons and the wonderful merchants in the community that get together and make sure that the Tour is a success. It really takes a village to pull something like this off.”

 

  • Tour of Homes in Blowing Rock NC
    This is year the tour features five homes: Jan and David Bradford, Gigi and Shawn Pole, Curt Andrews, Mary Bickers and Mark Murphy and of Steve Price and Chris Frye.
  • Tour of Homes in Blowing Rock NC
    Tickets cost $25 and are available at St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church or Blowing Rock Chamber.
  • Tour of Homes in Blowing Rock NC
    The Tour has been a hit in the past with nearly 1500 people in attendance each year.
  • Tour of Homes in Blowing Rock NC
    The Italian Marketplace will be a feature, offering Italian baked goods and sweets and the Timeless Treasure silent auction will offer attendees a chance to bid on a number of unique items including original artwork, jewelry, a Wall of Wine that boasts more than 100 bottles of wine, numerous antiques, a large collection of priceless Christmas ornaments that have been donated, seasonal wreaths and many live plants.
  • Tour of Homes in Blowing Rock NC
    Last year, the event managed to raise $55,000.
  • Tour of Homes in Blowing Rock NC
    The first shuttles left St. Mary of the Hills at 9 a.m. and the last will leave at 3 p.m. The homes will be open until 5 p.m.