Symphony by the Lake: Photos from This Year’s Event, ‘Music to Your ARTS Desire”

By Jessica Isaacs | jessica@highcountrypress.com

Photos by Ken Ketchie and Lonnie Webster

The sounds of the Symphony of the Mountains filled the air this weekend at Chetola Resort for the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce’s annual Symphony by the Lake event, which drew an impressive turnout again this year.

The program remains the can’t-miss social event of each High Country summer after several years, and the chamber added new and exciting twists to the lineup this year, giving something new for all to enjoy.

The Swing Set Band gave a powerful opening show and several dance troupes performed throughout the evening.

“I think we had a great event. So far, I’ve heard nothing but wonderful comments from folks who attended. We probably had about 4,000 people there,” said Charles Hardin, executive director of the chamber. “Everything went according to plan and the weather was great. We always have a possibility of rain, you know, but in 29 years of having the event it’s never been rained out. It was a little warmer than normal out there, but I think everybody had a great time.”

Hardin said that feedback keeps rolling in from folks who enjoyed the experience.

“We’ve had the Symphony of the Mountains for probably six or seven years, and people said the symphony was the best it’s ever been,” he explained. “Then I heard some other people telling us that the fireworks were the best they’d ever seen, too. That fireworks show is pretty spectacular. Everyone loved the Swing Set Band, too.”

This year’s theme, “Music to Your ARTS Desire,” brought impressionist painter Rick Reinert, who painted the event as it was happening and auctioned off the finished piece to support the chamber. Dance troupes including the Carolina Snowbelles and ballroom dancers from Sky Retreat in Purlear, North Carolina impressed the audience, too.

Couldn’t be there? Enjoy these photos from Ken Ketchie and Lonnie Webster.