1) Village Vision Festival
On May 2nd, The Boone Community Network is excited to announce the inaugural Village Vision Festival this Spring! Village Vision is a community collaborative event that seeks to raise funds for the purchase of High Country Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares for families in the county in need of food. Themed “Local Food and Community”, the festival will appropriately take place right after the first Farmers Market of the season at Horn in the West and the Daniel Boone Gardens. Following a full afternoon of fun (1 p.m.-8 p.m.), there will be more celebrations with “Village Vision Continues” downtown at The Boone Saloon and The Local (9 p.m.-2 a.m.).
Included in the festivities will be:
*Local music favorites in the Horn in the West amphitheater: Melissa Reaves, The Lazybirds, Possum Jenkins (string set), The Swing Guitars, and the Junaluska Gospel Choir
*A kids performing arts stage
*Vendors (arts, crafts, farmers, food) and local business info booths
*Free workshops themed around local food, community, sustainability and “do it yourself” projects
*Healing arts and yoga in the gardens
*Kids activities
*Playshops
*An Elkland Arts interactive Parade for all ages
*Dances of Universal Peace with Akel Dev
*”Village Vision Continues” downtown at The Boone Saloon with Cougar Bait and Possum Jenkins as well as at The Local with Kendra Warren and Bafoodus.
Admission:
At the gate: $35 for adults and $25 for students
Online Pre-Sale (Through April 30th): $30 for adults and $20 for students
Kids under 16 are free
Alternative forms of admission:
Participate in a community service project (3 hours). To receive more info on these projects or to register for an Alternative Service Project, email villagevisionfestival@gmail.com with “service” as the subject and let us know which project you’d like to sign up for (projects listed on our website).
Or Volunteer 3 hours the day of the event:
(email Villagevisionfestival@gmail.com with “volunteer” as the subject)
Website: www.boonecommunitynetwork.com/pages/vv
Or find our event on facebook “Village Vision Festival”
Contact Christina Bailey with any questions or inquiries about vending or teaching a workshop at Villagevisionfestival@gmail.com
2) Arty Parties at the Blue Ridge ArtSpace
What happens when you get up to ten women together and give them a paint brush in one hand, something to drink in the other, and a blank canvas? A whole lot of fun and merriment, ending in ten unique versions of the same basic painting. And it’s not just limited to women, to painting, or to any specific beverage…..the Blue Ridge ArtSpace is opening the doors to your creativity in a variety of mediums!
Based on the nationally popular “paint and sip” industry, the Watauga County Arts Council is offering inexperienced (or experienced) artists a fun night or afternoon out with friends and a self-created masterpiece to take home! Parties can be offered for children or adults (although obviously children’s parties do not include adult beverages). Parties are two hours in length and include all materials, expert step by step instruction, and plenty of fun! Participants (or the host) bring the beverages and they may also bring their favorite snacks to share. While most parties revolve around painting, there are future plans for other kinds of art which can be done as well such as jewelry making, wine glass painting, scrapbooking, and theme parties.
Parties may be booked for five to ten participants and are ideal for a special night out, celebrating a special occasion such as a birthday or engagement, or just a great chance to spend some creative and fun time with friends. The price per person varies from $30 to $40 based on the arts activity with a minimum of five participants. For more information, contact the Arts Council at 828-264-1789 or email them at wcac@watauga-arts.org.
3) Seamanship Course
The club is offering a comprehensive course on Seamanship beginning April 7th in room L226 at Northeast State Community College library. Classes will meet from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
This Seamanship course is a natural first/step in building a foundation for confidence and competence for safe and enjoyable boating on the water. It extends the knowledge and skills of the boater in handling and maneuvering a vessel, either sail or power. The course provides a better understanding of how boats behave under various conditions including close quarters and open water operations. Knowledge and skills are increased in the areas of anchoring, emergencies, rules of the road and marlinspike/basic knots. Appendices include information to safe operations in waters of our neighbors to the north and south, Canada and Mexico. An On-The-Water component enhances the learning experience.
The Tri-Cities Boating Club is a member of the United States Power Squadron, a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to making boating safer and more enjoyable by teaching classes in seamanship, navigation and related subjects. Squadron members are boating families who contribute to their communities by promoting safe boating through education.
Contact: John Whitehead (423) 239-6875
E-Mail: tricitiesboating@gmail.com
4) Volunteer Trail Work Days (Grandfather Mountain State Park)
Do you enjoy being outdoors and meeting new people? Share in the adventure by volunteering on one or more of our trail work days. Volunteering is a great way to have a little fun while giving back to some of your favorite hiking spots. Join our park’s staff for a day of trail maintenance and get a feel for what goes into managing a highly popular hiking destination. Volunteers will learn how to safely and effectively use tools, be shown sustainable trail design techniques and become familiar with trail labor. Work will be based on experience and skill level of volunteers and will range from easier, low level physical activity to advanced, highly physical trail construction. Volunteers should be dressed in appropriate clothing for outdoor work, bring work gloves, wear closed toed shoes. Bring food and water for refreshments during the day. Thank you volunteers for your commitment in helping preserve North Carolina State Parks. Your time and work are invaluable to our parks!
Please note: Registration is now required for our volunteer days. Volunteers must register no later than 2 days before scheduled work day. To register, please contact our office at 828.963.9522 or grandfather.mountain@ncparks.gov.
5) Boone Business Expo
Last year’s event was a huge success and was SOLD OUT, this year’s event is going to be even bigger! Don’t miss this opportunity to get your business in front of hundreds of prospective new clients. Space is limited so register now in order to guarantee your business a spot.
6) 36th Annual Blowing Rock Trout Derby Returns Saturday, April 4
The 36th Annual Blowing Rock Trout Derby will take place in and around North Carolina’s Prettiest Small Town on Saturday, April 4, from sunrise to 4:30 p.m. First-place winners will receive trophies in five divisions: Men, Women, Girls (12-14) Boys (12-14) and Small Fries (11 and under). No entry fees are required and no pre-registration is necessary.
Officials announced an important change to the 2015 Trout Derby: Contest headquarters where information is distributed and participants’ fish are measured and registered has been moved to the Blowing Rock Clubhouse at 108 Lakeside Drive, on the corner of Clark Street next to the Robbins Swimming Pool. There is plenty of free parking in the swimming pool lot, which is only a short distance from Broyhill Lake, which will be stocked with hundreds of fish in the days leading up to the Derby.
Special prizes will be awarded to the first fish, largest trout in each species, and tagged fish. Local school children are encouraged to enter the Trout Derby T-shirt Art Contest through their classroom participation or on Derby Day at Derby headquarters. The winner of the contest will have his or her artwork used as the logo for next year’s Trout Derby.
The Blowing Rock Trout Derby was started in the late 1970s by Blowing Rock businessmen Jim Marsh, Elmer Jenkins, Earl Trexler and Carl Underwood to encourage kids to learn how to fish and create some early April outdoor activity.
In addition to the North Carolina Wildlife Commission, the 2015 event sponsors include M-Prints, Inc.; Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce; Chetola Mountain Resort & Spa; J.B. Allen Home Solutions; High Country Chapter of Hunters Helping Kids; 4 Forty Four; Mike Calhoun’s Bass Club; Blowing Rock Tire; Caldwell County Chapter of Hunters Helping Kids; Mr. Restoration Fire, Flood and Disaster Services; and Jenkins Realtors, Inc.
Trophy sponsors include Modern Toyota; A-1 Termite and Pest Control; Angelo Nigro Maintenance; Labonte Plumbing; and The New Public House & Hotel.
For more information on the Trout Derby and overnight accommodations in the Blowing Rock area, visit blowingrock.com or contact the Visitor Center at 828.295.4636.
7) Second Annual Wine For a Reason
A Fundraiser Benefiting the Autism Society of North Carolina
Come join us at Linville Falls Winery
Saturday, April 11 from 3-6 p.m.
All donations and a portion of the sales that day will go to the Autism Society of North Carolina, an organization that is committed to providing support and opportunities which enhance the lives of those living with autism.
Non-alcoholic beverages will also be available.
For more information, please call Linville Falls Winery at (828) 765-1400
8) Yard Sale at First Baptist Church March 20 & 21
Surplus Furniture/Yard Sale, First Baptist Church, King St., Boone. Fri. Mar. 21 4-8 p.m.,Sat. Mar. 22 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Large lots wooden/plastic chairs, all sizes, folding tables, sofas, chairs, end tables, pre-school play furniture/toys, much more. Enter side door between Turchin Ctr. and FBC.