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Weekend Roundup: 16 Things To Do This Weekend in the High Country; Check ‘em Out: Sept. 21 to 23

Compiled by Rebecca Gitlen

Sept. 21, 2012. The High Country has so many wonderful events to offer its community and visitors. Check our site every Friday for something new and exciting to look forward to while you’re watching the hour hand crawl to 5 o’clock. Find live music down the street, explore a nearby town’s local secrets or try out a new square dancing class. There’s always something fun to do in the High Country. 

 Festivals

The 28th Annual Boone UMC Fall Bazaar

The first Fall Bazaar began in 1984 in the Fellowship Hall of the church which was located on King Street. A Turkey Dinner was served to church members and the community. The event raised $8,000 which was used  to buy furniture for the Parsonage. As years passed, members became more involved and started donating items and making items to sell in addition to the meal. The Fall Bazaar became a big event for the Church and Community with the proceeds benefiting many local agencies and church debt reduction. 

When: Friday, Sept. 21 to Saturday, Sept. 22, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: Boone United Methodist Church, 471 New Market Blvd.
More info: 828-264-6090

Get Outside

Blue Ridge Mountain Throwdown

Since 2010, Cooper’s Farm in Brownwood in Todd has dished-out a beast of a running course. Now in 2012, athletes can test their moxie on foot, on wheels and in the water. Yes, the grueling 5-mile Gauntlet has returned, but now with its big brother in tow… the Cooper’s Farm Half Marathon.

When: Friday, Sept. 21 to Sunday, Sept. 23, schedule
Where: 7181 Railroad Grade Road, Brownwood
More info: www.mountainthrowdown.com 

The 13th annual Stickboy Bread Co. / Mayview Madness 5k

The scenic course, voted one of the most beautiful in the country, winds through the historic Mayview neighborhood of Blowing Rock and finishes in front of Bistro Roca Restaurant. Awards this year include a pair or Reebok Running Shoes for each age group winner as well as locally roasted free trade coffee, pottery and gift certificates.

When: Saturday, Sept. 22, 8:30 a.m.
Where: adjacent to the American Legion Hall in downtown Blowing Rock
More info: 828-295-6198

Live Music

Sound Traveler

Sound Traveler features acoustic vocal and instrumental renditions of popular classics from genres as diverse as classic rock & pop, folk, classy standards, country, blues, light jazz, and gospel. Instrumentation includes guitar, trumpet, bass, mandolin, harmonica, concertina, and percussion. Audiences in Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, and Washington, DC have responded positively to the acoustic energy of this pair.

When: Saturday, Sept. 22, 6-10 p.m.
Where: Banner Elk Cafe
More info: 407-312-3420

Concerts at the Jones House: Echo Park, Tom Shirley and Aubrey Spurlock

The Town of Boone concludes the summer Concerts at the Jones House series with performances by Tom Shirley and Echo Park. “The guys in Echo Park have been staples of the rock scene in the High Country for more than three decades,” said concerts organizer, Mark Freed. “Rusty Blanton helped start the band in 1979, and he is till rocking out.” Long-time member and lead singer, Bob Rochelle, and Blanton’s son, Jamie, who has played drums in the band since 2007 will be on board for Friday’s performance.

When: Friday, Sept. 21, 5 p.m.
Where: Jones House, 604 W. King St., Downtown Boone
More info: 828-262-4576

More Sound Traveler

The Historic Orchard at Altapass is an 104-year-old apple orchard that is also an Appalachian Cultural Center celebrating the people, music, art, and natural beauty of the Blue Ridge mountains in North Carolina. Built by the Clinchfield Railroad in 1908, the Orchard sits right on the Parkway providing some of the most amazing scenery on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

When: Sunday, Sept. 23, 1-2:30 p.m.
Where: The Orchard at Altapass, 1025 Orchard Road, Milepost 328.3, Blue Ridge Parkway
More Info: 407-312-3420

Friday Night Bluegrass

Visit the Todd General Store and recapture a time when life was simple and genuine.  Meet the mountain folks and listen to talks of the railroad days as well as bluegrass every Friday.

When: Friday, Sept. 21, 6:30 to 9:15 pm.
Where: Todd General Store, 3866 Railroad Grade Road, Todd
More info: 336-877-1067 

Imperial Blend and The Inverted Sea at Murphy’s, and on Friday, The Fritz

Imperial Blend is a four piece Electronic/Rock group based in Greensboro, North Carolina. Heavy on ambience and sonic textures, their recorded tracks are very subtle. Soft guitar playing against tantalizing keyboards and tempered percussion riddle their music. 

When: Friday, Sept. 21 and Saturday, Sept. 22, 9 p.m.
Where: Murphy’s Pub, 747 W. King St., Boone
More info: 828-264-5117 

Bubonik Funk with Swift Technique at Boone Saloon

Bubonik Funk is an American rock band, formed in 2006, consisting of Stefan Kallander (guitar, vocals), Dylan Ellett (vocals, organ), Nick Mcowen (bass guitar), and Daniel Allison (drums, vocals). With their funky, guitar-driven soulful sound, Bubonik Funk are regularly cited as a groove and jam band. However, the band’s individualistic style draws from many sources and transcends any one music genre. 

When: Saturday, Sept. 22, 10 p.m.
Where: Boone Saloon, 489 W. King St., Boone
More info: www.boonesaloon.com/ 

Karaoke Night at Galileo’s

Boone Shine will surely get you out of your seat and have you turning your heads with a new musical confusion. Playing everything from Hip-Hop covers to old time bluegrass, Boone Shine will have you dancing til you cry.

When: Saturday, Sept. 22, 9 p.m.
Where: Galileo’s, 1087 W. King St., Boone
More info: 828-264-5117 

Sunday Jazz Brunch with Todd Wright & Friends at Canyons

Todd Wright, an Ambassador of Jazz for western North Carolina, joined the Appalachian State University music faculty in 1990. As Director of Jazz Studies he has been responsible for conducting Jazz Ensembles I and II, teaching courses in jazz improvisation, jazz history, jazz piano, jazz tunes and coaching combos.

When: Sunday, Sept. 23, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: Canyons, 8960 Highway 321, Blowing Rock
More info: 828-295-7661 

Free Tasting

Peabody’s Wine & Beer Merchants Tasting

Kevin McNamara of Country Vintner shows off the affordable, value side of the portfolio with some awesome choices in the $10-$12 range. Namely the excellent South African representation of Cabernet Sauvignon by Excelsior, Montgravet from Cotes de Gascogne (100 percent Colombard — crisp French white), Four Vines Old Vine Zin and Naked Chardonnay. Plus, maybe something a little more special.

When: Saturday, Sept. 22, 12 to 5 p.m.
Where: Peabody’s Wine & Beer Merchants, Boone
More info: 828-264-9476

The Markets

Avery County Farmers Market

The Avery County Farmers Market is a cooperative of area farmers that produce freshly grown, organic and conventionally grown fruits and vegetables, fresh bread, homemade jams and jellies, herbal products, crafts, maple syrup, fresh eggs, potting plants, ornamentals, seedlings and much, much more.

When: Saturday, Sept. 22, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: 170 Linville Street, between CVS and the Department of Social Services building, Newland
More info: 828-789-9246 or 828-733-8274     

Watagua County Farmers’ Market

The market has so many things to love: fresh and nutritious local foods, beautiful handmade crafts, face-to-face interactions with the farmers who grow your food, scrumptious breads, jams, jellies and cheeses made by community members, meat and eggs from local farmers and of course the friendly social atmosphere of “Boone’s Town Square.” 

When: Saturday, Sept. 22, 8 a.m. to noon
Where: Horn in the West parking lot, Boone
More info: 828-355-4918 or 828-264-3424 

Ashe County Farmers’ Market

Every Ashe County Farmers’ Market customer has that particular vendor that keeps them coming back for more but it’s the market’s diversity that makes it one of the best in the area. Click here for a list of vendors along with profiles so you can get to know not only your favorite but maybe find a new must see vendor.

When: Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., April to Oct.; and Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., July to Sept.
Where: Backstreet in downtown West Jefferson
More info: ashefarmersmarket.com

Movies

Be sure to check out our listings for cinema showtimes and movie trailers at the Regal Boone Cinema 7 too! It’s the only place where you can see ALL the trailers and showtimes for every movie playing in Boone all on one page! 

Editor’s note: Want your event to be added to our Weekend Roundup next time? Email Rebecca at rebecca@highcountrypress.com.

Things to Do This Weekend logo by Debbie Carter.