Weekend Roundup: 20 Things To Do This Weekend in the High Country; Check ‘em Out: Oct. 12-14

Compiled by Rebecca Gitlen

Oct. 12, 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. 

21st Annual Oktoberfest at Sugar Mountain Resort

There are lots of reasons for you to head to Sugar Mountain Resort Saturday and Sunday. Not only will the Harbour Town Fest Band provide a festive Bavarian atmosphere to Sugar’s 21st annual Oktoberfest celebration but the national award winning Avery Smooth Dancers and the Mountain Laurel Cloggers will get your toes a tapin’. Admission, parking and shuttle service are free. Rain or shine, the festival will go on.

When: Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13-14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Sugar Mountain Resort
More info: click

Boone Heritage Festival 

The Southern Appalachian Historical Association and the town of Boone will present the Boone Heritage Festival the second Saturday in October. The festival will be held outdoors in the beautiful wooded setting of the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum. The Boone Heritage Festival includes musical performances, storytellers, historical demonstrations from the colonial/Revolutionary time period, vendors, regional crafts, children’s activities, food, and a raffle. The focus of the event is Appalachian traditions, history, and heritage as well as contemporary Appalachian life. Admission is free.

When: Saturday, Oct. 13, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Daniel Boone Park and Hickory Ridge Living History Museum, Horn Avenue, Boone
More info: 828-264-2120

6th Annual Fun in the Park Day

The Town of Boone Public Utilities and Public Works departments are co-hosting Fun in the Park as part of the town’s ongoing commitment to conserve water. This year’s event will have bouncy houses and slides, face painting, balloons, paint sheets, games, temporary tattoos and more. The theme of the event is “Live Green, Love Green, Think Green!”

When: Saturday, Oct. 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Jaycee’s Park on Horn in the West Drive
More info: 828-268-6230 

Todd New River Festival

Todd is the archetypal small mountain town with a festival on the bank of the New River that will have your family talking about it and its charm for days. The musical line-up is always top notch with bluegrass and mountain music talent. The festival includes crafts, food and fun, gospel, a checkers playoff, storytelling, puppet shows, raffle drawings and performances. Hop on N.C. 194 to Todd for a real High Country treat.

When: Saturday, Oct. 13, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Walter and Annie Cook Memorial Park, Todd
More info: 828-964-1362 or by clicking here

Tour the International Center for Meditation and Well-Being for Open House

The International Center for Meditation and Well-Being nearby Heavenly Mountain in Boone invites one and all to attend an open house on Saturday. The event will feature light refreshments and tours of the campus and day spa amid breath-taking views of the mountains at the peak of the fall colors. Guests are welcome to drop by anytime from 1-5 p.m., when guides will be available to answer questions and introduce the center.

When: Saturday, Oct. 13, 1-5 p.m.
Where: directions
More info: www.meditationcenterusa.org

Tweetsie’s Ghost Train Halloween Festival

The High Country’s 23rd spooktacular season of Tweetsie Railroad’s Ghost Train kicks off tonight and continues every Friday and Saturday night through Oct. 27. Join Ghost Train engineer Casey Bones and his macabre crew for a scary journey on a train inescapably haunted by its past. The tracks lead into the darkness of a railroading era filled with terror and tragedy. Guests will experience chills and thrills as ghosts and ghouls from the old railways pursue the Ghost Train’s passengers around every bend, and through every eerie forest.

When: Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Tweetsie Railroad
More info: 877-893-3874 or click

Sixth Annual Spruce Pine Potters Market Invitational

This year’s invitational show, featuring thirty of the region’s best potters and ceramic artists holds its annual sale in the historic Cross Street Building in downtown Spruce Pine on Oct 13-14. This year’s artists include Shawn Ireland, Bandana Pottery, Jane Peiser, Michael Rutkowsky and Sedberry Pottery, among others. Based in Mitchell and Yancey Counties, these artists organize themselves for the annual invitational event, which boasts several thousand visitors a year. Work includes contemporary functional pottery, figurative sculpture and tiles.

When: Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13-14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Cross Street Building, 31 Cross St., Spruce Pine
More info: 828-765-0520

Old Time Barn Dance

The Boone Country Dancers will host an old-time barn dance on Saturday, Oct. 13 at the Apple Barn in Valle Crucis. There is a beginner’s workshop starting at 7:30 p.m. where you can learn all the calls that will be used in the dances, even if you have two left feet. The dance itself will begin at 8 p.m. and last until 11 p.m. The dances will be taught and called by Frederick Park of Celo, who has been collecting and sharing dances for more than 35 years.

When: Saturday, Oct. 13, 7:30-11 p.m.
Where: Apple Barn, Valle Crucis, directions
More info: 828-262-7571

Mount Jefferson State Natural Area birthday celebration

Come join the birthday celebration at Mount Jefferson State Natural Area in West Jefferson, NC on Sunday, October 14th. We will be celebrating the anniversary of the establishment of the park 56 years ago with free birthday cake for all. There will be children’s activities, ranger programs, and a giant birthday card for all to sign. The event will last from 2PM until 4PM at the park’s summit picnic shelter. This event is free. 

When: Sunday, Oct. 14, 2-4 p.m.
Where: Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, 1481 Mt Jefferson State Park Road, West Jefferson
More info: 336 246-9653

Live Music

 Watauga Community Band’s Fall Concert

Bill Winkler conducts the all-volunteer concert band, which was founded in 1986 and consists of ASU students and members of the local community. The Watauga Community Band will perform Igor Stravinksy’s “Firebird” and James Horner’s “My Heart Will Go On” from the 1997 film Titanic. A press release states, “There will also be a mystery selection that is sure to surprise the audience.”

When: Sunday, Oct. 14, at 3 p.m.
Where: Rosen Concert Hall, ASU
More info: click

Greater Vision Southern Gospel

Since organizing in 1990, Greater Vision has been inspiring audiences with their rich vocal blend and their effective ability to communicate the message of the gospel. Over the years, Greater Vision has established a firm place at the pinnacle of Christian music, and has become the most awarded trio in the history of Gospel music.

When: Friday, Oct. 12, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Laurel Springs Baptist Church, Deep Gap
More info: 828-262-1330

James Taylor Benefit Performance

James Taylor will be playing to support the Obama/Biden re-election campaign at the Westglow Resort & Spa in Blowing Rock on Oct. 12. Ticket prices for the performance range from $500 for students and “youth” (under 30) to $1,000 for anyone aged 30 and up. For tickets to attend the performance and a private dinner afterward with Taylor, the price is $2,500.

When: Friday, Oct. 12, 7 p.m.
Where: Westglow Resort & Spa, Blowing Rock
More info: 202-257-7240

Big Daddy Love and Alarm Clock Conspiracy at Murphy’s

Big Daddy Love brings a natural blend of grass, roots and rock to the emerging NC music scene. With fiery vocals, sweet-sugary harmonies, authentic song-craft and undeniable musicianship, the quintet delivers high-energy performances comprised of their own brand of good-time music. The Alarm Clock Conspiracy is a multifaceted, indie rock, power pop quartet with musical influences from the 60s and 70s. Based out of Asheville, The Alarm Clock Conspiracy has been exciting audiences and steadily building a crowd base of dedicated fans with their high energy performances and genuine musicianship.

When: Big Daddy Love: Friday at 9 p.m., Alarm Clock Conspiracy: Saturday at 9 p.m.
Where: Murphy’s, 747 West King St., Boone
More info: 828-264-5117

The Noel Freidline Quintet Live from the Meadowbrook Inn

As an acoustic jazz band with vocals, firmly rooted in the jazz tradition, The Noel Freidline Quintet has developed a signature sound built upon the innovative writing and arranging of Noel Freidline. The quintet is powered by masterful musicianship, strong vocals, an infectious enthusiasm for the music and a sincere desire to have fun. They are very fresh, very creative and very exciting.

When: Sunday, Oct. 14, 7-9 p.m. 
Where: Meadownbrook Inn, Main Street, Blowing Rock
More info: 828-295-4300