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Weekend Roundup: 18 Things To Do This Weekend in the High Country; Check ‘em Out and Make Plans Oct. 19-21

Compiled by Rebecca Gitlen

Oct. 19, 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. 

Lucky Penny and Shear Shakti Team Up to Present ‘VEIN: A Fashion Show’ 

Two downtown businesses are teaming up to present their 2012 fall/holiday fashion show, VEIN. Twice a year, Lucky Penny and Shear Shakti put on a fashion show for their customers showcasing the season’s fashions with contemporary hairstyles and makeup. In addition to a fashionable evening, the entertainment lineup is complete with live music from up and coming Charlotte-based electronic music duo OK Disconnect.

When: Friday, Oct. 19, 8:30 p.m., doors open at 8 p.m.
Where: Shear Shakti salon above Lucky Penny at 8:30 p.m.
More info: 828-264-0302

Appalachian Heritage Week Celebration Oct. 19-Nov. 2

Appalachian State University’s Appalachian Heritage Council presents a weeklong celebration of Appalachian heritage and culture Oct. 19-Nov. 2. All events are open to the public. The week begins with the Appalachian Studies Benefit Dance at Legends on Oct. 19. The dance will run from 7-11 p.m. and feature the Half-Runners with caller Jesse “Hot-Pants” Edgerton. Tickets are $2 for students and $3 for guests. There will also be cake walks and a tag sale. Proceeds benefit the Appalachian Studies Scholarship Fund.

When: Friday, Oct. 19, 7-11 p.m.
Where: Legends, ASU campus, Boone
More info: click 

Woolly Worm Festival

High Country residents are invited to come enjoy the 35th annual Woolly Worm Festival taking place this weekend in downtown Banner Elk. This family festival captures good ol’ family fun with rides, food, craft vendors and racing worms. Through the efforts of the North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film & Sports Development, Smarter Travel Online featured the Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk in its roundup of “10 Great Fall Festivals.”

When: Saturday, Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Where: Banner Elk Elementary School, Downtown Banner Elk
More info: 800-972-2183

Valle Country Fair

The colors, flavors, sights and sounds of harvest season in the Blue Ridge Mountains all come together at the Valle Country Fair in scenic Valle Crucis, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20. Started as a fundraiser for a little country church, the fair has grown into an annual community happening that attracts thousands and raised more than $40,000 for High Country charities in 2011.

When: Saturday, Oct. 20, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Grounds of the Valle Crucis Conference Center on N.C. 194
More info: www.vallecountryfair.org

‘Zippin for a Cause’ at Hawksnest Zipline

“ZIPPIN 4 KAMPN” kicked off Oct. 17 at Hawksnest Zipline in Seven Devils and will run through Oct. 21 with ziplines running at 10 a.m., 12, 2, 4 and 6 p.m. The event is being held to benefit Kids with Autism Making Progress in Nature (KAMPN). Through this Sunday, 100 percent of proceeds will go to helping build a “KAMPN Kabin” at Camp Cogger in Deep Gap for children with autism and their families.

When: Oct. 19-21, with ziplines running at 10 a.m., 12, 2, 4 and 6 p.m.
Where: Hawksnest is located at 2058 Skyland Drive, Seven Devils
More info: 828-264-0054

Wordkeepers at the Ashe County Arts Council

The next Wordkeepers event will be held Saturday at the Ashe County Arts Council in West Jefferson. At 3 p.m., prior to the 4 p.m. readings, musicians Henry Doss and Scot Pope will play their original music at the Arts Center. Wordkeepers is free and open to the public. Wordkeepers features writers reading their latest works in 5-minute open microphone time slots. Refreshments are provided.

When: Saturday, Oct. 20, 4-6 p.m.
Where: Ashe County Arts Council, 303 West School St., West Jefferson
More info: click 

Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine Fundraiser to Help Fight Breast Cancer

Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine of Blowing Rock will again be holding their annual Breast Cancer Fundraising Day on Saturday, Oct. 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and proceeds will go to Appalachian Regional Healthcare System’s cancer patient emergency fund.

When: Saturday, Oct. 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine, 129 Mystery Hill Lane, Blowing Rock
More info: 828-264-4499 

Old Fashioned Blue Moon Gap Cider Pressing and Barbecue

Grandfather Country Store will host the fourth annual Blue Moon Gap cider pressing on Saturday, sponsored by the new owner. Participants may bring their own apples or purchase them on site. One bushel of apples will make around 2.5 gallons of juice. No charge for the use of the press, but be advised you will have to do your own labor and provide your own containers. Homemade pulled pork barbecue will be available at $6.

When: Saturday, Oct. 20, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Grandfather Country Store, 6371 Hwy 221 South, Blowing Rock, at the intersection with Holloway Mountain Road
More info: 828-295-6100

Avery Humane Society Holding in 9 Lives for $9 Cat Adoption Event 

In partnership with Best Friends Animal Society, the world’s largest rescue organization of its kind, Avery Human Society is participating in the 9 Lives for $9 National Cat Adoption Event. They will be offering cats and kittens for just $9 starting Friday, Oct. 19, through Sunday, Oct. 21. According to Bill Avery, member of the humane society board of directors, this is the largest event ever offered by the Avery County Humane Society. 

When: Friday, Oct. 19, through Sunday, Oct. 21
Where: Avery Humane Society Adoption Center, 279 New Vale Road, Newland
More info: 828-733-2333 

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

Live Music

Bullfrog on Friday and Turbine on Saturday at Murphy’s

Produced by Grammy-winner John Davis (The Black Keys), “Blue Light City” evokes the smart groove-pop of ’80s bands like INXS and XTC, the psychedelic rock of Flaming Lips and Pink Floyd, the soul-rock of Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsies, aspects of prog-rock pioneers Yes and King Crimson and even elements of late 70s era Grateful Dead, all in one strangely cohesive record. These diverse influences would typically clash and burn, but Turbine’s singular vision combines them in a way that makes it all simply sound like Turbine.

When: Friday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 20, 9 p.m.
Where: Murphy’s, 747 West King St., Boone
More info: 828-264-5117

Naked Gods and Royal Bangs at Boone Saloon

Naked Gods, formed during the third millennium, are a five piece rock and roll band hailing from Boone. As a unit, the band combines the influences of big, noisy guitar indie rock, abstract bass warbling, frenzied drum bursts & vocals capturing the sensitivity & sentimentality of youth lost & found, delivered with swagger by one of the burliest guys you’ve ever seen. Its like the pizza delivery boy stole all their instruments, re-tuned them with some logic heretofore tonally unknown, returned them and set them loose together in search of melody.

When: Friday, Oct. 19, 9 a.m.
Where: Boone Saloon, 489 West King St., Boone
More info: 828-264-1811

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, Oct. 21, 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, Oct. 20, 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, Oct. 20, 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, Oct. 20, 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.