By Madison Fisler Lewis
Nov. 28, 2014. The High Country has so many exciting events to offer its community and visitors, especially on autumn weekends. 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.
Weekend-Long Events
To check out this week’s movie trailers and this week’s movie review, click here.
Ski Resorts Open: On Friday morning, Beech Mountain Resort became the last resort in the High Country to open, and the conditions are great. The base is 18 to 44 inches and blue dominates the sky on opening day.WCNC, noting that snowfall records only go back two decades, reported that the 17 inches of snow that Beech Mountain received this November is the most on record for the month of November. This compares to about 13 inches recorded in 1995 and 2008. For more information click here.
Choose and Cut Christmas Trees: In the High Country, there is no more time-honored Christmas tradition than decorating the Christmas tree with family and friends after the Thanksgiving holiday has passed, or even before! It’s an annual tradition for many families to “choose and cut” their Christmas tree together before heading home to trim it, and there are many local farms that make that family activity as easy and painless as possible. For more information about this event, click here.
Toy Drives: For some High Country residents, the holiday season means cold weather, higher electric and heating fuel bills, more groceries and other bills that can pile up and make it difficult on many families, and that strain is exacerbated by the need to purchase food and gifts. Luckily, the High Country has more than its fair share of nonprofit organizations and individuals willing to help out and spread some cheer to neighbors in need. For more information about this event, click here.
Live Music at Twig’s: Twig’s Restaurant in Blowing Rock hosts live music every Friday and Saturday night, from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. featuring great local and regional artists with no cover charge.
Friday, Nov. 28
Blowing Rock Christmas in the Park: In what has come to be one of the defining events of the High Country holiday season, Blowing Rock’s Christmas in the Park and Christmas Parade will take place on Friday, Nov. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 29, respectively, with activities throughout the day for the entire family to enjoy. For more information, click here.
Saturday, Nov. 29
Small Business Saturday: The day after Thanksgiving, retail locations will be hustling and bustling with Black Friday shoppers in what many believe is the biggest and most important shopping day of the year. But recently, movements have been made to include small businesses in on the fun the day after Black Friday, on what has been deemed Small Business Saturday. For more information about this event click here.
It’s A Wonderful Life: Start the season with the holiday classic. Fourteen actors, nearly forty characters and five of the actors creating the sound effects live on stage brings the treasured holiday film to life before your eyes in the style of the classic 1940s radio dramas. Complete with all the characters you love and love to hate, it’s a story of redemption that resonates with all ages, It’s a Wonderful Life has become our American Christmas Carol. Experience the true spirit of the season with this gift for the entire family. A special treat for anyone kicking off their Christmas holiday season in our real-life Bedford Falls, Blowing Rock. The show will take place on Saturday, Nov. 29, at the Blowing Rock School Auditorium, located at 160 Sunset Dr. in Blowing Rock at 7 p.m. The show is approximately one hour and ten minutes in length. Tickets are $14 for adults and $8 for kids and students with valid ID. To purchase tickets, go to www.ensemblestage.com or call 828-414-1844. Tickets may be purchased at the door using cash or check only.
Blowing Rock Christmas Parade: On Saturday, Nov. 29, Blowing Rock will host the annual Blowing Rock Christmas Parade down Main Street in downtown Blowing Rock. Lining up at noon, the parade will begin at 2 p.m. proceeding down Main Street in the center of downtown. For more information about this event, click here.
Mountain Home Music: A number of years ago, Joe Shannon noticed increasing numbers of cars traveling High Country roads on the Saturday after Thanksgiving with Ashe and Watauga county trees tied on top. He decided to feature a Mountain Home Christmas Concert to mark the “Tree Cutting Day.” The Celtic Christmas Concert began just then, and has become a tradition itself. This year will be of special interest, since it features longtime friends of JSMHM, Julee and Mark Weems, who together are known as Little Windows. For more information about this event click here.
Maureen Reniham: On Saturday, Nov. 29, at Lost Province, Boone vocalist, Maureen Renihan is taking the stage singing jazz and holiday classics. Renihan has always considered herself an actress that sings and has performed in several area theater productions. After connecting with local jazz musicians, she began singing with a quintet and big band until recently branching out on her own. Accompanied by talented and accomplished jazz musicians, performances feature: ASU faculty Keith McCutchen and Andy Page, as well as Nathan Hefner from Hickory and Troy Conn from Charlotte.
Blues Porch Jam: On Saturday, Nov. 29, the weekly Blues Porch Jam will take place at the Blue Ridge ArtSpace. This Blues-Centric Jam Session features the Blues but caters to the whims, interests, and favorite tunes of those present. Musicians, vocalists, foot-stompers, groupies – all are welcome to this unplugged (no amps) session each Saturday afternoon.
Watauga County Farmers’ Market: Join us for the 40th anniversary season of Watauga County Farmers’ Market! The farmers’ market has been Boone’s Town Square since 1974. The market is located in the Horn in the West parking lot and takes place from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Ashe County Holiday Market: The Ashe County Holiday Farmers’ Market will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Nov. 22, 29 and Dec. 6. in downtown West Jefferson. Admission is free, and items for sale will include holiday wreaths, handmade soaps, arts and crafts items, delicious homemade foodstuffs, quilts, produce and more. For more information about this event click here.
Beech Mountain Holiday Market: The eighth annual Beech Mountain Holiday Market will be held on Saturday, Nov. 29, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The market, hosted at Beech Mountain’s Buckeye Recreation Center, will offer copper and steel art work, pottery, woodwork, wire, glass and pearl jewelry, yarn art and accessories, gourmet food, gift baskets and much more. Also available will be kids games and activities, and a food drive will be held to benefit St. Bernadette’s Food Bank. As usual, Santa will be on hand to take photos and hear what every child wants for Christmas this year. For more information, call 828-387-3003.
BRAHM Holiday Open House: The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum is hosting its annual Holiday Open House, with live entertainment by musical duo Little Windows, crafts and hot cider on Saturday, November 29th from 2 – 4 p.m. Included in the days’ activities is a celebration of the current exhibits with free admission to the Museum from noon to 5 p.m. and guided gallery tours on the half hour beginning at 2 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 30
Music on the Veranda: On Sunday, Nov. 30, the Green Park Inn’s Music on the Veranda will present The Todd Wright Jazz Quartet starting at 5 p.m. For more information about this event, call 828-414-9230.
Jazz Brunch: On Sunday, Nov. 30, Canyons in Blowing Rock will host the weekly Sunday Jazz Brunch with Todd Wright. Starting at 11 a.m., the event will feature live jazz music at Canyons located at 8960 Valley Blvd. in Blowing Rock. For more information about this event, call 828-295-7661.