By Madison Fisler Lewis
Oct. 31, 2014. The High Country has so many exciting events to offer its community and visitors, especially on Halloween weekend! 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.
ASU Family Weekend: This weekend, Appalachian State University will host parents and family members of students and faculty during the school’s annual Family Weekend. From Oct. 31-Nov. 2, the university will welcome families to campus and offer a variety of activities, sports events and much more. For more information, and for a schedule of events, click here.
Hillbilly Horror: Get ready to experience the scariest attraction Boone has to offer during October at Honey Bear Campground. Hillbilly Horror is a one-of-a-kind experience that allows you to choose to be a participant or become a zombie hell-bent on scaring anyone in sight. Activities range from Hay Rides, Zombie Paintball, and even Outdoor Movies so people of all ages can have a blast. If you think you can handle the fright of Hillbilly Horror, make your way down every weekend this month for more blood and guts than you ever thought possible! This horror event stands out among the rest for anyone looking to make the most out of Halloween this year. The crowd favorite already seems to be Zombie Paintball, where you are given a specialized zombie gun that allows you to fend off any undead attackers you may come across. Be sure to make it back to the campground or else you could become the next zombies dinner! Visit every weekend in October for some good, Halloween fun!
Haunted Valle: Walk the haunted trail for thrills and chills that will keep you coming back for more. This haunted walk through the Camp Broadstone is sure to be fun for all. This year’s trail will run from 7:30-11 p.m. on Oct. 27-31. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for students with valid student ID.
Story Walk: The Story Walk officially began Oct. 1 and will run through Nov. 3. Read a book page by page in the windows of local merchants in Downtown Boone. What a great way for friends and family to join in on a beautiful walk through town while enjoying a story great for all ages. This year’s book is “The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything,” Linda D. Williams and illustrated by Megan Lloyd.
Ghost Train Festival: It’s safe, scary fun for the whole family! Visit the Haunted House and the Freaky Forest. Step in to another world in the 3-D Maze and the Black Hole. Kids will enjoy the Halloween shows and trick-or-treating. And take a chilling journey on the Ghost Train – if you dare! The annual Ghost Train Festival will be held until Nov. 1. on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Appalachian Mountain Photography Contest: Submissions are now being accepted for the 12th annual Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition, which provides photographers the opportunity to showcase their own interpretation of the character, people and places that make the southern Appalachian mountains unique and special. For more information about this event click here.
Halloween
Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band Concert: On Friday, Oct. 31, Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band is bringing the funk to Legends at Appalachian State University. Outrageous stage wear and interactive sets will have audience members wrapped up in the incredible energy. Music begins at 10 p.m. Student tickets are available in advance for $8 and tickets are available at the door for students and non-students for $12 the night of the show. For ticket inquiries, call 828-262-3039 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. For more information about this event click here.
Trick or Treating at the Boone Mall: Head out to the Boone Mall from 5-7 p.m. on Halloween night for some indoor trick-or-treating! Dress up in your spookiest costume and go from store to store for safe, family friendly fun including trick-or-treating, a pumpkin house and Halloween photos!
Downtown Boone BOO!: Calling all pirates, princesses and children of all ages. The Town of Boone, the Downtown Boone Development Association, the Watauga County Library and the Jones House Community Center are delighted to host the fouteenth annual Downtown Boone BOO!, a Halloween family-friendly event on Friday, Oct. 31, from 4-6 p.m. The fun begins at 4 p.m. at the Watauga County Library where families can participate in arts and crafts and enjoy live, local music. At 4:30 p.m., the children will walk for “parade” from the library to the Jones House and Community Center which will be decorated for children of all ages to explore and enjoy. At 4:45 p.m., children can start Trick-or-Treating with the downtown merchants until 6 p.m. We hope you can join us for an afternoon of Halloween fun in Downtown Boone. For more information please call 828-268-6280.
Newland Trick or Treat: The Town of Newland and the Newland Business Association invite the public to join in the fun at the annual Halloween Downtown Trick or Treat Celebration on Friday, Oct. 31, from 4:30-7 p.m. with costume contest and prizes at 6 p.m. It will be held throughout downtown Newland and the Guy-Braswell Annex below the library. This event is co-sponsored by the Town of Newland and the Newland Business Association in cooperation with many local businesses and community organizations. Local merchants will be handing out special treats for trick-or-treaters and everyone is invited to dress up in their most creative Halloween costume. The Halloween Costume Contest judging and prize awards will be held at the Guy-Braswell Annex. For more information call 843-457-2736.
Banner Elk Trunk or Treat: A Trunk-or-Treat Halloween event will be held at the Historic Banner Elk Elementary School from 5-8 p.m. Activities will include trunk-or-treat, face painting and tattoos, hayrides, a haunted house, a pet costume contest and more. For more information contact the Avery County Chamber of Commerce at 828-898-5605 or the Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce at 828-898-8395.
Monster Concert: The Hayes School of Music organ studio at Appalachian State University will present its seventh annual Halloween Monster Concert Friday, Oct. 31, at 8 p.m. in the Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall. Admission is free and the public is invited. Costumes are encouraged. Featured during the evening will be Bach’s famous “Toccata and Fague in d minor” with special audience participation, the singing of “pumpkin carols,” a silent movie with organ accompaniment, free candy, costume contests and more.
Twig’s Halloween Party: Come to Twigs for the annual Halloween Party and costume contest on Friday, Oct. 31. Prizes will be awarded for the best costume, and live music will be provided.
Murphy’s Halloween Party: Dress up for the “Spirit Animal” Halloween costume contest at Murphy’s Pub on Halloween night as well as Foxy Feline Faux Fur Fashion Frolic. If you win, you could win a Murphy’s gift certificate! Live music will be provided by local band Wave Lynx with Funklestinskin.
Boone Town Tavern Halloween Party: Head to the Town Tavern in Boone for a Halloween Karaoke Party with no cover charge. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes.
Blowing Rock Town Tavern Halloween Party: The Blowing Rock Town Tavern will host a Halloween party on Halloween night. The party will feature costume contests with awesome prizes, live music by The Harris Brothers and more.
Masquerade Party: The “Grande Dame” of the High Country is the perfect venue for a night of Halloween fun. On Friday, Oct. 31, the Green Park Inn will host a Halloween Masquerade Party from 6-10 p.m. The party will have a “Phantom of the Opera” theme and will feature music and dancing with a DJ on stage from 6-10 p.m. For more information about this event click here.
AMB’s EPIC Halloween Bash: Appalachian Mountain Brewery will host an EPIC Halloween Party on Halloween night. The party will feature great brews and live music provided by Ban Dam.
The Rock’s Halloween Bash: On Halloween night, The Rock will host a Halloween Bash and costume contest starting at 7:30 p.m. The costume contests will begin at 8:30 p.m. with prizes for best costumes and best kids costumes too. Great food and drink specials will also be available.
Lost Province Halloween Movie Night: Lost Providence Brewing Company will host a special Halloween-themed movie night featuring an interactive screening of “Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
The Local Halloween Party: The Local, located on Howard Street, will host a Halloween Party on Halloween night. The party will feature a costume contest, food and drink specials and more.
All Hallow’s Eve Party: Halloween night the Bayou in Banner Elk will feature an All Hallow’s Eve Party with costume contests and a special on Laughing Skull Beer in a Laughing Skull glass, while they last. The party will go from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Watauga Republicans Open House: The Watauga County GOP is hosting an open house at its headquarters from Oct. 27 to Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about this event, click here.
Boone UMC Fall Festival: Join us on Halloween for a fun filled night of Trick-or-Treating, games, fellowship and much more! This event is open to everyone of all ages! Come dressed up in your best costume and celebrate the evening. The Fall Festival at Boone UMC is a fun, friendly and safe option for trick-or-treating for you and your family this Halloween. Join us Friday, October 31st from 4:30PM-7:30PM at Boone United Methodist Church, 471 New Market Blvd, Boone, NC 28607 in the Family Life Center. We are accepting donations of Food boxes or Cans for the hunger coalition. Families are welcome to come and trick-or-treat! Games, face painting, photo ops and much more will be provided at this event. We hope to see you there-You’ll have a Scary good time!
Saturday, Nov. 1
Malpass Brothers Concert: The Malpass Brothers are as authentic as home-churned butter, country ham and red-eye gravy and pork barbeque, and they are every bit as good. Their musical sound is a little bit retro, with a retro look. The concert will feature old-style country music, rockabilly, bluegrass and a little bit of gospel and blues. The Ashe County Arts Council is pleased to bring the up and coming Malpass Brothers to the stage of the Ashe Civic Center on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. For more information about this event click here.
Trail Work Day at Elk Knob State Park: Every Saturday through Nov. 8, staff and volunteers will meet at the Summit Trailhead at 9 a.m. and work until approximately 2:30 p.m., weather permitting. Tools are provided but volunteers should wear closed-toed shoes and bring work gloves, lunch and water. If you would like to be involved in a fulfilling project that will fill you with a well-deserved sense of pride, then join in on Saturdays at Elk Knob State Park. For more information, call 828-297-7261.
Feast of All Souls: St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church will celebrate the Feast of All Souls with a full choral mass featuring the Requiem in D Minor by Gabriel Fauré on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 5 p.m. in the nave of the church. Requiem masses celebrate the lives of those who have died and express our hope for eternal rest for the souls of the departed. Fauré’s composition is one of the world’s most beloved settings of theRequiem.
Watauga Christian Fellowship Gospel Singing: The Watauga Christian Fellowship, located at 1311 Old U.S. 421 South in Boone will hold gospel singing on Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. Singers will include JoAnne Watson, David and Sylvia Byers, Outreach (Jay and Judy), Pastor Johnny Ethridge, Portrait of Grace (Mr. and Mrs. Danny Cornett) and Heaven’s Joy. For more information call 828-334-8917. Refreshments will be served after the singing.
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 in Boone from 8 a.m. until noon.
Sunday, Nov. 2
Turkeys and Ravens at Elk Knob State Park: Learn more about these fascinating birds that love to call Elk Knob home. Meet at the park office at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2.
Student Vocal Ensemble: The student vocal ensemble Quintessential! will perform Nov. 2 at Appalachian State University beginning at 6 p.m. in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall. Admission is free. Members of the ensemble are Mary Royall Hight, soprano, Elizabeth Thomas, soprano, Sarah Cave, mezzo-soprano, Joshua Allen, tenor, and Jacob Cook, bass-baritone. Ling Yu Hsiao and Susan Slingland will provide piano accompaniment. The vocalists will perform works from the 18th to 20th centuries beginning with “Die Beredsamkeit” by Franz Joseph Haydn. They also will perform three works by Brahms – “Vor der Tür,” “Die Boten der Liebe” and selections from “Neue Liebeslieder.” Compositions on the program by Schumann are “Intermezzo” and “In der Nacht” from “Spanisches Liederspiel.” The singers also will perform selections from Rossini’s “Barber of Seville” and “Oh, Where has he gone?” from Menotti’s “The Telephone,” and works by Hugo Wolfe, Léo Delibes and Gaetano Donizetti.
Baird’s Creek 75th Anniversary Celebration: Bairds Creek Presbyterian Church will hold a 75th anniversary celebration on Sunday, Nov. 2. A worship service will be held at 11 a.m., with Rev. Spears Alexander preaching. Covered dish dinner will immediately follow the worship service. Turkey Tracks Trio will play old-time mountain music. The church is located at 2147 N.C. 194 South in Vilas.
F.A.C.E.S. at F.A.R.M.: F.A.R.M. (Feed All Regardless of Means) Café will be hosting a new community forum and dinner monthly starting in October. F.A.C.E.S., which stands for Food, Agriculture, Community, Economy, and Spiritually, will be a platform for community members to discuss issues affecting the High Country. Each event will have a speaker or panel of speakers brought together to discuss a preselected topic for 45 minutes to an hour. The event is meant to encourage discussion among community members and will include a conversational portion that everyone is invited to participate in.