The sun is out, the leaves are falling, the air is crisp and the time is right for you to take advantage of autumn in the High Country. Whatever you’re looking for this weekend — festive Halloween fun, Oktoberfest excitement, gem mining, art demos, Appalachian culture, live music or more — you’re in the right place for a good time in the mountains of North Carolina. Grab your friends and family and don’t wait to get this weekend started!
Ghost Train Halloween Festival at Tweetsie – Friday and Saturday
Take the spookiest ride in town this weekend on the Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad’s Halloween Festival! The train may be the signature attraction of the park’s Halloween festival, but there’s so much more to see when you’re at Tweetsie this time of year. The dark skies of the October nights play host to other festivities, like trick-or-treating for the kids, special Halloween performances, the Haunted House, the Tweetsie Palace Spooktacular, the Warp Tunnel and the Creepy Carnival. Click here for details. Get your tickets now!
Oktoberfest at Sugar Mountain – Saturday and Sunday
Looking for an exciting way to enjoy this weekend? Break out your lederhosen and head up to Sugar Mountain Resort for its 25th annual Oktoberfest celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Bring the whole family or come on your own and make new friends — whatever you do, don’t miss this event! Want to know more? Call Sugar’s administrative office at 828-898-4521 for more information or get more details here.
“Mining for a Cure” at Doc’s Rocks – Saturday
Randy “Doc” and Trina McCoy invite you to join them in Blowing Rock on Saturday for their annual fundraising event to support breast cancer awareness and research at Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine, Fossil Museum and Coffee Shop. They’ve seen firsthand the devastating impacts of the disease, they’re passionate about fighting back and they want you to be a part of the change! Click here to read more and find out how you can help out while having fun at this annual event.
Art Demonstrations and Group Exhibition at Carlton Gallery – Saturday
The 33rd Autumn Group Exhibition continues at Carlton Gallery where ART in many mediums is showcased by the local, regional and national artists the gallery represents. Original paintings in oil, watercolor, acrylic and mixed media along with blown glass, sculpture, clay, wearable fiber art and fine jewelry make this exhibition impressive and a visual delight. A landscape painting demonstration by Kevin Beck and a dreamscape pottery demonstration by Patti Connor-Greene on Saturday, October 10, is an added feature for this exhibition. Beck’s painting demonstration is from 12 to 2 p.m. and Greene plans a pottery demonstration from 2 to 4 p.m. Click here to learn more about what’s going on at the gallery.
Mountain Home Music ft. The Buck Stops Here – Saturday
Check out this all-girl group at 7:30 p.m. at the Blowing Rock School Auditorium. The Buck Stops Here takes the old-time style of traditional mountain music and lends it a unique youthful energy. With beautiful four-part harmony, funky bass and original songs and tunes, these four women (and their token buck) will win you over with their intimacy and reverence for the music they play. Gailanne Amundsen (Fiddle, banjo, guitar) is the common link between these four women, and her story of meeting them all is remarkably similar. Learn more here.
Todd New River Festival – Saturday
This Saturday, Oct. 10, the 22nd annual Todd New River Fall Festival, hosted by the Todd Ruritan Club, will take place. It will be held at the Walter and Annie Cook Park from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The festival is going to be a fun-filled, all day event in a beautiful town with a welcoming community. It will include crafts, food and special activities for children of all ages, including face painting. Click here for more information or call the Todd Ruritan Club at 828-964-1362.
Boone Heritage Festival – Sunday
Travel back in time this weekend and celebrate the roots of High Country living at the fifth annual Boone Heritage Festival at the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11. Enjoy live music, master craft displays, fresh local food favorites, storytelling, living history demonstrations and so much more at this annual recognition of all things Appalachia. Read more about it here.
Organ Concert at St. Mary’s – Sunday
A “Summer of Recitals” comes to a close this Sunday, October 11th at 3 pm at St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church in Blowing Rock with a concert given by noted organist Dr. Joseph Causby on St. Mary’s magnificent Lively-Fulcher organ. The instrument was designed specifically for the acoustic and style of music at the historic church, and was completed and dedicated a year ago, following the complete renovation and restoration of the church nave in a project aptly named “The Stones Will Sing”. This concert is the culmination of that project. Click here for more information.