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Weekend Roundup: Hiking, Biking, Arts, Food and Music in the High Country, June 5-7

Summer in the High Country is now in full swing and there’s plenty for you to do this weekend. Get ready for good times!

Restaurant Week continues in Blowing Rock through Sunday, so don’t miss some great deals on fine dining.

Also, don’t forget about the local recurring outdoor summer concert series. Read more to find out who’s playing this week.

 

First Friday Art Crawl

Don’t miss the First Friday Art Crawl this week! Come out to downtown Boone and enjoy complementary refreshments, live entertainment and art gallery receptions. Read more about this month’s event for a list of happenings.

Live Music Events All Weekend at Lost Province

Weekly live music at Lost Province Brewing Co. kicks off at Freakin’ Firkin Friday at Five  with the Lazybirds, an American band with Appalachian roots. Don’t miss the classic 1960s soul and R&B sounds of Tin Can Alley from 8-11 p.m. on Sunday.

 

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Grandfather Mountain

Rhododendron Ramble at Grandfather Mountain

Few plants scream “summer” in the mountains as loudly as the vivid pink Catawba rhododendron, and Grandfather Mountain is now center stage for the spectacular annual show. To showcase the beauty and significance of this native plant, Grandfather Mountain naturalists will host the Remarkable Rhododendron Ramble from June 1-14. Visit www.grandfather.com to plan a trip.

 

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Beech Mountain Resort

Beech Mountain Resort Opens for the Season on Friday

Beech Mountain Resort opens its summer season Friday, June 5, along with the grand opening of its Emerald Outback Trail system. The resort will offer activities for the entire family this weekend in addition to its regularly scheduled mountain biking and lessons. Headlining Saturday’s events will be live music from 4-7 p.m. at the Beech Mountain Brewing Co., featuring “If Birds Could Fly.” Read more about these events for details.

 

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Maura Shawn Scanlin

Violinist Maura Shawn Scanlin at ASU on Friday

Watauga native Maura Shawn Scanlin will take to the stage of the Hayes School of Music Recital Hall at Appalachian State University for a free violin performance on Friday. Scanlin is a student at the New England Conservatory in Boston and an award-winning musician. Check out this  7 p.m. recital for a blend of solo violin works and traditional and original compositions accompanied by guitarist Craig Dubose.

 

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New River Canoe Race

New River Canoe Race on Saturday

This family-friendly event will take you five miles down the New River and is open to participants of all ages and skill levels. Sponsored by the Friends of High Country State Parks, the race has become a longstanding outdoor tradition for those who love to enjoy the mountains and rivers of North Carolina. Read more about this event for details.

 

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Sarah Papp

Spring Into Summer ArtsFest on Saturday

Don’t miss your chance to celebrate the High Country’s rich arts community this weekend with the Watauga Arts Council at its second annual Spring Into Summer ArtsFest on Saturday. Hosted outside at the Blue Ridge ArtSpace, 377 Shadowline Drive in Boone, the festivities will take place between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., bringing a world of creativity and expression for festivalgoers to explore. Read more about this event for details.

 

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David McCaig – Poppies – 32×42

Artist Recognitions at Carlton Gallery on Saturday

Carlton Gallery continues its 33rd Spring Group Exhibition with special recognition for a lifetime of painting by the late Jim Crompton and David McCaig from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 6. Both were longstanding gallery artists whose new artwork and presence is very much missed. The gallery is located 10 miles south of Boone and 7 miles north of Linville on N.C. Highway 105 South in the Grandfather Mountain community near the entrance to Seven Devils.

 

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Todd Wright and Friends

Todd Wright and Friends at St. John’s on Sunday

Well-known jazz artist Todd Wright, head of jazz studies at ASU, and four of his friends will kick off the summer concert series at St. John’s Episcopal Church — a summer mission of Holy Cross Church. Enjoy a variety of jazz sounds at 5 p.m. followed by a picnic on the lawn.

 

 

Other events this weekend: