by Madison V. Fisler
Oct. 4, 2013. The High Country has so many exciting events to offer its community and visitors, especially as autumn is already upon us. 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
Bare Bones Boutique Brown Bag Sale: The Watauga Humane Society’s Bare Bones Boutique will host their famous Brown Bag Sale this week to help raise funds for the organization to take care of the many needy animals that depend on them. The Brown Bag sale includes all clothing-related items (shoes, purses, scarves) that you can fill a bag with. Each bag costs $5.33 (including tax) and there is no bag limit per customer. The sale will run Thursday and Friday, Oct. 3 and 4 from noon to 5 p.m. and on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. To read our article on this event, click here.
Lees-McRae Theatre Presents “Anything Goes”: The show, running from Oct. 3-6, is sure to be a thrill for all ages. Tickets for the show are still available and can be purchased at the door only and cost $12 per person and $5 for students and children. Lees-McRae students, faculty and staff get into the show for free! To read our article on this event, click here.
Movies: Don’t forget to check out the new movies this week! Check out our compilation of movie times and trailers here!
Autumn at Oz Celebration: This year’s Autumn at Oz is set for Oct. 5-6. On those dates, fans will come from near and far to spend a few hours touring Dorothy’s House and Uncle Henry’s barn as well as enjoying a nostalgic stroll with Dorothy and friends along the yellow brick road. Advanced tickets are currently sold out, however, a limited number of tickets will be available at the gate starting at 9 a.m. each day. To read the article on this event, click here.
Original Work “Promises” Presented Oct. 2-6 at Appalachian: The Appalachian State University Department of Theatre and Dance presents “Promises” an original work by theatre faculty member Joel Williams and directed by Derek Davidson. The play will be presented in the state-of-the-art Valborg Theatre on Oct. 2-5 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee performance on Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices start at just $8 for students and $15 for adults. Tickets are available at the Valborg Theatre Box Office Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. by phone at 828-262-3063 and online at www.theatre.appstate.edu.
Ghost Trail Halloween Festival at Tweetsie: 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!
Ashe County Little Theatre Presents: Elvis Has Left the Building: It’s 1970 and Elvis Presley is missing. His manager, Colonel Tom Parker, needs his star for an extremely important live performance. (You see, he owes a certain mobster a bit of money). Oh, and the show is in 24 hours. When the search for the real Elvis proves fruitless, he looks for the next best thing – an Elvis impersonator. But where can he find one that he can pass off as the real Elvis? And what has the real Elvis been up to anyway? This riotously funny story will have you wanting more and keep you guessing until the end!
Friday, Oct. 4
First Friday Art Crawl: It’s the first Friday in October, and that means that its time for the First Friday Art Crawl in Downtown Boone! Head on down to the downtown portion of Boone and stop by the shops who stay open late for crawlers to enjoy the galleries and shops later than usual. Enjoy refreshments, artwork, music and more in the first official Art Crawl of autumn!
Victory Classic Golf Tournament: Golfers and supporters of Robin’s Nest Children’s Advocacy Center are invited to participate in the 2nd Annual Victory Classic Golf Tournament on Friday, October 4th, at Lenoir Golf Club. The cost is $200 per 4-person team. Lunch will be served at noon followed by a 1:00 p.m. shotgun start. The format is Captain’s Choice. Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams as well as closest-to-the-pin on all par 3s. Other events include putting, chipping, and long-drive contests along with a raffle and a “not-your-typical” silent auction. Hole sponsorships are available and donations are appreciated. Proceeds benefit Robin’s Nest, a 501(c)(3) organization, where services are provided for child victims of severe physical or sexual abuse.
Wilkesboro’s Weekly Open Air Market: Wilkesboro hosts a weekly Open Air Market on West Main Street in the heart of historic downtown, offering farm-fresh fruits, vegetables and plants, as well as handmade crafts. The market’s focus is on supporting and sustaining the local farm and artisan community. The market takes place every Friday from 4 to 8 p.m., from April 19 through Oct. 18. Admission is free. The town of Wilkesboro will also provide an open mike opportunity during the regular Open Air Market Fridays for local and regional musicians. Open mike signups will be available weekly April through October, not including the Third Friday Events, which are held April through August. To sign up, or for more information, contact Andrew Carlton at Wilkesboro Town Hall
Hillbilly Horror at Honey Scare Campground: $10 a person! Haunted trail and outdoor adult horror film at 10pm. Every weekend in October! Interested in volunteering? Check out the website!
Sunset Stroll on Sunset Boulevard: As part of the Sunset Stroll on Sunset celebration, Art & Artifacts and Blowing Rock Gallery of Homes and Land, two businesses under one roof, are featuring the works of two well-known Catawba Valley painters, Frances Bost and Judy Rider. The exhibit is entitled “Two Points of View: Translucent and Textured”. It will run through the month of October. The public is invited to “A Meet the Artists Reception” on Friday, October 4th from 5:00 pm until 7:30pm at 159 Sunset Drive. Refreshments will be served.
Saturday, Oct. 5
Brushy Mountain Apple Festival: With an increasing number of vendors and participants each year, this weekend’s apple festival is going to be filled with more food, activities, music, and crafts than ever before. Last year an estimated 160,000 people came from all over North Carolina to take part in the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival, and this year there’s sure to be even more. To read our complete article on this event, click here.
Watauga County Farmers’ Market: Every Saturday morning from May to November you will find quality locally farmed meats, fresh produce, artisan cheeses, dried and fresh cut flowers, hardy local plants, delicious edibles, and a wide variety of quality crafts. The Watauga County Farmers’ Market is located from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Horn in the West parking lot on Horn in the West Drive in Boone.
Lisa Mallory at Watauga Humane Society: Come join us at 3 p.m. on Oct. 5 at the Watauga Humane Society to learn how to interpret canine body language from professional dog trainer Lisa Mallory of Good Dog! Training, LLC. You’ll gain knowledge to understand the subtle signals and communication your dog and other dogs are sending every moment of every day. The cost is free, but donations to our Pet Food Pantry are happily accepted.
7th Annual Relay for Life Scarecrow 5K: Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 5th, 8:30 am to be able to participate in the 7th annual Relay for Life Scarecrow 5K Run/Walk taking place on the Greenway Trail in Boone, NC. Registration fee is $15 w/a deadline of September 25th, $20 after, family rate $40 deadline September 25th, after the 25th $45. Meeting the September 25th deadline guarantees you a long sleeved t-shirt, after this date it will be on a first come first serve basis. Cash prizes will be awarded to the Overall 1st place Male/Female and to the Master’s Male/Female. Awards will also be given to the top 3 Male/Female age group winners. Refreshments will be served and all participants will be eligible for door prizes. Plan to join us for a great time while raising money for a wonderful cause! For more information you can contact Paula Ward, 828-297-4876, 828-964-6308, email wardpy@appstate.edu or you can go to our website, www.wataugarelayforlife5k.com.
Last Show at Art in the Park: A series of art and fine handcraft shows featuring juried artisans. Now in its 51st year, Art in the Park features 90 exhibitors in each of six shows May through October. Work includes: painting (oil, watercolor and acrylic), etching, stained and blown glass, basketry, wood carving and turning, clay, photography, fiber, jewelry and more. Located on the American Legion Grounds in Blowing Rock.
Blowing Rock Homes in the Village: Visitors to Blowing Rock’s popular “Art in the Park” a juried arts and crafts show with 90 booths that occurs one Saturday monthly from May until October, will have the rare opportunity to sign up for a self-guided tour of selected Village homes that are offered for sale. Ten local real estate companies have joined together to present “Homes in the Village”. Each month six properties, ranging from small cottages and condos to grand designer homes, will be open for viewing. Open Houses will be hosted from 11:00am until 3:00pm.
Lenoir Downtown Farmers’ Market: The Lenoir Downtown Farmer’s Market is a local producers only market. All goods are grown, made, designed or processed by the market vendors. Our vendors include vintners, local grass fed beef and pork, free range eggs, goats milk soaps and lotions, honey, alpaca wools, various produce, local arts and crafts, heritage eggs, herbs and spices, both living and dried, Herbville and Crane teas and sauces, just to name a few. We also feature a variety of live music including Celtic music, classic acoustic rock, Jazz saxophone, and many more. Need another reason? Here it is. Our market often features a specific product from one of our vendors, and we’ll be grilling up something almost every weekend, chicken wings, 100% beef hot dogs, grilled corn, tomatoes, and asparagus! Don’t miss this chance to meet and support your local farmers and producers, and help keep North Carolina foods close to home.
Free Fun Fest on State Farm Road: This is a free festival for kids put on by the ASU and Boone Optimist Clubs. There will be jump houses, inflatable obstacle courses, big bubbles, face painting, games and prizes. There will also be food for purchase. This is great family event that is fun, safe and free!
ASU vs. The Citadel: ASU football’s away game against The Citadel will take place on Saturday, Oct. 5
Do You Speak Dog? at the Watauga Humane Society: Come join us at 3pm, October 5th, at the Watauga Humane Society to learn how to interpret canine body language from professional dog trainer Lisa Mallory of Good Dog! Training,LLC.
Sunday, Oct. 6
Pianist Rodney Reynorson Performs Oct. 6: Join the Hayes School of Music’s Faculty Performance Series Sunday, Oct. 6 for an evening of Chopin, Ravel and other compositions for piano. Professor Rodney Reynerson will be the soloist for the 8 p.m. performance in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall at Appalachian State University. Admission is free.
The Colors of Grandfather Mountain: A guided walk led by interpretive rangers to discuss the reasons trees change color in the fall and to identify what trees turn what colors. Programs at 1 p.m. Included with park admission.
“Haint” Hike at Elk Knob State Park: On Sunday, October 6 at 2 p.m., hike the Summit Trail as a native Appalachian tells ghost stories from way back in the hollows of Appalachia. Participants should bring hiking attire and a box of tissues, as they will be frightened. Hike is weather dependent. Meet at the summit trailhead.
Music on the Veranda at the Green Park Inn: Join us this Sunday, October 6th at 4:00 for The Neighbors! Their a traditional style bluegrass band with a twist of Folk, Country, Blues, & Rock n’ Roll.