Weekend Roundup: 15 Things To Do This Weekend; Check ‘em Out and Make Plans Nov. 30 to Dec. 2

Compiled by Rebecca Gitlen

Nov. 30, 2012. This weekend has a variety of things to do for anybody in the High Country. Whether you are looking for something to relieve the week’s stress or a wild night on the town, the High country has something to offer that will trigger that interest. There are so many things to look forward to as the weekend quickly approaches.

Boone Christmas Parade

Put on by the Downtown Boone Development Association, the Boone Christmas Parade takes place on Saturday, Dec. 1. Experience small town America at its finest with a procession down King Street, complete with decorated floats, local celebrities, dance troupes, music and more. There is even going to be a special appearance by Santa Claus himself. 

When: Dec. 1, 11 a.m.
Where: King Street
More info: 828-262-4532 

First Playoff Game: ASU vs. Illinois State

No. 7/6 Appalachian State University begins its quest for a fourth national championship when it hosts No. 16/15 Illinois State in the second round of the NCAA Division I Football Championship. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Kidd Brewer Stadium.

When: Dec. 1, 2 p.m.
Where: Kidd Brewer Stadium, ASU
More info: goasu.com

Poplar Grove Baptist Church Hosts ‘A Family Christmas’ Nativity Scene 

Friday and Saturday Poplar Grove Baptist Church will host their annual drive-thru nativity. The title of this years nativity is “A Family Christmas.” Visitors can enjoy hot apple cider, homemade cookies and live caroler as they drive around the church to view each scene, narrated on CD or cassette playing in their vehicle, depicting the Christmas story as it comes to life for a little boy as his parents tell him of the first Christmas night. The event is free and underwritten by the congregation of Poplar Grove Baptist Church

When: Friday, Nov. 30, and Saturday, Dec. 1, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Poplar Grove Baptist Church, 1228 Poplar Grove Road South, Boone
More info: 828-963-9390

‘Shop Local Saturdays’ – Boone Area Chamber’s Holiday-Shopping Campaign Begins 

Just in time for holiday shopping, a Boone Area Chamber of Commerce promotion, “Shop Local Saturdays,” begins this Saturday, Dec. 1. Boone Area Chamber President Dan Meyer said the idea for the annual holiday-shopping campaign sprang from American Express’ “Small Business Saturday,” which takes place in between Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

When: Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22
Where: Local businesses
More info: Click

Watauga Education Foundation’s Flapjack Fundraiser and Boone Service League’s Holiday Market

A stack of “local” pancakes and an awesome raffle benefiting a good cause, all while knocking out some of your holiday shopping and Santa portraits at the same time – what more can you ask for? Held at the Watauga High School, the Flapjack Flip is a pancake breakfast and raffle benefiting WEF. The breakfast, which includes pancakes, sausage, ham, coffee, milk, juice and more, costs $5 per person, and – new for this year – High Country Local First is providing the food. High Country Local First is a nonprofit seeking to strengthen the community and local economy by supporting locally owned, independent businesses and farmers through education, promotion and networking is providing the food.

When: Saturday, Dec. 1, 8-11 a.m.
Where: Watauga High School
More info: Click

Humane Society Santa Paws

Watauga Humane Society and Mast General Store parterning to bring Santa Paws to Town on Saturday and Sunday. Get your pet’s picture taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Photos are $15. All proceeds go to Watauga Humane Society to support the animals they care for.

When: Dec. 1 and 2, 1-4 p.m.
Where: Little Red School House Mast General Store, Valle Crucis
More info: 828-264-7865

Avery County YMCA Holiday Market

The Williams YMCA of Avery County is hosting a holiday market to benefit the Williams YMCA Strong Kids Campaign. The market will be held on Saturday at the Hugh Chapman Center for Families. The entrance fee is $5 and the entirety of the fee goes to benefit the Strong Kids Campaign.

When: Saturday, Dec. 1, 8 a.m. to noon
Where: Hugh Chapman Center for Families
More info: www.ymcaavery.org

Blowing Rock Art and History Museum Holiday Event

The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum invites the community to warm up and kick-off the holiday season on Saturday. The holiday open house will be a free event held at the museum. Festivities include ornament making, storytelling, cookie decorating, music, a silent auction, refreshments and an unveiling of a special gift to the community. The galleries will also be open free of charge.  

When: Dec. 1, noon to 3 p.m.
Where: Blowing Rock Art and History Museum
More info: 828-295-9099

Live Music

Watauga Community Band’s Christmas Concert 

The Watauga Community Band is ringing in the holiday season with their annual Christmas concert. The band, directed by Bill Winkler, is performing in Watauga High School’s auditorium Saturday. Holiday favorites such as Tschaikowsky’s “Themes From the Nutcracker Suite,” Handel’s “Messiah” and Jerry Herman’s “We Need a Little Christmas” from the musical “Mame” will be featured. Special guests, the Nexun Bell Ringers will join the band in Douglas Wagner’s “Tidings!” and will perform some pieces of their own. The concert is free, but donations to the band are appreciated. 

When: Saturday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m.
Where: Watauga High School Auditorium
More info: wataugaband.org

Mountain Home Music’s “An Appalachian Christmas”

Mountain Home Music celebrates Christmas with guitars, banjos, fiddles, dulcimers and singers. It’s Mountain Home Music’s annual celebration of An Appalachian Christmas. Performing will be The Mountain Home Bluegrass Boys, Mary Greene and The Mountain Laurels. The Mountain Home Bluegrass Boys feature Steve Lewis, a two-time National Banjo Champion; David Johnson, a member of the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame; Scott Freeman, a Henderson Festival Mandolin Champion, and Josh Scott, who plays bass with the Bluegrass Boys and also with piano man, Jeff Little.

When: Saturday, Dec. 1, 8 p.m.
Where: Grace Lutheran Church, 115 East King St., Boone
More info: 828-964-3392

River Whyless and Andy Herod at Boone Saloon

River Whyless is a four-piece band formed in Boone in 2006. With one graduate of Appalachian State’s school of music and a classically trained violinist, they combine technical skill with the creative gifts of co-songwriters, Ryan O’Keefe and Halli Anderson, to produce a sound they feel, they can call their own.

When: Saturday, Dec. 1, 9 p.m.
Where: 489 West King St., Boone
More info: 828-264-1811

Arpetrio and Big Something at Murphy’s

Big Something is an alternative rock group with a big groove. They’re a tight, six-piece ensemble that brings arena-sized grooves to every stage they play. This is funk, fit for the future, featuring crystalline synths, wailing saxes and guitars that shred established musical boundaries. Their debut album Stories from the Middle of Nowhere was recorded in Raleigh with Grammy-nominated producer John Custer and was named the Home Grown Music Network’s Best Studio Album of 2010.

When: Arpetrio on Nov. 30 and Big Something on Dec. 1
Where: Murphy’s, 747 W. King St., Boone
More info: 828-264-5117

 Theater

BeanStalk Little Theatre Presents Jingle Jury, the Musical

Jingle Jury is an original Christmas musical that takes place in the Candy Cane Courthouse. The defendant, Jim Dandy, says that holiday cheer is just “a lot of nonsense.” Court proceedings include a lively cast of characters, such as a reindeer-in-training, a Christmas angel, Mrs. Cratchit, Tiny Tim and, of course, Santa Claus. These familiar characters gather to defend the Christmas spirit and to prove Dandy wrong.

When: Friday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Where: Harvest House, 247 Boone Heights Drive, Boone
More info: 828-312-0263 or click 

Free Tasting