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Weekend Roundup: Exciting Things to Do This Weekend; Check ‘em Out and Make Plans June 20-22

by Madison V. Fisler

June 20, 2014. The High Country has so many exciting events to offer its community and visitors, especially on summer weekends! 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 our weekly movie review of 22 Jump Street, click here.

High Country Bead, Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show: The 20th Annual High Country Bead, Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show will take place at the Boone National Guard Armory on June 20, 21 and 22. Jewelry makers, mineral dealers, fossil dealers, goldsmiths and silversmiths from all over the country will be present to sell jewelry and to offer their services to customers. For more information about this event click here

Cool 5 Race Weekend: The town of Beech Mountain has announced five options for runners during this year’s “A Cool 5″ race weekend held June 20-22. The annual event has grown from a single race years ago into a multi-race format contested over an entire weekend. There is competition available for every fitness level and an activity for everyone in the family. For more information about this event click here

Sirens on the Mountain: Last year’s successful Siren Mountain Jam returns for its second year under a new name: Sirens on the Mountain. This year’s event will be held on Friday, June 20 and Saturday, June 21 at the High Country Fairgrounds and will feature Rickie Lee Jones, Bettye Lavette, Rising Appalachia, Michelle Malone and many more. For more information about this event click here. 

Ensemble Stage Presents Tuna Does Vegas: Ensemble Stage is back for the summer and will kick off the 2014 summer theater season on June 21 with the premiere of “Tuna Does Vegas.” “Tuna Does Vegas” by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard tells the story of the hysterically quirky residents of Tuna as they invade Sin City. For more information about this event click here

Friday, June 20

Doc Watson Day: When Doc Watson was asked about the idea of a statue of his likeness being installed in downtown Boone, he said it would be okay if a plaque accompanied it reading “Just One of the People.” Doc wanted to be remembered first and foremost as a member of the community – a husband, father, grandfather and participant. In that spirit, the Town of Boone will celebrate the fourth annual Doc Watson Day Celebration on June 20 at the Jones House Cultural and Community Center in downtown Boone with a free concert by some of Doc’s friends and admirers. For more information about this event click here

Watauga County Relay for Life: On Friday, June 20, cancer survivors, supporters and loved ones of those who have faced the disease will come together at Watauga High School to celebrate life and fight back against cancer at the annual Watauga County Relay for Life event. After countless hours of year-round fundraising efforts, teams from Watauga County will once again rally together for a day of support, remembrance and finishing the fight against cancer. Each of the teams participating this year have spent large amounts of time raising funds for the American Cancer Society, supporting each other and raising awareness of the multiple diseases under the cancer umbrella. For more information about this event, click here

LifeStore Celebrates 75 Years: On Friday, June 20, Life Store will celebrate 75 years of building relationships with the local communities beginning at 11:30 a.m. The day will include fun, refreshments and even door prizes at LifeStore Bank and Insurance in Boone and at all other LifeStore locations. For more information about this event click here.

Newland Riverwalk Concert Series: The 2014 season of the Newland Riverwalk Concert Series will kick off with a bang on June 20 with the Americana stylings of Nautical Wheelers. The Newland Riverwalk Summer Concert Series, sponsored by the Town of Newland and Newland Business Association, will feature free music Fridays from 6 – 9 p.m. rain or shine at the Newland Band Shell and Park. For more information about this event click here.

Hound Ears Exhibit Opens at BRAHM: With its latest exhibition, the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (BRAHM) will chronicle the historical significance and community impact of one of the High Country’s first private residential clubs. Titled Hound Ears Community and Club: Celebrating 50 Years of Contributions to the High Country, the exhibit will coincide with the Club’s 50th anniversary. The exhibit will launch June 20 and wrap up on Sept. 7. For more information, click here.  

Silent Bike Auction: On June 20, from 5-7 p.m., the Appalachian State University Department of Housing will host the sixth annual Silent Bike Auction. The auction will be held in the ballroom of the Appalachian Panhellenic Residence Hall located at 949 Blowing Rock Road beside the BB&T bank For more information about this event click here

Wilkesboro’s Weekly Open Air Market: The Open Air Market is scheduled May 2 through September 19, 2014 on a weekly basis. The regular market is open every Friday from 4:00-8:00 pm. The vendor selling are farmers with locally grown fruits, vegetables, plants and local art & craft vendors, baked goods, plus many other vendors. This market will take place in the town owned parking lot across from the 50’s Restaurant and Royall’s Framing on Main Street in downtown Wilkesboro.

Stream Ecology at Grandfather Mountain State Park: Join a Park Ranger to learn about how the living and non-living things interact in mountain streams. What are all of those bugs and other critters swimming and crawling through the creek? We will catch and identify what type of creature they are and what these species could tell us about water quality. Nets will be provided. Any participants wanting to get into the stream should bring waders or clothes that can get wet and a towel to dry off. All ages are welcome. Please no pets.

Music in the Valle: Valle Crucis Community Park presents the 12th season of its Music in the Valle concert series, a favorite among Watauga County locals as well as visitors to the High Country! Concerts begin at 7 p.m. May 23 through August 8. August 15 through September 5 concerts begin at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 21

Coffee Talk at The Art Cellar:  Enjoy special opportunity to meet and discover the inspiration and development of the paintings of artist Scott Boyle. For this Saturday’s Coffee Talk at the Art Cellar Gallery, the artist will be doing a short demo and talk about his work. Scott will be in the gallery will new work from the studio as he discusses and demonstrates his artistic approach to creating his fabulous works. For more information about this event click here. 

Field Day at the Berry Site: Warren Wilson College, Western Piedmont Community College and the Exploring Joara Foundation invite the public to a field day event at the Berry Archaeological Site in Morganton on June 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors will have the chance to see a portion of the newly discovered moat, which was found during last summer’s excavations. For more information about this event click here.

Riverfest: Riverfest, a festival celebrating the Watauga River and the High Country’s natural resources, will take place at Valle Crucis Community Park Saturday, June 21. For more information about this event click here.

Jack Masters Golf Tournament: On Saturday, June 21, Sugar Mountain Golf Club will host the third annual Jack Masters Golf Tournament. The four-man scramble or captain’s choice friendly will benefit improvements and the preservation of Wildcat Lake Park adjacent to the Grandfather Home for Children in Banner Elk. The tournament, which is played annually in honor of the late Jack Masters, pays tribute to the man who dedicated his life to the advocacy of children in the High Country. For more information about this event click here.

Church Benefit: On Saturday, June 21, Hopewell Community Church will be sponsoring a benefit for Rev. Carter and Pam Moretz to assist with medical bills from surgeries and tests. This will be held at 5592 N.C. 194 North just past Big Hill Road under the tent. There will be a silent auction, bake sale, hotdogs and music. Hotdog sales will start at 5 p.m. and music will start at 6 p.m. There will be a variety of music from the Winkler Family and the Rick Davis Group. Please come and enjoy the fun.   

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 runs from 8 a.m. until noon and is located in the Horn in the West parking lot in Boone.

Ashe County Farmers’ Market: We will have everything from fresh produce and meats to plants and crafts all under one roof! The market is located on Backstreet in West Jefferson from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. 

Hickory Ridge Living History Museum: Hickory Ridge Living History Museum, located on the grounds of “Horn in the West,” is an eighteenth-century living history museum highlighting the daily lives of our mountain ancestors. See live demonstrations of a various pioneer skills, such as hearthside cooking, flintlock rifle, blacksmithing, spinning and weaving, etc. Open Saturday mornings, May – October (during Farmers Market on site), and evenings before “Horn in the West,” Tuesday through Sunday., late-June through mid-August. Admission to the museum is by donation. Don’t miss our 4th annual Boone Heritage Festival on Saturday, Oct. 11.

Elk Knob Volunteer Trail Work Day: Warmer weather has finally returned along with the Volunteer Trail Work Days at Elk Knob State Park. Every Saturday beginning April 5 and running through the middle of November (except June 28 and Sept. 13), staff and volunteers will meet at the Summit Trailhead at 9 a.m. and work until approximately 3:30 p.m., weather permitting. Tools are provided but volunteers should wear close-toed shoes and bring work gloves, lunch and water. Most of the time will be spent building our new one mile loop trail, the Beech Tree Trail, although we may include some repair work on the Summit Trail. If you would like to be involved in a fulfilling project that will fill you with a well-deserved sense of pride, then join us on Saturdays at Elk Knob State Park. For more information please call 828-297-7261.

Johnson County Farmers’ Market: The main work of the Johnson County Farmers Market is to help strengthen a sustainable local agricultural and food economy. We do this by providing education, engaging in community and economic development, and promoting the availability and benefits of local food and agriculture.

Bear Paw Hike: Bear Paw is a translation of ‘Yonah-wayah’, the Cherokee name for this area of high ridges and valleys above Valle Crucis. Hike with The Blue Ridge Conservancy staff, members, and other hikers to the crest of Hanging Rock Ridge for amazing views of Grandfather Mountain. This is a 3.5 hour strenuous hike. Meet at the Valle Crucis Conference Center lower parking lot. 

Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival: The family-friendly festival will be Saturday, June 21, rain or shine, at Grayson Highlands State Park in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia. Performing will be Vince Gill, Bill Kirchen, Dale Jett and Hello Stranger, the Snyder Family Band, Kazuhiro Inaba, and Wayne Henderson and Friends. Children’s events and music are on the schedule, too. Admission is $20, and children 12 and younger get in free. Parking is $3.

 

Sunday, June 22

90th Annual Singing on the Mountain: On Sunday, June 22, Grandfather Mountain will ring with the sounds of gospel music as the 90th annual Singing on the Mountain takes place at MacRae Meadows in Linville. The free gospel festival encompasses a day of praise, fellowship, music and more for all of the guests and all are invited to attend. For more information about this event click here. 

Alpen Summer Concerts: The Beech Alpen Summer Concert Series showcases the best in local music with breathtaking views! Featured bands perform a variety of music including Classic Rock-n-Roll, Beach, Motown, Soul, Country/Bluegrass, Swing, Jazz and Blues. Concerts take place on the lawn of the Beech Alpen Inn Pavilion every Sunday 5-9 Memorial Day thru Labor Day. Seating is provided or bring your own chair/blanket. Special lawn menu is available from the Alpen Inn Restaurant. Concerts are free and open to the public. Pets on leashes are welcome. Please – no outside food or coolers.

VegBoone Vegan Picnic: Celebrate summer at beautiful Valle Crucis Community Park! Gather with old friends and new for a VegBoone vegan potluck picnic. Share delicious food and great company! On Sunday, June 22nd, the Herrick Pavilion will be reserved just for our event. Please bring a generous amount of vegan food (no meat, fish, eggs, dairy, or honey) that would yield at least 8 servings, your own place setting, and a copy of your recipe or a list of the ingredients. Multiple copies to share with others would most certainly be appreciated by participants and it’s a great way to add vegan recipes to your collection! There are plenty of picnic tables, but you could also bring lawn chairs or blankets. Bring your friendly dogs as long as they are on a leash. From Boone, take NC 105 South to Broadstone Rd. Turn right at the light and take Broadstone into Valle Crucis. The park entrance is just before the Mast General Store Annex (red roof). Turn right into the park and follow the road all the way to the end of the parking lot. The Herrick Pavilion is the second one you will see. Look for the VegBoone sign!

BRAHM Sunday Music Concert: Anita Burroughs-Price and Ray Dooley perform “Wine, Women, and Song: Poetry and Music of the British Isles” on the harp and in spoken word. Special Irish refreshments.

Native American Heritage at Grandfather Mountain State Park: What is your power animal… What is a power animal… Join a ranger to learn what power animals are and how to tell what yours could be. In addition to power animals, we will talk about other natural plants and colors that play into the Native American culture and what they mean. This will be a 30 minute program. Optional 1 mile (round-trip) hike after program. If you plan to participate in the hike, bring water and snacks and wear appropriate shoes. Dress for weather; both program and hike will be outdoors.