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Weekend Roundup: Things to Do This Weekend in the High Country; Check ‘em Out, Make Plans Feb. 21-23

by Madison V. Fisler

Feb. 21, 2014. On this beautiful winter weekend, the High Country has so many exciting events to offer its community and visitors. 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

Check out this week’s movie trailers and our weekly movie review of RoboCop and About Last Night here.

80s Retro Weekend at Beech Mountain: It was a time when pants were made out of parachutes, ski clothes featured shoulder pads, rock stars wore spandex and video killed the radio star. That’s right – we’re talking the 1980s, a decade celebrated each February with the Totally 80s Retro Ski Weekend at Beech Mountain. For more information click here

Spay/Neuter Special: Kitten and puppy season is here, and shelters across North Carolina are finding their kennels full. To help to remedy this problem, the Watauga Humane Society in Boone has announced their $15 Spay/Neuter special, where you can get your furry friend fixed for just $15. For more information, click here.

Crescent Ski Council Competition: Slalom & Giant Slalom competitions for Crescent Ski Council members. Competitions begin at 9 a.m. at Sugar Mountain Resort.  

Friday, Feb. 21

Zumbathon: In honor of American Heart Month, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS) is hosting a Zumbathon this Friday, Feb. 21 from 4-7 p.m. in the Paul H. Broyhill Wellness Center. The event is an extension of the second annual Heart Shape Event, which was held earlier this month.  To read the entire article on this event, click here

Saturday, Feb. 22

ACT Dance Marathon: Get ready to dance your fund-raising APPS off! On Saturday, Feb. 22, Appalachian State University’s Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT) will host Dance Marathon 2014! Dance Marathon is an annual event that raises funds for worthy organizations. For more information on this event, click here

BRAHM’s Masquerade in the Mountains: The Blowing Rock Art Museum invites you to celebrate Mardi Gras in the Mountains sponsored by the Blue Ridge Mountain Club on Saturday, Feb. 22. From 7-10 p.m., join the Blowing Rock Museum in the first annual fundraiser including Dixieland Jazz, Cajun Food and a masquerade-themed party, so be sure to bring your mask! For more information, click here

Beech Mountain Banked Slalom: If you’re looking for a fast paced snow adventure, look no further than the Banked Slalom Race at Beech Mountain Resort held on Feb. 22. If you’re looking for a fast paced snow adventure, look no further than the Banked Slalom Race at Beech Mountain Resort held on Feb. 22. For more information, click here

Todd Wright Concert: Saxophonist Jeff Coffin joins Todd Wright and Jazz Ensemble I for a performance Feb. 22. The program begins at 8 p.m. in the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. Admission is free. Coffin is an internationally recognized saxophonist, bandleader, composer and educator. 

Horn in the West Auditions: As Horn in the West approaches its 2014 season, it will be looking for fresh faces to star in the nation’s oldest Revolutionary War drama. On Saturday, Feb. 22, the Southern Appalachian Historical Association (SAHA) will host auditions for approximately 50 parts for the popular summer attraction. For more information, click here

Flapjack Fundraiser: ASU Wine to Water is fundraising to travel to Colombia this summer for an international service trip with Wine to Water. Help us raise funds, and enjoy a yummy breakfast! The pancake breakfast is on Saturday, February 22 from 7:30 am – 10:00 am at Applebee’s in Boone. Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage and a drink.

February Watauga Cash Mob: The February Watauga Cash Mob will visit Blowing Rock Produce & Provisions at 8100 Valley Blvd. in Blowing Rock and then have lunch at the nearby Mi Carreta Mexican Grille at 8146 Valley Blvd in Blowing Rock. The Watauga County Cash Mob is an organized infusion of economic stimulus into local businesses. The “mob” will meet at Blowing Rock Produce & Provisions at 11 a.m. on the Feb. 22. with lunch to follow at noon. Blowing Rock Produce & Provisions was created with “the vision of linking our local food producers and local artisans with the greater community and providing a space to educate and distribute goods that enhances the local food movement, promotes ideas of sustainability, educates the health-conscious consumers and promotes the intricate web of food with the interchange of ideas and products within the community.”Mi Carreta, which means “my cart” in Spanish opened in 2012 and gets high marks for freshness, daily specials including vegetarian dishes and authentic dishes like Tacos Mexicanos.

Craft Sale at the Watauga Humane Society: Come support the Watauga Humane Society! The S.N.I.P.S group will be selling locally made crafts to raise money for the spay and neuter program. There will be dogs for adoption as well. Hutch the Husky will be making an appearance between 1:00-3:00 pm. Lots of fun – come join us!

Unwanted Necklace at Grandfather Mountain State Park: What’s up with the unwanted necklace? It turns out this necklace is not worn by humans its worn by animals; in particular, BIRDS and it can kill them. Many things we throw away can harm animals if they are not disposed of properly. This program will teach us how to properly dispose of certain items so that they do not end up killing or harming our birds. So what kind of necklace is it and how do we keep birds from wearing them? Join a ranger to find out and also make a necklace of your own to take home as a reminder. Because it s February please dress accordingly for the weather and to be outside for about 30 minutes. Meet at the Profile Trail parking lot at 2pm. If the lot is closed we will meet at Lowe’s food parking lot at the far left side of the lot when looking at the building. Lowe’s Food is located on the left side of the road just past the Profile Parking lot. For any question please call Ranger Sicard at the Park Office 828-963-9522.

Winter Tree Identification Hike at Grandfather Mountain State Park: Participants will learn how to identify local trees without the aid of leaves by learning differences in bark, limb, bud and branching patterns. Participants are encouraged to bring field guides to local trees. Hiking boots are recommended. This is an outdoor event and those in attendance should come dressed for the current weather conditions. If there is new snow or ice, please call ahead. Call the park office if you have questions: 828-963-9522.

Sunday, Feb. 23

SlopeStyle Finals:  It all comes down to this, folks! This weekend, Appalachian Ski Mtn will host the Volcom/Electric Shred for the Cup Slopestyle Finals at the App Terrain Park on Feb. 23.  This will mark the final event of the Shred for the Cup 2014 Series. For the entire article on this event, click here

Birds of Southern Appalachia at Elk Knob State Park: Do you miss seeing a variety of birds during the winter months? Come and enjoy a powerpoint presentation about the many species of birds that can be seen at Elk Knob State Park and other locations in the mountains of North Carolina. Please meet at the park office at 3 pm on February 23. This program will be held indoors.

Baha’i Devotional Meeting: There will be a Baha’i devotional meeting from 10 a.m. until noon at 297 Cherry Drive in Boone on Feb. 23. The theme of the meeting will be “The Nature of the Soul and its existence after death.” For more information and directions, call 828-264-2297.