by Madison V. Fisler
May 16, 2014. 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 Neighbors, click here.
Friends of the Library Book Sale: The annual book sale is a three-day sale featuring a variety of books for every taste. The sale will begin on Thursday, May 15 for Friends of the Library members and the sale will be open to the general public on Friday, May 16 from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and on Saturday, May 17 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Most hardbacks will be $1 and post paperback books will be 50 cents with higher prices on some books. For more information click here.
Grandfather Mountain Naturalist Weekend: The annual Grandfather Mountain Naturalist Weekend Returns May 16-18 offering an in-depth look at the Mountain’s plants, wildlife and history in fascinating programs spanning three days. Guests can participate in guided hikes and workshops throughout the scenic attraction as well as Grandfather Mountain State Park. For more information click here.
Wee-Cycle Sale: Wee Cycle Consignment will host the annual Home Goods and Adult Clothing Sale from May 17-24. Items for sale will include furniture, home decor, linens, electronics, tools, outdoor equipment, clothing, shoes, books, accessories and much more! Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and 12-5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information click here.
Friday, May 16
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.
Contra Dance at Todd Mercantile: Todd CommUnity Dance is back at the Todd Mercantile, this Friday, May 16. There will be (soft) drinks available courtesy the TCPO. Bring your favorite dish to share AND your dancing shoes! Right after the pot luck dinner we will be having our monthly Contra Dance! It’s a great time to bring the family out and not only meet your neighbors, but do-si-do with them too! No experience necessary and it’s a whole lotta fun!
Lion’s Club Dance: Friday Night Chilhowie Lions Club Dance – For a great time, fellowship and clean family fun, come listen and/or dance to the music of a different band every Friday night from 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Watauga Humane Society Golf Tournament: The Blowing Rock Country Club will host the third annual Watauga Humane Society Golf Tournament on Friday, May 16 with a shotgun start at 1:30 p.m. Team prizes, special events prizes and a hole-in-one prize (car provided by Friendship Honda) will be awarded. The format of the tournament is a Scramble (two best balls of a foursome). Individual registration is $135 or $540 for a team of four. The fee includes a chance to play at the Blowing Rock Country Club, golf cart and green fees, a free bag lunch and other goodies. After the game there will be a cash bar and hors d’oeuvres and the presentation of prizes. All proceeds of the tournament will provide for the animals’ care and shelter as they wait at the Watauga Humane Society for families to adopt them. For tournament information, please call Jan Watson at 828-264-1743.
Saturday, May 17
High Country Mud Run: The annual race, which will be held at the High Country Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 17, already has several hundred registered to participate, with plenty of room for more. Registration will also be available on the day of the event. Don’t forget that the starting times are staggered, so not everyone races at once. Start times range from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information click here.
Ensemble Stage Presents: Macbeth: Ensemble Stage in Blowing Rock will present the timeless classic production, Shakespeare’s Macbeth, on May 17 at 7 p.m. as the final theatrical installment before the 2014 summer season starts up in June. The classic tale of prophesy, blind ambition, deceit and murder will be presented by Ensemble Stage in the style of a 1940s radio drama with live sound effects performed on stage. For more information click here.
Operation Medicine Cabinet: The Watauga County Board of Commissioners have designated May 12-17 as “Community Pride Week” with the goal of improving the appearance of Watauga County. During this week Watauga County residents will have an opportunity to dispose of many types of waste for no charge, including old furniture, yard debris, appliances, electronics, medications and household hazardous waste. For more information click here.
Exhibit Opening: The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum will open its newest exhibit, “Barn Quilts: A Rural Tradition” on May 17 to be exhibited until its closing day on Sept. 27. Nearly thirty paintings of rural barns by American artist Wolf Kahn will be exhibited along with dozens of regionally-made quilts representing the best of Appalachian creativity and handiwork. For more information click here.
Twang Bangers at The Rock: From a series of hard-hitting, southern-style jams to upbeat songs about home, heartbreak and love, The Twang Bangers reach far and wide in the country music genre with a live show that branches far from the band’s East Tennessee roots. The group brings that live experience for the first time on Saturday, May 17 with an 8 p.m. performance at The Rock Sports Bar and Grill in Boone. For more information click here.
Beech Mountain Metric: Fred Pfohl, owner of Fred’s General Mercantile, has been wearing his 1993 Tour DuPont jacket lately in anticipation of the inaugural Beech Mountain Metric, a grueling cycling event that begins in Banner Elk and ends atop Beech Mountain this coming Saturday. For more information click here.
Empty Bowls for Avery: Help stop hunger in Avery County. The first annual Empty Bowls for Avery fundraiser will be held on Saturday, May 17 to benefit Feeding Avery Families, Inc. The event will be held at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church located at 1161 Balm in Banner Elk and will take place from 12-3 p.m. For more information click here.
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.-12 p.m.
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 September 13), staff and volunteers will meet at the Summit Trailhead at 9 am and work until approximately 3:30 pm, 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.
Mountain City 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.
Grandfather Mountain Volunteer Trail Work Day: Join the Park’s staff for a day of trail maintenance and get a feel for what goes into managing a highly popular hiking destination. Volunteers will learn how to safely and effectively use tools, be shown sustainable trail design techniques and become familiar with trail labor. Work will be based on experience and skill level of volunteers and will range from easier low level physical activity to advanced highly physical trail construction. This volunteer day is suitable for adults and children above 12 years of age. All volunteers under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal adult guardian present. Volunteers should be dressed in appropriate clothing for outdoor work, bring work gloves, wear closed toed shoes and bring food and water for refreshment during the day. For questions, please call 828-963-9522
Wildflower Hike at Elk Knob State Park: See all the beautiful flowers on a guided ranger hike at Elk Knob State Park on Saturday, May 17 at 2 pm. Hiking attire to include boots is recommended. The hike is weather dependent. Please call the park office if the weather is questionable at 828-297-7261. Meet at the Elk Knob Summit Trailhead.
Author Meet and Greet: Meet author Mariah Burne on Saturday, May 17 at 12:30 p.m. in the meeting room at Watauga County Public Library.
Blowing Rock Art in the Park: Art in the Park was created in 1962 by a handful of area artists and craftspeople to showcase local talent. 52 years after its start, Art in the Park is host to 90 artisans at each show. Some of the best local and regional artists and craftspeople showcase their handcrafted jewelry, pottery, fiber, glass, photography, painting and more.
Music on the Lawn: “Music on the Lawn” at The Inn at Ragged Gardens has become Blowing Rock’s favorite outdoor concert series. Held each Friday from May through October (weather permitting), the event draws locals and visitors alike. The event has grown in popularity over the years and attendance in the hundreds can be expected. A different band is featured every week and performances are from 5:30 until 8:30. A cash bar and lawn menu are available. There is no charge for the concerts and we encourage guests to bring a lawn chair and arrive early to secure a spot on the lawn. Dogs are not permitted and we do not allow coolers or outside food and beverage. Each week a private non-profit organization is featured to educate and inform the public about their cause. We encourage you to come and enjoy music, food and drink on the beautifully landscaped grounds at The Inn at Ragged Gardens. See you on Fridays!
Sunday, May 18
Artist’s Reception: A new art exhibit, Phases of Grandfather, will be open to the public in the Dickson Gallery, Cannon Hospital, Linville through May and June with an opening reception on Sunday, May 18. The reception will run from 2-4 p.m. with relevant music and refreshments. Everyone in attendance will have a change to meet and talk with McLean. For more information click here.
Kid’s Trail Hike: Join a Park Ranger for a wonderful, leisurely hike through the woods and discover the kinds of activities that you can do that imitate animals. We will hike the unfinished Beech Tree Trail which is about a mile long but is fairly flat. We will see what other kinds of nature we can find along the trail. This hike is geared for kids between 5 and 12 but kids of all ages are welcomed to get out and enjoy the woods with us but be prepared to be active and silly. Please meet at the Trailhead Parking Area at 2 pm and dress appropriately for the weather. This program will be held rain or shine. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Apple Hill Farm Tour: This tour is a fun way to come meet the alpacas, goats, llamas, horses, ponies, chickens, dogs, and more that call Apple Hill Farm home. Don’t forget your camera!
Vintage Valle Music: Once again in 2014, Baird’s Creek Presbyterian Church presents Vintage Valle Music, a summer of “community” music and fun – our gift to our neighbors on the third Sunday of each summer month, May 18, June 15, July 20, and Aug. 17. There is no charge.
Relay for Life Praise Sing: Laurel Springs Baptist Church will hold its annual Relay for Life Praise Sing on Sunday, May 18 at 6 p.m. at Laurel Springs Baptist Church in Deep Gap. The Norris Family, Blue Ridge Mountain Home Band, Laurel Springs Quartet and many others from the church and community will perform. Luminaria purchased in honor or memory of loved ones who have battled cancer will be on display throughout the event. A love offering will be taken during the singing. All proceeds will benefit Relay for Life of Watauga County. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information contact Kathy Idol at 828-264-5240.
Community Music School Recital: Students in the Community Music School in Appalachian State University’s Hayes School of Music will present an end of semester recital May 18 in Broyhill Music Center on campus. Students in the string program will perform beginning at 1:30 p.m. in Rosen Concert Hall. The teachers are Katelyne Lagroom, violin; Kimberly Ray, violin; and Rhonda Lorence, violin and viola. Twenty-three students are enrolled in the program. Students in Jason Butler’s guitar studio will perform beginning at 2 p.m. in the recital hall. Ten students are enrolled in the studio. Piano students in the music school will perform beginning at 3 p.m. in the concert hall. Instructors are Elizabeth Salter, Molly Reid, Paul Cranfill, Christina Hayes and Bair Shagdaron. Fifteen students will be performing. The public is welcome to attend.
Baha’i Devotional Meeting: There will be a Baha’i Devotional Meeting from 10 a.m. until noon at 300 Beaver Dam Road in Bethel on Sunday, May 18. The theme of the meeting will be “empowering our youth.” The Baha’i teachings center on unity and the removal of prejudice. All are welcome. For more information and for directions call 828-297-6222.