Tourism Archives

Today’s Email Announcements

What’s going on in your community? Here’s a brief update on the emails we received today. Check back each day for an updated list of events going on in the area. As always, please feel free to email us about your event or update.

Mayland Community College Courses
Public Water and Sewer System Development Fee Act
Grandfather Mountain State Park 2018 Annual Wildflower Walks Free and Open to the Public
Public Comment Period on Proposal to Move Confederate Monuments to Close, 4/12
Mayland Community College Plant Swap, 4/28
Announcing: The First Ever Fundraising Event For Spirit Ride, 5/5
Watauga County Public Library, Author Visit Program: “Kirk’s Raiders”, 4/19
JAM Day Planned at Blue Ridge Music Center, 5/19
Ashe County Marathon Jam, 5/19
Caldwell Arts Council Call for Artists for “Art Around Caldwell Studio Tour” to be Held 6/23

Compiled by Kate Herman

Today’s Email Announcements

Writers Advocate to Speak in Boone, 3/31
Get a Taste of Technical Theatre with Wilkes Playmakers: Backstage Courses Series, March-May
Appalachian Gastroenterology Will Join Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, April 1
Boone Area Lions Hold Country Breakfast, 4/7
High Country Writers Guest Speaker, April 12
Day Trips With Watauga County Parks and Rec, April 18-May 25
Men’s Senior Softball League Signup, June- September
Caldwell County – Call For Artists – Caldwell Visual Artists Competition, Submission Deadline Mid June

Compiled by Kate Herman

Meltdown Games Conclude Appalachian Ski Mountain’s 56th Season

March 26, 2018. Thanks in part to a heap of early-spring snow, the annual Meltdown Games at Appalachian Ski Mountain this weekend were a success, according to marketing director Drew Stanley. By Luke Weir

Easter in the High Country: Dates and Times for Easter Egg Hunts and Church Services

March 21, 2018. Easter Sunday will take place on April 1 this year. For those who are deciding how to celebrate Easter, here is a list of Easter Sunday Services and egg hunts to attend. Some egg hunts are taking place this coming weekend, others will take place on Easter weekend. By Kate Herman

Black Mountain College Semester 2018 at Appalachian — March events

Feb. 26, 2018. Black Mountain College was structured differently than most educational institutions at the time. In 1933, it was founded out of a desire for a more progressive education through the use of art, hands-on learning, close student-faculty interaction and critical thought. As an early example of a liberal arts college, this model has since spread throughout the U.S. and is used at Appalachian State University today.

Snowman Building Competition, Snow Angel Decorating Contest Set for Feb. 3 at Beech

Feb. 2, 2018. Do you want to build a snowman? Grab your hat and gloves, head to Beech Mountain and get creative on Feb. 3 from 10 a.m.- 12 p.m., for the Buckeye Recreation Center’s annual snowman building competition and, new this year, the inaugural snow angel decorating contest!

The Winterfest 2018 Series: Everything You Need to Know About Winterfest Jan. 25- Jan. 28

Jan. 12, 2018. It’s that time of year again- Winterfest is right around the corner! Blowing Rock’s Annual Winterfest will be held on Thursday Jan. 25 through Sunday Jan. 28. Winterfest 2018 is unique to years in the past due to new additions including Ice Skating in Memorial Park and an improved format of Winterfeast. Winterfest offers a plethora of shopping opportunities, wine tastings, dining opportunities, winter athletics, and musical opportunities for all to enjoy. Complied by Kate Herman – Photos by The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce

The Winterfest 2018 Series: Blowing Rock’s WinterFest Events at the Green Park Inn this Friday and Saturday

Jan. 24, 2018. Winter enthusiasts are traveling to the High Country this weekend in celebration of Blowing Rock’s Annual Winterfest, which takes place this Thursday Jan. 25- Sunday Jan. 28. The Green Park Inn, a member of Historic Hotels of America, welcomes guests to stay, dine and join in celebration of Winterfest’s finer festivities. The Green Park Inn is serving as an event host for the Jazz at Winterfest on Friday and Saturday. For those who desire shopping opportunities, The Green Park Inn will host Wintertastings and Auction at The Green Park Inn on Saturday Jan. 27. By Kate Herman – Photos by Tommy White

Celebrating the New Year with the High Country’s Bars

For the adults ages twenty-one and up, the High Country bars are inviting you to celebrate New Year’s Eve with the best. Depending on where you are staying, here is a list of some of the High Country bar celebrations.

Bayou Smokehouse and Grill
Boone Saloon
The Cardinal
The Local
Lost Province Brewing Company
Twigs Restaurant and Bar

Compiled by Kate Herman

Apple Hill Farm Christmas Celebration Will Be Held November 17- December 10

November 6, 2017. The Apple Hill Farm, in Banner Elk, will hold mini tours of the farm every 30 minutes between 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m., on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 17 to December 10. This tour is a guided walking tour of the farm and is generally 45 minutes. We have live animals on the property. In order to see all of the animals, customers must purchase a tour.

Holiday Events in West Jefferson: Parade, Choose and Cut Christmas Trees, Christmas Light up the Town, and More!

November 6, 2017. West Jefferson, North Carolina, located in Ashe County, is known for its Southern small town charm. West Jefferson is the perfect place to purchase your Christmas Tree, to watch a small town parade, to shop at a holiday farmers market, shop at local retail stores, to watch the performance of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, to spend some of your Saturday with Santa, and so much more. Below is your guide of 2017 Holiday events happening in Ashe County. By Kate Herman – Photos by Matt Powell

The Schaefer Center Presents Us The Duo; Singing/Songwriting Couple Perform Nov. 17

November 6, 2017. BOONE— The “The Schaefer Center Presents…” performance series, presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts and Cultural Programs, continues its 2017-18 season with a performance by Us The Duo, comprised of singing/songwriting couple Michael and Carissa Alvarado, on Friday, Nov. 17, 7 p.m. at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for Appalachian faculty/staff and retired faculty/staff and $10 for students. For more information, call the Schaefer Center Box Office at 800-841-ARTS (2787) or 828-262-4046, or visit http://theschaefercenter.org/.

Grandfather Mountain Offers ‘Secret Season’ Passes From November 1 Through April 30

November 3, 2017. The turn of the calendar signals a new season on Grandfather Mountain — and the return of a bargain allowing unlimited access to the park for six months. The Secret Season Pass allows passholders unlimited access to the mountain Nov. 1, 2017, through April 30, 2018, for $32 plus tax for adults — less than the price of two regular tickets. A child’s Secret Season pass (ages 4 to 12) is $18 plus tax. A group pass, good for up to six people traveling in the same vehicle, sells for $90 plus tax and pays for itself on the first visit.

Grandfather Mountain Hosts a Beary Scary Halloween Oct. 28

October 20, 2017. At Grandfather Mountain, Halloween isn’t scary. It’s Beary Scary. The Linville, N.C., nature preserve and attraction has mountains of tricks and treats in store for its annual Halloween festival, A Beary Scary Halloween, returning Saturday, Oct. 28. The special day features a spooky selection of nature programs, Halloween-themed crafts, a costume contest, animal enrichments and trick-or-treating through the park’s environmental wildlife habitats. All activities are included with the price of admission, and kids in costume get in for half-price.>

Zerbini Family Circus Comes to Boone Wednesday October 18, 6 p.m.

October 17, 2017. On Wednesday, October 18, the Zerbini Family Circus will be coming to Boone. They will perform at the High Country Fairgrounds, which is located at 748 Roby Green Road. Adult tickets cost $15.00. Kids ages twelve and under are free, with the purchase of an adult ticket. Additional kids tickets cost $10.00 per kids.There is a limit of two free tickets for kids ages twelve and under, per adult ticket. Tickets are available online or at the door. There will be one showing only. The show starts at 6:00 p.m. By Kate Herman – Photos by Zerbini Family Circus

AMB’s Curse of Wendigo Sucess, Live Bands, Refreshments, and More! At Horn in the West

July. 26, 2017. Appalachian Mountain Brewery’s We Can So You Can Foundation’s Curse of Wendigo has been a huge success! Besides have food trucks, and AMB refreshments, there will be a live band on Friday and Saturday. The Adam Church Band is playing Friday, and Alexa Rose will play on Saturday. The Curse of Wendigo’s Shauna Godwin says, “ The first weekend of the event was great! We had more in attendance than we expected. We expect this weekend to be even busier due to Friday the 13th.” Buy your tickets before the event sells out!
Tickets are available for Fridays and Saturdays in October only. By Kate Herman – Photos by Ken Ketchie

Oktoberfest at Sugar Mountain Resort; Just Over a Week Away!

October 6, 2017.Sugar Mountain Resort, North Carolina. Thursday, October 5, 2017 – Barrels and barrels of fun will be rolling during Sugar Mountain Resort’s Oktoberfest. The 27th annual celebration takes place October 14 & 15 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day.

The Haunted Horn: The Curse of Wendigo and Daniel Boo Starts This Weekend

October 6, 2017. Appalachian Mountain Brewery’s We Can So You Can Foundation presents the Curse of Wendigo every Friday and Saturday in October. The event is located at the Horn in the West’s Daniel Boone Amphitheater. There are two events offered: The Kid Friendly Trail/Daniel Boo and the Haunted Trail.The Kid Friendly Trail/Daniel Boo is open from 6:00 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. The Haunted Trail is open from 8:00 p.m.- 11:00 p.m. By Kate Herman – Photos by Appalachian Mountain Brewery

Sept 16 Boone Clean-Up Day will Kickoff the Statewide Litter Sweep

July. 26, 2017. The High Country is known for caring about the environment through sustainability, recycling, and removing waste. As a community, the Town of Boone Public Works Center invites all to participate in the Boone Clean-Up Day, which will be held on September 16. Volunteers may come by the Town of Boone Public Works Center from 8:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m., if they would like an assigned location to clean. The assigned locations will be inside the town city limits. Gloves and bags will be provided, along with a free curbside trash pickup. By Kate Herman – Photos by Town of Boone Public Works Center

Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce Holds 15th Annual Mile High Kite Festival on Saturday, Sunday

Aug. 28, 2017. Many will agree that one of their favorite childhood memories involves flying a kite. The Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce invites you and your family to come be a kid again at the 15th Annual Mile High Kite Festival that will be held over Labor Day Weekend on September 2-3. The festival will be located in the Kite Field, which is right across the street from the Beech Mountain Town Hall and is adjacent to the Brick Oven Pizzeria. By Kate Herman

The High Country Welcomes the 10th Annual Beer Fest on Saturday – Plenty of Tickets Still Available

Aug. 23, 2017. The High Country celebrates the Tenth Annual Beer Fest at the High Country Fairgrounds on Saturday August 26, 2017 from 3:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. By Kate Herman

New Work by Acclaimed American Artist William Dunlap Featured by The Art Cellar Gallery

July 26, 2017.On August 13 from 2:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m., The Art Cellar Gallery in Banner Elk will feature the work of William Dunlap for their “Cocktails and Tall Tales” event. Dunlap is a former professor of Appalachian State University, and is a well-known acclaimed American Artist.

Peabody’s Beer and Wine to Greet High Country Beer Fest with a Week of Tastings August 22 – 25

Aug. 3, 2017. If you’re a beer or wine lover of the High Country and you haven’t stopped by Peabody’s for one of its weekly tastings, you’re truly missing out. But there’s never been a better time to make your first visit — or return as a Peabody’s regular — than this August. In addition to holding tastings each Tuesday and Saturday this month, Peabody’s Beer & Wine Merchants is gearing up for a week-long series of tastings in celebration of this year’s High Country Beer Fest, which is set for Saturday, August 26 at the High Country Fairgrounds. By Bailey Faulkner

Yes Makes Second Stop of Yestival Tour at Holmes Convocation Center Saturday, August 5

July 18, 2017. Prog powerhouse of the ’70s Yes will make the second stop of its summer “Yestival” tour at Appalachian State University’s Holmes Convocation Center on Saturday, August 5 this year. Joining the recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees will be internationally-famous Todd Rundgren and Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy. The English-born band, which broke through to fans on both sides of the Atlantic with classics “Roundabout” and “I’ve Seen All Good People,” among others, will perform hits from the band’s golden years, ranging from Yes’ beginnings in 1968 through the 1978 release of Tormato. By Bailey Faulkner

Stonewalls Owners Scott Garland and Tim Heschke Celebrate a Year of Updates at a Local Favorite

July 26, 2017. The High Country is filled with staple restaurants that keep visitors and locals coming back year after year. One of those High Country-famous restaurants is Banner Elk’s Stonewalls, which is about to reach its one-year anniversary since Scott Garland and Tim Heschke took over operations last year. Garland, like many who grew up in the area, decided to return to the High Country after 20 years of traveling the country and working in some of the most well-respected positions in the food industry. By Bailey Faulkner – Photos by Ken Ketchie

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