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

Read more…
Compiled by Kate Herman

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.

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

Read more…
Compiled by Kate Herman

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 / Read more…

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 / Read more…

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. / Read more…

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! / Read more…

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 / Read more…

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 / Read more…

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

Read more…
Compiled by Kate Herman

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. / Read 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 / Read more…

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/. / Read more…

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. / Read more…

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.> / Read more…

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 / Read more…

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 / Read more…

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. / Read more…

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 / Read more…

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 / Read more…

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 / Read more…

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 / Read more…

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. / Read more…

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 / Read more…

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 / Read more…

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 / Read more…

July 27, 2017. It isn’t hard to see that the High Country has grown significantly over the last few decades. New businesses open, buildings are constructed and visitors from around the country make the trip up the mountain each year, but few have seen the High Country evolve quite like “Lil” Jack Anderson and his family at Banner Elk’s Resort Real Estate & Rentals, which just reached its 35th anniversary this May. By Bailey Faulkner – Photos by Ken Ketchie / Read more…

July 13, 2017. If you haven’t had the time to make the short drive out to Todd for some great tunes this summer, you’re not too late! Although High Country veteran string outfit Amantha Mill and duo Wayne Henderson and Helen White have already taken the stage at downtown Todd’s Cook Park this year, the latter half of the summer will offer music lovers of the area a chance to see both new and familiar faces at the popular outdoor music series. By Bailey Faulkner – Photo Courtesy of Melissa Reaves / Read more…

June 28, 2017. When Greg and Debbie Cairns moved to the High Country in the mid-1970s, Foscoe was still largely off the beaten path. If you wanted to stop and grab a bite to eat or warm up with a cup of coffee, you would have had to drive miles to reach the nearest restaurant or diner. But Debbie’s father Don had an idea to fix that. By Bailey Faulkner – Photos courtesy of Debbie Cairns and Ken Ketchie / Read more…

June 6, 2017. The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and Boone Sunrise Rotary Club have teamed up to host a two-day celebration of the High Country’s most popular restaurants and businesses. The inaugural High Country Toast, a “local showcase of food, drink, and attractions that will entertain visitors and locals alike,” is slated for Friday, June 23 at the Jones House in downtown Boone and Saturday, June 24 at Appalachian Ski Mountain. By Bailey Faulkner / Read more…

May 23, 2017. The wait is over! The Speckled Trout Restaurant & Bottle Shop opened its doors yesterday after months of major renovations and rebranding. Breaking with the past to now house both a restaurant and bottle shop, The Speckled Trout is moving forward with new leadership from brothers William and Eric Brinker and their wives Erica and Emily along with General Manager and “lover of liquids” Foster Ramsey and “all-star” chef Scott Smith. By Bailey Faulkner – Photos by Ken Ketchie / Read more…

May. 4, 2017. High Country lovers of music, native cuisine and local craft beer, wine and cocktails should mark their calendars for next Saturday, May 13 when the Old Hampton Store in Linville will kick off Ramp Festival 2017. The festival will feature live music from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and local dishes and drinks, many of which are inspired by the famous plant of Appalachian folklore.
By Bailey Faulkner / Read more…

May 11, 2017. The four-time Grammy award-winning group David Holt and the Lightning Bolts will be performing live at Tweetsie Railroad on Saturday, May 27, 2017. Come enjoy the group’s all-American sound at one (or both!) of the shows at noon and 3:00 p.m. David Holt and the Lighting Bolts provide entertainment for the whole family by performing authentic mountain music and sharing humorous stories. / Read more…

May 11, 2017. Blowing Rock recently added another accolade to its already impressive kudos list when readers of USA TODAY voted the Town to the newspaper’s 2017 Ten Best list of Southern Small Towns. Travel experts picked a list of 20 small towns from which to choose and readers voted Blowing Rock third. / Read more…

May 9, 2017. Can you recall what first attracted you to the mountains of North Carolina? For generations, community staples like Appalachian State University, Grandfather Mountain and Tweetsie Railroad have welcomed visitors in search of education, adventure, family entertainment and nowadays healing. Thanks to The Foley Center at Chestnut Ridge, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System’s new post-acute care center in Blowing Rock, NC visitors have started planning what is referred to as “Medical Tourism” trips to the High Country. Caron Baker Wike is one such visitor. Photo Courtesy of the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System / Read more…

May. 4, 2017. The High Country Grizzlies (2-3) will return to the Den at the Holmes Convocation Center this Sunday, May 7 to take on the Georgia Firebirds (2-4) in a reprise of the Grizzlies’ season and franchise opener. The Grizzlies and Firebirds squared off on March 18 in Albany when the Grizzlies asserted themselves with a 62-29 victory over the second-year Georgia team. By Bailey Faulkner / Read more…