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Blue Ridge Parkway Specialty License Plate Sales Top $570,000 in 2023 to Help the Roadway

March 15, 2024 North Carolina drivers raised $574,461 to enhance the Blue Ridge Parkway by purchasing or renewing the national park specialty license plate in 2023. It is the largest amount raised for the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s work through the tag program in more than a decade. The specialty plate fee is $30, of which $20 helps fund key improvements along the Parkway, including repairs at trails, campgrounds, and picnic areas. Proceeds also support projects such as wildlife studies, historic preservation, and educational programs

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Blowing Rock TDA Partners with Black Folks Camp Too to Promote More Unity and Inclusion

March 15, 2024 Blowing Rock, North Carolina is known for its beautiful natural setting and exciting outdoor recreation opportunities. Through a new partnership with Black Folks Camp Too (BFCT), the Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority (BRTDA) aims to promote more unity and inclusion in those outdoor spaces and activities. Black Folks Camp Too was created not only to inspire more Black folks to explore the outdoor lifestyle and industry,but to bring awareness to the reasons why more Black folks have not been participating in the outdoors, what the current industry can do to help create more Unity, and why they should.

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Just Released New Video Spotlights Village of Sugar Mountain Summer Stays

March 14, 2024 A new summer promotional video created by the Sugar Mountain Tourism Development Authority in conjunction with Visit North Carolina has been released just in time for family vacation planning. The video creation began with three days of shooting in July 2023. It will be utilized by both local and state tourism agencies. The 2.5-minute video is also available for all local tourism-related businesses to embed on their websites and share on social media to assist with their marketing efforts.

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Blowing Rock WinterFest Brings Winter Fun January 25 – 28; Run Down of Events Here

January 25, 2024 The 26th Blowing Rock WinterFest event istarts today, featuring a calendar full of seasonal activities. From Thursday, January 25 through Sunday, January 28, everyone is encouraged to join in the celebration. Don’t hibernate- celebrate! “Blowing Rock WinterFest offers unique opportunities to come out and celebrate this exciting season,” says event coordinator, John Goheen. “Of all our events, I think this festival really showcases our town’s hospitality and fun-loving spirit!”

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All Aboard! History of a Beloved Train

September 20, 2023 I remember when the only way a person could get to Boone was to be born there.” These words of a homespun philosophy were credited to an anonymous speaker at a railroad convention over a century distant, although the quote is debatable among avid railfans who enjoy fond remembrances. “Hear that train a’commin through the valleys and up the mountain side?” Locals and visitors to the High Country of Western North Carolina have been able to answer in the affirmative since 1957, when the Tweetsie Railroad amusement park opened between Boone and Blowing Rock, and its high pitched horn signaled a limited 30-minute ride through the park. By Peter Morris

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Behind the Scenes at Lazy Bear Lodge

May 1, 2023 “It’s the little things that make a difference,” said Marsha Speer, innkeeper with her husband John at Lazy Bear Lodge Bed and Breakfast near Valle Crucis. By Jan Todd

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Ski Season Begins Today at North Carolina’s Sugar Mountain Ski Resort!

November 14, 2022 SUGAR MOUNTAIN – Ski season begins today at North Carolina’s Sugar Mountain Ski Resort. After Hurricane Nicole ferociously blew through the North Carolina mountains this past weekend, temperatures plummeted, and Sugar’s snowmaking machines began churning water and air into snow. Today, eight to twenty-two inches of man-made powder and frozen granular snow coat five of Sugar’s twenty trails.

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Grandfather Mountain to Celebrate 70th Anniversary of Mile High Swinging Bridge

August 24, 2022 On Friday, Sept. 2, the Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, will reach a major milestone. One of the most iconic destinations in North Carolina will be turning 70 years old, and the park is throwing a celebration with a mile-high slate of activities.

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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

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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.

  • 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

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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.

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

https://www.hcpress.com/boone/winterfest-2018-series-everything-need-know-winterfest-jan-25-jan-28.html
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

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

https://www.hcpress.com/boone/weekend-blowing-rocks-winterfest-events-taking-place-green-park-inn.html
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

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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

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

https://www.hcpress.com/avery/apple-hill-farm-christmas-celebration-held-november-17-december-10.html
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.

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

https://www.hcpress.com/arts/holiday-events-west-jefferson-parade-nov-18-choose-cut-christmas-trees-christmas-light-town.html
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

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

https://www.hcpress.com/arts/163734.html
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/.

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

https://www.hcpress.com/asu-news/grandfather-mountain-offers-secret-season-passes-2.html
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.

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Grandfather Mountain Hosts a Beary Scary Halloween Oct. 28

https://www.hcpress.com/boone/grandfather-mountain-hosts-beary-scary-halloween-oct-28.html
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.>

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

https://www.hcpress.com/asu-news/zerbini-family-circus-comes-boone-wednesday-october-18-6-p-m-high-country-fairgrounds.html
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

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