Mountain Spirits for the Week of 10/31

Wine and Beer Tastings and Events
for the week of 10/31/13 

November 1, 2 - 8 PM   Highland Brewing Company  tasting Room hosts The Metro Jethros live.  The Metro Jethros are quickly making a name for themselves in NC and surrounding States like KY. With their unique style of play they have a wide variety of music. November 2 - Leigh Glass and the Hazard perform from 6 - 8 PM in the Tasting Room which opens at 4 PM. Enjoy rock/americana/blues at this FREE event.

November 1, 7 PM,  Classic Wine Cellar, 20 Church Street, Waynesville NC - The Dupont Brothers perform a bland of Folk, Rock and Americana.   November 2 -7 - 9 PM,  Fall for Jazz Festival Series: Joseph Hasty and Centerpiece Jazz featuring Zack Page on bass and Leo Johnson lead guitar.  Guest artist Dave Reep on Trumpet.  Enjoy live jazz stylings in this edition of the popular fall series. $39.99 per person includes a four course dinner and live jazz. Seating begins at 6 PM. Reserve ASAP.


November 1,  5 - 7 PM   Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd, Ste 100 in Asheville NC.  3-6 PM - FREE Beer Tasting -  Founders Brewing: Breakfast Sout (Seasonal)  The coffee lover’s consummate beer. Brewed with an abundance of flaked oats, bitter and imported chocolates, and Sumatra and Kona coffee, this stout has an intense fresh-roasted java nose topped with a frothy, cinnamon-colored head that goes forever. 8.3% 60 IBU's;   Reds Rye (Specialty)  Serious hop bitterness, along with an unyielding grapefruit bouquet from the Amarillo dry hop, balances the malty richness of four varieties of imported Belgian caramel malts. Pours a spectacular crimson with a creamy tan head. A generous addition of rye malt accentuates a spicy, crisp finish. 6.6% 60 IBU's;  Harvest Ale 2013 (Limited)- one of "the three limited" from Founders along with KBS and Devil Dancer, this wet hopped ale is the bomb! 7.8% 70+ IBU's.   November 2  3 - 6 PM FREE Wine Tasting: Grenache/Garnacha Tomato/Patato! Honoro Vera 2012- The best vineyards of Catatayud are situated high on the hillsides, where, despite the gravelly soil, the old gnarled vines produce the finest grapes possible in this arid and desolate region; Evodia 2012- This wine, made from 100 year old vines on pure slate soils with 100% garnacha is big, earthy and spicy! Evodia is distinguished by its prevalence of high elevation vineyards planted to the Garnacha varietal (some as high as 3000 feet); Le Paradou 2011- Full bodied, rich and complex! On the nose it has notes of vanilla, red and black fruit, tobacco and smoke. The palate is rich with black current, blackberry, and leather. 10% off all featured bottles on Saturday.

November 2, 2 - 5 PM at  Table Wine, 1550 Hendersonville Road, Suite 102, Asheville NC - FREE Tasting: Josh's Birthday Tasting  It will be a game day decision as to which wines will be poured, but keep in mind that Josh's tastes in wine run from $10 bottles to $60 bottles, from bone dry whites to super sweet dessert wines, and from light and tender reds to full and rugged ones. You’re all invited to stop by anytime between 2 and 5 p.m., and yes,  gifts will be accepted.  10% off by the bottle, 15% off if you mix any six tasting wines.

November 1,  4 PM - 7 PM  LaBouteille, 10 N Trade St, Suite A Tyon NC - Complimentary Wine Tastings every Friday.  - The last Saturday of each month 3-5 pm is a 10 beers for $10 beer tasting. Bring a dish of food to share.


November 2,   2 - 5 PM  The Wine Guy, 555 Merimon Ave and 1200 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville NC. FREE Saturday tastings are a great way to sample new favorites in a casual setting. A local distributor will pour a few new wines from their portfolio. No reservations required and there will be special pricing on the wines sampled.


November 2, 12 PM - 5 PM at Vino Vino Wine Market, 178 Weaverville Rd., Asheville NC. Every Saturday anytime between 12:00 and 5:00pm enjoy a sampling of wines from around the world. A 10% discount on each of the wines we are featuring.

November 2 - non to 6 PM at  RagApple Lassie, 3724 Ragapple Lassie Lane Boonville NC.  This weekend, RagApple Lassie welcomes a new musician to its stable of great talent. Megan Flechaus, an amazing singer/songwriter/guitarist, will share her talent with RagApple Lassie guests and of course, our awesome wines will be available for tasting, unique Back Door Café lunchables for savoring, and the promise of a good time for all.


October 26   South Creek Vineyard and Winery, 2240 South Creek Road, Nebo, NC  Open normal business hours during the holiday season Wednesdays through Sundays until January 1st when they will host a New Year's Day Party 1PM to 5PM. (Please note: South Creek will be closed on Thanksgiving Day (11/28) and December 23rd, 24th & 25th.)

Tasting Rooms:

Biltmore Winery, located on the Biltmore Estate, Asheville NC. Daily tasting and tours with Estate admission. Special events and tastings throughout the year. 

Highland Brewing Company,  12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite H in Asheville NC.  The Tasting Room is open Monday – Friday 4 PM – 8 PM and Saturday from 2 PM with tours scheduled 4 PM and 4:45 PM weekdays and 2:45, 3:30 PM, 4 PM, 4:45 PM on Saturdays. "First come, first serve" basis.

Old North State Winery, 308 North Main Street, Mount Airy NC. Hours of operation are: Monday-Wednesday 11am-6pm, Thursday-Saturday 11am-9pm, and Sunday 12pm-6pm. Sample wines and browse the gift shop featuring wine related and gourmet gift items.

RagApple Lassie, 3724 Ragapple Lassie Lane Boonville NC Tours are "on demand" noon to six PM daily. Tastings are available noon to six PM daily and include up to 11 varieties of wine.

Calaboose Cellars, 565 Aquone Road, Andrews NC.Tasting room summer hours: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from Noon to 5:00.

South Creek Vineyard and Winery, 2240 South Creek Road, Nebo, NC

Daily Tastings at Wedge Brewing Company, 125 B Roberts St. Asheville NC. Micro-brewery regular Tasting room hours: Monday - Thursday 4 PM - 10+ PM; Friday 3 PM - 10+ PM; Saturday and Sunday 2 PM - 10+ PM.

Daily Tastings at Greenman Brewery, 23 Buxton Ave., Asheville NC. The tasting room is open seven days a week at 4 o'clock, or maybe earlier

Don't Miss the "Shadow of the Bear" a favorite Fall Leaf Season Event near Cashiers

CASHIERS NC - One of the most unique leaf-looking experiences in the United States is now available for viewing.

The "Shadow of the Bear," located in southern Jackson County near Cashiers, is visible for about 30 minutes daily between 5:30 and 6 PM. from mid October through early November. During this brief period, the bear-like shadow comes out of hibernation as the autumnal sun begins to set behind Whiteside Mountain.

With an elevation of 4,930 feet, Whiteside Mountain boasts sheer rock cliffs that are among the highest in the eastern United States. The well-know Cashiers' landmark provides a splendid backdrop for viewing leaves throughout autumn, especially during the emergence of the bear.

Tourists and photographers come from near and far to catch a glimpse of this natural phenomenon, which can best be viewed from the Rhodes Big View Overlook on U.S. Hwy. 64, approximately 4.5 miles west of Cashiers.

photo by Jerry Jaynes

More information about the Shadow of the Bear and other local Leaf Season Events is available at The Jackson County Visitors Center, 773 W. Main St. in Sylva NC (800-962-1911).

The shadow also occurs in late winter from mid February through early March.

NC Fall Leaf Color Report for The Great Smoky Mountains

October 23, 2013  -  The Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Colors are wonderful in many areas at elevations above 4,000 feet. In the park's lower elevations, a lot of trees are still green, but there are some reds of dogwood and sourwood, and yellows of tulip poplar and birch. Fall wildflowers are still very pretty along park roadways. Check out the park's webcams to see how fall colors are progressing: Purchase Knob (high elevation) Look Rock (middle elevation).

Colors are looking good in many mid-elevations areas. Some lower elevation locations, especially on the North Carolina side, are glorious now too. On the Tennessee side of the park, there's still plenty of green, but colors are developing quickly. For fall photos and updates from the park, visit the official GSMNP facebook page.   Read the full report

EVERYONE loves fall color - even Smokey!

The Park has set up two webcams (best viewed during daylight hours) for you to watch the daily progress of fall color and get local climate conditions. The higher elevation at Purchase Knob can be viewed HERE.  The middle elevation is at Look Rock viewed HERE.Get additional fall leaf color updates throughout the Western North Carolina Mountains HERE. 

 The photos posted are from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Facebook Page. See more HERE.

Mountain Spirits

Wine and Beer Tastings and Events
for the week of 10/23/13

 
October 24, 5 - 7 PM, Brusin' Ales, 66 Broad Strteet, Asheville NC.  Pisgah Brewing Co. Beer Tasting - FREE. Come enjoy local Fall Seasonals including:   LEAF Amber: "This seasonably brewed Amber ale exudes a rich, toasted flavor from a base of four organic malts with a crisp hop finish brought on by the edition of Nugget, Centennial, and Mt.Hood hops. Our Amber ale is brewed bi-annually to coincide with the LEAF festivals in Black Mountain, NC. 10% of all proceeds go to LEAF in Schools and Streets. Treat yourself and your community."   Pumpkin Ale: "How can it be a pumpkin beer with no pumpkins? It can't. Some do use real pumpkins, some don't. We're doers. Serious doers, actually. With over 900 lbs of fresh roasted pumpkins provided by our friends at New Sprout Farms this is a REAL Pumpkin Ale."   Chocolate Stout: "An array of dark malts and a heaping dose of cocoa nibs from French Broad Chocolate Lounge make this chocolate stout an instant classic. Aged on nibs for a number of weeks, this beer displays the gentle alchemy of chocolate and malted barley. FBCL's chocolate maker hand-sorted, roasted, cracked, & winnowed beans from the La Red Guaconejo cooperative of the Dominican Republic."   Vortex I Triple Pale: "The hoppiest beer in Buncombe County! With over 3.5 grams of four distinct varieties of super high alpha hops per glass, lupulin lovers rejoice!"


October 24, 6:30 - 9 PM   Highland Brewing Company  hosts the  ISIS Beer Dinner held at Isis Restaurant and Music Hall, Asheville, NC.  $48 (Includes Dinner and the Show) 6:30 Dinner :: 9PM Show 4 Courses/5 Beers The Get Right Band & Mingo Fishtrap Isis and Highland Brewery have teamed up to present a 4 course beer dinner featuring Yer Mom Strong Belgian, Imperial Kashmir IPA, Barrel-Aged Cold Mountain, and Thunderstruck Coffee Porter. The dinner will be followed by a show featuring Mingo Fishtrap and The Get Right Band at 9 PM.  

October 26-27   Celtober Festival  Enjoy Celtic/Tribal/Rock/Fusion music in the meadow at Highlands Brewery on Saturday  and Sunday and the indoor stage on Saturday night. There will be plenty of brew and food from the popular Appalachian Smoke Food Truck along with Celtic Vendors.  The New World Celts Asheville will be holding a costume contest at Celtober on Saturday October 26. $3 entry fee at the tent gets you a chance to show off your costume and maybe win a fabulous prize.

October 25, 7 PM until 10 PM,  Classic Wine Cellar, 20 Church Street, Waynesville NC -   Bohemian Jean with guitar and vocals performs Pop, Folk and Soul. October 26 - Fall for Jazz Festival Series: The Wendy Jones Quartet. Enjoy live jazz stylings with vocals, piano, bass an drums in this edition of the popular fall series. $39.99 per person includes a four course dinner and live jazz. Seating begins at 6 PM. Reserve ASAP.


October 26,  5 - 7 PM   Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd, Ste 100 in Asheville NC.  3-6 PM - FREE Wine Tasting -  MmmMalbec: Three different Malbec's from three different places.  Sawbuck 2011- The 2011 Sawbuck Malbec has enticing aromas of blackberry and chocolate raspberry layered over black pepper spice and leather. Concentrated flavors of black cherry, mocha and smoky vanilla are supported by soft dusty tannins and hints of rustic blueberry rhubarb cobbler.  Fabre Montmayou 2011- Deep red color with violet tones. Very intense bouquet with red fruits like cherries and spices. Complex and well balanced with notes from the oak like vanilla and chocolate. Big on the mouth. A modern style wine, with sweet silky tannins. Great combined with all kind of grilled meats, games and cheeses.  L'Instant Cahors 2011- Rustic texture, with its leathery feel on your mouth, and those subtle hints of blackberries! Harvested from vines growing high in the Cahors region of Southwest France by the Vincens family. Located mostly on limestone slopes and clay-limestone soil, L'Instant is a delicious example of balance of fruit and earth that French Malbec can attain.  10% off all featured bottles on Saturday.

October 26, 2 - 5 PM at  Table Wine, 1550 Hendersonville Road, Suite 102, Asheville NC - FREE Tasting: Zinfandel or Primitivo.  Do you like your wines rich, ripe, spicy and bursting with flavor? If you said yes, you might want to stop by for this free wine tasting. In case you didn’t know, DNA research has confirmed that Zinfandel and Primitivo are basically the same grape, or at least very similar clones of a grape originally from Croatia. These days, both California Zinfandel and Italian Primitivo are as popular as ever, so come taste two splendid examples of each this Saturday. 10% off by the bottle, 15% off if you mix any six tasting wines

October 25,  4 PM - 7 PM  LaBouteille, 10 N Trade St, Suite A Tyon NC - Complimentary Wine Tastings every Friday.  - The last Saturday of each month 3-5 pm is a 10 beers for $10 beer tasting. Bring a dish of food to share.
 
 
October 26,   2 - 5 PM  The Wine Guy, 555 Merimon Ave and 1200 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville NC. FREE Saturday tastings are a great way to sample new favorites in a casual setting. A local distributor will pour a few new wines from their portfolio. No reservations required and there will be special pricing on the wines sampled.


October 26, 12 PM - 5 PM at Vino Vino Wine Market, 178 Weaverville Rd., Asheville NC. Every Saturday anytime between 12:00 and 5:00pm enjoy a sampling of wines from around the world. A 10% discount on each of the wines we are featuring.


October 26   South Creek Vineyard and Winery, 2240 South Creek Road, Nebo, NC    Lee Linsey Flower Power Tour. Here's an early Halloween Treat as Lee Lindsey plays the vineyard deck. Lee is a International Recording Star and her Flower Power tour is coming to South Creek. Her music will sooth your soul, and her Flower's Fragrance will sooth your senses. English Farmstead Cheese will be available also with their fantastic Artisan Cheeses. The Winery opens at 11 AM and the music begins at 1 PM. First come, first seated, lawn chairs welcome.

Tasting Rooms:

Biltmore Winery, located on the Biltmore Estate, Asheville NC. Daily tasting and tours with Estate admission. Special events and tastings throughout the year. 

Highland Brewing Company,  12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite H in Asheville NC.  The Tasting Room is open Monday – Friday 4 PM – 8 PM and Saturday from 2 PM with tours scheduled 4 PM and 4:45 PM weekdays and 2:45, 3:30 PM, 4 PM, 4:45 PM on Saturdays. "First come, first serve" basis.

Old North State Winery, 308 North Main Street, Mount Airy NC. Hours of operation are: Monday-Wednesday 11am-6pm, Thursday-Saturday 11am-9pm, and Sunday 12pm-6pm. Sample wines and browse the gift shop featuring wine related and gourmet gift items.

RagApple Lassie, 3724 Ragapple Lassie Lane Boonville NC Tours are "on demand" noon to six PM daily. Tastings are available noon to six PM daily and include up to 11 varieties of wine.

Calaboose Cellars, 565 Aquone Road, Andrews NC.Tasting room summer hours: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from Noon to 5:00.

South Creek Vineyard and Winery, 2240 South Creek Road, Nebo, NC

Daily Tastings at Wedge Brewing Company, 125 B Roberts St. Asheville NC. Micro-brewery regular Tasting room hours: Monday - Thursday 4 PM - 10+ PM; Friday 3 PM - 10+ PM; Saturday and Sunday 2 PM - 10+ PM.

Daily Tastings at Greenman Brewery, 23 Buxton Ave., Asheville NC. The tasting room is open seven days a week at 4 o'clock, or maybe earlier

Flat Rock Playhouse Music on the Rock Series Presents Donna Summer's Sounds of the 70s

October 23 - 27    Music on the Rock: Donna Summer & the Sounds of the 70s   Get out the glitter balls and disco shoes - it’s going to a be a party at Playhouse Downtown when the Flat Rock Playhouse pays tribute to the original Diva of Disco.

Reva Rice returns to the popular Music on the Rock Series for a dance celebration that includes Donna Summer hits like, “Last Dance,” “She Works Hard For Her Money,” and “I Will Survive.”

The 2013 concert series is produced by The Flat Rock Theatre and offers a celebration of music from country to pop to Sinatra. Performances are held at the Playhouse downtown, 125 South Main Street in historic downtown Hendersonville NC.

Chimney Rock Elevator Reopens in Time for Peak Fall Colors

October 18, 2013  Chimney Rock State Park leaf peepers and hikers can get a boost to the top of the Chimney Rock to admire fall colors now that a power upgrade is completed and the elevator is open. The 26-story elevator inside the mountain provides convenient access to the Chimney for guests of all abilities and ages. During the temporary closure, visitors were able to access the Chimney via a 25-minute hike up the upgraded Outcroppings trail to enjoy the Park’s 75-mile scenic views overlooking Lake Lure.

photo copyright Jeff Miller - Chimney Rock in fall

“We’re fortunate that the State Parks division moved quickly to get the elevator’s power issues fixed just in time for all of our guests to enjoy stunning fall colors from atop Chimney Rock,” said Mary Jaeger-Gale, General Manager, Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park.

An additional power line was installed so that the elevator and Sky Lounge are now running on separate lines, reducing the risk of power interruptions to maintain consistent elevator service. The work was completed by Haynes Electric of Asheville, NC.

photo courtesy of Romantic Asheville

Fall Color Report Oct. 17: The drive to Chimney Rock NC  is gorgeous now. Fall color is spreading daily through the Park’s higher and middle elevations and at Rumbling Bald Access. Bursts of yellow are appearing in the Chestnut Oaks, hickories and locust trees, and especially the ash trees near the Chimney. The dogwoods are a vibrant maroon with sourwoods adding splashes of red. While there’s still plenty of green, with some more cool nights and sun, autumn colors should be good in the higher elevations by next week. Some autumn wildflowers are still blooming, including many asters and some snakeroot.    Get regular fall color updates for Chimney Rock State Park at: http://chimneyrockpark.com/visit/fallcolor.php.

Peak colors typically arrive at the Park’s higher elevations around mid-to-late October and spread down to the lower elevations through early November. Unique adventures to view fall colors include rock climbing with Fox Mountain Guides and an Old Growth Forest Hike at 11 a.m. October 19 and 26 that is included with Park admission.  Photographer enthusiasts should check out the Shutterbugs Nature Photography Workshop October 26-27 at Chimney Rock, and advance registration is required.

entrance to elevator

An Engineering Feat. The elevator originally opened in 1949 as the tallest in North Carolina. It took eight tons of dynamite to blast the Park elevator’s 258-foot-high shaft and 198-foot-long tunnel through solid granite. In 1988, all but the car of the original elevator was replaced.  During the 2010-12 modernization project every part of the elevator was replaced or upgraded with state-of-the-art equipment, including the original car. The elevator reopened on October 13 after being closed since the end of July 2013.

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park is best known for its scenic hiking trails and 75-mile panoramic views overlooking Lake Lure. It was voted Favorite State Park and Best Beautiful Fall Foliage Spot by readers of Blue Ridge Country in the 2013 Best of the Southeast Mountains poll. Chimney Rock is located only 45 minutes southeast of Asheville on Highway 64/74A in Chimney Rock, N.C. Call (800) 277-9611 or visit chimneyrockpark.com. 

Park admission rates are $12 for adults, $6 for youth (ages 5-15) and free for kids under five. For fall visiting information and current fall colors, go to chimneyrockpark.com.

The Parks are OPEN - Head for the Hills and Enjoy the Beautiful Fall Leaf Color!

They're baaack...The National Parks, that is. Although one could not say the insanity in Washington is over, at least the government shut-down is (for now) and our NC National Parks and their facilities have re-opened. Estimated losses in NC and Tennessee are in excess of 33 million dollars with The Great Smoky Mountains Park being one of the biggest losers in the country among popular attractions.

So NOW is the time to come to the NC Mountains and visit the National Parks. The fall leaf color will be peaking in most areas over the next 10 -15 days and there is still availability in cabins, vacation rentals, hotels and B&Bs.

Find a list and links for North Carolina Parks HERE.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fall Color

Wooly Worm Festival in Banner Elk

October 19-20   Wooly Worm Festival   The 35th Annual Festival includes the infamous worm races along with live entertainment, arts and crafts, food vendors and amusement rides. A family-oriented weekend and one of the most popular NC mountain annual events. you can purchase tickets online - proceeds benefit community programs.
 

It is $5 to wace your worm and if you didn’t find one along one of the many back roads before you get here, don’t worry - the PTO will have them for sale inside the gate by the main information booth. Be sure to arrive early as the Worm Wace Wegistration fills up quickly.  

This is a great event for holiday shopping and to purchase special wares from the handcrafted juried artists from fun items to those for decorating your home with unique furniture.  And who wouldn’t love a nice piece of jewelry or pottery under the Christmas tree?

There are inflatables rides, live music and dance teams.  Remember the winning woolly on Saturday has the esteemed honor of predicting the High Country weather and wins a huge pot of $$$  If you are very lucky your Woolly Worm will share it’s $1000.00 cash prize with you.

Can’t make it to the festival on Saturday not to worry - a second day of fun begins on Sunday at 9 AM and continues until 4 PM.

Find links for local lodging, attractions and information on the Banner Elk NC Visitor Guide.

Lake Eden Art Festival a Family Fall Tradition in Black Mountain

October 17- 20    LEAF - Lake Eden Art Festival  LEAF is one of the treasured traditions for families and friends across the southeast. Held annually at at Camp Rockmont in Black Mountain, a weekend at LEAF is the equivalent of going on a year-long multi-cultural music, arts, dance, and outdoor adventures journey to "recharges your batteries". A few aspects that make LEAF popular is the family friendly atmosphere, the diverse sampling of arts and music, the beautiful setting, and the intimate size.

LEAF is a magical world to step into, relax, dance, and be happy. A sweet size and a sweet place. LEAF is a small festival- just 6,000 people a day and yet so many experiences, concerts, workshops, and so much to explore. LEAF happens at the site of the old Historic Black Mountain College with a mix of rolling hills, lakes, streams, and stunning mountain beauty on hundreds of acres.

Check out the various links on the website, and the best way to discover LEAF.

Find more local eventws and visitor information on the Black Mountain NC Guide.

Cashiers Leaf Festival this weekend

October 11-13   Cashiers Leaf Festival    Each year, the Greater Cashiers Area Merchants Association (known locally a GCAMA, or G-comma) sponsors the Cashiers Leaf Festival. This 3-day event celebrates the beauty of the season that's particularly unique to this area.

Featuring arts and crafts from local and regional artisans, food from area restaurants, music from a variety of bands on two main stages, and activities for all ages at various locations throughout the Cashiers Valley, the Cashiers Leaf Festival serves as the centerpiece of the area's Leaf Season.

Find links for local mountain visitor information on the Cashiers NC Guide.  

 

City Lights Bookstore Hosts Artist Reception and Victoria McDonald this Weekend

NC artist Justin Moe

October 11, 6:30 PM - Artist Reception for Justin Moe.  As part of Sylva's Art Stroll, City Lights Bookstore will host a reception for Macon County artist, Justin Moe.  Some of his work will be on display throughout the store and priced for sale.  Justin had this to say about his work, "I am a self-taught artist. I love to paint, take photos, draw, screen print, design, play music, and experiment with new and unfamiliar mediums. I have always felt compelled to create. It is a welcomed compulsion innate within me. For me, art reinforces my humanity. I live in a small rural town in the mountains of Western North Carolina. In addition to pieces for sale, I am available by commission."

October 12, 3 PM -  Victoria McDonald Presents Her New Book. Teacher, preacher and storyteller, Victoria Casey McDonald will discuss her new book, Under the Light of Darkness on Saturday. Under the Light of Darkness is a historical fictional account of her great-grandparent's romance as slaves in the antebellum South. McDonald says of her book, "It is an attempt to share with the reader that a slave's life was never his or her own...for a slave worked from sunrise to sunset. Only after dark was a slave's life his or her own. Hence, this book relates the events of the slaveholder with the slave's life being the main objective.

McDonald is the author of The African Americans of Jackson County and Just Over the Hill, books highlighting the history of the African Americans in Appalachia. To reserve a copy click here or call 828-586-9499.

Get links for local information on the Sylva NC Visitor Guide. 

Asheville OctoberFest this Weekend

October 12   Asheville Oktoberfest (Octoberfest)  Downtown Asheville's Wall Street will transform into "Little Germany" for the Asheville Downtown Association's 4th Annual Oktoberfest. Internationally-renowned "oompah" band, The Stratton Mountain Boys, returns to the stage with happy yodeling songs, shoe-slapping dances and lively spirited Polka music sure to incite dancing in the street and rousing cheers of "ein Prosit!"


The event will feature beer tastings from local breweries including Highland Brewing, Asheville Brewing Company, Pisgah Brewing, Green Man Brewery, Craggie Brewing and French Broad Brewing Company. Many brewers are featuring seasonal ales for Oktoberfest, and will be on hand to discuss their beers. Oktoberfest Games are back as well with some old favorites like the Stein Races and Keg-rolling contests as well as some new ones.

Get links for complete visitor information and lodging on the Asheville NC Guide.  

New River Festival Features Storytelling, Live Music and NC arts and Crafts

October 12   Annual Todd New River Festival This FREE festival features multiple music performances, storytelling, bluegrass jams, puppet shows, athletic competitions and other recreational events for all to enjoy. More than 30 vendors offer a variety of arts and crafts.

Enjoy plenty of NC barbecue and great food. Admission is free. Parking and a shuttle ride to the festival are available for $5 at the field just off Railroad Grade Road from the Highway 194 entrance to Todd NC.

Find links for more NC fall festivals on the NC Mountain Events Guide. 

Wilkesboro Raceway Park Races this Weekend

Date: October 10
Event: Wilkesboro Raceway Park Races Test & Tune Gates open at 4 PM on Saturdays with Qualifying at 5.30 and eliminations around 6.30-7.00 PM. General admission on regular races (points races without booked in shows are $10) Booked in events are $15 for adults. Spectators ages 11 thru 15 receive a $5 discount on all events with paying adult. Thursday nights Test and Tunes is still only $10 to watch or race - 6-9:30 PM.

Date: October 11
Event: Wilkesboro Raceway Park Races Race of Champions and Gamblers Race Gates open at 4 PM on Saturdays with Qualifying at 5.30 and eliminations around 6.30-7.00 PM. General admission on regular races (points races without booked in shows are $10) Booked in events are $15 for adults. Spectators ages 11 thru 15 receive a $5 discount on all events with paying adult. Thursday nights Test and Tunes is still only $10 to watch or race - 6-9:30 PM.

Date: October 12
Event: Wilkesboro Raceway Park Races Race Against Cancer Gates open at 4 PM on Saturdays with Qualifying at 5.30 and eliminations around 6.30-7.00 PM. General admission on regular races (points races without booked in shows are $10) Booked in events are $15 for adults. Spectators ages 11 thru 15 receive a $5 discount on all events with paying adult. Thursday nights Test and Tunes is still only $10 to watch or race - 6-9:30 PM.

Get liks for complete visitor information and lidging on the Wilkesboro NC Visitor Guide.  

NC Corn Mazes a Fall Family Favorite

It's Cornfusion Time again in the NC Mountains! The coming of fall in the mountains means it's time for a fun family tradition: Corn Mazes. Local farms turn their harvested corn fields into acres of puzzles along with special events, hayrides and Halloween Happenings.

Eliada's Corn Maze in Asheville, the largest maze in WNC, has created a “Love Asheville Give Local” theme in the maze this year. A giant heart, with this familiar slogan creates the maze trails and celebrates Eliada as a local charity in the region. “Get Lost” in corn mazes over 12 acres of twisting trails. Eliada's includes activities for kids of all ages including like corn cannons with pumpkin men targets, a cow train, hayride, pumpkin patch, giant sandbox filled with corn kernels, haybale maze, spider-web net climb on and giant slides.

The Blue Ridge Corn Maze in Brevard offers 6 Acres of "corn~fusion" where you can lose it and it's all right!
Self-serve hours that fit your schedule!  Instructions are posted at the gate which send you into the field to where a school bus is parked. Further instructions are posted there along with clue cards which help navigate the maze, a few rules, admission prices and where to place the admission. Trails are marked out front of the bus,with the 1st trail being the shortest. They both begin and end at the same point.  Go when you want to / self serve/ honor system.   14th Annual "Shock in the Corn" October 18-19, 25-26, 31.

The Ashe County Corn Maze in the West Jefferson Area takes anywhere from 25 minutes to 45 minutes to hours! There are six "stations" in the maze to explore.  The corn maze can take anywhere from 25 minutes to 45 minutes to hours if you like! There are six "stations" in the maze. Remembering where you've been and finding all the stations can be a little confusing but you'll have lots of fun trying to find your way out!  There will also be a variety  of games and activities for the entire family. Special Event: Corn Fest on October 12.

The Hickory Nut Gap Farm in the Asheville area lets you wind your way through the corn maze, pick your own pumpkin, fill your bag with organic apples, hold a baby chick, visit the animals and enjoy a day with your family. Open 7 days a week in October.  Visit the farm store and see first hand the landscape where your food is grown and to meet the people who make it happen. Purchase meat, fruits, and mushrooms from the farm as well as other local producers and spend some time with the animals.

The Maze at Seasonal Produce Farm in Canton includes special events such as a professional lumberjack competition, haunted house and Hospice Day. Enjoy Family Fun on the Farm! Pick out a pumpkin and enjoy a variety of attractions including campfires, the corn box, mini mazes, the hay jump, hayrides, the pumpkin patch, the haunted maze and the Scout Maze. Field trips and group events are available. October 12 is Heritage day.

Darnell Farms in Bryson City is a true "Agritourism" farm with horseback riding, wagon rides, camping, bluegrass music, educational tours, pick-your-own seasonal produce and an 8+ acre corn maze that opens in mid August! The Corn maz will open this year on October 11.

Grandad's Apples and Such  in Hendersonville NC includes  5 acres of corn maze and a fun-filled hour of exploring. After visiting five different way stations, your corn maze adventure will be complete! Grandad’s has several funny backdrops to create some great family photo ops. Visit the pumpkin patch and pick out your perfect pumpkin from  all sizes and shapes, including extra large and baby pumpkins. Ride the Cow Train on a tour of Grandad’s. The cow train is made from barrels painted to look like cows

New River Corn Maze  on the Brown Family Farm in Deep Gap NC, just outside Boone.  Get lost in the family fun and enjoy a High Country tradition on the banks of the New River. Bring your family, friends, church or student group. The maze itself winds through 5 acres of planted corn with over a mile of twists, turns, dead-ends, and switchbacks.  While visiting the Corn Maze, come by our Pumpkin Patch, to pick your own for Halloween. New this year - Come take a ride around the farm in a genuine passenger train.

Additional NC mountain Corn Mazes:
Smoky Mountain Corn Maze (Otto NC near Franklin)
Fodder Trot Trails ( Sprata NC)
The Great Pumpkin Patch (Glade Valley NC). 

Maggie Valley NC Food Drive at October Leaves Crafts Show

October 12-13   Maggie Valley Methodist Church Food Pantry has joined with the organizers of the October Leaves Craft Show to conduct a food drive to replenish their bare shelves.

In order to make the Food Drive a successful event, the Maggie Valley Craft Show will conduct a raffle of handmade crafts donated by many of the talented artisans. All you have to do is bring a non-perishable food item or a donation to the October Leaves Craft Show at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds and you will receive a raffle ticket.  This ticket will give you the opportunity to win one of the many crafts donated. You do not have to be present to win. The Maggie Valley Methodist Church will provide volunteers to help with the collection and distribution process.

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Peanuts Pumpkin Patch Express this weekend

October 5 - 6   Peanuts Pumpkin Patch Express   The PEANUTS gang return the the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Pumpkin Patch for this annual family fun favorite. The excursions, which are themed after Charles M. Schulz's classic story "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," will be departing from the Bryson City Depot and arriving at the Pumpkin Patch. Event activities include campfire marshmallows, a coloring station, temporary tattoos, trick or treating, bouncy house, hayrides and live musical entertainment.

Get links for local visitor information on the Bryson City NC Guide.

NC Mountain Art and Craft Festival and Events this Weekend

October 4
NC City: ASHEVILLE
Event: Asheville Downtown Gallery Association Art Walk Enjoy the fine art and craft of the Asheville Downtown Gallery Association and see on of the reasons Asheville has been voted #1 small city in the country by the readers of American Style Magazine 2 years running. 25 downtown venues participate with a complete Downtown Gallery Guide and a map available at any participating downtown gallery, the Chamber of Commerce, or Pack Place. 

October 4
NC City: WAYNESVILLE
Event: Art After Dark Downtown galleries and studios remain open until 9 PM. The evening features special openings, demonstrations, artist receptions, and music.
 
October 4-13
NC City: ASHEVILLE
Event: American Craft Week A celebration of the wonders of American craft and its contribution to the culture and economy of the country. Dozens of participants in Western North Carolina host special events from open studios to major gallery exhibits. This year's Keynote Speaker is Christopher Benfey - Survival 101: Keeping Education Alive at Black Mountain College. Saturday, October 12, 5:30pm-6:30pm. 6:30-7:45 reception.. Get a complete list of participants and events on the website.

October 5
NC City: NORTH WILKESBORO
Event: Brushy Mountain Apple Jam This event is one of the largest one-day arts and crafts festivals in the Southeast and features a large variety of arts and crafts, food and entertainment. Events begin at 8 AM and continue until 5 PM. There will be live entertainment at the corner of 10th and Main Streets. Open jam. Sponsored annually by the Brushy Mountain Ruritan Club and held on the 1st Saturday of October since 1978.

October 5
NC City: ASHEVILLE
Event: Asheville Art in the Park The finest handcrafted art i the area on display and sale at Pack Square in downtown Asheville.  

October 5
NC City: BLOWING ROCK
Event: Art in the Park A juried arts & craft show featuring 90 artists held in the picturesque downtown park once a month from May to October. Some of the best local and regional artists and craftspeople showcase their handcrafted jewelry, pottery, fiber, glass, photography, painting and more. Prices for objects, from a handmade postcard to a large piece of furniture, range from $5 to $5,000. The event takes place on three consecutive Saturdays each June and October. Nationally known artists exhibit at this event and the best part is- they are local.


October 5
NC City: OLD FORT
Event: ArtsMart Locally created arts and crafts displayed inside the historic Old Fort Depot. Stop by to chat with the creators of these one-of-a-kind items while you shop for yourself, family or friends. Something for everyone including baskets, paintings, woodwork, wreaths, candles and live demonstrations. Sponsored by Arrowhead Artists and Artisans League.

October 5NC City: DILLSBORO
Event: ColorFest, Art and Taste of Appalachia Autumn's colors and flavors take center stage Saturday, Oct. 6, during this fourth annual festival. This arts and food event fills the sidewalks of Dillsboro with a variety of mountain artisans demonstrating their skills, plus food vendors serving up a taste of the North Carolina mountains. Local musicians and street entertainers add music to festivities, while restaurants and shops are open to serve the crowds throughout the day. 10 AM - 4 PM.

October 5
NC City: MARS HILL Event: Mars hill Fall Heritage Festival Traditional mountain music and old-time craft demonstrations, local arts and crafts fill the town of Mars Hill and the Mars Hill College campus at this family-friendly festival. Food available from local vendors. 

Date: October 5 - 6NC City: HENDERSONVILLE
Event: Art on Main A fine arts and fine crafts show held in Historic Downtown Hendersonville. The Downtown area is transformed into a giant outdoor art gallery featuring the finest artists and artisans from the southeast. Art on Main attracts 3,000-4,000 art lovers each year.

October 5-6 
NC City: BRASSTOWN Event: John C Campbell Folk School Fall Festival Celebrate the rich heritage of Appalachia at the 40th annual Folk School Fall Festival, featuring over 200 juried and non-juried craftspeople. Handcrafted items for sale include jewelry, woodturning, pottery, weaving, ironwork, photography, rugs, woodcarvings, furniture, paintings, baskets, and much more. Live music and dance on two stages, great food, craft demonstrations, and kids' activities are just a few more reasons why the John C. Campbell Folk School Fall Festival is one of the most popular events in the region.

Get links for more mountain weekend events on the NC Events Calendar 

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Autumn at OZ - We're Off to See the Wizard!

October 5 - 6   Autumn at OZ    Follow the yellow brick road to the annual Autumn at Oz party. Be sure to dress warm, you never know when a twister will come through. Visitors can tour Dorothy's House, Uncle Henry's Barn, and a mini Oz museum. There will be food, crafters and games, plus chairlift rides up to Oz for those who prefer not to go by shuttle. Get tickets online.

In 2013 Autumn at OZ celebrates 20 years. Both children and adults will be enchanted as they experience the re-­creation of Dorothy's magical trip from her farm home in Kansas through the twister and down the yellow brick road to the "Land of OZ". Along your journey you will be met by a full cast portraying many of the vibrant characters similar to those of the original Oz.

There is ample parking for visitors with transportation to and from the Land of Oz included in the ticket price. Go by bus to an elevation of over 5,000 feet above sea level, high atop beautiful Beech Mountain where fantasies come to life RAIN OR SHINE.

The purchase of your ticket designates the time that you will be transported to the Land of OZ from "The Village" in the Resort of Ski Beech.

The Land of Oz opens at 9:30AM and limited tickets are available for attendance every hour. On Saturday the last bus leaves the parking lot for Oz at 3:30; Sunday at 2:30. The Park closes at 6:00PM.
Get links for lodging and complete visitor information on the Beech Mountain NC Guide.

New Bridge on the Mountains to Sea Trail

Hikers can now keep their feet dry when they cross High Shoals Creek as they follow the NC Mountain to Sea Trail (MST) along the Blue Ridge Parkway between Moses Cone Park and US 421 near Boone.

A new bridge was installed over the creek thanks to a $40,000 grant from the federal Recreational Trails Program matched by $7,422 donated by FMST members and 149.5 hours of work donated by FMST volunteers in Watauga County.

Attendees at the dedication ceremony in July received an ample demonstration of the need for the bridge. A rain storm the night before followed by steady rain throughout the day brought a torrent of water down the creek and under the bridge. A hardy group of volunteers and staff crossed the bridge in full rain gear and dry feet to celebrate this great addition to the trail.

The Mountains-to-Sea Trail  connects Clingman's Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Jockey's Ridge State Park on the NC Outer Banks with 1000 miles of footpaths and temporary connectors. Currently about 530 miles of footpaths are complete with work crews, mostly volunteers, continuing construction. The connectors make it possible to hike the entire 1000 miles.

The route passes through 37 counties containing about 40 percent of the state's population. The trail is used by people out for an afternoon stroll as well as those planning to hike the trail from one end of the state to the other.

Madison County Fair this Weekend in Marshall

October 3-5   Madison County Fair   Fair events include; rides, produce and cooking competitions, livestock competitions, special contests and exhibits. 4-H certified livestock and horse shows. Create some memories similar to the ones you have from growing up and going to the Fair with your family.

Carnival rides are there for the delight of all as well as craft booth and food vendors. But, the most fun is viewing the competitions of livestock and all the other categories ranging from baking to photography

Find links for local lodging and visitor information on the Marshall / Mars Hill NC Guide.

Chimney Rock State Park offers Guided Hike and Nature Program this Weekend

October 5   Old Growth Forest “Off the Beaten Path” Guided Hike at Chimney Rock State Park   Learn what is special about a forest with canopy members over a century old, some even 200 to 300 years old. See the largest known Chestnut Oak in the Park among other prime specimens of their kinds on this moderate 1-hour hike. No additional cost with paid admission! Meet at Grady's Animal Discovery Den in the Meadows. 

October 5 - 6   Grady's Wildlife of WNC at Chimney Rock State Park   Come meet some of Grady the Groundhog's live woodland friends and learn about their natural habitats. Or marvel at our Birds of Prey, including a Red-tailed Hawk and Great Horned Owl. The family-friendly Grady’s Wildlife of WNC programs vary and are offered at 2 PM at the Outdoor Classroom on the Meadows. Best of all, the programs are included with your Park admission. All you need to bring are your kids and their curiosity about the natural world.
 
Find complete local visitor information on the Chimney Rock NC Guide.