Fly a Kite a Mile High This Weekend on Beech Mountain NC

September 3 - 4, 2016  on Beech Mountain NC– A great sendoff to summer is Beech Mountain’s Mile High Kite Festival.  The annual festival, now in its 14th year, encourages families to spend a relaxed Labor Day weekend in eastern America’s highest town.

Kite flying activities take place both days in the kite field in the center of town adjacent to the Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria. At more than 5,000 feet in elevation, the meadow allows participants to fly their kites a mile above sea level.

photo by Todd Bush

The event runs from 10 AM to 4 PM each day. On Saturday, everyone may practice his or her kite-flying skills. Then on Sunday, the experts get in on the fun. Both the Richmond Air Force Kite Club and the Wings Across Carolina Kiting and Okra Society (WACKOS) will give kite-flying demonstrations.

Each day, the first 150 children (12 and younger) will receive complimentary kites. The wide, flat kites in a half-tunnel shape are easier to fly than traditional diamond-shaped kites. Kids can decorate them and add tails.

Everyone who flies a kite Sunday receives an official certificate proclaiming: “I flew a kite a mile high on Beech Mountain.” Prizes will be awarded in a variety of categories.

photo courtesy of www.beechmtn.com

“The festival weekend is a nice, fun way to end the summer,” says Calder Smoot, event coordinator. “Some people like to come out and fly a kite, while others just bring their chairs, have lunch and enjoy watching everyone fly their colors in the sky.”

Additional festival attractions include face painting, bounce houses for children and food vendors. New this year are drone demonstrations and a presentation about the history and usage of kites by Andy Sicard from Grandfather Mountain State Park. At least once a day, a large American flag will be unfurled, and “The Star-Spangled Banner” will play.

Also on Saturday, an all-ages street dance takes place from 7-9 PM across from the kite field in the town hall parking lot.

The Mile High Kite Festival is sponsored by the Beech Mountain Chamber and the two kite clubs. There is no charge for admission.

For info or lodging specials, visit www.BeechMtn.com or call (800) 468-5506.

10th Annual Catch the Spirit of Appalachia Scholarship Fundraising Dinner and Cookbook

September 27, 2016 at 6 PM - The 10th Annual CSA Scholarship Fundraising Dinner and Cookbook.   In their ongoing efforts to successfully fund a $15,000 endowed scholarship with Southwestern Community College (SCC) in Sylva  NC, the founders and board members of Catch the Spirit of Appalachia will host their 10th Annual scholarship dinner.

Sam McMahan of Mountain Faith

This year the dinner will be held at the Burrell Building on the campus of Southwestern Community College in Sylva. Featured entertainers for evening will be the family of MOUNTAIN FAITH, who will tell the story of their adventures while performing on AMERICA’S GOT TALENT and other venues. Opening for them will be the storytelling and spontaneous artwork of the Ammons Sisters.

A donation of $25 per ticket will be applied 100% to the scholarship. “Tickets for the dinner are on sale now,” says Amy Ammons Garza, CSA cofounder. “They are available online at www.storiesofmountainfolk.com, and in person at the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. The deadline for ticket sales is September 13th.

Many of the local artists and crafters have also donated items for a drawing from the ticket sales.

The dinner menu includes chicken casserole with rice, spring pea medley, broccoli salad, corn pudding, strawberry pretzel salad, strawberry nut cake and yeast rolls…all recipes from local cooks and published in the new cookbook, “Catch the TASTE of Appalachia Cookbook,” which will be on sale at the dinner. This full color 240-page cookbook has recipes not only from the heritage of the people of the Blue Ridge Mountains (Appalachian, African American, and Cherokee), but from other ethnic groups such as Asian, Italian, and Mexican.

“ Our nonprofit organization is now celebrating 27 years,” says Heather Gordon, CSA President. “Our work is accomplished through a 15-20 member Board of Directors which meets once a month to perpetuate the organization’s mission and goals. At each meeting, the members bring a covered dish for all to enjoy.

"There are wonderful cooks in our grassroots organization! When looking for another fundraiser to help raise funds for the endowed scholarship, we naturally thought about what all our members could do well…cook, Said Gordon. So the Catch the TASTE of Appalachia Cookbook was born.

Once Catch the Spirit of Appalachia’s endowed scholarship is in force, priority will be given to students who are applying to the community college in the study of the arts and the environment.

BUY TICKETS ONLINE HERE

Saluda Tailgare Market Open Rain or Shine Every Friday

The Saluda Tailgate Market will be open rain or shine every Friday May through October 4:30-6:30 in historic downtown Saluda NC. EBT acceptance and credit and debit card transactions are now available The market does not allow room for dogs or cars in the lot. Please leave your dogs at home or plan to otherwise secure them while you shop. West Main Street is one way going down during market hours. In at the top and out at the bottom with parking on the right next to our new sidewalk. Or even better, park in the church lots on Carolina and follow the new sidewalk down.

Last week the Market had corn, peaches and tomatoes, in addition to all the veggies of the season. The mountain apples are now coming in. There will be summer squashes in all colors, shapes and sizes, collards, mushrooms, onions, potatoes, green beans, beef, chicken, pork, trout, eggs, plants, and more. You will also find delicious baked goods, flowers, jellies, jams,herbal remedies, and flavored oils. Make your list and shop the market first from these regular Vendors:

• Bee Log Honey, Carl McGraw bringing sweet Saluda honey
• Bradley Farms, Aaron and Nicole Bradley have Saluda grown beef, pork, chicken and eggs
• Buttercup Cottage and Dan's Garden: seasonal veggies, homemade sauces, sauerkraut and jellies
• Charlene's garden, Charlene Searcy, beautiful tomatoes, sausage, and seasonal veggies
• Charles Street Garden, Walter Hoovers beautiful lettuce, kale, and plants
• Deepwoods Mushrooms, Greg Carter. Shiitakes and other early mushrooms
• Drake Farm, Mark Drake. Peaches, corn, cabbage, cherries, plums, squash
• Flatlanders Peak Flower Farm, Luann Rossow, A colorful assortment of lilies for your garden
• Frank Ward, Saluda grown native plants for your garden and fruits and veggies
• Good Things Grow Here, Richard Kouyoumijian, seasonal veggies
• Growater Farm, RL Bruner with lettuce, onions, and broccoli 
• Hartwood Farms, Kelli and Charles Wood, beautiful veggies
• High Valley Farm, Richard Wesley, robust healthy starter plants for your garden, eggs and trout
• Lark's Table, Lark Lindsey, vegetable strudel, tomato strudel, blueberry strudel - Delicious sweet and savory strudels
• Little Sisters Lemonade, on the porch with a sweet and beautiful display and lemonade to welcome you
• Living Herbs, Al Balson, every kind of herb you might want to plant for your kitchen garden
• Piece O' Cake, Kerry Austin, with us from our beginning in 2010 Kerry has cultivated regular fans for her yummy pieces of cake
• Posey Hollow Farm, Jeff has many veggies
• Rock Ridge Farm, Cheryl McGraw with what ever fruit is in season
• Rose Cottage, Mimi Mehlmauer, brings all kinds of beautiful flowering plants for your home and garden
• Rose's Best, jams, jellies, delectable spreads and quiches
• Sacred Mountain Herbals, Natural soaps, chemical free, herbal personal and home care products, safer for the whole family
• Walk in the Park, Kristen Hackos, new this year, herb infused cooking oils and pastes to enhance your culinary endeavors
• Wildflour Bakery, our very own wonderful organic wholegrain bakery - Breads, sweet treats, and savory pockets for a quick dinner

Hickory Nut Gap Farm Hosts Argentinian Asado Dinner

September 15, 2015 from 6 PM to - 9 PM at the Big Barn at Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 57 Sugar Hollow Road in Fairview NC ( suburb of Asheville): Argentinian Asado Dinner. Enjoy a culinary adventure. This night will feature an artfully crafted dinner and exquisite Bodega Gratia wines. Guests will dine on four different HNG meats prepared in authentic Argentine style, along with traditional sides, salads, and empanadas. $80 per person(plus tax & gratuity).

Brusin' Ales Named Number One Beer Store in WNC for the 8th Year

For the 8th year in a row Brusin' Ales, 66 Broadway Street in downtown Asheville NC, was voted by Mountain Express readers the #1 Beer Store in WNC. If you haven't visited Brusin' Ales, run don't walk to this week's special tasting and find out why so many beer and pub lovers choose Brusin' Ales as their favorite.

August 24 from 5 PM - 7 PM: The Unknown Brewing Co. (Charlotte, North Carolina). The Unknown Brewery is a well known for their sheer irreverence in their beer names ("El Corazon Que Sangra Morado," "Kitten Snuggles," "Death to Clowns") and ingredients (cotton candy, catnip, et. al.). They're also all-around great folks so come on down Wednesday afternoon and see what all the fuss is about.


Ginger Wheat -  "Ginger Wheat has all the wonderful light citrus mouth feel of our No Shame wheat with the addition of just the right amount of ginger to have a light, creamy finish with bursts of flavor." American Pale Wheat Al.

Over The Edge IPA - "Over the Edge takes a great balance of 5 grains and then ramps it up with West Coast hops that were born in the shadows of the cascades." American IPA

Hospitali-tea  - "Made with black tea leaves and sweet orange blossom honey, this beer is on the lighter side with great caramel malts." American Amber / Red Ale.

Last week's New Release: 

Olde Hickory Lindley Park is back. Sure to be a flier, this modest Imperial Stout is brewed with honey before being loaded down with Raspberries and aged in Bourbon barrels to perfection.

Online Store also available - Use the webstore for pick-up or shipping. Whether shopping for yourself, sending a gift to a friend, or you're a local looking to save time (and parking),  go to the webstore for shipping or local pick-up.

Flat Rock Playhouse Gets Rave Reviews for Dolly Parton's 9 to 5

Don't miss the last few performances!    Flat Rock Playhouse Presents: Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 - through August 20, 2016.  Based on the hit 1978 movie, 9 to 5 is the story of three secretaries who devise a plan to overthrow their sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot of a boss. The lively and inventive score features the hit song 9 to 5 written by Dolly Parton. seats from $15 - $40

Here's what audiences are saying:

"We loved the musical of 9 to 5, the cast was great!"

 "You all do such an amazing job of entertaining...first rate all the way!  I've seen shows on Broadway...Flat Rock Playhouse performers can hold there own with the best of them."

"Excellent work, I will be back!!!"

"We absolutely LOVED this show.  All the actors were terrific and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves."

"It was fantastic!  Great vocals, terrific dancing."

"Hysterically funny!  We loved it!!!"

"LOVED IT!"

"Can't wait to come again!!!"

"We really enjoyed the show.  It was extremely well done.  The costumes, acting, energy level, set pieces, special effects, and especially the choreography were exceptional."

 "It was TERRIFIC!  I took my 13 year old who dreams of being on Broadway.  She absolutely LOVED it!"

"It was terrific! We were totally entertained!"

"We will be back, love your theater."

"Great show!!!"

"The play was great and the acting superb!"

"Our visit there was wonderful!‼️"

"Great...one of our favorites!"

"PHENOMENAL!  The theater and actors NEVER disappoint!"

The Flat Rock Playhouse is located at 2661 Greenville Highway 

in Flat Rock NC

Old Time Bluegrass Music is Going Strong at the 42nd Annual NC State Bluegrass Festival this Weekend

August 18 - 20, 2016     42nd Annual NC State Bluegrass Festival   Featuring dozens of bluegrass musicians. Tickets are available at the gate or in advance by calling 706-864-7203. The event is held  "rain or shine" with performances under a covered pavilion. 

The cafe will be serving breakfast and lunch, with hot food and other concessions also available. Bring your lawn chairs - no alcohol, smoking or pets in the performance area.

This event is held at Tom Johnson's  Camping World located at 1885 US 70 West in Marion NC

Fontana VIllage Resort Offers End of Summer Specials - Book NOW!

Fontana Village Resort offers a range of accommodations: Lodge rooms and suites, cabins. RV and tent camping. Resort amenities include conference space, WIFI, 2 restaurants, lounge, General Store, gift shops, outfitters, pools, marina, massage and fitness center,  bike shop, horseback riding and  trails all in a beautiful mountain setting.

Take advantage of end of the summer specials with lodge rooms from $89 and 1 - 4 bedroom cabins at 10% off. Enjoy 25% off pontoon, kayak or canoe rentals during your stay.

Online promotion codes

Lodge Reservations: FFUN

Cabin Reservations: CFUN