Weekend Events and Festivals in the NC Mountains

NC Art and Crafts:

September 7    WAYNESVILLE   Art After Dark   Downtown galleries and studios remain open until 9 PM.  The evening features special openings, demonstrations, artist receptions, and music.  Get a link for details on the NC Events Calendar

September 7   MURPHY    Murphy Art Walk -  First Fridays from May through November,  5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Stroll through historic downtown Murphy for an exquisite visual, culinary, and performing arts experience with more than 20 businesses participating. Enjoy Art Galleries, Music,  Fine Dining,  Live Demonstrations and Performances.  Get a link for details on the NC Events Calendar

September 7-8  LENOIR    27th Annual Sculpture Celebration   The 27th Annual Sculpture Celebration features a Blue Jeans Preview Party Friday evening and a competition Saturday featuring sculptors from several states east of the Mississippi River.  Get a link for details on the NC Events Calendar

September 8    BLOWING ROCK     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.  Get a link for details on the NC Events Calendar

Mountain Music:
September 7-8    BREVARD     7th Annual Mountain Song Festival held in the beautiful covered, open-air auditorium by the lake at Brevard Music Center. This foot-stomping, banjo-picking celebration of bluegrass and newgrass music will feature The David Grisman Sextet, Del McCoury Band, Steep Canyon Rangers, Kruger Brothers, Shannon Whitworth, Colin Hay and Della Mae. The event supports the Boys and Girls Club of Transylvania County and has become a premier southeastern festival drawing 5000 music lovers annually.  Get a link for details on the NC Events Calendar

September 7-8    LANSING      Greater L.A. Festival    An annual events featuring live gospel and folk music and  great down-home food. The Festival  also welcomes  children of all ages, offering hayrides, face painting and  inflatable attractions.   Get a link for details on the NC Events Calendar

September 8    WEST JEFFERSON     Tickling the Ivories   The Annual Tickling the Ivories concert featuring local pianists with a varied repertoire covering the classics, Show Tunes, sacred and old fashion standards. Held at the Ashe Civic Center beginning 7 PM.  Get a link for details on the NC Events Calendar

September 8    FLAT ROCK     Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra 40th Anniversary Celebration Concert  A  70-piece professional orchestra entertains with music from the movies. Guest conductor Richard Kaufman and concertmaster Thomas Joiner lead an evening of music from the silver screen featuring two of the greatest composers to write for film—Franz Waxman and John Williams. Highlights include musical excepts from blockbusters and Prince Valiant, Sunset Boulevard, Spirit of St. Louis, Jaws, Superman, Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, Hook Star Wars.  Get a link for details on the NC Events Calendar


Outdoor Events:
September 7-9   CHEROKEE     End of Summer Trout Fishing Tournament   $10,000 in tagged fish in the rivers on the Cherokee Reservation (excluding the 2.2 miles of catch and release waters) Hundreds of specially tagged fish will be stocked in the Cherokee public fishing waters. When a tagged fish is caught it can be redeemed for cash prizes ranging from $20 to $500 based on the color of the tag. Redemption location and times to be announced. Open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods. Registration necessary to redeem cash prize.  Get a link for details on the NC Events Calendar

September 7-9   BRYSON CITY     ICF Canoe Freestyle World Cup   Called the X-Games for whitewater, this event offers  spins, flips, turns and tricks of freestyle snowboarders, surfers and skaters with freestyle kayaking! The ICF World Cup is held every two years, and the final event of this series for 2012 will be held on the Nantahala River near Bryson City.  Get a link for details on the NC Events Calendar


September 7-16    FLETCHER (Asheville suburb)     North Carolina Mountain State Fair  Held at the WNC Agricultural Center, this is the third largest fair in North Carolina, and it celebrates the heritage of the Blue Ridge Mountains, including agriculture, music, crafts, art, food, entertainment, display of livestock, competitions, and midway amusement rides.  Get a link for details on the NC Events Calendar

September 8-9   BLOWING ROCK     Railroad Heritage Weekend   A unique weekend celebrating the history of the ET&WNC Railroad and Tweetsie Railroad. Enjoy two steam engines at their finest; see historic railway films and much more. Special weekend pass required for selected events. Cherokee dance and demonstrations for all park guests. Open 9 am to 6 pm.   Get a link for details on the NC Events Calendar


Hikes and NC Park Events:
September 8    CHIMNEY ROCK     Saturdays at Four Seasons Guided Hikes at Chimney Rock Park  A complimentary guided hike (with paid Park admission) on the Four Seasons trail. Witness nature’s changing seasons on this 0.6-mile moderate-to-strenuous hike starts at the Meadows and climbs 400 feet of elevation to the top parking lot. Not recommended for children under 12. This trail winds through hardwood trees and past thickets of Carolina Rhododendron, mountain laurel, abundant wildflowers and indigenous plants. Same-day signup at Cliff Dwellers; limited to 20 people. Meet  for the hike near the climbing tower on the Meadows at 1 PM.  Get a link for details on the NC Events Calendar

September 8   LINVILLE     KidFest at Grandfather Mountain   A day designed to get kids excited about the nature and culture of the North Carolina Mountains through fun and entertaining activities. Guided hikes, games, storytellers, music and fun. The events are free with park admission.  Get a link for details on the NC Events Calendar

September 8-9   CHIMNEY ROCK     Grandparents Day   Treat your grandparents to a fun-filled day at Chimney Rock Park. When you purchase one regularly-priced adult admission, receive one youth admission free. Click here to download this special coupon. Coupon must be presented to the Ticket Plaza at the time of purchase. Valid September 8 and 9, 2012.  Get a link for details on the NC Events Calendar