Nantahala Outdoor Center Guest Appreciation Festival this Weekend

September 27 - 29    Guest Appreciation Festival at NOC    Enjoy GAF events all weekend long at the Nantahala Outdoor Center's Wesser Campus. It's NOC's way of saying thanks for another great year.

There will be a great line-up of live music, beer tastings with Nantahala Brewing Company and fun hands-on activities throughout the day as well as good-natured boating competitions. Families will appreciate multiple educational presentations featuring animals and stories with crowd participation.

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

Asheville NC's Only City Marthon

September 27 - 28   Asheville City Marathon   Asheville’s only city marathon, a full marathon, is known as the Southeast’s most beautiful and challenging race event and represents the best of Asheville. The course features the urban trail of Art Deco architecture to scenic river front views, bohemian River Arts District and eclectic friendly neighborhoods of West Asheville. 

The fourteenth annual half marathon continues to be a regional favorite featuring the grand old neighborhoods of North Asheville, Beaver Lake, and plus a final turn on one of the Top Great Streets of North Carolina, Lexington Avenue. A new spin has been added to the 5k Run and Walk, now an evening family-friendly event in the heart of downtown.

Get a link for the Asheville City Marathon and other local events and information on the Asheville NC Guide.

Native American Gathering Today at W, Scott Kerr Dam and Reservoir

September 22, 1o AM - 5 PM - Native American Gathering.   Come enjoy Native foods, Flint Napping, Story Telling, Flute Players, Vendors, and Amazing Aztec Fire Dancers. Bring a lawn chair and spend the day, All Drums Welcome.

The event is free and open to the public.

W. Scott Kerr Dam and Reservoir is located at 499 Reservoir Road in Wilkesboro NC

Blue Ridge Music Center Celebrates the Music of Surry County with a FREE Concert

September 29   The Blue Ridge Music Center will celebrate the music of Surry County with a special, free, performance-talk on Sunday beginning at 2 PM. 

Round Peak music is an old-time music style that originated in northwestern Surry County, North Carolina and spread around the globe. Music collectors, enthusiasts and folklorists, many of them already aware of the Grayson and Carroll County, VA traditions, came into the area in the 1960s and discovered something amazingly intense and powerful. Word began to spread far beyond Surry County and southwestern Virginia. Recordings played on local radio stations and inspired young people looking for something different to start coming to area fiddlers' conventions.

Awareness of the Round Peak tradition exploded and worldwide enthusiasm continues to the present day. Even though many of the early practitioners are gone, the tradition exists locally because younger musicians have kept it going. This special presentation at the Blue Ridge Music Center will include some of the finest players from the region spanning three generations and including: Verlin Clifton, Bobby Patterson, Chester McMillian and Nick McMillian.

The Surry County Spotlight performance-talk starts at 2 PM on Sunday. Reservations are highly recommended as seating is limited. Admission is free. To reserve your seats call (276) 236-5309 x112 and please arrove by 1:45 PM to keep your reservation. Any open seats are given to drop-in visitors.

The Fall Heritage Series takes place in the indoor theater at the Blue Ridge Music Center on Sunday afternoons September 29th - October 13th. Check the website for a complete schedule. Also enjoy free Mid Day Mountain Music from 12-4 PM daily and the free Roots of American Music museum open 10 AM-5 PM daily through October 27th when the center closes for the season. The Fall Heritage series is made possible with the support of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, National Park Service, and Eastern National.

The Blue Ridge Music Center is located at milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway only 10 miles from Galax, Virginia and 20 miles from Mount Airy, North Carolina - the gateway to one of the most musical places on earth.

 

Art and Craft Events this Weekend in the Mountains

September 19 - 22
NC City: SPINDALE
Event: Celebration of the Arts The Show is held at the at the Foundation Conference & Performing Arts Center at Isothermal Community College. The show is sponsored by the Rutherford County Visual Artists Guild (RCVAG) and supported in part by the NC Arts Council. 2D and 3D artwork in various media including paintings, photography, clay, wood, textiles, glass, metal, and jewelry for recognition, ribbons, and cash awards. In addition to the show, an adjoining gift shop will be selling handcrafted artwork at affordable prices

September 20 - 21
NC City: WEST JEFFERSON
Event: 11th Annual Ashe County Quilt Fair This year's Fair theme is " Quilts in the Attic". Events include the Guild Shoppe and Guild Boutique with quilts for sale, a fund-raiser quilt, vender village, sewing machines through the ages and small quilt silent auction. The Fair is held in Jefferson Station, 20 E Ashe Street in West Jefferson NC. 

September 21
NC City: WEAVERVILLE
Event: Art in Autumn This is the seventh annual Art in Autumn Outdoor Arts and Crafts Festival. Over 100 juried artists and craftspeople, as well as an exciting array of food and live music. The festival brings a lively celebration of community and fine art to the Main Street of the 'Mayberry-esque' town of Weaverville. 

September 21
NC City: SPARTA
Event: 19th Annual Mountain Heritage Festival Craft and food vendors line Main Street in celebration of mountain heritage in craft and music. This year's entertainment features Zephyr Lightning Bolts . With demonstrations of the skills of local ancestors and music that mixes local heritage with modern influences, there is something for everyone. Dancers will be kicking up their heels and the Possum Queen will be crowned.

September 21
NC City: ASHEVILLE
Event: Asheville City Market   Find the the freshest, best-tasting food around plus local artisan products in two locations for your convenience: downtown and South Asheville. Debit and credit cards are accepted. Also enjoy live music, cooking demonstrations and food tastings from local chefs, Kids Corner Market activities, and more.

September 21-22
NC City: ASHEVILLE
Event: Heritage Weekend is a two-day celebration of traditional crafts and music. The 32nd free festival is sponsored by the Southern Highland Craft Guild and features traditional music, dancing and heritage craft demonstrations. A highlight of the weekend is the 32nd Annual World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition on Saturday, 2:00-3:00 PM. Joe “Colonel Buncombe” Bly will emcee the competition.

Find links for more NC Mountains Weekend Events on the NC Events Calendar.

Asheville Brewgrass Festival an Annual Favorite

September 21, 1 - 7 PM   Brewgrass Festival    40 American breweries gather to showcase more than 120 different beers while live music echoes through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Live entertainment for 2013 includes: 

Johnson’s Crossroad, described by friends and fans as everything from Appalachian Soul” to “Hillbilly Metal.” 
 
The Henhouse Prowlers using traditional bluegrass as a base, and making it their own by providing a show that’s danceable throughout with uptempo drive and bouncing mid-tempo grooves, all while covering contemporary topics in a largely original repertoire. 

The Seldom Scene began as a non-touring bluegrass band back in 1971 in Bethesda, Maryland and today has
become one of the single largest contributors to the progression of bluegrass from the early days of Flatt and Scruggs and Bill Monroe to the more contemporary sounds that they founded.  

Larry Keel and Natural Bridge is described by some reviewers as the most powerful, innovative and all-out exhilarating acoustic flatpicking guitarist performing today

The event takes place at Martin Luther King Jr Park and also features a variety of area food vendors and plenty of water.

Get a link for complete details and ticket purchase on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide. 

Asheville's Final Downtown After Five for the Season

September 20   Downtown After Five    Truth & Salvage Co. and The Blue Rags will be closing out the 25th anniversary season of Downtown After 5. Headliners, Truth & Salvage Co. got their start in Asheville as Scrappy Hamilton in 1999, and recorded their 2013 album, "Pick Me Up" at Echo Mountain Studios.

The Blue Rags have been a local favorite since the late 1990s and helped to put Asheville on the musical map. They have since played with a number of notable acts, while occasionally reuniting for a great show.

Local brews from Highland Brewing Company, Pisgah Brewing, Asheville Brewing Company and French Broad Brewing Company, plus, regional favorites Sierra Nevada and SweetWater Brewing as well as national brands from Budweiser of Asheville and Empire Distributing will be on tap. Wine and water will also be available for purchase.

Find links for more Asheville events, lodging and visitor information on the Asheville NC Guide.

Flock to the Rock in Chimney Rock State Park

Date: September 21 - 22   5th Annual Flock to the Rock on Chimney State Rock Park   (No additional cost with paid Park admission; “Early Bird” Watch is extra) The region’s premier fall migration birding event held at Chimney Rock, a birder’s paradise and official site on the NC Birding Trail. Featuring live Birds of Prey programs with a Red-tailed Hawk and Great Horned Owl, this weekend includes bird walks guided by local experts, workshops ranging from bird photography to hummingbirds and family nature walks. Kids can get in on the fun too, dissecting owl pellets to see what these birds of prey eat.

Chimney Rock State Park is home to 130+ species of birds throughout the year, including warblers, vireos, tanagers, woodpeckers, thrushes, owls and birds of prey, including the Peregrine Falcon. This prime birding weekend coincides with the annual hawk migration when dozens, sometimes hundreds, of hawks can be seen during their flight south.

For optimal bird watching, enjoy a 7:30 AM “Early Bird” Migration Watch on a 2+ hour walk. As a before-hours activity, the cost is $20 for Adults (includes day admission) or $5 for Passholders, call (800) 277-9611 to register.

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

 

Mountain Heritage Festival in Sparta

September 21   19th Annual Mountain Heritage Festival  Craft and food vendors line Main Street in celebration of mountain heritage in craft and music. This year's entertainment features Zephyr Lightning Bolts . With demonstrations of the skills of local ancestors and music that mixes local heritage with modern influences, there is something for everyone. Dancers will be kicking up their heels and the Possum Queen will be crowned.

Get local  visitor information on the Sparta NC Guide.

West Jefferson Hosts Literary Festival

September 17 - 21  On The Same Page Literary Festival   High Country locals and visitors are invited to celebrate the literary arts in Ashe County. The fourth annual literacy will focus on writing about North Carolina people, places and traditions. Events planned for this festival are informative and fun with readings, workshops, a film showing and lots of question-and-answer sessions with the authors.

A Celebration of the Arts Next Weekend

September 19 - 22    Celebration of the Arts    The Show is held at the at the Foundation Conference & Performing Arts Center at Isothermal Community College. The show is sponsored by the Rutherford County Visual Artists Guild (RCVAG) and supported in part by the NC Arts Council. 2D and 3D artwork in various media including paintings, photography, clay, wood, textiles, glass, metal, and jewelry for recognition, ribbons, and cash awards.

In addition to the show, an adjoining gift shop will be selling handcrafted artwork at affordable prices. A Gala Fundraiser Dinner will be held Saturday night, September 22, followed by the Awards Ceremony. Proceeds from the Gala tickets, silent auction, and sale of artwork will support RCVAG’s non-profit mission to foster the visual arts and fine crafts in their surrounding community. 

  Isothermal Community College is located on  Highway 74 By-Pass in Spindale, NC.

Burnsville Hosts the Annual Carolina Mountains Literary Festival

Author Elizabeth Kostova

September 12-14    Carolina Mountains Literary Festival   This year's theme of “Take Me There,” features suspense author Elizabeth Kostova as the keynote speaker for the Saturday night banquet, which last year sold out with 100 festival goers in attendance for fine dining and literary fellowship. 
Elizabeth Kostova is the winner of the Hopwood Award for the Novel-in-Progress. She also received the 2006 Book Sense award for Best Adult Fiction and the 2005 Quill Award for Debut Author of the Year.

Get links for local visitor information on the Burnsville NC Guide.

Enjoy RiverMusic this Friday and take advantage of a Volunteer Opportunity

September 13, 5 PM. - 10 PM  at the RiverLink Sculpture and Performance Plaza, 144 Riverside Drive in the River Arts District. 

This summer has been great fun at RiverLink's RiverMUSIC. The final show of the season is this Friday night and welcomes the The Alan Evans Trio. These special events wouldn't be possible without all the amazing volunteers, and help is still needed for this concert.

There are openings for:

• First Shift Wristbands/Tokens (5:00-7:30)- 2 people
• Second Shift Wristbands/Tokens (7:30-10:00)- 5 people
• Second Shift Beer Sales (7:30-10:00)-6 people
• Second Shift Parking (7:30-10:00)- 4 people
• Second Shift River Access Watch (7:30-10:00)- 1 person

Remember all RiverMusic volunteers get a free wristband and drink token, plus an invite to the volunteer appreciation party. If you're interested, email jess@riverlink.org with you preferred shift ASAP. 

September 19, at 5:00 PM at the RiverLink Sculpture Plaza-

Volunteer Appreciation Party - RiverLink wants to show their lappreciation for all of the hard work that you've put in this summer to help make RiverMusic an amazing success. The gates will be open so you'll be able to park there. There will be free food, drinks, and RiverLink swag- like RIVERMUSIC SHIRTS. The party starts at 5:00 PM so come if you can.   

Special Volunteer Opportunity-  Thanks to Mary Noel, the special projects coordinator, RiverLink is going  to have interpretive signs along the French Broad River Paddle Trail and  needs help with sign painting, construction, and installation. The tools and supplies will be provided.  There is no set in stone date for this project so if you're interested please contact mary@riverlink.org  or to work out a time that you'll be able to come help.

September 21, 9 AM - 5 PM, across the French Broad River Watershed -- NC Big Sweep. It's time for the annual Fall river cleanup from 9 AM - 2 PM. There will be teams in boats and on foot cleaning creeks, streams, and rivers throughout the watershed. RiverLink is specifically working on the French Broad. Afterwards, all will meet together for a volunteer appreciation party with free food and libations. People with reliable water transportation are encouraged to participate - more boats are needed. To signup (as a team or individual), working along the French Broad River, email
jess@riverlink.org.

 

Brevard Music Center Hosts the 8th Annual Mountain Song Festival

September 13-14    8th 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 Steep Canyon Rangers, O'Brian 3 and Carolina Chocolate drops. The event supports the Boys and Girls Club of Transylvania County and has become a premier southeastern festival drawing 5000 music lovers annually.

Find links for local cabin rentals, attractions and complete visitor information on the Brevard NC Guide.

Mountains to Sea Trail has announced the first online day-hike guides for the 1000-mile trail.

September 9, 2013

ONLINE DAY-HIKE GUIDES GIVE ‘SNEAK PREVIEW’

OF MST TRAILS AT FALLS LAKE, ENO RIVER AND BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY 

Just in time for fall the Friends of the North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail (FMST) has created the first online day-hike guides for three sections of the 1000-mile Trail.

“While we welcome long distance hikers, for most people the trail offers opportunities to get away from it all for a few hours without carrying a big backpack,” said Kate Dixon, FMST executive director. “Just a few minutes after starting hikers will be surrounded by beautiful sights, sounds and serenity.”

Each guide includes information about distance, degree of difficulty, connecting trails, an easy-to-use map and very detailed descriptions of each leg of the trail., plus photos and videos. The information is under Happening Now on the organization’s web page, www.ncmst.org.  Joe Miller, writer and blogger at www.getgoingnc.com and www.nchikes.com, assisted in producing the guides.

“These guides provide a sneak preview that we hope will encourage both occasional and experienced hikers to give these shorter trails a try,” said Dixon. Day hikes for the Falls Lake Trail in northern Wake and Durham counties, the Eno River near Durham and the northern section of the Blue Ridge Parkway are featured. The goal is to eventually have online guides for every major area that the MST runs through. .

The guide for the Eno River portion of the MST features five day hikes. Most of the trails are around two miles in length. The Blue Ridge guide describes 15 sections ranging from 3.7 miles to 10 miles. The Falls Lake Trail, at 60 miles one of the longest MST sections in the state, has 18 day hikes from less than a mile to seven miles. Most are in the 2-3 mile range.

The FMST is in the process of developing a day-hike guide for the Neusiok section in Eastern North Carolina. The existing Neusiok guide is limited to detailed information on how to use car shuttles to get to trailheads. There are seven sections in the Neusiok trail ranging from under two miles to nearly seven.

The MST is part of North Carolina’s state trail system. It stretches from Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains to Jockey’s Ridge on the Outer Banks. FMST is a non-profit volunteer organization that helps build and maintain the trail.

There'll be Thunder in the Valley at this Weekend's Bike Rally in Maggie

September 13 - 15   Thunder in the Smokies Fall Rally   Come ride the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Enjoy Tour Rides, Music Concerts, Bike Builders, Bike Games, Bike Show, Prizes, Vendors and much more during the three day rally.  All bikes and ages welcomed.

Get links for lodging and visitor information on the Maggie Valley NC Guide.

 

Off the Beaten Path Today At Chimney Rock State Park

September 8   Off the Beaten Path Wild Mushroom Walk at Chimney Rock State Park    Mushrooms can be found popping up all over Chimney Rock in the early fall, especially after rainfall. Join Charlotte Caplan, former president and current member of the Asheville Mushroom Club, in learning about and searching for a variety of fascinating and beautiful fungi.

Whet your appetite with an overview of edible and non-edible mushrooms. Participants will hike up to two hours along Park trails or “off the beaten path” looking for a dozen or two of the estimated 1,000 species of fungi that could be growing in the Park. Limited to 20 people. 9:30 AM-noon

Can't make it today?  Additional "Wild Mushroom Walks" will be offered on September 13, 20 and 27.

Learn more about local events and visitor information on the Chimney Rock NC Guide. 

KidFest TODAY at Grandfather Mountain

September 7   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.

Grandfather mountain is the highest mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountain range at an elevation of 5,964 feet. The Mile High Swinging Bridge gives visitors easy access to the breath-taking view from Grandfather Mountain's Linville Peak.

Grandfather Mountain is a Nature Lovers' favorite offering Wildlife habitats, Nature Walks and Trails, Nature Programs, and a Nature Museum. The complex natural terrain includes 16 different classifications of natural communities with backcountry trails providing access to all.

Get links for local information including lodging, dining and other attractions on the Linville NC Visitor Guide

Mustang and Ford Car Meet in Maggie Valley this Weekend

September 6-7  40th Annual Fall Regional Shelby/Mustang and Ford Meet   Friday is a cruise-in day for car cleaning, fellowship and show setup. Saturday is the popular vote car show for all Ford vehicles; Top 3 in 30 classes. The event is open to all Ford bodied and powered products. Food Vendors will be onsite both days. The Meet will be held rain or shine at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.

Get links for local visitor information on the Maggie Valley NC Guide.

ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championship this Week at Nantahala

September2 -8   ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championship   Called the X-Games for whitewater, this event offers spins, flips, turns and tricks of freestyle snowboarders, surfers and skaters with freestyle kayaking! This ultimate whitewater event will feature top freestyle athletes from around the world, as well as plenty of activities, competitions and events for spectators and fans.

Live music, arts and crafts, and a festival atmosphere with Appalachian flair round out the weekend.

Get links for available lodging and visitor information on the Nantahala NC Guide and the Bryson City NC Guide.