Favorite NC Festivals and Events this Weekend in the Mountains

Date:      July 21 - July 26, 2015
NC City:  BLOWING ROCK
Event:     Blowing Rock Horse Show  Hunter / Jumper division I. The 90th annual Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show is one of the oldest horse show events in the country and has been a Blowing Rock tradition since 1923. Admission is charged. This year several new Classics including Pre Green Incentive Classics are being introduced both weeks along with Classics for Children, Adults, Ponies and Juniors

Date:      July 24 - 26, 2015
NC City:  BRYSON CITY
Event:    Whitewater Junior Olympics   Nantahala Racing Club hosts the 2015 Whitewater Junior Olympics on the Nantahala River. This national-level youth event featuring slalom, downriver and freestyle competition as well as just-for-fun on- and off-the-water events such as duckie-cross, SUP free paddle and yard games. Family-friendly and fun for beginner through advanced paddlers.

Date:      July 24 - 25, 2015
NC City:  LINVILLE / BLOWING ROCK
Event:     The Grandfather Campout   A special opportunity to camp in MacRae Meadows and take part in day and night activities led by Grandfather’s naturalists and interpretive rangers. Additional cost, reservations required. On-line registration begins May 1. For more information and registration details: 828-733-4326. 

Date:      July 25, 2015
NC City:  BLOWING ROCK
Event:    Tweetsie Railroad Cool Summer Nights   Tweetsie Railroad stays open until 9 PM on Saturday nights. The park will feature special train show rides at dusk producing cool summer memories for families and kids of all ages. Cool Summer nights is included in regular park admission.  

Date:      July 26, 2015
NC City:  OLD FORT
Event:    Off-road Assault on Mt Mitchell  The assault is a 55-mile, mostly off-road bicycle route with 11,000 ft. of accumulated climbing. The route begins and ends in Old Fort climbing to the Blue Ridge Parkway and on to Mt. Mitchell. Entry fee/cash prizes.  Registration is NOT available the day of the event.

  

Annual Saluda Arts Festival this Weekend

May 18, 9 AM - 4 PM   The Annual Saluda Arts Festival is one of the favorite NC mountain festivals and attended by 1000s of visitors every year.  Held in historic downtown Saluda this event includes 90 fine artists and skilled craftspeople exhibiting and selling paintings, drawings, wood working, photography, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, stained glass, metal work and more. 

Enjoy watching live demonstrations of artists at work. Children can create their own works of art with this year's  expanded Children's Tent.  There will be live music and entertainment at McCreery Park Pavillion: 
- Jack Roper ~ 11AM- magic show
- Sol Driven Train ~ 12 PM - children's concert
- Clay Ross Band ~1 PM- Brazilian style rhythms
- Sol Driven Train~3 PM-versatile 5 piece band from Charleston, SC. Features rotating lead vocals and multi-instrumental talent


Get a link for the Saluda Arts Festival and learn more about Saluda NC lodging, restaurants and attractions HERE.

 

Snowman Building Contest this weekend on Beech Mountain NC

February 9   Snowman Building Contest  Strut your frosty stuff at the Annual Snowman building contest. Your own creativity is the only limit in this family friendly event.  Bring your own accessories. Prizes will be awarded for the most creative and superlative snowman/woman. The event is held in the meadow across from Town Hall on Beech Mountain Parkway.

Learn more about Beech Mountain NC lodging, restaurants and attractions HERE.

 

New Year's Eve Parties throughout the NC Mountains

December 31, 2012 the NC Mountains ring in the New Year with parties and celebrations. Below are a just a few event, so check with the restaurants, bars and visitor centers in your local community for more.

Get links for these and other mountain events on the NC Events Calendar.

NC City:  BRASSTOWN
Event:    18th Annual New Year's Eve Possum Drop   Ring in the New Year with a Miss Possum contest, live bluegrass music, the Little Brasstown Church Choir, the Blessings, homemade cider and lots of good clean fun.

NC City:  BEECH MOUNTAIN
Event:    New Year's Eve Party at Beech Mountain Resort   Live music, drink specials, and even midnight ice skating. The party is held In the Beech Tree Bar & Grill, which is open until 1:30 AM for the event. Enjoy live entertainment  from The Jonathan Birchfield  Band, providing a unique mix of country and rock tunes.  Tickets are $10 per person.  Beech Mountain Resort will extend Ice Skating hours until 11 PM with Munchies, located adjacent to the ice rink,  providing games and activities for families.

NC City:  BEECH MOUNTAIN
Event:     Rockin' New Year's Eve Party  at the Buckeye Recreation Center.  Food, family-friendly games, jamming music, a bounce house, a kid-friendly New Years Eve count down and much more. So bring the family to celebrate the New Years and still make it out to see the ball drop at your New Year’s Eve Party.   Activities will run from 5pm-8pm, and are free!

NC City:  BLOWING ROCK
Event:    New Year's Eve Extravaganza   Appalachian Ski Mountain offers torchlight skiing, firework and more. Moonlight ice skating from 10 PM to midnight. Restaurant Specials also available from 9 PM to midnight.

NC City:  BLOWING ROCK
Event:     2nd Annual Black & White Ball at Green Park Inn. Dinner & Dancing at the historic Inn. More details by calling 828-414-9230

NC City:  BLOWING ROCK
Event:     New Year's Eve Party featuring Soul Watt at Canyons Restaurant. $10 cover includes midnight champagne toast. 10pm. 828-295-7661

NC City:  BLOWING ROCK
Event:     New Year's Dinner & Party at Crestwood. Starting at 7pm, five course dinner, DJ, then a midnight champagne toast. 828-963-6646

NC City:  BLOWING ROCK
Event:     New Year's Eve Dinner at Crippen's. Party favors, midnight toast. 828-295-3487

NC City:  MAGGIE VALLEY
Event:     New Year's Eve Party  at The Maggie Valley Country Club   $25.00 per person includes complimentary favors, champagne toast, live ball drop and music by local favorites 45 Cherry. A breakfast will follow the midnight hour and is included in the ticket price. Limited space - RSVP.

NC City:  MARION
Event:     New Year's Eve Celebration   Come out to historic downtown Marion between 9:00 PM and midnight to ring in the New year with music, food, carriage rides and more. Downtown businesses will be open with their own form of entertainment including the McDowell Arts Council at 50 S. Main Street where you can enjoy "the oldies" and a dance floor for a little toe tapping! This is a free event on Main Street with street vendors and musicians providing entertainment for all ages.

NC City:  HENDERSONVILLE
Event:     New Year's Eve Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre  at The Inn on Church Street   The event includes dinner, dancing & murder in the speakeasy. 

NC City:  FLAT ROCK
Event:    New Year's Eve Celebration at the Season's Restaurant at Highland Lake Inn/  Enjoy a 3 course dinner, champagne toast and midnight celebration.  Live music with The Bruce Lang Trio from 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM. $70.00 per person. 828-696-9094

NC City:  MARSHALL
Event:     New Year's Eve Party at the Art Center  Sons of Ralph perform - 9 PM show. Champagne toast at Midnight. Ring in the new year for just $15 for tickets

NC City:  PILOT MOUNTAIN
Event:    1st Annual New Year’s Gala-Pilot Mountain Ballroom   Held at the Armfield Civic Center. 7:30 PM – Social Hour 8:00 PM – Dinner 9:00 PM, Buffet Dinner Serving: Prime Rib ~ Parmesan Encrusted Chicken Breast ~ Twice Baked Potatoes ~ Baby Carrots ~ Winter Salad ~ Dessert.  12:00 midnight – Dancing Dress: Formal Attire (Preferred) or Semi-Formal.  Cost: $30/person (Pre-paid reservation) Note: Both Singles and Couples are invited to Atten.

NC City:  MOUNT AIRY
Event:     New Years Eve Party at Old North State Winery  Ring in the New Year at Old North State Winery  from 9 PM - 12:30 AM. Music throughout the evening with Mediocre Bad Guys Live on the 1st Floor and a DJ by Sugarbear Productions on the 2nd Floor with a Champagne Toast at Midnight. That's two parties for one price. Tickets are available at the Museum (336-786-4478) or at the Winery (336-789-9463) $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Get your tickets early as space is limited. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Museum. 

NC City:  ASHEVILLE
Event:     New Year's Celebration at The Fun Depot   Celebrate the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013 with lots of FUN at Fun Depot. You will be able to enjoy 3 hours of unlimited FUN for $15 per person. Both groups and individuals are welcome. The Depot Diner will be open and there will even be a live band and party favors. 

NC City:  ASHEVILLE
Event:     New Year's Eve Celebration at the Grove Park Inn   New Year's Eve packages include accommodations, dinner in the award-winning restaurant of your choice including one of two amazing parties. The “Toast to 100" Package features Big Band melodies from the Doug Burns Band and a large dance floor to waltz and foxtrot the night away. If a blowout event is more your style, the “Centennial Blast Off" Package includes a night of party music from Big Blast and the Party Masters to bring in 2013 with a bang.

Memorial Day Weekend Event: Memorial Party in Old Fort

May 26   Memorial Party Celebrate Memorial Day at Sky Island. The day's events include a concert by The David Cody Band, free mini golf for children under 12, a turkey shoot, horseshoe contest and fishing tournament. Food provided by Sonny's Mountain Side BBQ & Beef Burgers. 2 PM, Sky Island Retreat and Campground, Old Fort

Get a link for for this and other Memorial Day Weekend Events on the NC Mountain Events Calendar

St Patrick's Day Events in the Mountains

March 16 - 17 SYLVA St Paddy's Day Celebration at Heinzelmannchen Brewery   The Leprechauns and Heinzelmannchen will come together Friday March 16 & 17 to offer you Mini Stout Floats - a combination of vanilla ice cream and Black Forest Stout. We'll also have Chocolate Covered Gnome on tap ($2) and for the wee little ones, root beer and birch beer floats are available - $1 Wear your green on March 16th & 17th and we'll give you 10% off your purchase (excluding alcohol).

March 17 BREVARD 2nd Annual St. Patrick's Day Block Party    6 - 9 PM. Join downtown Brevard for: a pot of gold treasure hunt, Irish dancers, music, face painting and you-be-the-judge downtown window decorating contest. Don't forget to indulge in Irish fare at all the downtown restaurants.

March 17 SALUDA   St Patrick's Celebration at The Purple Onion    Get your Irish on and join the celebration at the Purple Onion featuring traditional Irish fare; corned beef and cabbage, bangers and mash, Irishlamb stew and shepherd’s pie, green beer, chocolate Guinness cake, a limerick contest at set break, lively Irish jigs, reels and fiddle tunes from Skeeziks at 8 PM and pint specials all day.

March 17 SALUDA St Patrick's Day Fare at Saluda Grade Cafe' featuring Shepherd's Pie with Lamb and Vegetables topped with Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Another yummy Irish dish that The Grade will have is Corned Beef and Cabbage served with Irish Soda Bread. The beer will be tapped and the Irish Music will be live.

March 17 NORTH WILKESBORO (Thurmond) St Patrick's Day House Party  at McRitchie Winery and Ciderworks - afternoon of great music, wine, hard cider and fun . Celtic Elk will be playing traditional and contemporary Celtic tunes from 1 to 4 pm and Joey Marion will entertain and dazzle with his fancy Irish footwork. No admission charge - a $7 tasting fee applies and includes wine tasting, light Irish fare and a logo glass.

March 17 Rhonda Barrel Tasting with the Winemaker at Raffaldini  Enjoy a rare opportunity to sample wines from out cellar straight out of the barrel with winemaker Kiley Evans. This intimate, wine-focused event is limited to the first 35 Wine Club Members to RSVP.

March 17 NEBO Blarney Fest at South Creek Winery 11 Am - 5 PM Come out to the end of the rainbow at South Creek for a bit o' the Irish. A Leprechaun is expected to deliver some treats to pair with the wines. Make sure to wear green or you might get pinched!

March 17 HENDERSONVILLE 5th Annual March of the Leprechauns March of the Leprechauns, a St. Patrick's Day festival held in Historic Downtown on Main Street. It is a celebration of Irish heritage plus entertainment and a costume contest.