NC Hikes: Off the Beaten Path in Chimney Rock Park

August 11 - Chimney Rock Park  Off the Beaten Path Guided Hike: Big Basswood Adventure Hike up and down a bit of slope, between a few boulders and shrubs and weaving beneath tall trees, hikers will be led into a hidden cove where the state’s largest basswood tree lives. Several other large trees are its neighbors, and wildflowers carpet the forest floor. This is a 2-hour+ moderately-strenuous hike. Meet at the rest rooms in the Meadows at 11AM.

Gingerbread House Demonstrations at Asheville's Grove Park Inn

August 11   Gingerbread House Demonstrations at The Grove Park Inn   Get ready for the annual gingerbread house competition with a day of demonstrations designed to position you for success at the popular event. From design skills and scoring to baking secrets and transportation tips, the experts will with recipes, entry forms and other useful information available at the demonstration. There will also be special Gingerbread door prizes for some lucky attendees.

Learn About Hummingbirds at Blue Ridge Parkway Family Night

August 9   Blue Ridge Parkway Family Night    "Hungry, Hungry Hummingbirds" - Ruby-throated hummingbirds are currently in the midst of their annual migration south, and they are hungry! Join Rangers at the Parkway Visitor Center, MP 384, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm on Thursday, August 9, to learn about the feeding habits of these tiny birds, and then make your own hummingbird feeder. The program is free, but each family is asked to bring a small, clean soda bottle. Registration is required. Call 298-5330, ext. 304.

Last Swannanoa Gathering Public Concerts Feature Banjos, Mandolins and Fiddles

During the final week of the 2012 The Swannanoa Gathering there will be 3 public concerts:
Monday, August 6, 2012: Fiddle/Mando & Banjo Concert I:
Featuring Seamus Egan, Winifred Horan, David Surette, Ryan McKasson, Duncan Wickel, Marla Fibish, Tristan & Tashina Clarridge, Caterina Lichtenberg, Radim Zenkl, in concert at Kittredge Theatre at Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, NC. Showtime: 7:30 pm.  General admission tickets: $18, under 12 $9. Box Office: (828) 771-3024.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012: Fiddle/Mando & Banjo Concert II:
Featuring Michael Doucet, Joe Craven, David Holt, Adam Tanner, Kevin Kehrberg, Josh Goforth, Lissa Schneckenburger, Rayna Gellert, Emily Schaad, Ken Perlman, Julia Weatherford, in concert at Kittredge Theatre at Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, NC. Showtime: 7:30 pm.  General admission tickets: $18, under 12 $9. Box Office: (828) 771-3024.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012: Fiddle/Mando & Banjo Concert III:
Featuring Mike Marshall, Tony Trischka, Mike Compton, Byron Berline, Alan Munde, Pete Wernick, Joan Wernick, Jason Anick, Roger Bellow, Don Stiernberg, Jack Lawrence in concert at Kittredge Theatre at Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, NC. Showtime: 7:30 pm.  General admission tickets: $18, under 12 $9. Box Office: (828) 771-3024.