Welcome to the High Country

North Carolina’s High Country provides the best vacation experience in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our area includes 100 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway and these popular tourist destinations: Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Grandfather Mountain, Linville, N. Wilkesboro, Sparta, Valle Crucis, West Jefferson and Wilkesboro. Visitors enjoy hiking, rafting, arts & crafts, shopping, skiing and the famous Tweetsie Railroad.

---

Mountain Heritage Festival - Sparta, NC

At the center of Alleghany County is the small-town of Sparta which is home to the Mountain Heritage Festival. The Festival will be held on Saturday, September 18th. There will be hundreds of food and craft vendors on-hand to participate in this local festival. There will be live music and entertainment for all to enjoy. Heritage demonstrations and dances take place throughout the day. People will line the street for the celebration of mountain life. This event is located in downtown Sparta on Main Street. The small-town charm is well represented in this mountain community of Sparta and is evident in the Mountain Heritage Festival.

For more information please call the Alleghany Chamber of Commerce and Visitors’ Center at (800) 372-5473 or click on www.Sparta-NC.com/heritage

---

One Card with Lifelong Memories

Blue Ridge Mountains, NC 

Planning that last minute vacation before the kids go back to school! The Go Blue Ridge Card is just the ticket you’re looking for to create family memories.

The Go Blue Ridge Card provides you access to over 30 of the area's top sights and activities in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.  The cost of buying a ticket at each attraction and tour can add up quickly but with this card you save up to 35% compared to that cost of individual tickets.

You get to explore places like the Biltmore House in Asheville, Smoky Mountain Jet Boats in the Smokies, Tweetsie Railroad and Linville Caverns in the High Country all these and many more are all included in the cost of your Go Blue Ridge Card. Other extra features on this card include shopping and dining discounts.

The card is easy to use; simply choose how many days you need (2-days, 3-days, or 5-days) The Card is your ticket to as many of the included attractions as you want for the number of days you selected. The days purchased don't have to be used consecutively - take up to two weeks to use the days on the card! The card is activated at the first attraction visited.

For more information about the card whether it’s the cost or the list of attractions on the card please visit www.smartdestinations.com/blueridge

---

Mile High Kite Festival

Beech Mountain, NC

The Kite Festival will be held on September 5^th from 10a.m. to 4p.m.  This will be the eighth year for the Mile High Kite Festival.  The Richmond Air Force and the Charlotte WACKOS kite club will be partaking in the Festival.  The 8^th Annual Mile High Kite Festival is hosted by the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce.  During your time at the festival there will be refreshments, and many vendors.  Kids of all ages can come out and enjoy participating or watch the kites fly!  There will be FREE kites for the first 200 kids.  There will be prizes given out for the smallest and largest kites and best decorated kite.

On September 4^th, there will be a kite workshop in the field across from town hall for those kids that want to learn how to make a kite.  Also that evening from 7p.m. to 9p.m. there will be a street dance for all ages to enjoy!

For more information please call the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce: (828) 387-9283 or (800) 468-5506

---

Scenic Hay Rides in the High Country

Creston, NC (Ashe County)
July – November 27^th, 2010

Shady Grove Gardens is now offering scenic hay rides at their farm!  Shady Grove’s farm is located in Creston, NC which is located 25 miles northwest of Boone.  Shady Grove Gardens is a 76-acre area filled with mountains flowers and break-taking views of 3-states from multiple vantage points.

The hay rides are every Monday at 5:00pm, weather permitting.  Hay rides are offers other day(s) by appointment only!  The cost for the Hay ride is $ 10 per person which includes refreshments!  The ride is an hour long ride.  The farm tour will include natural history and information about their growing practices and the flowers grown in the area.  Shady Grove farm offers restrooms facilities and easy parking.

For more information about directions and reservations, please call 828-297-4098.

---

Summer Fun on the Ski Slopes

July 2 – September 6, 2010

At Sugar Mountain Resort lift rides are available every Saturday and Sunday throughout the summer!  Hours of operation are from 10:00am to 5:30pm.  It is fun for the whole family! Bring a picnic lunch or your mountain bike and enjoy the mountain scenery.  Allow 45 minutes for a round-trip lift ride.

Lift Ride Prices:

• $12 for a one-time ride
• $25 for an all day ticket
• Kids 4 and under are FREE
• Group rates of 20 and more.

Special Weekdays:   Friday, July 2^nd & September 6^th.
October 9-10^th (Octoberfest Weekend)

* Prices are subject to change without notice. Lifts may close due to weather and other variables.
* Advanced reservations required.
For more information please call (828) 898-4521 ext. 261

---

Keeper For a Day and Behind the Scenes Tours Available at Grandfather Mountain

Starting April 24, the general public will have the opportunity to go behind the scenes of Grandfather Mountain’s Animal Habitats. Two new exciting programs are being offered in the habitats; Behind the Scenes habitat tours and Keeper for a Day outings.

Behind the Scenes habitat tours give the public an opportunity to see where the animals sleep, learn about what it takes to care for the animals year-round, observe a training session, and learn why the animals call Grandfather Mountain their home. The Mountain’s knowledgeable and experienced keepers will gladly answer any questions as they guide participants on their tour.

Click here to learn more

---

Raffaldini Vineyard– From Grapes to Wine

Have you ever dreamed about visiting Italy but couldn’t afford it in this economy? Well, you’re closer than you think. Raffaldini Vineyard’s is truly a slice of Italy but in North Carolina. Raffaldini Vineyards is located in Ronda, North Carolina in the Yadkin Valley Area. It is conveniently located 45 minutes from both Boone and Winston-Salem, NC.

Villa Raffaldini is constructed with materials widely used in Tuscany such as distressed wood, slate tile, terracotta and stucco. There are classic Italian and French varietals of grape plants over 40 acres of land. The vineyard itself sits in the majestic Swan Creek Area settled between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Yadkin River.

The tasting room is opened to the public Wednesdays – Saturday 11am – 5pm, Sunday 12pm – 5pm, and Mondays from 11am – 5pm.

Villa Raffaldini tours are Wednesday – Sunday at 12pm and 4pm.

An Afternoon at the Winery, takes place Saturday, August 21st from 1:15 to 2:45 pm. Join Raffaldini’s winemaker Stephen Rigby to tour the winery and learn how they make their wines and a step-by-step guide of the winemaking process. This event is FREE to the public!

Raffaldini Vineyards also presents Music in the Vineyard. On August 28th from 1pm to 5pm, enjoy the classical jazz sounds of musician Keary Reid as you sip a glass of Raffaldini’s award-winning wines. Also during your time there you must take in the breath-taking views and beautiful atmosphere that surrounds the vineyard.

Come out and celebrate Raffaldini’s 5th Annual Italian Festival on September 18, 2010. It’s a celebration of all things Italian! There will be live music and great Italian food, such as brick-oven pizzas and gelato. There will also be an Italian Costume Contest, so come out dressed as your favorite Italian Character and compete for a $75 gift certificate!

Please call (336) 835-9463 for more information on these events and for reservations

---