An extended period of unseasonably warm weather has brought the sights and smells of an early spring to the NC High Country.  Wildflowers are blooming weeks earlier than normal and the lush, green landscape in the valleys below is making its way up the mountain flanks.

One of the first spring events in the High Country is the Blue Ridge Wine & Food Festival in Blowing Rock April 11-15.  An extra day has been added to the event, now in its sixth year, to give visitors additional opportunities to take part in shopping, cooking classes, wine seminars and more.

MerleFest, April 26-29, in Wilkesboro is a festival of music described as “tradition plus” meaning the traditional music of the Appalachian region plus whatever other styles the musicians would like to play.  MerleFest, founded in 1988 in memory of Eddy Merle Watson, boasts musicians ranging from Vince Gill to Sam Bush to Los Lobos this year, plus dozens more.

The hillsides come alive in the spring with music, wildflowers, songbirds,  herbs and mushrooms.  The 4th Annual Banner Elk Herb Festival takes place May 26-27 this year with more fresh herb plants that ever before.  The event will offer arts and crafts, farmers’ market items, a kid zone, food vendors and great live music.

Many other happenings occur throughout the months of April and May including weekly wildflower walks at Grandfather Mountain State Park in April, Wednesday morning bird walks at Valle Crucis Park with the High Country Audubon Society and the 2012 kickoff of the Watauga Farmers’ Market May 5.  The Farmers’ Market will continue every Saturday through October from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Horn in the West parking lot in Boone.

For ticket information, times and more information on all High Country events please visit the High Country Host website, www.mountainsofnc.com.

North Carolina’s High Country provides the best vacation experience in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The area includes 100 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway and many popular tourist destinations including Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, Linville, Sparta, West Jefferson and Wilkesboro.

The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization.  For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.

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Join the Village of Blowing Rock as we celebrate the fun side of winter at the 14th Annual Blowing Rock Winterfest! From the Chili Cook-Off to WinterPaws, from the icy Polar Plunge to WinterFeast, there’s something for all age groups at Blowing Rock Winterfest.

Art in the Park was created in 1962 by a handful of area artists and craftspeople to showcase local talent. 46 years after its start, Art in the Park is host to 90 artisans at each show. Some of the best local and regional artists and craftspeople showcase their handcrafted jewelry, pottery, fiber, glass, photography, painting and more.

Art in the Park’s high standards and professional jury attract artisans from all over the Southeast to exhibit in a series of six shows, May through October. The quality of work exhibited draws thousands to the mountains each month.

Art in the Park is planned and administered by the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber emphasizes the arts focus of this event. The town and area businesses are enthusiastic and participate with Art in the Park, and the public eagerly anticipates each season.

For more information, visit: http://www.blowingrock.com/artinthepark

For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.

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A holiday tradition in Blowing Rock, Chetola’s Festival of Lights features over 50,000 illuminations attracting thousands of visitors each year.

Drive around Chetola Lake and view glittering ice skaters, a nativity scene, Rudolph catching a “big fish” and much more. Over Friday and Saturday over Thanksgiving week-end , horse and carriage rides are offered around Chetola Lake from 5 pm to 9 pm.

The price is $15 per adult and $8 for children 12 and under. Cookie decorating will also be offered from 5 pm to 7 pm (free) and Santa will be visiting the Manor House Restaurant from 5 pm to 9 pm (free).

Festival of Lights runs through Blowing Rock Winterfest which ends on January 31, 2010.

For more information, contact 800-CHETOLA or visit www.chetola.com.

For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.

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For info on The High Country Host, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.

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Grab your beer stein, put on your lederhosen and head to Sugar Mountain Resort for the 19th annual Oktoberfest celebration Saturday & Sunday, October 10 & 11, 2009. The weekend is packed with activities from 10:00am until 5:00pm. Admission and parking are free!

Over 40 artisan’s and craftspeople open their stands at 10:00am each day. A sampling of this year’s vendors include: chair canning, wooden toys, oil paintings, stain glass, handmade furniture, dolls, copper art, ceramics, honey, beeswax candles, bird houses, and much more.

Enjoy the beautiful fall foliage and a panoramic view of the surrounding area from the mile and a half long chairlift ride to Sugar’s 5,300 ft peak. Everyone, even mountain bikers are welcome to ride the lift.

The children’s activity center, located in the Ski School Play Yard will keep the young ones entertained each day from noon until 4:00pm. A $7 fee per child/per day includes hay rides, a chance to meet Sugar Bear and Sweetie Bear and several Airwalk stations. Cotton candy, popcorn, caramel apples, homemade cookies and drinks are also available in the children’s activity center. All ages are welcome to participate.

An Oktoberfest isn’t complete without the sounds of an Oom Pah Band. From noon until 4:00pm both Saturday & Sunday the Harbour Towne Fest Band, guarantees to bring the sounds, dances and enthusiasm of Bavaria to Sugar Mountain. The 15 piece band will enthusiastically play the sounds of Germany’s Bavaria!

Bavarian cuisine, including Bratwurst, Knackwurst, German Potato Salad, Sauerkraut and pretzels will be available starting at 11:00am both Saturday & Sunday. To help wash it down, an ample supply of authentic Bavarian beverages will be flowing all weekend long. If Bavarian cuisine’s not your preference; hot dogs, hamburgers, soda, cotton candy, kettle corn, caramel apples, and other festive foods will be on hand.

Rain or shine, the festival will go on! For additional information, please call Sugar Mountain Resort’s administrative office at: (828) 898-4521.

ARTS & CRAFTS
Local artisans and craftsmen will show their wares at the ninteenth Sugar Mountain Oktoberfest, on the Sugar Mountain ski area grounds, October 10 & 11, 2009. A wide variety of items from food to ironworks will be available for purchase to the public. Vendors interested in obtaining a booth should contact the Sugar Mountain administration office at (828) 898-4521. The two-day fee for a 12′ by 12′ display area is $90. The festivities will run from 10:00am ’til 5:00pm Saturday & Sunday

Grab your beer stein, put on your lederhosen and head to Sugar Mountain Resort for the 19th annual Oktoberfest celebration Saturday & Sunday, October 10 & 11, 2009. The weekend is packed with activities from 10:00am until 5:00pm. Admission and parking are free!

Over 40 artisan’s and craftspeople open their stands at 10:00am each day. A sampling of this year’s vendors include: chair canning, wooden toys, oil paintings, stain glass, handmade furniture, dolls, copper art, ceramics, honey, beeswax candles, bird houses, and much more.

Enjoy the beautiful fall foliage and a panoramic view of the surrounding area from the mile and a half long chairlift ride to Sugar’s 5,300 ft peak. Everyone, even mountain bikers are welcome to ride the lift.

The children’s activity center, located in the Ski School Play Yard will keep the young ones entertained each day from noon until 4:00pm. A $7 fee per child/per day includes hay rides, a chance to meet Sugar Bear and Sweetie Bear and several Airwalk stations. Cotton candy, popcorn, caramel apples, homemade cookies and drinks are also available in the children’s activity center. All ages are welcome to participate.

An Oktoberfest isn’t complete without the sounds of an Oom Pah Band. From noon until 4:00pm both Saturday & Sunday the Harbour Towne Fest Band, guarantees to bring the sounds, dances and enthusiasm of Bavaria to Sugar Mountain. The 15 piece band will enthusiastically play the sounds of Germany’s Bavaria!

Bavarian cuisine, including Bratwurst, Knackwurst, German Potato Salad, Sauerkraut and pretzels will be available starting at 11:00am both Saturday & Sunday. To help wash it down, an ample supply of authentic Bavarian beverages will be flowing all weekend long. If Bavarian cuisine’s not your preference; hot dogs, hamburgers, soda, cotton candy, kettle corn, caramel apples, and other festive foods will be on hand.

Rain or shine, the festival will go on! For additional information, please call Sugar Mountain Resort’s administrative office at: (828) 898-4521.

ARTS & CRAFTS
Local artisans and craftsmen will show their wares at the ninteenth Sugar Mountain Oktoberfest, on the Sugar Mountain ski area grounds, October 10 & 11, 2009. A wide variety of items from food to ironworks will be available for purchase to the public. Vendors interested in obtaining a booth should contact the Sugar Mountain administration office at (828) 898-4521. The two-day fee for a 12′ by 12′ display area is $90. The festivities will run from 10:00am ’til 5:00pm Saturday & Sunday

For more information, please visit: http://www.skisugar.com/oktoberfest

For lodging and other travel information, contact North Carolina High Country Host at 800-438-7500 or visit: www.mountainsofnc.com.

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The Broyhill Inn presents: An Evening of Art, Wine & Culinary Pairings Mike Helsabeck and Chef Bill Morris!

Friday, September 11th
6:00 – 8:30 pm

See beautiful original artwork which will be available for purchase, enjoy signature Helsabeck wines as well as wines from Weathervane
Winery and complete the evening with delicious culinary creations
by the Broyhill Inn’s Executive Chef Morris CCC.
($25.00 for the evening)

RSVP The Broyhill Inn at:
Phone: 828-262-2204
Email: info@broyhillinn.com

Course 1 – Harvest Moon White Wine:
Grilled Shitake mushroom with toasted tomatoes and parmesan bruschetta

Course 2 – Summer Covey Pinot Grigio:
Poached Boneless Chicken Thigh with garlic mashed potato

Course 3 – Fall Harvest Merlot:
Deep Fried Raviaoli stuffed with beef atop marinara

Course 4 – Cirrus Red Red Wine:
Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Crostini

Course 5 – Winter Snows Red Wine:
Almond Butter and Concord Grape Bread Pudding

For more information, please visit: www.BroyhillInn.com!

Learn more about Mike Helsabeck by visiting: www.MikeHelsabeck.com!

For lodging and other travel information, contact North Carolina High Country Host at 800-438-7500 or visit: www.mountainsofnc.com.

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BEECH MOUNTAIN, N.C. – Looking for something different this Labor Day weekend? Go fly a kite.

The seventh annual Mile High Kite Festival is a free event that takes place Sunday, Sept. 6, in the meadows at the top of Beech Mountain next to the Brick Oven Pizzeria.

The festival allows children of all ages to fly a kite at an altitude one mile above sea level. It is sponsored by the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Richmond Air Force kite club from Virginia and the Winds Across Carolina Club and Okra Society from Charlotte.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no charge for admission and free kites are given to the first 200 children under 12. There will also be a vendor selling a variety of kites, and folks are welcome to bring their own.

Contests will be held for biggest, smallest and best-decorated kites. All participants receive an official certificate from Beech Mountain mayor Rick Owen that proclaims: “I flew a kite a mile high at Beech Mountain.”

Two members of the Richmond Air Force – Terry Murray and Will Smoot – serve as announcers for the festival, sharing their knowledge of kiting while playing kite-themed music throughout the day.

“The neatest thing about the event is when people drive up the mountain and walk into the field,” says Calder Smoot, the event organizer. “There is just this blast of color with all these kites flying everywhere.”

The field is divided into two areas: one for exhibitions/demonstrations from the kite clubs and one for the general public. Other activities include: children’s races while pulling bol kites, face painting, and a variety of craft vendors.

Festivities for the Mile High Kite Festival weekend actually begin Saturday, Sept. 5, with a special clinic for kite makers from 2-4 p.m. Folks are encouraged to bring their homemade kites, and members of the kite clubs will be on-hand to discuss the intricacies of building kites.

There will also be an all-ages street dance from 7-9 p.m. Saturday in front of town hall.

For information, call (800) 468-5506 or visit www.BeechMtn.com.

For lodging and other travel information, contact North Carolina High Country Host at 800-438-7500 or visit: www.mountainsofnc.com.

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It all began with a gardener who wanted to raise funds for gardens on the campus of a rural North Carolina Community College and a community of musicians who wanted to honor the memory of a fallen friend and his musician father. It grew to an internationally renowned music festival and fundraiser that contributes more than $17 million to the region. It’s MerleFest.

For all things MerleFest, please visit MerlFest.org!

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Join us in Blowing Rock for the 2009 Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival!

The art of wine is celebrated in mountain style during the 2009 Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival, April 16-19 in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Featuring wineries from throughout NC, and fine cuisine created by Blowing Rock chefs, the Festival promises to please even the most discriminating palates. Be sure to make reservations for the Winemaker’s Dinners, and book your Lodging Package to complete your experience. Tickets are available online or at the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce.

For more info visit: BlueRidgeWineFestival.com where you can view a photo gallery, see a list of participating wineries, an event schedule, buy tickets, lodging information and much, much more!

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