The showy rose-lavender blooms that decorate Grandfather’s slopes and indicate the beginning of another breathtaking summer on the mountain have arrived early this year.  The mild winter that brought an early advent for other floral mountain displays will likely move this year’s spectacular showcase of rhododendron on the Mountain forward as well.

The “Remarkable Rhododendron Ramble” hosted by the attraction’s naturalists will celebrate this memorable sight June 2-17 at 1 p.m. daily.  Grandfather’s knowledgeable guides are looking forward to sharing the beauty of this year’s blooms with park visitors.

“I am really excited to show guests this wonderful flower and plant as it is very important to the Mountain,” said Katie Gray, chief naturalist at Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “The history about Andre Michaux and the plant’s discovery is really interesting.”

The naturalists have planned guided walks to honor the native Catawba Rhododendron and educate guests on how the plant fits into the important ecological communities at Grandfather Mountain.

Found throughout the southern Appalachia, Catawba Rhododendron also hold special significance in the botanical world.  It is among only four original species of rhododendron that have been used to cultivate thousands of hybrids.  The Catawba Rhododendron covers more than 1,000 feet in elevation from MacRae Meadows to MacRae Peak where it reaches 5,845 feet. The wide range of elevation provides guests with a longer window of opportunity to see the rhododendron blooming on Grandfather. It typically first appears at overlooks near the entrance of the attraction in late May and arrives at the higher peaks near The Mile High Swinging Bridge by the end of June.

Due to this year’s unseasonably warm weather, blooms can already be found around MacRae Meadows.  Staff naturalists may plan rhododendron-focused programs earlier than June 2 if the blooms are widespread late May.

“For each Rhodo Ramble we’ll lead guests on a short walk, teach them how to identify the differences between species, take pictures and discuss the vivid colors of this stunning plant,” said Gray.  “Information boards in the Nature Museum and at the Entrance Gate will direct guests to where the ramble will begin.”  All Rhododendron Ramble activities are included in the regular attraction admission.

The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park sustainably in the public interest, provide an exceptional experience for guests, and inspire them to be good stewards of the earth’s resources.  For more information, visit www.grandfather.com or call 800-468-7325.

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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The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is hosting its annual Naturalist Weekend May 11-13. This weekend provides guests with an in-depth look at the diversity found in the mountain’s ecological communities through guided hikes and workshops.

The weekend starts off Friday with the all-day Grandfather Spring Bird Count.  During the bird count, visitors will be birding at various locations around Grandfather Mountain, including the Blue Ridge Parkway and Grandfather Mountain State Park. That evening, guests will be guided throughout the park looking and listening for Grandfather’s native nocturnal animals in the Owl Prowl. Space for both of Friday’s programs is limited and reservations are necessary.

“The Owl Prowl is one of the neatest events on the Mountain.  We go to the top, discuss natural history, play owl calls and wait for the owls to return them.” said Katie Gray, chief naturalist at the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.

Saturday’s busy schedule begins with a 9:30 a.m. Wildflower Hike and a “Birds of Prey” program at 11 a.m.  Naturalist Weekend continues in the afternoon with a “Crayfish Research Project” at 1 p.m. offering participants an introduction to the project and an up-close look at some of Grandfather’s crayfish.

At 2 p.m., a Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Interpretive Ranger leads guests on the “Nature on the Edge Hike.”  This trek will follow the Extension Trail loop, starting and ending at the Black Rock Parking Area.  This moderately strenuous hike focuses on the transition of habitats from the Mountain’s flanks to ridgeline.  Space for this hike is limited and reservations are necessary.

Another plant-themed hike begins at 4 p.m. called “Trees and Shrubs of the Southern Appalachians.”  This moderately strenuous hike focuses on the native trees and shrubs on Grandfather Mountain.  This hike begins and ends at the Extension Trailhead next to the Black Rock Parking area.

Sunday’s schedule begins at 7:30 a.m. with a Birding Hike on the Profile Trail in Grandfather Mountain State Park.  “Geology of Grandfather,” a hike focusing on the unique geology of Grandfather Mountain begins at 10 a.m.

A “NASA Climate Workshop” begins at 11 a.m. and a “Habitat Animal Training” program at 1 p.m.  A “Tracking Animals” guided walk takes place at 2 p.m. and focuses on tracks and signs of animals.  The weekend will come to a close with a “Cultural Walk” at 3 p.m. followed by a “Diseases on Trees and Local Plants” program at 4 p.m.

For more information about Grandfather’s Naturalist Weekend or to make reservations for the Owl Prowl or “Nature on the Edge Hike” please call 828-733-4326.  To make reservations for the Spring Bird Count please call 828-733-3224.  For a complete schedule of the Naturalist Weekend events, please visit www.grandfather.com.

All programs and guided walks offered as part of the Naturalist Weekend are included in the regular price of admission. Those who attend for more than one day should keep their receipt from their first visit and present that for discount admission the following day.

The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park sustainably in the public interest, provide an exceptional experience for guests, and inspire them to be good stewards of the earth’s resources.  For more information, visit www.grandfather.com or call 800-468-7325.

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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This summer at Grandfather Mountain brings a brand new event, offering participants unique and new opportunities on the Mountain.  The First Annual Grandfather Mountain Campout July 27-29, is an all-weekend event hosted by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.

During this campout, guests can spend up to three days and two nights camping in MacRae Meadows between organized events all over the Mountain.  Grandfather’s education and interpretive staff will be present in the camp area to assist novice campers, answer questions and even offer campfire treats and activities.  The campsite will be safe, cater to all levels of camping experience and welcomes families, couples, and solo adventurers throughout this weekend of wonder.

These opportunities are included in the price of registration: “Night Adventures,” “The Wonders of Bees” children’s program, a climate and weather program,  a tree and shrub walk and an orienteering workshop.  Also included in the registration price is “A Bug’s World” children’s program, a clouds and weather program,  a butterfly program, “Nature Near the Swinging Bridge” and several campfire and evening gatherings.  There are also additional, more in-depth activities like “Grandfather’s Attic Hike” and Behind the Scenes habitat tours, available at an additional charge.

Campout participants also get the added bonus of extended hours on Grandfather.  Campers receive access to the park’s overlooks, Woods Walk picnic area and walking trail and the Mile High Swinging Bridge in the morning starting 30 minutes prior to sunrise and in the evening from closing time to 30 minutes after sunrise, allowing for incredible and rare scenic photo opportunities.

Registration for the Grandfather Mountain Campout begins May 1 on www.grandfather.com.  Registration forms must be printed and mailed in.  Those who wish to resister for a guided hike and/or a Behind the Scenes Tour must be sure their registration is received by July 25.  Registration for the Campout must be received by July 27.

Campsites are $30 per night for participants or $25 per night for annual pass holders.  Admission to the park is not included in the campsite fee.  Those who attend multiple days of the campout should keep their admission receipt to receive discount admission into the park the following days of the event.  For questions about registration please call 828-733-4326.

The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park sustainably in the public interest, provide an exceptional experience for guests, and inspire them to be good stewards of the earth’s resources.  For more information, visit www.grandfather.com or call 800-468-7325.

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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The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation has lowered the cost of the ‘Keeper for a Day’ Program this year to $150 for guests and $120 for season-pass holders. The Mountain is also beginning to offer a three-hour option in addition to the full, six-hour option.

The full day option includes admission to the park, a t-shirt, lunch with the animal caretakers and six hours of experiencing the daily chores of the Grandfather Mountain Animal Habitats staff:  feeding, cleaning and caring for the five species of animals that call the habitats home.  The new half-day option, which costs $75 ($60 for season pass holders), includes admission to the park, a t-shirt and three hours of hands-on animal care.

“We hope to give people a better appreciation for our habitat staff and the wonderful animals that they care for,” said Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation President Penn Dameron.

Participants must at least 12-years-old; capable of walking up and down steep, rough terrain; wear closed-toe hiking or work boots and be willing to sign a waiver of liability.

The Keeper for A Day Program is available on certain Tuesdays, April-October.  Both the three-hour and six-hour options begin at 8 a.m.  Reservations for the program must be made at least 24 hours in advance.  A full schedule of dates can be found on www.grandfather.com.  For more information or to reserve your spot, call the Grandfather Mountain Animal Habitats at 828-733-8715.

The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park sustainably in the public interest, provide an exceptional experience for guests, and inspire them to be good stewards of the earth’s resources.  For more information, visit www.grandfather.com or call 800-468-7325.

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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Advance tickets are now available for the 57th Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, July 12-15.  The Highland Games are a beacon of heritage and fun where the color of hundreds of tartan plaids and the clamor of half-a-dozen bagpipe bands grace the North Carolina High Country.

The Grandfather Games are considered the greatest of America’s Scottish Games because of the spectacular mountain setting that is so reminiscent of Scotland. The deep blue peaks of Grandfather Mountain tower above a meadow ringed by 130 red, blue, yellow and green striped tents.

In addition to the convenience of ordering tickets ahead of time and the fact that advance tickets save $25 versus buying daily tickets during the event, this year’s advance ticket holders will receive the added benefit of a free round-trip shuttle Friday, Saturday and Sunday between the games and Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute in Boone, a $30 per-person value.  Parking at MacRae Meadows will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis for the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night events.

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games has also teamed up with several local hotels, offering discounted rates to those planning their trip in advance.

The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games is a not-for-profit organization based in Linville, NC.  Proceeds of the Highland Games go directly to scholarship efforts in the Avery County area.  For more information about the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games including advance ticket information and a full list of participating hotels, please visit www.gmhg.org or call the office at 828-733-1333.

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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The award-winning bluegrass band Balsam Range will appear at the Grandfather Mountain Nature Museum on Sunday, April 22 at 2 p.m.

Balsam Range, named after the Haywood County, NC mountains where the members of the group call home, was nominated for the Emerging Artist award by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2010 and 2011 as well as Album of the Year in 2011.   They were honored with the IBMA Song of the Year award last year for “Trains I Missed.”  This “up close and personal” concert by the Western North Carolina tradition-bearers at Grandfather Mountain is a can’t-miss opportunity.

“We are excited to welcome the members of Balsam Range back to Grandfather Mountain,”  said Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation President Penn Dameron.  “The group delighted our visitors last September and we hope even more folks will take advantage of this great opportunity in April.”

Advance ticket sales begin Monday, April 9 and end Saturday, April 21 and are available on www.grandfather.com.  Adults ages 13 and up are $25 and children ages four to 12 are $15.  Children under four are always free.  The ticket price includes all day admission to Grandfather Mountain and admission to the concert.

Grandfather Mountain annual pass holders and others who have already purchased admission to the park for the day can buy tickets to the concert online for $7 in advance or at the Nature Museum for $12 the day of the show.

The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park in the public interest and participate in educational research activities.  For more information, visit www.grandfather.com or call 800-468-7325.

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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Since Grandfather Mountain added eagles to their showcase of indigenous North Carolina wildlife in 1981, these majestic birds-of-prey have been housed in an open-topped enclosure.  All the eagles that have called Grandfather Mountain home were injured by gunshot, resulting in a full or partial wing amputation and leaving them completely flightless.

Their enclosure has remained beautiful and well maintained during this period, but several problems arose as a result of the absence of a fully enclosed habitat.  Ravens, bears and other animals can enter the eagles’ home, stealing their food and posing a serious threat to their well-being.

Another drawback stemming from the park’s lack of a fully enclosed eagle habitat, is Grandfather’s inability to adopt other eagles that may be partially or fully flighted.  Even though these eagles may have the ability to fly normally, other injuries, such as eye problems, could render them unable to hunt for food and survive in the wild.

The park’s habitat staff has been tirelessly fund raising for over a year in hopes of renovating the enclosure and their efforts are continuing this May with the first annual “Critter Crawl” at Grandfather Mountain.  This 5K race begins in MacRae Meadows and ends at the top of Grandfather.  It is a charity event where runners pay a $30 admission fee to participate.  All of the money generated will directly benefit these pending renovations.

“We’ve been actively raising money for a year now in the community.  We’re excited because the hope is that this race will finally allow the improvements to begin,” said Christie Tipton, Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation habitat manager.   If the Critter Crawl is a success and all 500 running spots are filled, the renovation process will begin on the eagle habitat.

The  $30 cost per runner includes: a “Critter Crawl” t-shirt and a free day-pass for the following weekend.   T-shirts are only guaranteed for participants registering before April 19.  Awards will be presented to the top three male and female competitors.

The “Critter Crawl” race is very similar to the popular “Bear Run” held each year during the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, but is unique in that it loops through the animal habitat pathways, giving runners the opportunity to view the eagle habitats they are helping to renovate.  Online registration for the event begins March 1.

For registration information, please visit www.grandfather.com and for more information about the “Critter Crawl” or the eagle habitat renovation project, call 828-733-8715.

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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This May, the inaugural “Critter Crawl” kicks off at Grandfather Mountain.  The 5K race begins in MacRae Meadows and ends at the top of Grandfather.  All proceeds will directly benefit upcoming renovations to the Grandfather Mountain eagle habitats.

The race will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 3.  To accommodate runners and race spectators, the park will end ticket sales at 4 p.m. and close at 5 p.m.

Online registration for the “Critter Crawl” begins March 1 with 500 spaces for runners available. The cost per participant is $30 and includes: a “Critter Crawl” t-shirt and a free day-pass for the following weekend.  T-shirts will not be guaranteed for participants that register after April 19.  Awards will be presented to the top three male and female competitors.

Parking passes, available during registration, are $10 per car.  Spectators will be able to park in designated parking lots on Grandfather and MacRae Meadows on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Shuttles will transport spectators to the top from each parking area.

For registration information, please visit www.grandfather.com and for more information about the “Critter Crawl” or the eagle habitat renovation project, call 828-733-8715.

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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Celebrate Halloween with the creatures of the Grandfather Mountain Animal Habitats Saturday October 29th. Join in the first ever “Beary Scary Halloween” festivities and help the Mountain raise funds for renovations on Grandfather’s eagle habitat.

“We wanted to create a fun event that would give kids a chance to be more involved in the animals’ day and provide us with the opportunity to raise awareness about the improvements that we hope to make to our eagle habitat,” said Christie Tipton, habitat manager.

Halloween activities take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are included with regular admission. Kids in costume will get in at half price.

The day begins at 10 a.m. with Halloween-themed crafts in the Nature Museum. At 10:30 a.m. kids can go trick or treating in the animal habitats, which will be decorated in mummy, werewolf, ghost and graveyard themes.

At 11 a.m. Naturalists will meet by the Mildred the Bear statue in the Nature Museum to lead an interactive program titled “Going Batty for Bats.” Participants will learn all about bats and their importance to the environment.

Prepare to be captivated by ghost stories at 11:30 a.m. in the Nature Museum Auditorium. Local storytellers Maggie Christenbury and Owen Gray will lead scary tales to thrill the whole family.

At 12:30 p.m. kids get a chance to compete in a costume contest and vote on their favorite costume worn by the animal habitat staff. Voting takes place in the Nature Museum lobby.

Immediately following the costume contest, guests have a unique opportunity to participate in the animal enrichments by decorating pumpkins and other treats that will later be given to the animals. An enrichment is anything different that can help to break up the animals’ day such as a scent, a new toy or a treat.

Join the Mountain’s Naturalists in the Nature Museum at 1 p.m. for the “Creepy, Crawly Critters!” program. Participants will learn about creatures of the night, creatures that bite and other spooky animals.

At 2 p.m. the Habitat Staff will begin the animal enrichments. Meet at the deer overlook to watch the animals enjoy their decorated treats.

The last of the day’s programming will take place in front of the fudge shop at 2:45 p.m. An “Owl Encounter” allows guests to meet and learn about the spooky night prowlers that can be found in the High Country.

Throughout the day guests can learn more about the eagle habitat, special programs offered by habitat staff and additional opportunities to get involved on the Mountain. For more information, contact the habitat staff at 828-733-8715.

Grandfather Mountain is a globally recognized nature preserve famous for its 360-degree vistas, native wildlife habitats and Mile High Swinging Bridge. The attraction is located on US Highway 221, two miles north of Linville, NC, and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 305.

The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park in the public interest and participate in educational research activities.

For more information phone 800-468-7325 or plan a trip at www.grandfather.com.

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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The slopes of the North Carolina High Country are turning vibrant shades of red, orange and yellow this month and area festivals offer great ways to enjoy the season.  The range of elevations in the area make it a premiere location to watch the leaf change and the mix of small towns provides an eclectic offering of autumnal events.

The Boone Heritage Festival October 8 celebrates Appalachian and Daniel Boone heritage with 18th century living history demonstrations, craft vendors, music jam sessions and storytelling.  Located at Hickory Ridge Homestead, the event will feature make-and-take crafts including dipped candles, cornhusk dolls and scarecrows.

The weekend of October 8-9 brings the cry of “yodel lay he ho” to the High Country during the 21st Annual Sugar Mountain Oktoberfest.  The event, at Sugar Mountain Resort, mixes Bavarian and Appalachian culture and is a great experience for the whole family.

The Valle Country Fair, October 15 in Valle Crucis, is an overgrown church bazaar set in the center of one of the most picturesque valleys in North Carolina.

That same weekend is when one of the High Country’s most well-known events takes place.  The 34th Annual Woolly Worm Festival will be held in Banner Elk October 15-16.  Crafts, festival foods and the Woolly Worm caterpillar races predicting the coming winter’s weather make this a must-see event!

The 6th Annual Valle Crucis Punkin Festival will be October 22.  The Punkin Festival benefits local organizations and offers Punkin Sack Races, Punkin Bowling, crafts and music.

The Ghost Train Halloween Festival at Tweetsie Railroad is safe, scary fun for the whole family.  Gates open at 7:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday evening in October.  Visit the Haunted House, Freaky Forest, 3-D Maze and take a journey on the Ghost Train – if you dare!

Many other events occur throughout the month of October including the Todd New River Festival, art crawls in Boone and West Jefferson, Halloween festivals in Blowing Rock and at Grandfather Mountain, special programming at area state parks and natural areas and opportunities to enjoy bluegrass and mountain music at Crouse Park in Sparta.

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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Howie Neufeld, Ph.D.
Professor of Plant Physiology
Appalachian State University

This has been an interesting week in the mountains. Beginning on Friday, the temperatures dropped, and the winds picked up.

Jesse Pope, chief naturalist up on Grandfather Mountain, reports that on Saturday winds reached 60 mph with gusts up to 74 mph.

Luckily, for most trees, they were still holding on to their leaves quite tightly, so even though some were blown off, most are still there, and if we don’t get more wind storms like that one, they should turn color quite nicely in the next two weeks.

READ THE ENTIRE REPORT

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

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The first hints of autumn are in the air and Grandfather Mountain is preparing for the vibrant colors that are sure to follow.  In an effort to help visitors experience all of the beauty that the High Country has to offer, Grandfather Mountain provides many opportunities for guests to learn more about the amazing transformation that overtakes the forest in fall.

“We are seeing lots of color change already for this early in September. The trees are looking healthy with lots of leaves, so I’m very optimistic that this will be a good season,” said Director of Education Jesse Pope. “The peak viewing time in the higher elevations will likely be around the first two weeks in October.”

Grandfather Mountain has ideal conditions for leaf looking due to a wide range in elevation, which allows visitors to see the changing leaves over a greater number of weeks.  On the weekends of October 8-9 and October 15-16 Grandfather’s Interpretive Rangers and Naturalists will offer “The Colors of Grandfather” guided walks at 1 p.m. These hikes will lead guests through woodlands populated by many different species of hardwoods, provide an opportunity to learn more about the phenomenon of leaf change, and answer questions about Grandfather’s unique ecosystem.

Grandfather is a great destination for leaf looking, not only because its high peaks are a good vantage point for looking out across the color on the hillsides below, but because the mountain hosts such a tremendous variety of plant life.

In addition to the planned programming inside the park in October, fresh fall color photos are posted daily throughout the month on the Mountain’s website, Facebook page and Twitter account. These postings include up-to-date reports on leaf looking conditions, helpful tips for visiting the area in fall and the best routes for finding the brightest trees.

Grandfather Mountain is a globally recognized nature preserve famous for its 360-degree vistas, native wildlife habitats and Mile High Swinging Bridge. The attraction is located on US Highway 221, two miles north of Linville, NC, and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 305.

The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park in the public interest and participate in educational research activities.  For more information phone 800-468-7325 or plan a trip at www.grandfather.com

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

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The Grandfather Mountain Camera Clinic is a two-day seminar that covers the nuts & bolts of making good photographs.

Designed for the enthusiastic amateur, this event brings in working professionals to share tips and techniques for making better photographs.

Admission to the Camera Clinic for photography enthusiasts who are not currently working photojournalists is $50 per person.

A special two-day admission ticket is available for guests who do not plan to attend the clinic. Guests may also purchase tickets for the Saturday night buffet dinner.

CLICK HERE for more information!

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

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The 56th Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games will be held July 7-10, 2011 at MacRae Meadows on Grandfather Mountain near Linville, NC!

OUR MISSION: To carry on and promote the annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and Gathering of Scottish Clans, to foster and restore interest in traditional dancing, piping, drumming, athletic achievement, music and Gaelic culture, and to establish scholarship funds to assist students from Avery County High School to study at American colleges and universities.

For more on the history of the games, visit: http://www.gmhg.org/history.htm

For a full schedule of events, visit: http://www.gmhg.org/events.htm

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

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Source: VirtualBlueRidge.com

GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN, NC – The 54th Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and Gathering of Scottish Clans kicks off Thursday July 9. This event, which runs through Sunday, July 12, brings the color of hundreds of tartan plaids and the clamor of half a dozen bagpipe bands to the North Carolina Highlands.

Because of the spectacular mountain setting that is so reminiscent of Scotland; The Grandfather Games are considered America’s grandest Games. The deep blue peaks of 6,000-foot Grandfather Mountain tower above a grassy green meadow lined with 167 red, blue, yellow and green striped tents. The color is augmented by thousands of Scots luxuriously costumed in tartan plaids, and the energy is amplified by the sounds of bagpipes and kettle drums echoing across the moor.

The Highland Games will begin in the afternoon of Thursday July 9. Events that day will include opening ceremonies, a piping concert, sheep herding exhibition, the running of “The Bear”. Many people choose to bring a picnic dinner or buy concessions at the Meadows to enjoy during the evening events.

The official opening ceremonies begin at dusk with a torchlight ceremony where representatives of each of the 92 clans announce their families’ participation in the gathering. This “raising of the clans” proclaims that they have once again come together to celebrate their heritage.
Prior to the torchlight ceremony, over 900 runners will participate in a 5-mile footrace called “The Bear”. The course climbs 1,568 feet in elevation from the town of Linville to the summit of Grandfather Mountain.

Returning this year on Friday, July 10 is “The Grizzly” bike ride, a challenging route with 7,000 feet of climbing completed over 65 miles. The ride begins at Grandfather Mountain with cyclists traveling throughout Avery County, including a two mile dirt road up the backside of Beech Mountain.

Completing the trio of extreme physical challenges is the 42nd running of the Grandfather Mountain Marathon on Saturday, July 11. A special prize will be awarded to athletes who complete all three grueling events.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are filled with competition. There will be events in heavy-weight Scottish athletics, highland dancing, bagpipe band parades, piping, drumming and harp competitions. Also enjoy sheep herding demonstrations by Scottish border collies and concerts featuring a wide variety of Celtic music.

At the center of the weekend’s activities are the athletic competitions. The nation’s top Scottish athletes clash in traditional heavyweight events such as “Turning the Caber” and “Tossing the Sheaf.” The first requires an athlete to flip a telephone-pole-sized tree trunk end-over-end. The second event challenges athletes to loft a 16-pound sack of hay over a cross bar more than 20 feet above the ground. Other ancient tests of strength awaiting the brawny professionals are highland wrestling, putting the stone, the hammer throw and various weight throws.
On Friday night, the Celtic Jam highlights traditional and contemporary Celtic music at MacRae Meadows. Music continues on Saturday night as the Celtic Rock Concert serves up encore performances from some of the higher energy bands.

Among the performers at this year’s Celtic Jam and Celtic Rock Concert is a percussion group named Albannach who delivers a heart-pounding tribal rhythm that makes people get up and dance. Other Celtic groups include The Killdares, Mother Grove, Barleyjuice, Coyote Run, Teribus, Clandestine and Scythian. A variety of these musicians will also be performing in the Celtic Groves each day.

More traditional Appalachian and Celtic folk musicians will be appearing at the Games. The playlist includes Alex Beaton, Ed Miller, Jim Malcolm, Colin Grant Adams, Blessed Blend, R.G. Absher & Celtic Connection and George Hamilton IV.

More evening activities include a concert of Scottish folk music and dance called a Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee), held both Friday and Saturday nights at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk. A Friday night Scottish Country Dance Gala will be held at Lees-McRae College and a piping concert is on the schedule for Saturday night at the Broyhill Inn in Boone. Also at the Broyhill on Saturday night is a concert by Alex Beaton and Friends.

One of the most popular attractions at the Games is the traditional Scottish bazaar which is set up adjacent to the parade grounds at MacRae Meadows. The bazaar is a gathering of Merchants to sell Gaelic and tartan gift items .Concessionaires will be set up to sell Scottish meat pies and give visitors a taste of the highlands. There is also a tent set up to help guests trace their Scottish roots and learn more about their heritage. The bazaar is open throughout the weekend.
Adult tickets are $15 Thursday, $20 Friday, $30 Saturday and $15 Sunday and cover all activities in the meadows, which on Friday and Saturday last from early morning to midnight. Tickets are $5 dollars each day for children ages 5-12 with children under five free. Tickets are available at the field on the day of the event.

Parking is available on site at the Games field Thursday and Friday on a first-come, first-serve basis with overflow parking at shuttle lots in Linville, but public parking is not available at the field on Saturday and Sunday. Shuttle service is provided between MacRae Meadows and satellite parking areas in Linville, Newland and Boone. Shuttle fees vary depending on the distance between the lots and MacRae Meadows.

Tickets to the off-mountain evening events vary by event. For more information call 828-733-1333 or visit online at www.gmhg.org.

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

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GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN, NC — The Board of Directors of Grandfather Mountain announced today that Marion, NC native Penn Dameron will become the first Executive Director of the new non-profit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation effective August 1, 2009. Dameron currently serves as Executive Director of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, an organization created in 2003 by the U.S. Congress to protect, preserve, interpret and develop the unique natural, historical and cultural resources of Western North Carolina.www.grandfather.com.

To insure the permanent protection of the wild character of Grandfather Mountain, the heirs of the late Hugh Morton recently sold almost 2,500 acres of the Mountain’s wilderness backcountry to the State of North Carolina for a state park. This transaction also included the sale of a permanent conservation easement on the attraction area. The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation will operate the attraction and engage in research, education, and conservation activities. Dameron’s hiring occurs as the organization is pursuing 501(c)(3) status.

“Grandfather Mountain is just about the only thing that would tempt me to leave the job I am doing now at the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area,” said Dameron. “Since the first time I worked at Grandfather in 1970 I have always felt somewhere in my mind that I’d like to come back and work there again. The chance to help insure the future of this ecological treasure is more than I would ever have hoped for.”

Dameron had a summer job at Grandfather Mountain when he was in college. Although he sold tickets and pumped gas at the attraction entrance gate, the most memorable part of his job was assisting with the “Mildred the Bear Shows” which took place twice a day back in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

When Mildred the Bear came to Grandfather Mountain, jars of honey and cans of grape soda were used to lead Mildred and her cubs out to an amphitheater so guests could see the bears and laugh at their antics while they posed for pictures. Dameron was one of the first of those “bar” tenders and spent many a summer afternoon putting honey on the ‘Welcome to Grandfather Mountain’ sign before jumping out of the photographs.

But in, 1973 when North Carolina first began discussing the establishment of the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, Hugh Morton was introduced to the ‘environmental habitat’ concept of zoo keeping. He immediately commissioned the Mildred the Bear Environmental Habitat and the focus at Grandfather Mountain began to shift from conventional 1950s-style entertainment to quality environmental education.

Today the Grandfather Mountain nature park is known for its famous Mile-High Swinging Bridge and 360 degree vistas of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. The attraction has a dozen environmental educators on staff who are there to help guests learn more about nature while enjoying up-close interaction with bears, otters, cougars, eagles and deer.

“I am attracted by the place,” Dameron said. “By a desire to make sure that not only is it preserved, and if possible even enhanced, but also by a broader vision that there is an opportunity to translate the things done at Grandfather into ideas people can put into practice in other special places around the world.”

After spending the summer of 1970 at Grandfather Mountain, Dameron went on to devote a combined 30 years to a career as a trial lawyer and Superior Court Judge. Over the years he worked closely with Hugh Morton when he served as Chairman of the Board of Western North Carolina Tomorrow and as a member of the Year of the Mountains Commission.

An accomplished musician, Dameron started playing in garage bands when he was 14 and has recorded or performed in venues as varied as The Mountain Stage in Charleston, West Virginia, The Radio Café in Nashville, Tennessee, and The Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC.

Between his devotion to mountain music and his years spent preserving mountain culture through the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, Dameron said he is eager to become involved with the ‘Singing on the Mountain’ and is excited that the attraction’s close association with the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games will allow him to participate in the preservation of the Scottish heritage of the North Carolina highlands.

“I am excited about having a chance to work in a place that has always been special and magical to me,” he said. “I am excited to have the chance to work with people whose company I enjoy and whose values I admire.

“It is exciting to commit myself to a purpose that is bigger and more important than I am,” continued Dameron. “I am extremely humbled to have been asked to do this.”

Grandfather Mountain is located on US Highway 221, two miles north of Linville, NC, and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 305. For more information phone 800-468-7325 or visit on the web at

To request a free High Country vacation guide, call (800) 438-7500 or go online to: www.MountainsofNC.com.

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Source: Watauga Democrat

By Scott Nicholson

Grandfather Mountain is officially a state park now, with Friday’s passage of a legislative bill, one of the last steps of a year-long process that secures the long-term future of the biological treasure.

It joins 33 other state parks, including Elk Knob State Park in the Meat Camp community in Watauga County. The Morton family, heirs of the attraction’s founder Hugh Morton, reached the deal while continuing operation of a portion of the park that has been a popular travel destination.

The state purchased 2,456 acres of the mountain last year, and a bill to name it a state park was introduced by N.C. Rep. Cullie Tarleton (D-93) and Sen. Steve Goss (D-45), among other regional sponsors. The bill now goes to Gov. Beverly Perdue for her signature.

An agreement for the state to purchase the undeveloped, backcountry portion of Grandfather Mountain was announced by former Gov. Mike Easley in September. Funding for the $12 million acquisition came from the N.C. Parks and Recreation and Natural Heritage trust funds, with no additional appropriations needed in a tight budget year.

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Spring at Grandfather Mountain means Nature Hikes!

The mountain boasts several hikes varying in difficulty, but equal in scenic grandeur.

From Grandfather.com:

Grandfather Mountain has 11 trails varying in difficulty from a gentle walk in the woods to a rigorous trek across rugged peaks. It is in the backcountry that you come up against the more challenging hikes.

For safety reasons, walking down the road is not permitted.

In-Park Nature Trails

Grandfather has a number of gentle paths that can be accessed from the summit road. Designed to offer a low-impact foray into nature, these paths allow guests to get out in the woods without requiring a long and strenuous commitment.

Backcountry Hiking Trails

Grandfather’s backcountry is very different from other areas in the South.

• Trails take you through forests usually found in Canadian climates.
• Many of the trails use ladders and cables to climb sheer cliff faces.
• Grandfather is home to 16 distinct natural communities (ecosystems).
• Is home to 70 rare or endangered species, including 29 that are globally imperiled.
• Portions of the backcountry are sheltered within a Nature Conservancy trust.
• Grandfather is part of the United Nation’s international network of Biosphere Reserves
• Hikers access trails only by paying user fees.
• Hiking is included as part of your attraction admission . Guests who purchase a ticket to the attraction may access the trails from inside the gates.
• Guests who visit for hiking only may access the trails from off-mountain trailheads and must purchase hiking permits for one-half the regular gate admission price.

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