First Annual Grandfather Campout At Grandfather Mountain
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.
2012 Spring Draw-a-thon to be Held April 28th at Turchin Center
Appalachian State University’s Arts Management Organization (AMO) and the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts (TCVA) Community Outreach Program are working together to present the Annual Spring Draw-a-thon on Saturday, April 28 from 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.
The Spring Draw-a-thon is a free campus and community event that celebrates and promotes drawing, creativity, spontaneity and artistic collaboration. Students, professors and local artists (of all levels and ages) are invited to gather at TCVA, classroom 3200 to draw from life models during an all day event with the goal of creating a casual, fun atmosphere that is open to the curious novice, the devoted expert and every level in between. Participants are invited to be involved in the entire event or drop in as their schedule allows.
Attendees will have the option of drawing from live models (who will pose in rotation throughout the event) or working on personal sketches and drawing projects of their own designs. This event will include a special model session that will be “all audience friendly” with costumed models and a portrait drawing session on Saturday afternoon from 1– 3 p.m. A complete schedule can be found below.
To further promote and celebrate the vibrancy of our artistic community, these drawings will be put on temporary display in Appalachian State University’s Department of Art in Wey Hall. Email amo.asuart@gmail.com for more info.
Draw-a-thon Schedule
Saturday, April 28 from 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, classroom 3200
9 a.m. Ceremonial “Kick off”
9:15 a.m. Drawing begins! (breakfast from Mountain Bagels, Boone Bagelry, and AMO)
12 – 1 p.m. Break for lunch
1 – 3 p.m. “All Audience Friendly” Model Session (costumed models)
3 – 6 p.m. Model Sessions
6 – 7 p.m. Pizza Dinner (provided by Hungry Howie’s and AMO)
7 – 11 p.m. Model Sessions
11 p.m. Event wrap-up
Sponsors
Organizational and program support is being provided by AMO and the TCVA Community Outreach Program. Community sponsors include: Hungry Howie’s Pizza, Mountain Bagels, Boone Bagelry, Cheap Joes and Art Mart. Each of these local businesses has graciously donated food or supplies for the event. A special thanks, as well, to volunteer faculty members from Appalachian’s Department of Art.
About AMO
The Arts Management Organization is a university recognized club that seeks to promote professionalism and networking within the arts fields by increasing the awareness of the arts on Appalachian State University’s campus and in the community. For more information, please email amo.asuart@gmail.com or visit www.appamo.webs.com.
About TCVA
The Turchin Center is located at 423 West King St., in Boone, NC. Hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday, and Noon – 8pm, Friday. The center is closed Sunday and Monday and observes all university holidays. There is no admission charge, although donations are gratefully accepted. For additional details about the Turchin Center or the upcoming exhibition program, please call 828-262-3017 or visit www.tcva.org.
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.
Sugar Mountain Ski Resort Opens For The Season!
SUGAR MOUNTAIN SKI RESORT, NORTH CAROLINA Sugar Mountain Ski Resort in North Carolina opens tomorrow; Saturday, November 12, 2011 for skiing, snowboarding and ice skating. Snowmaking began Thursday, November 10th and continues. A manmade powder surface covers the Upper and Lower Flying Mile slopes. The Summit #1 Lift will be in operation to the 3/4′s station. Weekend lift/slope ticket prices will be $25 for a full-day session and $20 for a half-day session. For a real time look at the slopes through the live, streaming web cam please log on towww.skisugar.com/sugarlive.
Sugar’s 10,000 square foot outdoor ice rink also opens tomorrow. www.skisugar.com/skating Sessions are one hour and thirty minutes long and run from 10 am until 10 pm on Saturday. Sunday’s sessions will begin at 10 am and end after the 6 pm session. Ice skating tickets are $15 per session and include skate rental.
Sugar Mountain Sports Shop, located in the Base Lodge will open tomorrow for the season. It features the finest in winter apparel and footwear, quality gift items, and souvenirs.
For more information please call 800-SUGAR-MT or view our website www.skisugar.com for the latest slope and weather conditions. Historical opening and closing dates as well as recorded annual natural snowfall measurements can be found at www.skisugar.com/press/stats.
Also, visit www.skithehighcountry.com for more info on snow skiing in The NC High Country!
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.
Stay Connected!
Grandfather Mountain Celebrates A “Beary Scary Halloween”!
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.
Stay Connected!
6th Annual Valle Crucis Punkin Festival Slated for October 22nd
The Valle Crucis Punkin Festival marks its sixth year in 2011. It was founded in 2006 as a kid-friendly event tied to the harvest season. Although it is a small festival, it is big on fun – starting with the name. The organizers chose the name “simply because it’s a lot more fun than pumpkin.”
Kids are invited to participate in all kinds of old-fashioned games like Apple Bob (bobbing for apples hanging from a string), Hoop-La (can you hook the ring?), Punkin Sack Races (try to do that without laughing), and Dog Bowl In (get the ball to stay in one of the dog bowls). Everyone can get their face painted and enjoy food, of course. In addition, kids and their parents have an artistic outlet to carve their Jack ‘o Lanterns with no muss and no fuss. Festival volunteers “cut and gut” the pumpkins for you! Proceeds from the day go to the Western Youth Network (WYN), a non-profit group serving youth and families in Ashe, Avery, and Watauga Counties and the Valle Crucis Elementary School Parent Teacher Student Association. That leads right into one of the event’s theme: Carving for a Cause.
Kids will need a parental permission form completed in order to participate. Click HERE to download a PDF version and fill it out before the festival so you can join in the fun right away.
The festival is staffed by volunteers from WYN, Appalachian State University, Valle Crucis Elementary School, and the Mast General Store.
For more info, visit: http://www.punkinfestival.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.
Stay Connected!
Festivals Offer Opportunities To Experience Fall In The NC High Country
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.
Stay Connected!
Fall Color Report From ASU!
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.
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
Stay Connected!
The High Country Beer Fest is this Saturday, September 3rd!
The High Country Beer Fest is the annual celebration of great craft beer from around the region and the world. Come sample craft beers, club beers, and delicious food in the beautiful high country of North Carolina. Educational seminars will cover all aspects of beer, brewing, and pairing food and beer.
This is an educational event! While loads of fun, we ask that you please don’t drink and drive! $10 per ticket for Designated Drivers.
We provide a local taxi service, Tipsy Taxi, to drive you home in case there is any doubt about whether it is safe for you to drive.
No one under 21 will be admitted to the Beerfest except children < 12 years old when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
ID’s will be checked upon entry.
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
Stay Connected!
Check Out High Mountain Expeditions!
High Mountain Expeditions offers a variety of outdoor activities including whitewater rafting, hiking, and caving. At High Mountain Expeditions there is an activity for every member of your group or family!
The High Country of Western North Carolina is one of the most biologically and geographically diverse regions in North America. Carved by some of the world’s oldest rivers, the Blue Ridge Mountains provides the perfect backdrop for some of the East Coast’s best hiking, caving, mountain biking, kayaking and whitewater rafting.
Please browse their web site to see a detailed list and descriptions of all the outdoor activities we offer. They can help you plan the perfect outdoor experience, so contact by email or call and speak to one of their reservation specialists today!
The team at High Mountain Expeditions invites you to join us in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains on one of their many outdoor adventures.
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
Stay Connected!
Banner Elk 100th Anniversary Celebration Arts & Crafts Show!
July 23rd-24th: Banner Elk, NC
This celebratory arts and crafts show will be held near the Banner Elk Town Hall on Culver Street in beautiful downtown Banner Elk, NC.
This event will be patroned by seasonal residents, locals, and tourists visiting the high country of North Carolina to celebrate Banner Elk’s 100th anniversary of incorporation.
Banner Elk is situated within the High Country of North Carolina, which is home to numerous country clubs, resort communities, and seasonal tourist attractions.
This event is being promoted through the Town Hall and should have a great turnout. Get Directions
Recent Comments