N.C. High Country Host Launches Upgraded Website
Tourists interested in the North Carolina High Country have a dynamic new resource for visitor info thanks to a redesign and upgrade of High Country Host’s website, www.MountainsofNC.com.
The new site contains information on lodging, attractions, festivals, shopping, restaurants, heritage events and outdoors activities. There is also a blog, calendar of events, a section for specials & deals, High Country maps and a downloadable vacation planner.
“This new site pulls together all the key information visitors need to plan a trip to the High Country,” says Millie Barbee, executive director of High Country Host. “And, it is user-friendly. There are multiple ways to navigate the site to quickly find what you’re looking for.”
This new site was created by Big Boom Design of Asheville, using a Joomla platform. It incorporates the latest in website technology, including advanced search engine optimization.
“Our desire was to build a site that’s easy to navigate and brings as much information above the fold and to the surface as possible,” said Boomer Sassmann of Big Boom Design. “It’s a well organized second-generation website that also incorporates social media aspects such as YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Flickr.”
The look and feel of the website will change quarterly to match the four distinct seasons that draw visitors to the High Country.
“If this were a traditionally built website, we wouldn’t be able to do that,” Sassmann says, “but because of this Joomla content management system, it is easy to change the look without altering the content.”
To view the new site, go online to www.MountainsofNC.com.
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Benefits of Joining The High Country Host
Don’t just take our word for it. Hear what others are saying about the benefits of joining The High Country Host…
“High Country Host does an excellent job of attracting visitors to our area through its marketing. Just as importantly, they do a great job of helping our visitors find lodging, shops, places to eat, and things to do to make their visit a success. Happy customers come back and they also tell their friends to come. All types of businesses need to be part of HCH’s marketing and service efforts.”
-Harris Prevost
Grandfather Mountain
“High Country Host’s ongoing efforts to attract visitors to our area has been remarkable. Through the creation and distribution of a resourceful guidebook, to the development of and continued achievements in the High Country Host website, to co-op advertising and joint marketing opportunities, Chetola enjoys the continued benefits of our marketing partnership with High Country Host.”
-Kent Tarbutton, Proprietor
Marcia Field, Marketing Director
Chetola Mountain Resort
“We are thoroughly satisfied members of High Country Host. Your organization far outshines any other similar service in Boone in promoting our bed & breakfast to visitors. As far as we’re concerned, we cannot afford NOT to be members! Thank you and your excellent staff for serving us since 1997.”
The Baird House
-Tom & Deede Hinson
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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High Country Host on YouTube!
The High Country Host now has its own YouTube Channel!
To see more High Country Videos, please visit: youtube.com/nchighcountry
For info on The High Country Host, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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Barbee Returns to Executive Director Post at High Country Host
A familiar face has returned to the North Carolina High Country Host.
Millie Barbee, the Host’s executive director from 1994-2000, was named to that post for a second time on Oct. 1.
Barbee retired from the Hickory CVB three years ago and was residing in West Jefferson when this opportunity presented itself. She will continue living in West Jefferson as she assumes the role held most recently by Karin Moss, who is now executive director of the Dale Earnhardt Foundation in Mooresville.
“I love being back,” Barbee said. “I always stayed in close touch with the organization and I have a great love for the High Country.”
Barbee will work three days a week. Her main priority will be to guide the tourism marketing organization through a restructuring brought on by the economic downturn.
“It is wonderful to be able to turn to Millie as we navigate these tough times,” said Jerry Lamonds, president of High Country Host. “She has experience in the job and a history of building consensus among our members. This is positive news as we begin to shine the spotlight on High Country tourism for the coming year.”
Looking ahead, Barbee plans to continue many primary functions of the Host, including producing an annual visitors guide, maintaining a website for tourist information, operating the visitor center in Boone and working with area TDAs and chambers of commerce on advertising and marketing initiatives aimed at travelers. Barbee will also be involved with next year’s 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway and its marketing opportunities for the High Country.
“With the cooperation of the chambers and the TDAs, we have a wonderful opportunity to move forward in creative ways,” Barbee said. “There is such a wealth of knowledge in the tourism industry here. We have a lot of experience we can bring together to chart new directions.”
Barbee said it is important to promote all aspects of the High Country tourism industry, including: lodging, shopping, restaurants, attractions, festivals, events, retail and outdoor fun.
“We’re seeing the early signs of improvement in the industry,” she said. “I think we’re at a turning point, but marketing has to be continuous. Our competition is strong.”
For info on High Country Host, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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Sugar Mountain’s Oktoberfest is October 10th & 11th!
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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Mile-High Kite Festival – Labor Day Weekend on Beech Mountain
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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