The High Country Host Blog

Archive for the ‘Things To Do’ Category

Each year, for over 50 years, guests come from all over the world and the United States to visit Mystery Hill. They are all compelled to come for various reasons; “My mother came here as a child,” “I remember coming here with my Grandfather,” “I drove by this place and just had to come and see what the mystery really was,” “I just can’t get this place out of my mind.”

No matter what the reason, they come back time and time again, bringing relatives and friends to experience the mystery of our “crooked house.” People do remember the remarkable defiance of gravity, where you can see a ball roll uphill, and where folks are pulled from an upright position to an uncanny standing angle of nearly 45°.

This strange phenomenon has been amusing and puzzling visitors to Mystery Hill for generations. Since there is a variety of things to see and do, no one leaves disappointed. Mystery is a family oriented “edutainment” center that offers fun for children ages 2 to 102. We welcome you to join us at any time of the year.

For more, visit http://mysteryhill-nc.com

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

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Source: http://www.vallecrucis.com/fireside/index.html

The historic community of Valle Crucis invites you to warm up by their firesides on Sunday, December 6th, 2009 from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. This tour meanders along country lanes to gift shops, galleries, bed and breakfast inns, restaurants, cabins, and churches where hosts will provide you with refreshments and hospitality throughout the afternoon.

   This year’s stops include several bed and breakfast inns, churches, and other businesses in the Valle Crucis community.

   Tickets are $10 each and are available from the Mast General Store beginning in early Fall. A limited number are available this year and ticket sales end at 4 p.m. on December 6th. All proceeds benefit the Valle Crucis Community Park. Those wishing to purchase tickets in advance may send a check made out to Valle Crucis Park in care of Sheri Moretz, Mast General Store, Highway 194, Valle Crucis, NC 28691. Please include 50¢ extra over the cost of the tickets for mailing.

Make a weekend of it…

   There are many holiday and seasonal activities to participate in. You can choose and cut your own Christmas tree at many local farms – some offer hot chocolate and other treats for an added experience. They will be happy to bale your tree and help you tie it to your car or SUV.

   Take in a Christmas concert. Mountain Home Music presents a plethora of popular performers coming together for a holiday tradition on December 5 at 8 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Boone. For tickets and more information, visit www.mountainhomemusic.com.

   The Original Mast General Store will have live bluegrass and Appalachian music most weekends during December. Saturdays music is scheduled for 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and on Sundays from noon until 2 p.m. You can also visit with Santa Paws at the Little Red School House on Saturday, December 5th and Sunday, December 6th to have your pet’s picture taken with the jolly ol’ elf from the North Pole.

   Take a trip down the hill at Appalachian Ski Mtn. as they turn back time to 1962! That’s right, lift tickets will be priced at 1962 prices. For more information, visit www.appskimtn.com.

    This event is co-sponsored by ExploreBooneArea.com and the Watauga County TDA.

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

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BEGINS NOVEMBER 23rd!

11/23– 12/30
Tree Fest – Ashe County Arts Council
Decorated trees, ornaments, holiday crafts, gifts and miniature paintings
Opening Reception – 12/5 2pm – 4pm

11/27
Early Bird Shopping – Historic Downtown West Jefferson
Rudolph, Santa’s Elves & Mrs. Claus will be visiting with downtown shoppers 3:00pm til Santa Claus arrives on an antique fire truck
BackStreet Park 5:15 pm
Community Christmas Tree Lighting Hot Chocolate Candy Canes Caroling 

11/28, 12/5 & 12/12
Mistletoe Market – Ashe County Farmer’s Market
Handmade gifts for Christmas… scarves, hats, jewelry, jellies, baked goods, wreaths, roping

11/28
Christmas in Lansing – Downtown Lansing
As darkness falls luminaries will decorate downtown and light the way to the live walk through nativity

For a full schedule, visit: http://www.visitwestjefferson.org/christmas-north-carolina-westjefferson.html

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

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The Broyhill Inn has teamed up with Circle C Tree Farms to provide a deal on a Christmas tree!

As a guest of the Broyhill Inn you can receive a voucher for a Christmas tree from Circle C Tree Farms!

This will only be available for a limited time, restrictions apply. One night and Two night packages available.

For more information, visit http://broyhillinn.com/events/christmastree, or call: 800.951.6048

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

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His voice has been described by Dirty Linen magazine as “one of those pure warm Scottish voices one never tires of listening to”. He was the 2004 Scots Trad Music Awards Songwriter of the Year and a 2008 nominee for Scots Trad Music’s Singer of the Year.  For seven years he was the front man for the legendary Scottish group the Old Blind Dogs. On Thursday November 19^th, Jim Malcolm brings his witty style and one-man show to the intimate setting of River House Inn in Ashe County for a special concert and dinner.

Jim Malcolm will be stopping in for this special evening as part of a tour that started in Austin, TX and ends in Alexandria, VA, and will feature a tribute to the music of Robert Burns, celebrating the 250^th anniversary of the poet’s birthday. With Jim’s sense of history and his lighthearted approach to the music, the evening will be a perfect blend of music, mirth and good food. Jim is hailed world-wide as one of Scotland’s best performers and is described as “utterly authentic yet completely modern and accessible.” Jim has been a featured artist in the past at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and appeals to a wide range of music enthusiast. To learn more about the artist visit www.jimmalcolm.com!

Of course whenever there is an event at River House you know it will be something special. When you combine River House’s top quality food and hospitality with an international recording artist, you know it will be an evening that you don’t want to miss.  Cost of the dinner (including gratuity) and concert is $50 per person and a cash bar will be provided. The evening starts at 6pm with a set by Jim, followed by dinner and then Jim’s tribute to Robert Burns. River House will also be featuring their “Wine Down Thursday” special. For more information and to make a reservation contact River House by calling 336-982-2109 or visit the web site, www.riverhousenc.com. Reservations are required and seating is limited. This special evening is being presented in association with Celtic Force Enterprises.

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

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Saturday from 2-5pm in Downtown Boone!

The fun begins at 2:00 pm at the Watauga County Library. There will be scary stories, songs and activities for the kids. Then at 3:00 pm we will have a parade to the Jones House, and then Trick or Treating with the Merchants in Downtown Boone until 5:00 pm.

Participating businesses will be designated with balloons and streamers. Maps will also be provided so no candy or treats will go uncollected. Join us for some scary fun and lots of treats in Downtown Boone. Sponsored by the Downtown Boone Development Association.

Visit: http://www.visitboonenc.com

Call 828-262-4532 for details.

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

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Named One Of The Top Ten Fall Festivals in North America by the Society of American Travel Writers!

The Wooly Worm Festival is October 17th, 2009! Back in the late 1970s, the editor of the now-defunct Mountain Living Magazine, Jim Morton, was preparing to include a Woolly Worm Forecast in the winter issue of the magazine.

He photographed the first Woolly Worm he saw to use in formulating the prediction and illustrating his story, but the next day he saw a second worm that looked completely different from the first. “That’s when it struck me that we needed some formal procedure to use to decide which was going to be the official worm for making the winter forecast,” said Morton.

So since 1978, the residents of the village nestled between the Carolina’s two largest ski resorts have celebrated the coming of the snow season with a Woolly Worm Festival. They set aside the third weekend in October to determine which one worm will have the honor of predicting the severity of the coming winter; and they make that worm earn the honor by winning heat after heat of hard-fought races – up a three-foot length of string.

For more information on the festival CLICK HERE!

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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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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There’s no place like Beech Mountain the first weekend of October as the old Land of Oz theme park comes to life for the Autumn at Oz celebration.

This year’s 16th annual celebration takes place Oct. 3-4 and coincides with the 70th anniversary of the Wizard of Oz movie, released in 1939.

Over the years, Autumn at Oz has grown from a small reunion of former employees to a celebration that draws folks from near and far for a nostalgic stroll along the yellow brick road that was the centerpiece of the popular theme park during the 1970s.

“Each year, we probably see a thousand little Dorothys,” says event coordinator Cindy Keller. “They come in every assorted size, shape and color. It’s pretty much guaranteed to put a smile on your face.”

However, children aren’t the only ones who flock to Beech Mountain’s 5,506-foot peak for the Oz festivities.

“There are so many parents and grandparents who come back. Parents like the morals of the story and the lessons of having a heart, a brain and some courage,” Keller says. “It’s timeless. It is the American fairy tale.”

Autumn at Oz begins with a hayride or shuttle ride from the Town of Beech Mountain up to the enchanted forest. Once there, attendees are treated to live music, a tour of Dorothy’s House, a mini Oz museum, magic shows and face painting. The highlight for many is the panoramic view from the Judy Garland Memorial Overlook Gazebo and a leisurely stroll along the yellow brick road, which consists of 44,000 yellow bricks.

A host of characters are on hand, including: Dorothy, Toto, Professor Marvel, Auntie Em, Uncle Henry, Glinda the Good Witch, Munchkins, the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion. The Wicked Witch of the West makes a visit with her Winkie guards and flying monkeys.

Vendors provide plenty of food, treats, souvenirs and Oz memorabilia, while scenic chairlift rides are available, weather permitting.

Autumn at Oz hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Tickets are $15 per person and include discount coupons for nearby Grandfather Mountain and lodging specials on the mountain.

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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