It’s a Mystery!
Mystery Hill – 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.
To Learn More, Visit: http://www.mysteryhill-nc.com/
To request a free High Country vacation guide, call (800) 438-7500 or go online to: www.MountainsofNC.com.
NC’s Only Show Cavern – Linville Caverns!
Located at the southern gateway to western NC’s High Country region, Linville Caverns is an ideal destination for visitors of all ages. The beauty of our mountains is echoed within Humpback Mountain and visitors are invited to explore the splendor and wonders nature created “inside a mountain”.
Linville Caverns was opened for public touring in 1937. Since that time many upgrades to the pathways and lighting system have enhanced the safe touring experience that now exists. Courteous and experienced guides take you into the subterranean world, giving you the history of the caverns and allowing you to view the grand work of nature. We invite you to visit often and experience the beauty of these age-old mountains from the inside
Visit: LinvilleCaverns.com!
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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Winter Sports in The High Country!
North Carolina’s High Country, known as the Ski Capital of the South, is home to three premier resorts - Appalachian Ski Mtn, Beech Mtn Resort and Sugar Mtn Resort. All are located within a 30-mile radius, making the High Country a favorite destination of families, couples and adventure-seekers. North Carolina has the highest mountains east of the Rockies and caters to skiers of all abilities. Away from the slopes, there’s plenty to see and do in Boone, Blowing Rock and Banner Elk.
Visit: www.SkiTheHighCountry.com!
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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Your Christmas Tree is waiting for you!
North Carolina ranks second in the nation in live Christmas tree production. Here in the North Carolina High Country it is truly an electrifying time of the year! There are thousands of acres of Christmas trees. Sure there’s holly and mistletoe but a Christmas tree is a must have during the holiday season! Christmas trees bring happiness and cheer to the faces of children throughout the nation. Maybe its time to start your family tradition, after all, the holiday season is quickly approaching!
The Watauga County Christmas Tree Association helps promote and educate the public about Christmas trees and their local growers. They also work closely with the Choose & Cut tree farmers to ensure top-quality products and a wonderful experience for their customers. Christmas tree farms send their trees throughout the Carolinas for purchase each year and also have individual sales through their Choose & Cut programs!
There are twenty-nine Choose & Cut farms in Watauga County. Each Choose & Cut Christmas tree farm is a little different. All twenty-nine Choose & Cut farms provide Fraser Fir Christmas trees and a select few provide Canaan Fir and White Pine Fir Christmas trees. If you are planning to decorate with garland or wreaths this holiday you can find these items and even a few Christmas shops at some Watauga County Choose & Cut farms. Some farms have put the idea of family first into your Christmas tree hunt experience by having animals, hayrides, sled and pony rides! For more information, or if you have any questions about the Watauga County Christmas Tree Association, please contact them at 828-264-3061
READ THE ENTIRE PRESS RELEASE!
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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Woolly Worm Festival This Weekend!
For the 33rd year the town of Banner Elk has welcomed both old and new friends to the annual Woolly Worm Festival.
This family event co-hosted by the Avery County Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Organization of Banner Elk welcomes more than 23,000 people to the community to make family memories and also to win the prestigious title of predicting the High Country weather and the chance to win the $1000 bounty.
Visit: http://www.woollyworm.com
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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It’s Off to See the Wizard at Beech Mountain’s Autumn at Oz!
Get the feeling you’re not in Carolina anymore when the old Land of Oz theme park springs to life this fall for the annual Autumn at Oz celebration.
The 17th edition of Autumn at Oz takes place Oct. 2-3 atop Beech Mountain in the High Country of North Carolina.
Over the years, visitors from near and far have made pilgrimages to see the wizard and take a leisurely stroll with their favorite characters along the park’s iconic yellow brick road.
Autumn at Oz begins with a hayride or shuttle 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, dance troupes, souvenir vendors and face painting. A highlight for many is the panoramic view from the Judy Garland Memorial Overlook Gazebo, from which they follow, follow, follow the 44,000 yellow bricks that wind around the mountaintop.
Along the way, there are visits with the Tin Man, Dorothy, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, Professor Marvel, Auntie Em, Uncle Henry, Glinda the Good Witch and the Wizard. The Wicked Witch of the West is also on hand with her Winkie guards and flying monkeys.
“We encourage fans of all ages to come dressed as their favorite Oz character and enjoy a nostalgic stroll through this unique place in time,” says event coordinator Cindy Keller.
The top of Beech Mountain, at 5,506 feet, is an ideal place to venture over the rainbow. Its rock outcroppings and gnarly, windswept trees inspired the creation of the Land of Oz theme park, which operated from 1970-1980.
“The elevation and elements have provided us an environment unlike any other,” Keller says. “We have huge boulders, ancient trees and giant ferns. It really is an enchanted forest.”
Autumn at Oz has three sessions daily. The sessions are at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Tickets are $16.50 in advance and $20 at the event, if not sold out. Advance tickets are available online, and total ticket sales will be limited this year for the first time ever.
Children age 2 and under are admitted free, and the property is not wheelchair accessible or accommodating to large strollers.
Discount tickets are available to nearby Grandfather Mountain, and folks are encouraged to stay on Beech Mountain and make a weekend of it.
For info or tickets, call (800) 468-5506, or visit: http://www.autumnatoz.com.
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Warm Your Holidays with the Valle Crucis Fireside Tour!
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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West Jefferson’s Hometown Christmas
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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Broyhill Inn in Boone Offers “Choose & Cut” Packages!
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.
| One Night Package – double occupancy | $119.00 inclusive |
| One Night Package – 3 guests per room | $124.00 inclusive |
| One Night Package – 4 guests per room | $129.00 inclusive |
| Two Night Package – double occupancy | $182.00 inclusive |
| Two Night Package – 3 guests per room | $192.00 inclusive |
| Two Night Package – 4 guests per room | $202.00 inclusive |
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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Scottish Singer/Songwriter performs at River House
![JimMalcolmBurns[1]](http://highcountryhost.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/JimMalcolmBurns1-300x224.jpg "JimMalcolmBurns[1]")
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 19th, 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 250th 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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