The Valle Crucis Punkin Festival marks its fourth year in 2009. 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 for the day go to the Western Youth Network (WYN), a non-profit group serving youth and families in Ashe, Avery, and Watauga Counties. 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. The festival is staffed by volunteers from WYN, Appalachian State University, and the Mast General Store.

For more info call 828 963-6511 or Visit: http://www.maststoreonline.com/punkin

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

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