Halloween Events in the NC Mountains

Date:       October 25 - November 1, 2014
NC City:  CHEROKEE
Event:      Cherokee Haunted Adventure Four haunted attractions in one location. A "Scare Free" Kids Zone will be open for all ages who like to have Halloween fun, but don’t like the scary things that go bump in the night. Haunted Theatre Walk through one of the most haunted outdoor theatres as the most terrifying acts take place behind the scenes. Horror Dorm Hide or die. See if you can survive a horrific game of hide n seek in a dorm filled with your worst nightmares. If found, we will drag your dead body to the mortuary for a   ....read more

Date:        October 30 - November 2, 2014
NC City:   HENDERSONVILLE
Event:      The Haunted Farm If you dare... come visit this spooktacular farm sitting on a mysterious, blood-soaked stretch of land where the deranged Missy Mae Lively eternally pines for her lost groom. The Farm is frightful fun with three main parts: The Woods, The Farm and The Haunted Hayride. New for 2014 - more than 1000 square feet of inside terror, bringing it to more than ....read more

Date:        October 31, 2014
NC City:   HENDERSONVILLE
Event:      Trick-or-Treat Street in Historic Downtown Hendersonville   Beginning at 5:30 PM you can come enjoy our wide sidewalks & friendly merchants for some of the safest most enjoyable trick or treating in the area. Other events include a dance party extravaganza with returning DJ, Sid the Surf, as well as a Halloween costume contest held in....read more

Date:       October 31, 2014
NC City:  WAYNESVILLE
Event:      Treats on the Street Participating downtown Waynesville merchants open their doors for trick-or-treaters on Halloween evening. This is a safe and fun adventure for costumed children and their parents to stroll the sidewalks in search of delicious candy and special treats. Waynesville Fire & Police Departments ....read more

Date:       October 31, 2014
NC City:  HIGHLANDS
Event:     Highlands Downtown Halloween    Trick-or Treat in a safe environment in Downtown Highlands. The streets are closed to vehicles with foot traffic only and children, parents, and even pets may walk around in customs collecting goodies from  ....read more  



October 31, 2014
NC City:  BOONE
Event:     Boone Boo! Ghosts, ghouls and goblins hit the streets of Downtown Boone for the Annual Downtown Boo Boone. The fun begins at 4:00 PM at the Watauga County Library with crafts and activities for the kids. At 4:30 pm there will be a parade to the Jones House Community Center followed by a "haunted house" with prizes, games and candy and concluding with Trick or Treating at  ....read more   

Date:       October 31, 2014
NC City:  WILKESBORO
Event:     Candle Light Ghost Tours   Come out for an evening of tales, mystery and haunts at the Candle Light Ghost Tours. Learn about the ghosts that haunt the old buildings that make up downtown Wilkesboro. Visit a cemetery where Civil War Soldiers are buried, stand in the jail cell Tom Dooley spent his last days, and listen to the stories of the haunted Smithey Hotel. Tickets will be sold on the Courthouse lawn at the museum and at the  ....read more   

Date:       October 31, 2014
NC City:  NEBO
Event:     Halloween Eve Wine, Fish Fry and Costume Party   South Creek Vineyards will be serving up local fish or letting the brave catch their own - if they dare. You can avoid the terror and wine down on the vineyard deck while listening to live music by Rory Kelly. Wicked, scary and scandalous costumes welcome but optional. Your purchased ticket includes: Fishing and you keep the fish from the stocked lagoon - you will need to bring your own fishing gear and lawn chair; Catered fish and chips dinner, fried fresh on site; A glass of South Creek wine. Costume Contest 7 PM with the voted best winning a bottle of South Creek Wine. Live music by....read more   


Date:       October 31 - November 1, 2014 Friday and Saturday evenings 7:30 PM
NC City:  BLOWING ROCK
Event:     Ghost Train Halloween Festival at Tweetsie Railroad   Advanced ticket purchase is recommended for this very popular event. Fun for the whole family this ghastly special event admission includes: all the nighttime activities in the park - the ride on the Ghost Train, trick-or-treating for the kids, Haunted House, Tweetsie Palace Spooktacular, the rides in the Creepy Carnival, and the attractions in "The Boneyard” section, featuring the Black Hole, 3-D maze, and....read more   

Find links and details for more events 

and festivals on the 

NC Mountains Event Calendar

 

What to do this Weekend: Cradle of Forestry Presents the Outdoor Drama The Legend of Tommy Hodges

October 24 - 25, 2014   The Legend of Tommy Hodges outdoor drama at the Cradle of Forestry    Enjoy this legendary mystery about the disappearance of a 1906 Biltmore Forest School student. The Cradle of Forestry will present this outdoor drama along the paved, one-mile Biltmore Campus Trail. As the audience walks the trail from scene to scene it meets characters from the historic Pink Beds community and hears stories, some based on the diaries of students who attended the Biltmore Forest School from 1903-1907.

Warm clothing, walking shoes and flashlights are recommended.

Get links for local lodging, dining and attractions on the Brevard NC Visitor Guide.

 

Mountain Spirits: Classic WIneSeller Live Music this Weekend

October 23, 24, 25 at The Classic WineSeller located at 20 Church Street in historic downtown Waynesville NC offers a three-day weekend full of live music:

Mountain Spirits: McRitchie Winery Hosts Cider Day

October 25 from 12 PM tp 5 PM at McRitchie Winery and Ciderworks, ‏315 Thurmond Post Office Road, ThurmondNC (between West Jefferson and Mount Airy) - Cider Day.  This annual Cider Day event promises an afternoon of great hard cider, wine, food and lots of fun in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The event's activities include:

• Complimentary tasting of Hard Ciders - dry and semi-sweet - plus sneak peek of new 2014 ciders.
• New Pear Cider
•  Great food from the new food trailer ... designed to pair with the Winery's hard ciders and wines.
• Locally grown mountain and heirloom apples ... there will be several varieties to taste.
• Fresh pressed cider and apples available to purchase.
• Winemaker Sean McRitchie will be conducting winery tours and talking about the 2014 harvest.
• Bocce and horseshoes for those with lots of energy or to just watch and relax, enjoying a beautiful fall day in the foothills.
• Entertainment from Bandit's Roost.   

Cider Festival Specials: 15% off full case purchases of Hard Cider (20% off for wine club members). 10% off 6-11 bottles of Hard Cider (15% wine club)

No admission charge and Complimentary cider tasting. Full tastings of wine and ciders plus logo glass is $7.  Food is available for purchase and the event will take place rain or shine.

Upcoming events at the McRitchie Winery and Ciderwroks:
November 8: Wine Club Pick-Up & Food Pairing
November 22: Burnin' Wood Barbeque at Winery
November 28-29: Holiday Open House

What to do this Weekend: Cashiers Fall Leaf Festival

October 10 - 12, 2014    Cashiers Leaf Festival    Each year, the Greater Cashiers Area Merchants Association (known locally a GCAMA, or G-comma) sponsors the Cashiers Leaf Festival. This 3-day event celebrates the beauty of the season that's particularly unique to this area.

Featuring arts and crafts from local and regional artisans, food from area restaurants, music from a variety of bands on two main stages, and activities for all ages at various locations throughout the Cashiers Valley, the Cashiers Leaf Festival serves as the centerpiece of the area's Leaf Season.

Find links for complete visitor information including Cashiers restaurants, lodging and maps on the Cashiers NC Visitor Guide. 

Annual Asheville Oktoberfest this Weekend

October 11, 2014    Asheville Oktoberfest    Downtown Asheville's Wall Street will transform into "Little Germany" for the Asheville Downtown Association's 6th Annual Oktoberfest. Internationally-renowned "oompah" band, The Stratton Mountain Boys, returns to the stage with happy yodeling songs, shoe-slapping dances and lively spirited Polka music sure to incite dancing in the street and rousing cheers of "ein Prosit!" 

The event will feature beer tastings from local breweries including Highland Brewing, Asheville Brewing Company, Pisgah Brewing, Green Man Brewery, Boojum Brewing Company, Noble Cider, Catawba Brewing Company, Craggie Brewing and French Broad Brewing Company. 

Many brewers are featuring seasonal ales for Oktoberfest, and will be on hand to discuss their beers. Oktoberfest Games are back as well with some old favorites like the Stein Races and Keg-rolling contests as well as some new ones.

Yancey County Dream Home Tour Includes Fall Lefa Color Views

October 11, 2014 - Yancey County Dream Home Tour   Tour five custom homes with exceptional views of the fall folliage during this 5th Annual event, benefiting the scholarship fun at Mayland Community College. 

“We focused on the ‘wow’ factor for our fifth year. These are wonderful homes featuring gracious living on many different levels,” says event organizer Laura Laughridge, executive director of the Mayland Community College Foundation. “And from a fall foliage standpoint, this should be a great year as there are really amazing views. ”

The tour is self-guided, allowing participants to pick and choose their destinations and schedule. Four homes are accessed via shuttles stationed in close proximity, while the fifth home is a large estate that allows for on-site parking.

Two homes are at a high elevation in the gated Mountain Air community. The remaining three are located off scenic NC Highway 80, just south of Burnsville NC.

Among the homes off NC 80 is the Sabri home, a 58-acre estate that includes a gatehouse, stables and a sprawling craftsman-style home of 4,500 square feet. The estate has rolling farmland framed by some of the highest mountains in the eastern U.S.

“As they were clearing the property, it revealed these beautiful rolling hills that reminded the owner of the meadows in England where she is from, ” Laughridge said.

The Strawn cabin has an extensive collection of local artwork, and the Lombardo home is a custom house with a lodge motif and panoramic vistas from the front deck.

“The way the Lombardo home is perched on the side of a hill, it’s like you’re the only house looking at the mountains,” said Laughridge.

Registration for the Dream Home Tour is from 9 AM to noon at either the OOAK (One of a Kind) Gallery in Micaville or Mayland Community College’s Learning Center in Burnsville. Tour hours are 10 AM. to 5 PM., with a closing reception at 5:30 PM at Ye Old Country Store and the Design Gallery at 7 S. Main Street in Burnsville.

Tickets are $30 a person through Sept. 30, and $40 beginning Oct. 1. Tickets may be purchased online at: www.maylandfoundation.org. For details call (828) 766-1233.

Cherokee Indian Fair Begins This Week

October 7 - 11, 2014    102th Annual Cherokee Indian Fair    Part carnival, part art exhibit and agriculture show, this annual fair features artwork, traditional Cherokee food, nightly musical entertainment, rides and games, and of course, fireworks. 

photo curtsey of visitnc.com

You’ll find Cherokee white oak baskets, pottery and beadwork, and you’ll marvel and the traditional Cherokee contests and competitions like the infamous Cherokee Stickball games. While you’re on the Ferris wheel, be sure to take in the gorgeous fall foliage that engulfs the Great Smoky Mountains this time of year.

Get links for local lodging, attractions and information on the Cherokee NC Visitor Guide.

 

Blue Ridge Music Center Final Concerts for 2014

October 4, 2014 at 4 PM - The Harris Brothers   and  Kitty Amaral and The Stray Cats.  The Harris Brothers are what you might call songsters. They can draw from a vast repertoire of American traditional music - "Americana" is often used to describe their style, but the Harris Brothers just call it music. Their sound is heavily influenced by traditional blues and Appalachian mountain music, jazz, country, and rock n' roll. No matter what the Harris Brothers play, be it originals or old favorites, they have a special way of making the music their own; it's stripped down, intense, and real, with no gimmicks.

Reggie and Ryan Harris were born into a musical family in the foothills of western North Carolina and have been playing and singing since they were children. For the last 17 or so odd years they have honed their skills as a duo, performing everywhere from honkytonks to popular festival stages. They most often perform with just an acoustic guitar, a bass, vocals and an old suitcase used for a kickdrum, with Reggie sometimes switching to fiddle, banjo, or electric guitar.

Kitty Amaral began fiddling at age five in Southwestern Virginia. She formed the band "Kitty & the Stray Cats" with her mentors in Old-Time Music in recent years. She has a unique collection of songs and tunes ranging from Southwestern Virginia and the Carolina Appalachians to Oklahoma, Ozarks, and beyond. The band includes; Donna Correll on bass, Kyle Dean Smith on banjo and Harrol Blevins on guitar with occasional guest artists on the mandolin. The band shares unique songs and tunes which may otherwise be lost from recent repertoire lists, as well as many favorites still popular today.

October 11 at 4 PM - The Steep Canyon Rangers  and  The New Spring Valley Boys.  You won't want to miss The Blue Ridge Music Center's 2014 Concert Season Finale with Grammy Award Winning Bluegrass Group The Steep Canyon Rangers and guests, The New Spring Valley Boys. 

Come early for a special Pre-Show Music and Mingle Artist Reception sponsored by Creek Bottom Brews of Galax. The Pre-Show Reception will be held in the breezeway of the Music Center beginning at 2 PM. Only 100 tickets will be sold for the Pre-Show Reception, so be sure to get yours early.

• Pre-Show Music Mingle Artist Reception will feature beer (provided by Galax VA's own Creek Bottom Brews), wine, and heavy hors d'oeuvres. All included with ticket purchase price. 

• Tickets for the Pre-Show Music-Mingle Artist Reception are $50 (includes a reserve seat at the concert) and are on sale now. For tickets call the offices of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation at # 866-308-2773 x 245. 

• Individual concert tickets are $20. 

• Ticket Package (Concert Ticket + Pre-Show Reception Ticket ) is $50.

• Concert tickets can be purchased through the online website box office www.BlueRidgeMusicCenter.org/10-11.htm or by calling the offices of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation at # 866-308-2773 x 245.

The Steep Canyon Rangers are an American bluegrass band from Brevard, North Carolina. In 2013 their album Nobody Knows You won a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album. The previous year, their 2012 collaboration with Steve Martin, Rare Bird Alert, was nominated for the same award.

The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awarded Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers Entertainer of the Year in 2011. In 2008, the band received nominations from the IBMA for Album of the Year and Gospel Performance of the Year. The Steep Canyon Rangers have been nominated for the 2014 IBMA Awards, this time in the Instrumental Record Performance of the Year category, for the song "Graveyard Fields," written by mandolin player Mike Guggino, from the bands most recent album release Tell The Ones I Love. The Steep Canyon Rangers recently partnered with the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and Bonesteel Films to protect Graveyard Fields, one of the Blue Ridge Parkway's most treasured spots.  

The Asheville-based bluegrass band and the film company have created a public service video to help the foundation with its fundraising efforts to complete an improvement project at Graveyard Fields, located at Parkway Milepost 418 near Asheville and Brevard, as well as other projects along the Parkway. The PSA appears online at www.brpfoundation.org/GraveyardFields.

The band's instrumental, "Graveyard Fields," accompanies scenes of the spot along the parkway. The band's mandolin player, Mike Guggino, wrote the song for the groups' latest album, Tell The Ones I Love.

The Blue Ridge Music Center is operated by The National Park Service, and the Music Center's programming is coordinated through a partnership with the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.  The Music Center is located north of Boone NC at Milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, 700 Foothills Road in Galax VA.

Art and Music Events this Weekend Mark the Beggining of Fall Leaf Color

Art Walks:

Date: October 3, 2014
NC City: ASHEVILLE
Event: Asheville Downtown Gallery Association Art Walk Enjoy the fine art and craft of the Asheville Downtown Gallery Association and see on of the reasons Asheville has been voted #1 small city in the country by the readers of American Style Magazine 2 years running. 20 downtown venues participate with a complete Downtown Gallery Guide and a map available at...  Read more and get a link here

Date: October 3. 2014
NC City: WAYNESVILLE
Event: Art After Dark Downtown galleries and studios remain open until 9 PM. The evening features special openings, demonstrations, artist receptions, and music...  Read more and get a link here

Date: October 3, 2014
NC City: BOONE
Event: First Friday Art Crawl in Downtown Boone Experience the thriving Boone arts community, see an array of different performers and enjoy complimentary refreshments. Shops and businesses remain open to the public for...  Read more and get a link here

Art and Music Festivals:

Date: October 4, 2014
NC City: NORTH WILKESBORO
Event: Brushy Mountain Apple Festival and Apple Jam This event is one of the largest one-day arts and crafts festivals in the Southeast and features a variety of arts and crafts, food and entertainment. It is preceded on Friday evening by The Apple Jam, live music beginning at 6 PM and continuing...  Read more and get a link here

Date: October 4, 2014NC City: DILLSBORO
Event: ColorFest, Art and Taste of Appalachia Autumn's colors and flavors take center stage during this popular annual festival. This arts and food event fills the sidewalks of Dillsboro with a variety of mountain artisans demonstrating their skills, plus food...  Read more and get a link here

Date: October 4, 2014
NC City: MARS HILL Event: Madison County Heritage Festival Traditional mountain music and old-time craft demonstrations, local arts and crafts fill the town of Mars Hill and the Mars Hill College campus at this family-friendly festival. Food available from...  Read more and get a link here

Date: October 4 - 5, 2014
NC City: BRASSTOWN Event: John C Campbell Folk School Fall Festival Celebrate the rich heritage of Appalachia at the 41th annual Folk School Fall Festival, featuring over 200 juried and non-juried craftspeople. Handcrafted items for sale include jewelry, woodturning, pottery, weaving, ironwork, photography, rugs, woodcarvings, furniture, paintings, baskets, and much more. Live music and dance on two stages, great food, craft demonstrations, and kids' activities including pony rides are just a ...  Read more and get a link here

Art  and Craft Markets:
 
Date: October 4 - 5, 2014
NC City: HENDERSONVILLE Event: Art on Main This is the 55th annual fine arts and fine crafts show again held in Historic Downtown Hendersonville. The Downtown area is transformed into a giant outdoor art gallery featuring the finest artists and artisans from the...  Read more and get a link here

Date: October 4, 2014
NC City: OLD FORT
Event: ArtsMart   Locally created arts and crafts. Stop by to chat with the creators of these one-of-a-kind items while you shop for yourself, family or friends. Something for everyone including baskets, paintings, woodwork, wreaths, candles and...  Read more and get a link here

Date: October 4, 2014
NC City: BLOWING ROCK
Event: Art in the Park A juried art and crafts show featuring 90 artists held in the picturesque downtown park once a month from May through October. Some of the best local and regional artists and craftspeople showcase their handcrafted jewelry, pottery...  Read more and get a link here

Date: October 4, 2014
NC City: ASHEVILLE
Event: Asheville Art in the Park The finest handcrafted art in the area is on display and for sale at Pack Square in downtown Asheville. Nationally known artists exhibit at this event and the best part is- they are local. Muddy Knees Design and ...  Read more and get a link here

Music Events:

Date: October 3, 2014
NC City: NORTH WILKESBORO
Event: Brushy Mountain Apple Jam A musical event held at the corner of 10th and Main in downtown North Wilkesboro, the Friday evening preceding the Apple Festival. This year Taylon Hope Miller joins the...  Read more and get a link here

Date: October 4, 2014
NC City: MARS HILL
Event: Bascom Lamar Lunsford Music Festival An all-day festival celebrating regional music and dance traditions. The event is the second oldest folk festival in Western North Carolina and was named in honor of cofounder Bascom Lamar Lunsford. Lunsford was a musician and folklorist who dedicated his life to collecting and promoting the music of the Southern Appalachians. Through his work he became known as...  Read more and get a link here

    

Chimney Rock State Park Nature Programs

 October 4 - 5, 2014    Grady's Wildlife of WNC at Chimney Rock State Park   Come meet some of Grady the Groundhog's live woodland friends and learn about their natural habitats. Or marvel at our Birds of Prey, including a Red-tailed Hawk and Great Horned Owl. 

The family-friendly Grady’s Wildlife of WNC programs vary and are offered at 2 PM at the Outdoor Classroom on the Meadows. Best of all, the programs are included with your Park admission. All you need to bring are your kids and their curiosity about the natural world.