Spring Break Family Fun At Chimney Rock State Park

March 28 - 31, 2016   Spring Break Family Fun   Meet some of Grady the Groundhog’s woodland friends or possibly the birds of prey, a Red-tailed hawk and Great Horned Owl, at the daily 2 PM Family Animal Encounters.  A Park naturalist will explain each animal’s role in our ecosystem, how they came to live at the park and lessons on what we can do to help protect wildlife. 

Meet at Grady’s Animal Discovery Den for weekday Family Animal Encounters Mon-Fri and at the Outdoor Classroom Sat-Sun. Then, grab a Track Trail brochure at Grady’s Animal Discovery Den and round out the day with a hike along our Great Woodland Adventure trail with 12 interactive education stations.

Appalachian Ski Mountain Open for Last days to Ski NC for the 2015-16 Season

Slope conditions and updates as of March 28, 2016:

Appalachian Ski Mountain - OPEN  Skiing 8 slopes with 6 lifts on a base of  10 - 25 inches. Ski or ride for the rest of the season free with the purchase of 2016-17 season membership. Late Season Rates are in effect. Projected closing day 4/2

Beech Mountain Ski Resort is CLOSED for the 2015-16 Season

Cataloochee Ski Area is CLOSED for the 2015-16 Season  

Sapphire Valley Ski Area is CLOSED for the 2015-16 Season  
 
Sugar Mountain Ski Resort  is CLOSED for the 2015-16 Season  

Wolf Ridge Ski Resort  is CLOSED for the 2015-16 Season 

Easter Weekend Events in the Mountains: Annual Easter Hat Parade in Dillsboro NC

March 26, 2016   Annual Easter Hat Parade   Make a hat, win a prize, get your face painted, meet the Easter Bunny. This family fun event continues to be a favorite Easter weekend mountain happening.

This year the parade will be led by a fleet of restored antique cars and begins in front of the Town Hall on Front Street in charming downtown Dillsboro NC. Awards will be presented for

the Prettiest, Funniest, Largest, Smallest, Most Unusual, Most Easter-like, Best Smelling, Cutest, Most Outrageous, Best In Show and "Poofiest" hats among other unusual categories. There is even a ribbon awarded to the Best Animal in Show!

Get times and details online.

Dillsboro NC is a small mountain village no longer known for mining and logging, but increasingly for fine artists and crafts. In 1886 Dillsboro was a favorite tourist destination via the railroad. Today, Located in the center of
Western North Carolina, Dillsboro is surrounded by NC's westernmost "outdoor playground" including The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Nantahala River, Fontana Lake and pristine forests. A stay in any Dillsboro NC inn or vacation cabin rental is always quiet but never boring.

Annual Easter Sunrise Service at Chimney Rock State Park

March 27, 2016   61th Annual Easter Sunrise Service   Celebrate Easter with song, scripture and spiritual music as a spectacular sunrise ascends over Lake Lure. Chimney Rock’s annual Easter Sunrise Service has become a legendary event in WNC, attracting more than 1,000 early risers from around the Southeast each year. 

This free non-denominational Easter celebration features live instrumental music, spiritual songs and breathtaking scenery. The 61th annual inter-denominational community worship service is a special tradition and a memorable event for the entire family. 

Guests are invited to eat breakfast at the Old Rock Café and stay to enjoy the Park all day.

Get links for local details and lodging on our Chimney Rock NC Visitor Guide

 

Last chance to Ski NC for the Season - 3 Ski Areas Still Open with New Snow

NC Ski Slopes, Resorts and Areas  as of March 21, 2016:

Appalachian Ski Mountain - OPEN  Skiing 11 slopes with 6 lifts on a base of  19 - 38 inches with 3 inches new snow. Ski or ride for the rest of the season free with the purchase of 2016-17 season membership. Late Season Rates are in effect. 3/26-27:  Meltdown Games; Projected closing day 4/2

Cataloochee Ski Area is OPEN  Skiing 4 slopes with 3 lifts on a base of  16 - 34 inches, day skiing from mid station only.  Season passes are at the lowest price of the season and are available online now. March is Haywood County School System Employees Month.

Sugar Mountain Ski Resort  is OPEN  Skiing 9 slopes with 2 lifts on a base of  8 - 35 inches with 1 inch new snow. March Madness rates in effect.  Spyder 2017 Sampler Sale continues.  The Tubing park and Ice Skating are closed for the season. Sugar will close Wednesday, March 23rd at 4:30pm for the season.

Beech Mountain Ski Resort is CLOSED for the 2015-16 Season

Sapphire Valley Ski Area is CLOSED for the 2015-16 Season     

Wolf Ridge Ski Resort  is CLOSED for the 2015-16 Season

Get links for complete details on our NC Ski Resort Guide 

 

Classic Car Show this Saturday in Old Fort NC

March 21, 2015    Classic Car Cruise-in   This classic car show is held the 3rd Saturday of every month. Bring your car, truck or motorcycle or just kick back and enjoy the show. This event is held in downtown Old Fort from 3-5 PM. 

It's free and sponsored by Route 70 Cruisers. For more information, call 828-442-5135 

SpringFest this weekend in Burnsville Offers Mountain Crafts and Handmade Products

March 19, 2016     Burnsville SpringFest    Celebrate the arrival of spring by shopping a wide variety of unique items such as paintings, quilted sheep, teddy bears, wooden bowls, stained glass, painted signs, glass ornaments, beeswax candles, baked goods and much more.  Admission: FREE.


Burnsville NC, the county seat for Yancey County, is the nearest town to Mount Mitchell, the highest mountain east of the Mississippi. 18 additional peaks with elevations exceeding 6,300 feet are also near Burnsville. 

The region surrounding Burnsville boasts of more crafters and artisans per capita than anywhere else in the United States. When you visit downtown Burnsville you will find art galleries, antique shops, restaurants, a handmade paper & tea shop, a coffee shop, and specialty stores all within walking distance from the historic town square. 

Annual Downtown Boone Easter Eggstravaganza

March 19, 2016    Annual Downtown Boone Easter Eggstravaganza   Enjoy a family friendly event beginning at 2 PM at the Watauga County Library located on Queen Street in downtown Boone NC. Children then "parade" down to the Jones House Community Center, just a hop and a skip away, for more games and an Easter egg hunt. 

Free refreshments, prizes, and games are provided

Early Bird Rate for the 6th Annual Three River Fly Fishing Festival Expires Today

March 15, 2016 - Early Bird Rate Expires Today. Registration is open for the 6th Annual Three River Fly Fishing Festival held April 28-30, 2016 in Highlands, NC.

The competition is open to men and women of all skill levels, with more than 2,200 miles of public water available to fish. Each team will fish one native, one hatchery supported and one delayed-harvest stream.

Entry is $500 per team - or $450 for teams who register before March 15. This fee includes the opening night reception, closing night dinner at Cyprus Restaurant and Friday happy hour, as well as a gift bag full of great swag and the opportunity to win fantastic prizes.

As always, every dollar raised from this tournament will benefit the Town of Highlands Scholarship Fund. Contact  hilary@highlandhiker.com to register your team today.

Three River Festival Charter Sponsors are Benjamin F. Edwards, & Co.;  The Highlander Highland Hiker;  Mountain Fresh Grocery;  Old Edwards Inn and Spa.

Get links for mountain lodging, restaurants and attractions on our Highlands NC Visitor Guide.

Brevard Music Center 80th Season Brochure Now Available

Download your copy (PDF) HERE

 

The Flat Rock Playhouse Presents James and the Giant Peach JR

Date:      March 11 - 20, 2016
NC City:  HENDERSONVILLE
Event:     James and the Giant Peach JR.  at The Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown. Based on the beloved book, Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach JR. is about a young boy who escapes his conniving aunts via a magical giant peach and discovers adventure, friendship, and the true nature of family along the way. Come take flight with this multimedia Studio 52 presentation. Seats from $10 - $18. 

Madison County Fiddlers This Weekend

March 12, 2016
Event:    Tribute to Madison County NC Fiddlers at the Madison County Arts Center, 90 S Main Street in Marshall NC. Madison County’s premiere event featuring Bobby Hicks, Arvil Freeman, Roger Howell  and The Sons of Ralph.  

Admission: $20 in advance, $25 at the door - 3 PM and 7:30 PM performances 

Get links for more March Events in the Mountains on our  

NC Events Calendar