Friday, June 17, 2016

Fathers Day Weekend Events in the Mountains

photo courtesy of www.stayandplayinthesmokies.com
June 16 - 19, 2016
NC City:  FRANKLIN
Event:     Scottish Heritage Festival  
Always held on Father's Day Weekend, this favorite event features Scottish Fun, Food, Fashion, Music, Dancers, Games, Clans, Border Collie Demonstrations, Crafters, Continuous Entertainment and Culture for the whole family. The event kicks off with a golf tournament.

June 18, 2016
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 Wilkesboro Open Air Market the Friday before. Tours start at 8 PM 


June 18, 2016
NC City: 
DILLSBORO
Event:     Front Street Arts and Crafts Show   Enjoy over 40 booths  displaying the hand-made craftsmanship of some of the best artists from around the region, along with live family entertainment and festival food. There will also be a silent auction to benefit the Lighthouse Baptist Church Missionary Fund.


June 18, 2016
NC City:  BRYSON CITY
Event:     Fontana Trestle Train Ft. BBQ & Brews  
The Barbeque and Brews Dinner Trains feature locally hand-crafted beer from Hoppy Trout Brewing Company, The Sneak E Squirrel and Nantahala Brewing Company plus slow-cooked authentic North Carolina Barbeque. The train departs Bryson City Depot at 7 PM and travels through the scenic mountain countryside to the Fontana Trestle for a spectacular sunset. The base ticket prices from $70 (adults over 21 only) and includes a souvenir tasting glass with three beer samples and a meal of pulled pork, homemade coleslaw and apple pie. Additional beer will be available for purchase.  


June 18, 2016
NC City:  OLD FORT
Event:    Classic Car Cruise-in  
Held the 3rd Saturday of every month. Bring your car, truck or motorcycle. Downtown Old Fort, 3-5 PM. A  free Sponsored by Route 70 Cruisers. 


June 18, 2016
NC City:  LITTLE SWITZERLAND

Event:     Black Light nighttime Mine Underground Tour   Black Light is the common name for ultraviolet light because it is invisible to human sight. Be amazed by the bright colors in the Bon Ami Mine revealed with short-wave ultraviolet lights. Bon Ami Mine is one of the few places in the world where you can visit an underground mine at night and see brightly flowing fluorescent Hyalite Opal and other rare minerals. No reservations needed. Admission: $15/adults; $10/students and seniors.


June 18 - 19, 2016
NC City:   CHIMNEY ROCK
Event:      Father's Day Weekend Admission Special at Chimney Rock State Park
Buy one regularly-priced adult admission and Dad or Grampa receives one free,  Forget the tie! Give dad what he really wants: a getaway to the mountains at Chimney Rock for incredible views and scenic hiking with the family. Buy one regularly-priced adult admission and dad's or granddad's admission is free with the online coupon.  Coupon must be presented (in print or on your mobile device) to the Ticket Plaza at the time of purchase. Valid June 18-19, 2016 only. 




June 18 - 19, 2016
NC City:  MAGGIE VALLEY 
Event:     PlottFest   
An annual festival celebrating the NC State Dog and offering the best in mountain music, American Plott Association and National Plott Association sanctioned Bench Dog Shows, and the Smoky Mountain Trout Festival. All profits from the Festival will Benefit Head Start of Haywood and Jackson Counties.  One of the highlights of the event is a mountain music festival celebrating WNC's heritage. Some of the most popular local and regional musicians perform for a great weekend of entertainment.


June 18 - 19, 2016
NC City:  HIGHLANDS   
Event:     Village Square Art and Craft Show  
Sponsored by the Macon County Art Association, there are many works of art from which to choose. You will also find jewelry, pottery, weaving, metalwork, woodwork and other high quality crafts for the home and garden. 70+ local and regional art vendors. The show is held in downtown Highlands at Kelsey-Hutchinson Park and neighboring Village Square, a block from Main Street.


June 19, 2016
NC City:  Ronda

Event:     Father's Day Brunch   Celebrate Dad with a brunch at Raffaldini Vineyards. Enjoy an open buffet overlooking the mountains. The Raffaldini Vineyards Vintage ’51 Dodge Truck will be on display. Bring your camera for a one-a-kind photograph opportunity. $50 plus tax per person. $35 + tax excluding wine service




Thursday, June 9, 2016

Mountain Spirits: Beer and Wine Tastings and Events for the week of 6-9-16

Heinzelmannchen Brewery, 545 Mill Street in Sylva NC - WUNDERBAR WEDNESDAYS - Every Wednesday they offer Traditional Growler fills in our Gnomler (1/2 gallon) or German Growlers for only $10 (Save $2 per fill) – it's Wunderbar!


June 9, 2016 at Brusin' Ales, 66 Broadway Street in downtown Asheville NC    No special events this week.


June 10, 2016 from 5:30 - 8 PM at Maggie B's Wine and Specialty Store, 10 C South Main Street in Weaverville NC:   German Wine TastingIt's not just sweet Rieslings and reds coming out of Germany.  This week we will be tasting some of the other beautiful wines that might just surprise you.  We will be pouring a sparkling Rose, a dry Riesling, and two perfect summertime red wines.


The Deal of the Week:   Maggie B's famous Jalapeno Pimento Cheese
WAS: $11.99/lb.   THIS WEEK: $8.99/lb.



June 10 - 16, 2016 at various times - Asheville Brewing Company, 675 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville NC: The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Come enjoy Asheville's Favorite Dine-In Theater.  All tickets are just 3 bucks for all shows. The theater section is equipped with all the fancy digital sound and picture quality you've come to expect from the full price theaters...even 3d! As you can imagine, tickets go quickly. Please come early for tickets (you can even buy them one day in advance). You can come yourself, send your favorite uncle Buck, or your dear old grandma, but tickets must be purchased in person. If you are planning a group of more than 2 people, we suggest arriving at least 30 minutes before movie time to ensure you can find seats together.  Monday pizza special and Thursdays $10 growlers.


June 10, 2016 from 5 - 7 PM at Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd. Ste 100 in West Asheville NC:  FREE Beer Tasting - Stone Brewing Company. enjoy the new Stone  series being acclaimed as one of the best IPA's in the world. There will also be tasting of some one off beers from Stone including "Your Father Smelt of Elderberries" from the Stochasticity project and the "Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout" from the 20th Anniversary Encore Series
 
June 11, 2016 from 3 - 6 PM:  FREE Wine Tasting - Santa Luz 'ALBA' wines from Chile.
Come check out the Santa Luz line up of wines including their Cabernet, Sauvignon Blanc and Carmenere



June 11, 2016 from 3 - 7 PM at Appalachian Vintner, 
745 Biltmore Avenue Suite 121 in Asheville NC -   FREE WINE TASTING with a purchase of $10 (per person) or more every Saturday. The patio is now ready to roll! Beat the crowds on the slope, grab a drink (draft or wine) at the bar and hit the relax button in one of the comfy chairs. Every Sunday and Monday is $1 off full pours of draft beer DAY. Choose from 20 taps pouring the best craft beer available.

Wine Wednesday - $1 off wine by the glass and no corkage on bottles over $20.


June 11, 2016  at  Shelton Vineyards
, 286 Cabernet Lane in Dobson NC:  No special events scheduled. Regular tour and hours in effect.

 




June 10, 2016 at Old North State Winery, 308 N Main St in Mount Airy NC - George Smith performs 8 PM - 11 PM.   June 11 - The Epiphany Company performs 8 PM - 11 PM. 




June 10, 2016  7 PM at  Classic Wine Cellar, 20 Church Street, Waynesville NC - Bob Zullo performs. Bob's repertoire includes many Jazz standards as well as pop standards from James Taylor and the Beatles, to Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana.  
 
June 11, 2016 at 7 PM - Joe Cruz with piano and vocals performing music of the Beatles, Elton John, James Taylor, Simon and Garfunkel.
 
WOW: Wine on Wednesdays - Every Wednesday enjoy FREE tasting with DINNER purchase. The kitchen is open from 5-8pm. Reservations accepted by calling 828-452-6000.
 

June 10, 2016 from 4 - 7 PM at Table Wine,
1550 Hendersonville Road, Suite 102, Asheville NC- A free wine tasting featuring a delicious batch of Spanish wines from importer Jorge Ordonez.  2014 Avancia Godello “CuvĂ©e de O” (Valdeorras, Spain) – How can you not like a wine made by a guy named Nacho?!  All jokes aside, Nacho Alvarez crafts exquisite white wines based on Godello, one of Spain’s most important indigenous white grapes; 2013 Tarima Hill Monastrell “Old Vines”  (Jumilla, Spain) – This perennial extreme value is in top form for this vintage.   old-vine Monastrell (aka Mourvedre) from a vineyard planted in 1935, the wine saw 20 months aging in new and used French oak;  2014 Bodegas Ordonez Triton Tinta de Toro (Toro, Spain) – Jorge Ordonez was one of the founding partners of Numanthia, the highly rated red that put the Toro region on the map.  When the Eguren family decided to sell Numanthia, they cut Jorge out of the deal;  2013 Bodegas Ordonez Vatan (Toro, Spain) – This is the “big brother” to Ordonez’s Triton and it easily equals or surpasses the quality found in some of Numanthia’s top wines while selling for half the price.  All of the featured tasting wines are on sale the day of the tasting: take 10% off if you mix any 3, 15% off if you mix any 6, or 20% off if you mix any 12.

June 11, 2016
from 2 PM - 5 PM: Try Three For Free Wine Tasting showcasing some super Spanish wines from De Maison Selections.  2015 Xarmant Txakolina (Basque Region, Spain) – Andre was the importer responsible for introducing Americans to the wonderful wines of Txakolina, in the far northern Basque region of Spain. Xarmant (French for charming) is a great introduction to the style of white wine that is prevalent in the area;  2014 Garciarevalo “Casamaro” Blanco  (Rueda, Spain) – Rueda is one of Spain’s top white wine zones, and Verdejo is the specialty of the region.  This family domaine was established in 1991, and their combined vineyard holdings include some Verdejo vines that are over 130 years of age;  2014 Joan d’Anguera Montsant “Altaroses” (Catalonia, Spain) – Joan d’Anguera was one of De Maison’s first wineries and today, their wines are better than ever.  Brothers Joan and Josep d’Anguera run the estate today, and their Altaroses is 100% Garnatxa from certified biodynamic and organic vineyards;   2009 Remelluri Rioja Reserva (Rioja, Spain) – Remelluri is the stuff of legends and one of the crown jewels of Andre’s portfolio.

June 10, 2016 from  4 - 6 PM at  LaBouteille,
10 N Trade St, Suite A Tyon NC - Complimentary Wine Tastings  every Friday.   Saturday , 12 -7 pm complimentary informal  beer tasting. Enjoy a fresh supply of BottleTree Blonde batch #10 and BottleTree Imperial Red Ale batch #2, 3rd Place People's Choice Award at the Savannah Craft Brew Fest 2012 (7.5% alc/vol, 85 IBU of hops).




June 10, 2016 from 6 PM - 8 PM at Brushy Mountain Winery, 125 West Main Street in Elkin NC - Live Performance by Martin Moore and Drew Petrey.
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June 11, 2016 - The Wasnots perform live from 6 to 8 PM. 
 
Tasting Rooms:

Biltmore Winery, located on the Biltmore Estate, Asheville NC. Daily tasting and tours with Estate admission. Special events and tastings throughout the year.

Old North State Winery, 308 North Main Street, Mount Airy NC. Tasting room open seven days a week.
Reservations are recommended for tastings and tours.  Sample wines and browse the gift shop featuring wine related and gourmet gift items. Thursdays live music at 8 PM. 

RagApple Lassie, 3724 Ragapple Lassie Lane Boonville NC.  Tours are "on demand" noon to six PM daily.
Tastings are available noon to six PM daily and include up to 11 varieties of wine.

Calaboose Cellars, 565 Aquone Road, Andrews NC.  Tasting room summer hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from Noon to 8:00. 

Carolina Heritage Vineyard and Winery,  170 Heritage Vines Way in Elkin NC - Open to the public for Tours and Tastings on Saturdays and Sundays
from 1 PM to 6 PM and at other times by appointment – call (336) 366-3301 to schedule a time.

Elkin Creek Winery, 318 Elkin Creek Mill Road in Elkin NC,  Open for tastings Thursday through Sunday,
11 AM - 5 PM and other times by appointment. 


Grassy Creek Vineyard and Winery, Tasting Room Drive off of Klondike Road, 235 Chatham Cottage Circle, State Road, NC -  Tasting Room open Wednesday through Saturday
11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sundays open 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. June through September: Saturdays open 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

McRitchie Winery and Ciderworks,   315 Thurmond PO Road in Thurmond NC - Tasting Room Hours:
Wednesday - Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM, Sunday 1 PM to 5 PM.


Round Peak Vineyard,   765 Round Peak Church Road in Mount Airy NC - Tasting Room Open Daily: Sun–Thurs 12 pm–5 pm;  Fri 12 pm–8 pm;  Sat 11 am–6 pm (and until Sunset Jun–Aug); By appt. other times. The Tasting Room is also a cozy place to host your private event. With space for 20-40 people depending on seating, and the ability to cater any type of food or appetizers desired, we can create the atmosphere you'd like. Available any time except the normal business hours that the Tasting Room is open.
 
Shelton Vineyards, 286 Cabernet Lane in Dobson NC. Regular tour and tasting is offered daily departing every half hour.
This includes a guided tour of the 33,000 square-foot winery with an overview of the winemaking process, a tasting of five wines, and a souvenir wine glass. $5 per person.  Retail hours are Monday-Saturday 10 AN.-6 PM., and Sunday 12 PM - 6 PM (Daylight Savings Time); Monday-Saturday 10 AM-5 PM and Sunday 12 PM-5 PM (Standard Time). Tours and tastings are offered daily. The winery is open every day of the year except New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. A variety of additional special tours are available - reservations are required, see the website for details.

South Creek Vineyard and Winery, 2240 South Creek Road, Nebo, NC  Open Wednesdays through Saturdays
from 11 AM to 5 PM, Sundays from 1 PM to 5 PM through the year until January 1st. Tastings include the glass & are $6, $7 or $10 depending on the wines you choose. Music events are rain or shine and provided to South Creek Customers at no admission fee, unless it is a stated ticketed event.


Wedge Brewing Company, 125 B Roberts St. in the River Arts District, Asheville NC. Micro-brewery regular Hours:
Monday to Thursday 4:00 PM till 10:00 PM, Friday 3:00 PM till 10:00 PM. Live music on select dates and outdoor cinema. 

Greenman Brewery, 23 Buxton Ave., Asheville NC. The tasting room is open seven days a week
at 4 o'clock, or maybe earlier.

Slightly Askew Winery, 913 North Bridge Street in  Elkin NC - Hours of operation: Thursday - Friday 1 PM - 6 PM; Saturday 12 PM - 6 PM; Sunday 1 PM - 5 PM

Stoney Knoll Vineyards, 1143 Stony Knoll Road in Dobson NC -  Tasting Room Hours:
Regular hours March through December - Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Winter hours in January and February - Fridays 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM and Saturdays 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Wine tasting: $7.00, Wine by the glass: $5.00. 10% Case Discount on Regular Prices (includes free wine tasting and glass)




Other Wineries and Vineyards:
Olde Mill Winery and Vineyards,  2742 Simpson Mill Road in Mount Airy NC

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

National Get Outdoors Day at Chimney Rock State Park

June 11, 2016 - National Get Outdoors Day    Bring your family and friends for a day of outdoor-themed activities, which could include live animals and programs on how to enjoy the great outdoors responsibly. Daytime activities and times will vary so check the website for last minute details. Continue the fun and bring a picnic to enjoy a special viewing of The Last of the Mohicans that evening. 


5th Annual Movie on the Meadows    The gate opens at 7:30 PM and the movie begins at 9 PM.  Watch The Last of the Mohicans on a giant outdoor movie screen surrounded by the beauty of the mountains and under a canopy of stars. Don’t forget to pack a blanket or camping chair and a flashlight. This event is presented by Ingles Markets and Mast General Store.   

Get complete local information on our Chimney Rock NC Visitor Guide.

 

Friday, June 3, 2016

This Weekend Full of Arts and Crafts Festivals and Live Mountain Music Concerts

You know its summertime in the NC mountains when the streets and parks are busy with craft festivals and art markets and the sounds of both old time mountain music and new, up and coming local musicians performing with a backdrop of the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. Check out this weekend' events:

Art and Crafts Festivals and Events:

Date:      June 2 - 4, 2016
NC City:  CHEROKEE

Event:     14th Annual Gourd Artist Gathering    The event features exquisitely crafted gourd art. This year’s Cherokee Gourd Artists Gathering brings together collectors and exhibiting artists for a weekend of live demonstrations, classes, competitions and a spectacular art market offering stunning works of gourd art, materials, tools and supplies. Come see how an inexpensive, traditionally utilitarian component of the Cherokee household is transformed into a piece of artwork. Admission is free. 

Date:      June 3, 2016
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 any participating downtown gallery, the Chamber of Commerce, or Pack Place.

Date:      June 3 - 4, 2016
NC City:  LITTLE SWITZERLAND

Event:     Artisan League of Little Switzerland Arts and Crafts Market    Unique handcrafted gifts, including woodwork, pottery, paintings, fiber arts, journals, jewelry, photography, literary works, prints, cards and aromatherapy. View or purchase the work of both emerging artists and award-winning professionals. 10 AM - 4 PM at Geneva Hall.

Date:      June 3 - 5, 2016
NC City:  SPRUCE PINE
Events:   Toe River Studio Tour  
Grab the tour map and hit the road to visit artists in Mitchell and Yancey counties.  This year’s first tour includes over 100 artists and 10 galleries, Artists open their studios twice a year for the Toe River Studio tours. Enjoy meeting the artists in the premier craft destination in WNC. 


Date:      June 4, 2016
NC City:  OLD FORT

Event:     NC Gold Festival   This annual event, features gold exhibits, gold mining techniques and demonstrations, treasure and scavenger hunts, geo-caching, gold panning, numerous vendors including arts and crafts, raffles, Friday night kicks off the festival.


Date:       June 3-5, 2016
NC City:   WEST JEFFERSON
Event:     Ashe County Studio Tour   
Tour the best Ashe County artists working in their own studios. This is a self-guided tour and maps and artist's biographies are available online. The event is sponsored by the Ashe County Arts Council. 

  

Live Music and Concerts: 

Date:      June 3, 2016 
NC City:  WEST JEFFERSON  
Event:     Backstreet Park Summer Concert Series
  Come enjoy the kickoff of this FREE summer concert series held  from May/June - August, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM, every 3rd and 4th Friday. Bring your chair, blanket or picnic and enjoy the sounds of traditional, old time, and bluegrass music for ages.  Rain locations: the Farmer's Market or the Ashe Arts Center. This concert features Wayne Henderson and Helen White. Wayne Henderson is a renowned finger-pickin' Appalachian guitar player and Helen White is an award-winning singer and multi-instrumentalist.


 Date:      June 3, 2016
NC City:  CASHIERS 
Event:     Groovin' On The Green  
This concert features " Joe Lasher Jr." (Rock & New Southern Country artist ).  Live summer music concert with great music in a stunning venue in the beautiful weather. The summer concert series is held on Friday at 6:30 pm at the Village Commons. (Frank Allen Road – Next to the Post Office). FREE event, but tips appreciated.  

Date:      June 3, 2016
NC City:  SYLVA 
Events:   Concerts on the Creek - Bobby Sullivan Trio  
Live concerts held every Friday night between Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day. The free outdoor performances take place at the Bridge Park Pavilion beside Scott Creek in downtown Sylva on Fridays from 7:30-9:30 PM. All shows are family-friendly, drawing diverse audiences comprised of locals and visitors alike.   


photo courtesy of the Blue Ridge Music Center
Date:      June 4, 2016 
NC City:  Just north of Boone in Galax VA
Event:     Blue Ridge Music Center Concert    This concert features "Big" Ron Hunter & the Martha Bassett Band  
  The Blue Ridge Music Center Summer Concert Series is performed rain or shine. You are welcome to bring your own picnic basket (NO ALCOHOL please) and encouraged to bring a lawn chair. Phone ticket sales through BRPF Office end at Noon on Friday and are available online up to 12 hours before the concert. The Galax Smokehouse serves BBQ, sides and drinks at each concert. Check the website for details about the performers and concerts


Date:       June 6, 2015
NC City:   HENDERSONVILLE
Event:      Monday Night Live concert series featuring The Low-Down Sires 
These summer concerts are held at the Hendersonville Visitors Center. Bring a lawn chair, but no pets or alcohol. The seating area opens after 5:30pm and the concerts are from 7 PM - 9 PM.  

 Find more weekend events and festivals on our 

 

Thursday, June 2, 2016

June is Family Fun Month at Beech Mountain NC

June 1 - 30, 2016     Family Fun Month at Beech Mountain NCThis month is designed to bring together kids, parents and grandparents with 30 days of organized family activities and lodging specials. 

photos courtesy Beech Mountain Visitors Center
The fun includes: 
  • guided hikes
  • movies under the stars
  • tours of the old Land of Oz theme park
  • scenic chairlift rides
  • parent-child pickleball outings
  • day trips to nearby Grandfather Mountain
  • access to the pool and amenities at Beech Mountain Club
  • mountain biking lessons
  • concerts on the lawn
  • and more...

Many of the activities are free, while others have special rates. There's even the opportunity to buy discount tickets to area attractions. Get a daily schedule of events on the website.



Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Grandfather Mountain Annual Remarkable Rhododendron Ramble

June 1 - 12, 2016   Remarkable Rhododendron Ramble at Grandfather Mountain   Enjoy this special
photo courtesy of www.exploreboone.com
program designed to help visitors get the most out of the memorable sight of Catawba rhododendron blooming up the mountain's slopes in early summer.

Staff naturalists offer programs and guided walks daily at 1 PM. All events are included in the price of admission

Grandfather Mountain  is the highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountain range at an elevation of 5,964 feet. Grandfather Mountain inspires awe through an abundance of natural wonders. Today it is  designated by the United Nations as an International Biosphere Reserve and protected forever by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, there is nowhere else on Earth that you can enjoy such a variety of mountain life in one amazing place.

Grandfather Mountain is located off Highway between Blowing Rock NC and Linville NC