Memorial Day Weekend Event: Trout Fishing Tournament in Cherokee

May 23 - 25   Cherokee's Memorial Holiday Trout Fishing Tournament   This fishing event is a tagged fish tournament with a total purse of $10,000. A tagged fish can be redeemed for its corresponding prize value by turning in the tag to the prize distribution booth located at the Artists Row on Aquoni Road across from the Kentucky Fried Chicken. 

All persons fishing during the tournament must possess and have on their person while engaged in fishing both an event permit and a valid Tribal fishing permit. An enrolled member’s enrollment card shall serve as his/her fishing permit.

Memorial Day Weekend at NOC

Head for the hills this Memorial Day Weekend and the Nantahala Outfoor Center to kick off the summer season with a real SPLASH!  Enjoy the excitement of a whitewater adventure on on rapids from class II to V. A variety of trips and locations are offered including two different trips on the pristine French Broad river complete with a picnic lunch.

If you're looking for a multi-adventure package, try the "Ropes and Rafts" combining a fast run down the gorgeous Nantahala River, a riverside lunch and the 40 foot high Zip Line Adventure Park. The day ends with a race down the dual 550' Wesser Zips.

Experienced rafters love the challenges of Section IV of the Chattooga River including the Seven-Foot Falls, Raven’s Chute Rapid and the famous Five Falls, where five Class IV-V rapids unfold in only a 1/3 of a river mile.

Get a list of more NOC whitewater Memorial Day adventures HERE.

In addition to whitewater fun NOC offers paddling, hiking a section of the Apalachian Trail, mountain biking,  riverside dining, train rides, a shop for all your adventure gear and more.

Special Memorial Day Weekend activities:

May 24, 4:30 PM:  Merrell Adventure Dash, open to all ages. Navigate a series of obstacles and choose form a 5K Dash or 1 K Fun Rum along the river. $20 entry fee. Register online or at the event.

May 23,24 at 6PM: Live Concert Series featuring Paul Constantine on Friday and Blue and the Barn Cats on Saturday. NOC's concert Series continues all summer and is held at at Big Wesser BBQ + Brew, an open-air venue west of Asheville.

May 24: Big Wesser BBQ + Brew   Memorial Beer Tasting with Railhouse Brewery.

May 24-25:   NRC Family Whitewater Weekend  For ages 8 and up. A variety of events and competitions are included, register online and get complete details.

Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)  offers white water river rafting trips, kayak and canoe instruction and mountain biking. NOC is a a complete outdoor destination with  restaurants and a pub, a fully-stocked Outfitter's Store, the Wesser General Store and Fly Shop and the Nantahala Welcome Center.The Nantahala River  location is  13077 Hwy. 19 W in Bryson City, NC.

NC Memorial Day Weekend Event: Maggie Valley Spring Rally

May 23-25   Maggie Valley Spring Rally   A Rain or Shine Event with Custom Bikes, Rat Rods, Rat Bikes and Live Music. Enjoy the weekend's events including concerts, bike games, the bike show and trike show, light show, on site hot air balloon rides, used bike corral, mechanical bull, tours and a variety of vendors. Purchase event T-shirts and enjoy a Special Guest and more.

This event is held at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds in the heart of downtown Maggie Valley NC.  

Annual Bluegrass Festival at The Stecoah Valley Center

May 17 - RAIN OR SHINE: Stecoah's Annual Bluegrass Festival.  Enjoy bluegrass music ALL DAY LONG outside, or inside if the weather turns bad. You'' also find arts, crafts and food vendors.  Artists performing include Tori and Katie Jones, Grandpa's Mountain Music, the Leftovers, Valley River Trio, and the Stecoah JAM kids.

The Schoolhouse Cafe will be open all day. 

Don't miss the Special Talent Competition, Heritage Alive Mountain Youth Talent Contest sponsored by 4-H and Catch the Spirit of Appalachia from 1 PM to 3 PM on the outdoor stage. 

Admission is $3 for adults and students (K-12) are free. Enjoy a full day of mountain music, great food and fun.  

The Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center is located at 121 Schoolhouse Road in Robbinsville NC

Saluda Arts Festival and Annual Favorite Mountain Event

May 17     Saluda Arts Festival   This year's annual festival will include almost 90 artists and craftspeople, lively and award winning music, the children's art tent, several art and craft demonstrators and delicious food from our local restaurants.

The festival also pays tribute this year to the late artist Johnny Waddill with a special exhibit displaying his work during the festival at the Saluda Center, 64 Greenville St., Saluda, NC.

Get links for visitor information on the Saluda NC Guide. 

Flat Rock Theatre Music on the Rock Series Presents Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

May 15 - 18    Music on the Rock Series: Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young   Enjoy a celebration of one of the greatest folk rock supergroups ever assembled when Music on the Rock continues with The Music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Experience the intricate vocal harmonies of classic songs like “Teach Your Children” and “Southern Cross”.

The performance is live at The Playhouse Downtown, 125 South Main Street in Hendersonville NC. 

Last Chance to Participate in the Grandfather Mountain Attraction Sustainability Survey

Attraction Sustainability Survey, a project of the Center for Sustainability at East Carolina University in partnership with Grandfather Mountain.

If you have not yet completed the brief survey, there is still time. As a reminder, one respondent will be selected to receive four complimentary admission tickets to Grandfather Mountain.

This survey is being conducted to learn about how visitors select attractions to visit and if being a green attraction plays a role in that choice. The survey can be accessed at the link provided below.

Please give a few minutes of your time to share your opinions. Your opinions will provide Grandfather Mountain with valuable information to help in sustaining this incredible NC Park.

CLICK HERE to take the survey 

Letterland comes to Tweetsie Railroad

May 13 - 14, 2014    Letterland at Tweetsie Railroad   For 2 more  days, the park will be transformed into the world of Letterland, the popular United Kingdom-based reading system that teaches young children the alphabet and phonics skills by bringing the letters to life.

The event will feature characters from Letterland ABC, the United Kingdoms best-selling alphabet book. Visitors will be greeted by Quarrelsome Queen and will have the opportunity to ride on Talking Tess Train, Golden Girls Go-carts and more. 

Admission: Special Letterland rates by reservation (advanced): $19 for age 3-12, $31 age 13+

Get complete local visitor information on the Blowing Rock NC Guide. 

French Broad River Festival this weekend in Hot Springs

May 2 - 4, 2014   17th Annual French Broad River Festival   The Festival is a benefit for American Whitewater, Homeward Bound, and Hot Springs Community Learning Center.

Located just 35 minutes north of Asheville at Hot Springs Campground and Spa, this family-friendly weekend includes great live music from regional and national recording artists. Enjoy shopping for new outdoor gear at the Live Auction or with one of the many art and craft vendors.

Try participating in the "Paddle with the Pros", the 9th Annual FBRF Mountain Bike Race, or the 17th Annual French Broad River Raft Race. The River Festival is an entire weekend of fun, family, art, music and adventure.

Get links for local lodging and rentals, attractions and restaurants on the Hot Springs NC Visitor Guide.