What To Do This Weekend in the Mountains

Date:       October 16 - 17, 2015
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 the “Freaky Forest.” 

Date:      October 16 - 18, 2015
NC City:  BRYSON CITY 
Event:     Peanuts Pumpkin Patch Express   The PEANUTS gang return the the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Pumpkin Patch for this annual family fun favorite. The excursions, which are themed after Charles M. Schulz's classic story "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," will be departing from the Bryson City Depot and arriving at the Pumpkin Patch. Event activities include campfire marshmallows, a coloring station, temporary tattoos, trick or treating, bouncy house, hayrides and live musical entertainment. Two trips per day at 12 PM and 3:30 PM.

Date:       October 16 - 18, 2015
NC City:   ROBBINSVILLE
Event:     Annual Harvest Festival    Mountain traditions come alive at the annual Harvest Festival in beautiful Stecoah Valley at the Cultural Arts Center on the grounds of the historic Stecoah School. The former community school was built in 1926, and today is the home of the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center, an organization dedicated to preserving Southern Appalachian mountain culture. Tickets for the Saturday evening concert are on sale now  -  Admission-adults $25.00 Students k-12 $10.00.  Performing this year will be The Cleverlys. The Sunday afternoon concert is free.  

Date:       October 16 - 18, 2015
NC City:   FRANKLIN
Event:     Annual Leaf-Lookers Gemboree    An Annual Gem Show with dealers from all over the southeast. Rough and Cut Gems, minerals, fine jewelry, supplies, beads, door prizes, dealers, exhibits and demonstrations. Adults: $2; Under 12 Free. Watch for $1 off coupons in local newspapers. Sponsored by Franklin Chamber of Commerce and Gem & Mineral Society of Franklin

Date:      October 17, 2015
NC 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 vendors serving up a taste of the North Carolina mountains.  Local musicians and street entertainers add music to festivities, while restaurants and shops are open to serve the crowds throughout the day.  10 AM - 4 PM.

Date:      October 17, 2015
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

Date:      October 17, 2015
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 Production is proud to once again offer local artists the opportunity to connect with the public in Asheville‘s Pack Square Park. This is the last October show for 2015.

Date:      October 17, 2015
NC City:  VALLE CRUCIS
Event:     The Valle Country Fair   Enjoy an old fashioned County Fair at the peak of fall color leaf season. Activities include crafts, food, mountain music, 150 juried fine art and crafts booths, an activity area for kids, freshly pressed apple cider , Hot-out-of-the-kettle apple butter, Homemade jams & jellies, Brunswick stew, chili and barbecue. 

Date:      October 17 - 18, 2015
NC City:  MAGGIE VALLEY
Event:     Maggie Valley Fall Arts and Crafts Festival  Come and spend the weekend at this annual art and crafts event enjoying the panoramic view of the mountains in Maggie Valley.  A variety of fine handmade crafts created by artisans from throughout the Southeast including furniture, jewelry, knitting, pottery, quilted items, painted shirts, floral arrangements, leather work, scroll work, crochet, soaps and plenty of Food Vendors will be serving all your favorites. There will also be chainsaw demonstrations.

Date:      October 17 - 18, 2015
NC City:  BANNER ELK
Event:     Wooly Worm Festival   The 38th Annual Festival includes the infamous wolly worm "waces" along with live entertainment, arts and crafts, food vendors and amusement rides.  A family-oriented weekend and one of the most popular NC mountain annual events. Admission is $5.00 for Adults, $3.00 for Children 6-12, Free for 5 and under.

Date:      October 17 - 18, 2015
NC City:  BLOWING ROCK / LINVILLE
Event:     The Colors of Grandfather Mountain   A guided walk led by Grandfather Mountain's education staff takes guests out onto the trails of Grandfather to discuss fall color. Topics include the reasons trees change color and the different forces that affect fall color. The different species of trees around the trail will be identified. “The Colors of Grandfather” will visit various locations around Grandfather Mountain to showcase a spectacular contrast of stunning autumn hues. The programs begin at 1 PM each Saturday and Sunday and are included with regular admission. For more information about “The Colors of Grandfather,” call 800-468-7325  

Date:      October 17 - 18, 2015
NC City:  ASHEVILLE
Event:     North Carolina Chrysanthemum Society Annual Show    A popular annual judged show presents hundreds of chrysanthemum blooming in vibrant and varied colors. The exhibits will be judged by Accredited National Chrysanthemum judges and strict NCS standards  highlight the exceptional variety in size, shape and color of these popular fall flowers.

Date:      October 18, 2015
NC City:  CHIMNEY ROCK
Event:     Naturalist Niche: Simon Says Fall Birdwalk at Chimney Rock State Park   Now is the perfect time to start preparing for winter birding. Grab your binoculars and field guide to join world-traveled birding expert Simon Thompson for an early look at which of our feathered friends are staying around for winter. Limited to 15; advance registration required. Call 800-277-9611 to reserve your spot. 

          

NC Fall event: New River Festival in Todd

October 13   Annual Todd New River Festival   This FREE festival features multiple music performances, storytelling, bluegrass jams, puppet shows, athletic competitions and other recreational events for all to enjoy. More than 30 vendors offer a variety of arts and crafts.

Enjoy plenty of NC barbecue and great food. Admission is free. Parking and a shuttle ride to the festival are available for $5 at the field just off Railroad Grade Road from the Highway 194 entrance to Todd.

Todd is located in between Boone NC and West Jefferson NC.

An Appalachian Summer Begins in Boone

June 24 - July 28    An Appalachian Summer  A month-long arts festival featuring events in music, dance, theatre, visual arts and film on the campus of Appalachian State University. With award-winning artists from all across the world coming to the High Country in one summer, the festival has become an attraction that appeals to the masses and has been ranked one of the "Top 20 Events in the Southeast" by the Southeastern Tourism Society.

From fine art enthusiasts, to country and bluegrass fans and all those who like a good mixture of both, An Appalachian Summer Festival holds steady to their promise of bringing a diverse mix of world-class performances at an affordable price and in the picturesque setting of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Memorial Day Weekend Events: White Squirrel Festival in Brevard

May 26-28   White Squirrel Festival   Get ready to go nuts! The Festival is host to an opening “Memorial Day Parade.”  White Squirrel Photo Contest, white squirrel tours, and plenty of nutty fun for the entire family.  Events include 14 free, live concerts and the running of the popular Squirrel Box Derby.  This festival was voted  "Best Spring Music Festival in Western North Carolina" by the readers of the Asheville Citizen Times. 

Get a link for the White Squirrel Festival and local information on the BREVARD NC VISITOR GUIDE

9th Annual Monford Music and Arts Festival Today in Asheville

May 19      9th Annual Monford Music and Arts Festival  The largest one day free music and arts festival in WNC. The event is held on two streets- Montford and Soco- with over 100 vendors of art, crafts, plants and food.  Two stages offer non stop entertainment from 20 groups and a children’s area. Located down from Asheville Visitors Center in Historic Montford with on street parking and bike corral. Held rain or shine.