15th Annual Winterfest in Blowing Rock NC

January 23 - 26   15th Annual Winterfest   Join the Village of Blowing Rock to celebrate the fun side of winter at this annual family event. From the Wine Auction, ice carving and Live Bluegrass, to the Chili Cook-Off, Winter Paws Show, Fashion Show, Kids' Activities and the Polar Plunge in Chetola Lake, there's something for everyone.

New this year is the Chillin' with the King Bees Blues Concert and Cocoa and Canvas st The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum.

Get links for Blowing Rock NC cabins and rentals, events and local attractions on the Blowing Rock NC Visitor Guide.



 

Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival Starts Today in Blowing Rock

Holly Soukup 2012 winner

 April 11-15   Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival   Enjoy wine tastings, seminars, cooking classes, wine makers' dinner and much more. New this year is the Grillin' and Chillin' event. The Grand Tasting event is downtown and special guest this year is Teresa Guidice!

This year's events include:
April 11   Fire on the Rocks Chef's Challenge:  Experience the best culinary show you've ever tasted!  The Chef's Challenge is a battle between the area's best-known chefs. Diners judged the preliminary events and now at the finals too! Dine on 6 amazing courses at the finale. Finale dinner will be held at Crippen's Restaurant. Reservations are required. 828.295.3487.

April 12,  6 PM  Uncork The Festival:  A Taste of Ethiopia and South Africa, A Benefit for Wine to Water at Crestwood Resort and Spa.  Take a tour of Ethiopian and South African  with  sights and flavors, using the expertise of area businesses Climbing the Walls, Events by Elizabeth Ashley, The Gamekeeper, The Table at Crestwood and Wine to Water in a sublime collaboration of floral design, decor, food and wine. The atmosphere of Crestwood will be transformed  with the colors, tastes and aromas of these culturally distinct regions. Palates will come alive with the rich and bold flavors of an array of tapas-style food and complimentary tastings of 6 different wines, and senses will be heightened as guests journey through these two countries without leaving the High Country. Guests will be greeted with a complimentary Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival souvenir wine glass. Music by Scott Smith will complete the evening's festivities.

April 12-13  Wine Seminars and Cooking Classes:  An easy, laid-back atmosphere make these festival favorites. Ttwo days of seminars and classes this year offer you  more options and times. Held across town in several different locations, a class is always close by. Topics include Wine and Chocolate, Wine and Cheese, Wine and food/Spices, Hidden Treasures/ Best Values, Pasta and Wine, Cooking to chocolate and more.

April12-14   Wine Makers' and Vintner's Dinners:  Area restaurants team up with  wineries to create Vintners' Dinners.  Prix Fixe menus will showcase the best pairings the chef and vintner have to offer.  Nine restaurants participate.

April 13   Grillin' and Chillin': New this year, The Blue Ridge Mountain Club offers a true taste of North Carolina. North Carolina is famous for its barbeque, and here  you can get it in the most authentic way.  A whole hog pig pickin', barbequed chicken and all the fixins, including banana pudding.  And to go with this fabulous meal, enjoy a selection of North Carolina wines, North Carolina craft-made beers and music by some of the area's best artists. Your ticket price will include tastings of the North Carolina wines and craft beers. Full glasses and bottles of wine will be available for purchase from the vendors.

April 14, 2-6 PM - The Grand Tasting:    The Grand Tasting is the centerpiece of the Blue Ridge Wine & Food Festival. Located in the heart of Downtown Blowing Rock under the main tent.  The tasting showcases an assortment of wines from North Carolina wineries as well as from vineyards around the globe. Find new favorites among international, domestic and NC vintages.  

April 14, 7 PM  VIP Charity Wine Gala:  The Gala celebrates the Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival in style. Area wine lovers, foodies and dignitaries alike will gather at the elegant Broyhill Furniture Showroom for an entertainment-packed evening including a performance by the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival and music by Old Gold Jazz Trio of the Wake Forest University School of Music.

Additional Festival Events include: Bartenders' Brawl, Barrels of Fun, Flights and Bites, Cork and Canvas at the BRAHM, Coffee Cupping Sessions, Sunday Champagne Brunches and a variety of Musical performances.

Get a link for the Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival and other Blowing Rock Information HERE.

Fire on the Rock Semi-finals this week in Blowing Rock

March  20    Fire on the Rock    Semi-final -   Glidewell's   VS   Green Park Inn.  Chefs from local restaurants will battle head-to-head in exciting single elimination battles every Tuesday and Wednesday at Crippen's Restaurant. You, the diner, judge a six course "blind" menu created around a secret ingredient. Prepaid reservations are required.  March 21 -  Vidalia  VS  Bistro Roca

Get a link and more events on the Blowing Rock Visitor Guide

Fire on the Rock Chef's Competition in Blowing Rock

February 28    Fire on the Rock in Blowing Rock NC - Chefs from local restaurants will battle head-to-head in exciting single elimination battles every Tuesday and Wednesday at Crippen's Restaurant. You, the diner, judge a six course "blind" menu created around a secret ingredient. Prepaid reservations are required.

"Grill or be Grilled" is the slogan in this annual diner-judged food competition that began in 2005 during the inaugural year of the Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival in Blowing Rock, North Carolina with just six chefs. This year's competition includes sixteen chefs who vie for the grand prize of $2500 and the coveted "Red Chef Jacket".

The competition is waged in brackets, with winners meeting winners every Tuesday and Wednesday until the grand final on April 11. Weekly winners as well as voting statistics are posted online. The event has become exceptionally popular and advanced reservation are recommended. Get a link for Fire on the Rock and other Blowing Rock events and information HERE.

Valentines Specials at Westglow Resort and Spa

Experience the romance of Westglow as you rekindle your love for Valentine's Day. Named "best for Romance and #1 Romantic Restaurant in Western NC by Open Table, this luxury boutique resort is the perfect setting for love and romance.

Come for your romantic dinner or indulge in a Valentine's all-inclusive romance package. Choose from:

*Romantic Valentine's Dinner for 2

*Overnight all-inclusive romance package for 2

*15% off mid-week day luxury spa packages

*An instant gift Card for your Sweetie

Westglow Resort and Spa offers guest rooms including the use of all luxury spa resort amenities and a complimentary breakfast. The all-inclusive spa vacation packages include accommodations, 3 gourmet meals daily, access to all health spa amenities including the fitness center and fitness classes, and morning nature hikes with breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Westglow Resort & Spa is a top-rated luxury destination spa where personal service is an honored tradition. Our elegant Greek Revival mansion, once the home of renowned artist and author Elliott Daingerfield, is a perfect place to find renewal of the mind, body, and soul.

Get lowest current rates and make reservations HERE

14th Annual WinterFest in Blowing Rock

January 26-29  -  Winterfest. Join the Village of Blowing Rock NC to celebrate the fun side of winter at the 14th Annual Winterfest. From the Wine Auction, ice carving and Live Bluegrass, to the Chili Cook-Off, Kids' Activities and the Polar Plunge in Chetola Lake, there's something for everyone.

January 27  -  Winterfest Family Night. is held in conjunction with Blowing Rock’s annual Winterfest, and will highlight several unique and fun events including: Late night skiing 5pm – Midnight; Special Late Night Ice Skating 10pm-Midnight; Roasting Smore’s; Snow play zone; The Sanctuary Massage Stations 5-8pm; Special Learn to Ski/Snowboard package deal; 50th Celebration Golden Scavenger Hunt Part 3 (Items 21-30).

Get a link for WinterFest and other Blowing Rock NC events HERE