Memorial Day Weekend Event: Miner's Heritage Day

May 26    Miner's Heritage Day  The event features a treasure hunt, hikes, live music and mine tours. Kids tour the mines free of charge. Free treasure hunt featuring minerals and crystals as prizes. Black Light Mine Tour in the Bon Ami Mine at 9 PM. Admission for that tour: $15/adults; $10/seniors and children, free.

The event is hosted by Emerald Village located at 387 McKinney Mine Road in Little Switzerland NC. Get a link for Miner's Heritage Day and other local information on the Little Switzerland Visitor Guide.

NC Fall Leaf Event: 22nd Annual Leaf Looker's Gemboree

October 14 - 16    22nd Annual Leaf Looker's Gemboree   Franklin is considered the Gem Capital of the World. This gem show offers fine jewelry, rough & cut gemstones, minerals, fossils and more. Fri & Sat 10am-6pm, Sun noon - 5pm at the Macon County Community Building.

You'll find color in the leaves as well as all shades of sparkling color in the gems.  The Leaf Lookers Gemboree will feature a wide variety of items including fine finished jewelry, rough and cut gems, lapidary equipment, beads, minerals, fossils and collectibles.  Dealers will also be available to custom make that special piece of jewelry you’ve always dreamed of or for the upcoming holiday season.

Every paid admission will be given an entry to the door prizes drawn hourly.  New this year, a grand prize drawing on Sunday at 3:30 pm for a 14k White Gold vintage 1950’s 1ct Natural Pink Sapphire with .20 ct Diamond.

Admission price is only $2 for adults with those under the age of 12 admitted free. Watch for $1 off coupon in local papers.  Hours for the 22ndAnnual Leaf Lookers Gemboree are from 10:00am to 6:00pm Friday and Saturday, 11am to 4:00pm on Sunday.

Find a link for the Annual Leaf Lookers' Gemboree and information about Franklin NC lodging and visitor information HERE

There's Gold in them thar hills at the Annual NC Gold Fest!

June 3 - 4 head for McDowell County and the Annual NC Gold Festival hosted by Old Fort NC.  The festival features gold exhibits, gold mining techniques and demonstrations. Go on treasure and scavenger hunts, geo-caching or gold panning. The event includes a variety of  vendors including arts and crafts, food and raffles.

Enjoy live music both nights. Friday night Gold Tales and gospel concert at begins at 6:00 PM and includes performances by  Purpose, The Blairs and Glory Land Way Quartet as well as local bands. Saturday night The Cant Hardly Play Boys and Nashville recording artist Juleigh Ed returns. Evening Music and concerts, plus food and fun,  will be held at Tom Johnsons Rally Park in Marion NC.