Author: William Kradel

SugarFest at Sugar Mountain

This December 9-10, Saturday and Sunday, at Sugar Mountain is the annual SugarFest! With all events running both days. 

Starting on Saturday at 9 am, you can try out the newest ski and snowboard gear from many of the major manufacturers such as Salomon, Burton, Never Summer, and more. This runs through 3:30 pm on both days.

At 10 am, ice skating and ice tubing opens and lasts until 10 pm. 

At 11 and running through 7pm, are all the food events. There is a soup safari which includes fresh gourmet soups. Also included is a BBQ Sweet Tea Lunch & Tea Special. Finally, what ski event would be complet3 without a Hot Chocolate & Whipped Cream Bar. 

At 3pm is an After Ski Party with music by the Glen Harlow & North Fork band.

At 5:45pm is a fireworks display. 

William Kradel Leave a comment on SugarFest at Sugar Mountain Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, Boone, Outdoor Fun, Skiing, Winter Activities

Beech Mountain Skiing Opening Day

With Fall here that means it is almost time for skiing season in the Boone area! And one of the first ski resorts, Beech Mountain, has already announced their opening days for tubing and skiing!

The tubing slopes will open on November 18th. The slopes will be open from 10 am through 4 pm. The set sessions are at 10 am, noon, and 2 pm.

The primary ski slopes open on Friday, November 24 at 9 am. Throughout the day there will be many giveaways and games in chances to win prizes. For instance, Blackstrap is giving away some free gear to the first 100 guests in! 

The ticketing system has 4-and 8-hour flex options so you can ski as you like!

William Kradel Leave a comment on Beech Mountain Skiing Opening Day Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, Boone, Outdoor Fun, Skiing, Winter Activities

Autumn at Grandfather Mountain

Autumn is a wonderful time to visit Grandfather Mountain. Not only is the temperature perfect, but the fall colors are absolutely gorgeous. Fortunately, there are multiple events themed around the season for all to enjoy in addition to the normal trails. 

September 30 through October 8 is the Fall Color Ramble. These are short guided tours by members of the staff who give guests the chance to learn about the different species of plants and animals native to Grandfather Mountain while hiking through the forested mountain. 

On September 30 is the Creatures of the Night event which takes places from 6:30-9:30 and is a guided tour focused on visiting some of the mountain’s animals’ habitats at night to observe them such as bears and elk.

On October 14 is the All Day Fall Color Ramble. Taking place between 10 am and 3 pm, there will be many guided nature walks as well as naturalists talks throughout the day to learn about Grandfather Mountain in the autumn. 

These and other activities, such as hiking to the Mile High Swinging Bridge, are even more breathtaking in autumn so this is a great time to go visit Grandfather Mountain. 

William Kradel Leave a comment on Autumn at Grandfather Mountain Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, Boone, Hiking, Hiking, Outdoor Fun, Tours

100 Years of Doc Watson in Boone August 18 and 19

This weekend in Boone, starting August 18, is very special as they will be celebrating 100 years of Doc Watson.

Doc Watson had a residence in nearby Deep Gap and made frequent visits to Boone. To honor the legendary 7 time Grammy winner the town has hosted an annual Doc Watson Day Concert.

On August 18, starting at 5:30 PM at the Jones House in Boone, there will be a concert by many local musicians and bands such as Laura Boosinger and The Mustard Cutters.

Admission is free and downtown parking meters are free after 5. You do need to bring your own lawn chairs and blankets.

On Saturday, August 19, the events start at 11 AM with a lecture entitled “Deciphering Doc Watson” which includes a blend of music, film, and family anecdotes. Later that evening at 7:30 is a concert with a blue-grass band, the Appalachian Road Show.

William Kradel Leave a comment on 100 Years of Doc Watson in Boone August 18 and 19 Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, Boone, Concerts and Events, Festival, Outdoor Fun, Tours

Tail of the Dragon in Western Carolina

Located in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, the eponymous Tail of the Dragon is considered one of the country’s foremost motorcycle and sports car touring roads by many.

Covering an 11 mile stretch of US 129 in the Smoky Mountains, it is a very exciting road to drive with many curves as its name may suggest. 318 curves in 11 miles. While you can enjoy the Dragon at any time, there are many events throughout the year as well to plan around.

June 17 is the Dragon Rally, a major sports car rally where you can enjoy looking at all the many exotic cars from all over the world as they converge on this 11 mile road.

June 30-July 2 is the Thunder in the Smokies Rally. It is the oldest and largest motorcycle rally in the Smoky Mountains! It is open to all ages and offers a wide variety of shows and bikes to enjoy in addition to the Dragon to ride on.

William Kradel Leave a comment on Tail of the Dragon in Western Carolina Concerts and Events, Festival, Outdoor Fun, Tours

Tweetsie Railroad, Fun for All

One of the most popular activities for families to enjoy in the Boone area is the Tweetsie Railroad park! In addition to train rides, it features many different special events throughout the year.

The Tweetsie Railroad has 2 different historic steam engines which you can ride on. Engine No. 12 is a narrow gauge locomotive and was built in 1917.  It is the last surviving steam locomotive of the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad. It used to run service from Johnson City, Tennessee to Boone. It ran from 1919 to 1940.

 Engine No. 190 is also a narrow gauge locomotive and was built in 1943. Built by the Alaska’s White Pass & Yukon Railway company, it linked the port of Skagway, Alaska, with Whitehorse, the capital of Yukon. It ran through the 1960s.

One of the special events coming to the Tweetsie Railroad is a K-9 tricks show where rescue dogs will be performing tricks with frisbees. The event runs from July 22-24 and 27-30.

All of this and more can be found at the Tweetsie Railroad in Boone.

William Kradel Leave a comment on Tweetsie Railroad, Fun for All Blowing Rock, Boone, Concerts and Events, Festival, Outdoor Fun