Author: William Kradel

Oktoberfest at Sugar Mountain

With the changing of the season from summer to fall comes the wonderful colors of autumn too. What also comes with autumn of course is Oktoberfest! And Sugar Mountain in Boone is a wonderful place to enjoy it!

Oktoberfest at Sugar Mountain Resort from Saturday and Sunday, October 9 and 10. The festival will be open from 10 am to 5 pm both days. The festival is open for all ages and admission is free. 

No Oktoberfest would be complete without music. From noon until 4pm each day, the Harbour Towne Fest Band with great Bavarian music.

On the ski area grounds, artisans and craftsmen will be selling a variety of their custom made wares. There also will be a wide variety of Bavarian inspired food to eat.

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MerleFest 2021


Merlefest 2021 is fast approaching, in fact it’s just next week! So what exactly is MerleFest?

MerleFest is a traditional music festival held in Wilkesboro, North Carolina on the Wilkes Community College Campus.

The lineup this year includes singers and bands such as Mavis Staples, LeAnn Rimes, Balsamm Range, The Waybacks, Tony Emmanuel, and many, many more. 

The festival takes place from September 16-19. 1 day tickets cost between $70-$90 depending on the day. The late night jam, which is the musical event that takes place between 10:30-12:30 nightly, costs $45.

Due to the ongoing Covid pandemic, proof of vaccination or proof of a negative Covid test within the last 72 hours is required to attend MerleFest.

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Grandfather Mountain Birdwatching!

In addition to its wonderful scenery and trails, Grandfather Mountain is also home to a large variety of birds to enjoy watching!

Because of the many different microclimates on Grandfather Mountain, over 200 species of birds can be found here! And 100 of those have documented breeding colonies.

One of the surprisingly effective places to watch birds is at the Nature Museum Restaurant. There are many bird feeders outside which the birds enjoy. Some of the birds which can be spotted include Nuthatches, Carolina Chickadees, and Juncos.

For woodland birds, the Profile Trail offers many opportunities to spot species such as Warblers, Louisiana Water Thrushes, and Scarlet Tangers.

On Black Rock Trail, there are plenty of birds which prefer high elevations. Some of these include Kinglets, Hermit Thrushes, and Magnolia Warblers.

A special event in September is the annual southern migration of a variety of raptor species. Throughout the month, visitors can join trained staff to watch the migration and learn more about the passing eagles, peregrine falcons, and more raptor species.

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Music on the Lawn in Blowing Rock

Blowing Rock has always been a place of fun and relaxation throughout the seasons but especially in summer. Starting this Friday evening, at the Ragged Gardens Inn, the Music on the Lawn event begins. 
From 5:30 to 8:30, you can enjoy free outdoor concerts at the Ragged Gardens Inn. A wide range of family friendly music will be featured including classic country, blues, bluegrass and more! There will be drinks and food available to purchase and you can bring your own lawn hair to sit back and relax. 

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Whitewater Adventures in Boone

Spring is almost here which means that while the skiing season is almost over, soon to begin is the whitewater rafting season! And fortunately the Boone area has nearby locations for whitewater rafting for those of all ages.
At Banner Elk, not far from Boone, is High Mountain Expeditions, a white water rafting company who have 30 years of experience with guiding adventurers through the area’s rivers.

The most family friendly river rafting is the Watuga River. The fast moving river is dam controlled so the river is consistent throughout the season.

The course itself is a 3 to 5 hour trip and a deli buffet lunch is provided. Every raft will have a trained guide so it is enjoyable for those even without any rafting experience.

Wilson Creek is a fun river for those who are looking for something fast! Over its 2.5 mile trip, the creek drops 85 feet every mile. Some drops are between 5 and 10 feet. The trip takes 2 to 6 hours and the best time to experience it is in the spring and early summer.

For those who want a truly epic experience, there is the 2 day Nolichucky Rafting Adventure. All meals are provided for beforehand and include many healthy, fresh choices. Travel through the Nolichucky River Gorge is regarded as one of the highest rated whitewater in North America and is considered very unforgettable.

For more information on some of the other rafting adventures you can check out their website https://highmountainexpeditions.com

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Blowing Rock Trout Derby

With spring right around the corner, that also means fishing season is almost upon us! Blowing Rock will have a special fishing derby on Saturday, April 3 to kick it off.

To jumpstart the trout season in April, Blowing Rock will be hosting a catch and release competition in the nearby lakes. The most popular local fishing spots are Price Lake, Bass Lake, Trout Lake, and Middle Fork River. An NC fishing license is required for fishing.

For younger ones and those with disabilities, the small Broyhill Lake in Blowing Rock will be stocked with fish so everyone can enjoy the fishing fun!

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