Category: Blowing Rock

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

Highland Games on Grandfather Mountain

This July 6-9 is the return of one of the most popular events in the Boone area: the annual Scottish Highland Games! So what are some of the exciting events going on throughout the events going on during the week?

Throughout the week, there will be many games and other athletic activities. These include the caber toss, hammer throw, archery competitions, track and field, and also Highland Dance competitions.

There will be a very wide variety of music during the celebrations as well. Throughout each of the days, music ranging from Rock, Bluegrass, and Celtic music. There also will be multiple music competitions during the week you can watch. For instance, there are Piping, Fiddle, and Celtic Harp tournaments.

Other activities you can find during the event include many Scottish arts and crafts going on for those of all ages. There are also various children’s activities. There’s also whiskey tasting. This and much more can be found at the Highland Games from July 6-9 at Grandfather Mountain.

William Kradel Leave a comment on Highland Games on Grandfather Mountain Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, Boone, Concerts and Events, Festival, Outdoor Fun

Blowing Rock Trout Derby

To celebrate the opening of Trout season in the Boone area, April 1st is the 43rd annual Blowing Rock Trout Derby! There are many different activities for those of all ages and skill levels to enjoy.

The Classic Tournament starts at sunrise and ends at 4 pm. For this tournament, you catch trout in any Public body of water in Watuga County and bring it in for measuring at the Blowing Rock Clubhouse. The small lake in Blowing Rock itself is reserved for children under 11 and those with disabilities. A valid fishing license is required for this tournament.

There is also a Catch and Release Derby which starts at the Blowing Rock Clubhouse at 7:30 am and ends at 4 pm. For this derby, you are given a measuring tape to measure your catches, and then take a timestamped photograph of them. All public water in Watauga, Ashe, and Avery county will be permitted with single hook artificial lures only. Fishing licenses are required here as well.

At 4:30 pm, prizes will be awarded to different categories of winners in both tournaments.

Mayview Lake in Blowing Rock will be set aside for children under 11 and those who are disabled to fish for trout as well.

William Kradel Leave a comment on Blowing Rock Trout Derby Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, Boone, Fishing, Hiking, Hiking, Outdoor Fun, Tours

MerleFest 2023

With spring right not far away in Boone, that also means the 35th annual MerleFest is right behind as well!

This year, MerleFest will take place from April 27-30. There will be music over 4 days from over 60 different performers! A couple examples of the bands and performers are:

On Thursday, Rock band The Black Crowes. Also playing Thursday is Yasmin Williams who is a finger-style guitarist using a harp guitar.

Friday has some very exciting bands such as the Black Opry Revue and Peter Rowan’s Bluegrass Band.

Saturday’s lineup includes, amongst others, the bluegrass band Della Mae and The Waybacks.

On Sunday, Pete and Joan Wernick entertain with their banjo playing. Also playing is local band Pretty Little Goat.

William Kradel Leave a comment on MerleFest 2023 Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, Boone, Concerts and Events, Festival, Outdoor Fun

Live Music at Sugar Mountain in January

With the skiing season underway, what are some of the events going on at the resorts? At Sugar Mountain they have multiple bands lined up to play music throughout January.

On January 14, the Smokin’ Joe Randolph Band plays at Sugar Mountain from 4pm through 7pm. They play a wide variety of blues, rockabilly, surf, swing, and soul music.

On January 21, the Classic Highway Band visits from 4pm through 6pm. They are a Boone band who specialize in classic rock, blues, and soul music from the 60s-80s.

William Kradel Leave a comment on Live Music at Sugar Mountain in January Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, Boone, Concerts and Events, Outdoor Fun, Skiing, Winter Activities

Snowshoeing Tours at Sugar Mountain

For many, one of the most exciting parts of a vacation is trying new things! And Sugar Mountain offers what is likely new for many people: snowshoeing tours!

The Snowshoeing season on Sugar Mountain runs from December through March. During the week, snowshoe tours are offered every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 3:00 p.m. On Saturday, they are at 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. 

Both rentals of showshoes and the guided tour by an experienced guide are included. Adult tours are for those who are 12 years or older. Children’s tours are for those ages 8-11. You need to sign up at least fifteen minutes prior to your tour time at the Snowsports School building at the resort.

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