Things To Do In The High Country In June!!

So, you’re ready to come on vacation in the mountains, but you’re wondering, “What on earth can I do once I’m there?” Well, check out all the cool things we’ve got going on this month!!

Grandfather's Remarkable Rhododendron Ramble
Monday, 6/2 - Sunday, 6/15 at Grandfather Mountain - The red Catawba Rhododendron is abundant all across Grandfather Mountain with the first blooms appearing at the lower overlooks in early June and the display arriving at the Swinging Bridge by the end of the month. The Mountain’s staff naturalists can't wait to share their excitement for the showy rose-lavender blossoms. Join them for the "Remarkable Rhododendron Ramble" and participate in special programs and activities that celebrate this herald of summer. Call 800-468-7325, or visit http://www.grandfather.com/ for details.

Beech Mountain Race "A Cool 5"
Saturday, 6/7, 10 a.m at the top of Beech Mountain - Beech Mountain Recreation Department director Craig Colistra has announced the town‘s plan to host its first running event. "A Cool 5" will feature a run across the top of Beech Mountain, eastern America‘s highest town, on Saturday, June 7, at 10 a.m. The five-mile run and accompanying fun run will be open to all runners and walkers. The race course will be above 5,000 feet in elevation with moderate climbs and awesome views across the Blue Ridge Mountain range. Participants will be able to enjoy Beech‘s "cool" summertime temperatures, which seldom exceed 72 degrees. Views of Grandfather and Mt. Mitchell will be among the scenic vistas available to those running. This year‘s event will benefit the construction of a new children‘s playground at Buckeye Lake that will be built totally with volunteer help from the community. Colistra said, "This playgrond is a monumental undertaking by a small community like Beech Mountain, but with the fundrasing help from events like ‘A Cool 5,‘ we will be able to achieve our goal for the kids of Beech Mountain." For additional information email buckeyerec@townofbeechmountain.com. Call 828-387-3003 for details.

Avery Heritage Festival
Saturday, 6/7, 10 am - 4 pm at Plumbtree - This year The Avery County Heritage Festival adds a whole new branch to its Family Tree. The Heritage festival will be held in Plumtree "The Heart of Avery County" on Saturday June 7th, 2008 from 10AM till 4PM.
Call 828-733-7111.

Toe River Studio Tour
Saturday, 6/14 - Sunday, 6/15, 10-5 in Spruce Pine & Burnsville areas - Artists and galleries invite you to their informal open houses and sales. This is a rare opportunity to visit many of the studios in this world-rekowned artist's community. TRAC galleries in Burnsville and Spruce Pine serve as information centers for the Studio Tour. Stop by to ask questions, see photos of participants or pick up maps. Watch for signs with arrows at intersections and "Welcome Studio" signs at the entrance to the srtist's studios. Call 828-765-0520 or 828-682-7215.

Elk Park Street Fair
Saturday, 6/14, 8 am at the historic site of Cranberry High School – Join us for the town fair & yard sale. Call 828-737-9070 for details.

Guided Hike on Beech Mountain
Tuesday, 6/17, 8:45 a.m. at the Lower Pond Creek Trail - All guests, residents and neighbors are invited to hike the trail less traveled. Free. Appropriate clothing and footwear are required. Please leave your pets at home as they may disturb wildlife along the trails. For additional information contact the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce. Meet at Fred's General Mercantile or the trailhead at 8:45 on the day of the hike. Call 828-387-9283 for details.

Banner House Museum
Wednesday, 6/18 - Monday, 6/30 at 7990 Hickory Nut Gap Rd, Banner Elk - Experience 19th century history of life in Banner Elk and the High Country in the home of one of Banner Elk’s original settlers. View demonstrations as you wander back in time through the re-created household of the 1870-80s. Call 828-898-3634 for details.

Lees-McRae Summer Theatre - Southern Voices 2008
Thursday, 6/19 - Sunday, 6/22, 2 pm & 7:30 pm at the Pinnacle Room: 2nd Stage, Lees-McRae College - June 22nd at 2 pm June 19th – 21st at 7:30 pm Southern Voices audiences know they will hear a collection of funny, touching, and always thought provoking selections of stories from great Southern writers. Those great southern ladies, Tessa Carr and Charlotte D'Armond Talbert, use their unique storytelling and performance talents to engage the audience in an intimate setting where the South in all its glory, zaniness and crazy relatives comes alive! Call 828-898-8709 for details.

Horn in the West
Friday, 6/20, June 20th - August 16th nightly at 8:00 pm, Tuesday-Sunday at Horn in the West, The Hickory Ridge Homestead Museum, & The Powderhorn Theatre, all located on the same property in the center of Boone - Horn in the West drama is performed in Boone North Carolina at one of the most beautiful outdoor theatres. Horn in the West is great entertainment to share with family. Highlighting the story of the nation’s first settlers to the Blue Ridge Mountains, this drama is enjoyed by children and adults alike. If you are visiting the Blue Ridge Mountains, join us this summer for the historic performance of Horn in the West! Closed on Monday nights. Call 828-264-2120 for details.

Roan Mountain Rhododendron Festival
Saturday, 6/21 - Sunday, 6/22, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM in Roan Mountain, TN - Features hand-made crafts, food, music, and old-time folkway demonstrations. Visit the spectacular rhododendron gardens atop 6,000 foot Roan Mountain. If you are JUST interested in how the rhododendrons are blooming...call 1-828-688-9405 (NC Forest Service) or 828-682-6146 (US Forest Service). Also, check out www.elizabethtontennessee.com. Visit http://www.roanmountain.com for details.

Erick‘s Treat & Train Your Palate
Saturday, 6/21, 6 - 9 pm at the Best Western Mountain Lodge - Erick‘s Cheese & Wine and The Avery Arts Council invite you to a perfect opportunity to try before you buy! More than 100 wines at special event pricing, samples of our best gourmet foods and cheeses. Receive a 20% off coupon to use at Erick‘s! Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. They may be purchased at Erick‘s, The Avery Arts Council at The Old Cheese House in Banner Elk and Dereka‘s Sugar Mtn Rentals. Call 828-898-5395 for details.

High Country Community Yard Sale
Saturday, 6/21, 8 am-noon in Beech Mountain, NC across from Town Hall - This event features items for sale from around the high country. Vendors can apply for space at the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce for $10 a space, bring your own table. Call 828-387-9283.

Singing on the Mountain
Sunday, 6/22, 8:30 am - The "Singing" is a day-long gathering held out-of-doors in a meadow at the base of Grandfather Mountain. Music begins at 8:30 a.m. and continues throughout the day, with a break at mid-day for the sermon. Many families bring lawn chairs and picnics and make a day of seeing old friends and enjoying performances by top Southern Gospel groups. Call 800-468-7325.

Mountain Top Promotions Fine Art/Fine Crafts Award Show Weekend
Thursday, 6/26 - Friday, 6/27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Great Train Robbery parking lot - This Fine Art & Fine Crafts show, showcasing strictly handmade items by artists from around the country, will be held on Saturday and Sunday in The Great Train Robbery parking lot from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please email Pat Fay at mtntoppromotions@bellsouth.net.

Blood Sweat & Gears Bike Race
Saturday, 6/28 in Valle Crucis - A demanding route, which showcases the mountain communities of Watauga County, North Carolina, requires over 13,000 feet of total climbing. Highlights of the route include a 21 mile section of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a strenuous climb over the 4,500 foot gap at Snake Mountain, and a 10 mile "flat" on old US 421. A 50 mile "Half Century" is available for those who prefer the sanity of a challenging, but shorter route. Both rides are fully supported with aide stations and SAG support. Always the 4th Saturday in June. Call 828-264-8226

Award Show in Mountains
Saturday, 6/28 - Sunday, 6/29, 10 am-5 pm at The Great Train Robbery in Banner Elk - Fine Art & Fine Crafts Hand made. This event will feature a fine arts and craft show, wines from a private vineyard in Sparta, NC, and a wild life exhibit from Genesis Wild Life Animal Reserve among other things. Call 828-733-0675 for details

Lees-McRae Summer Theatre - Children’s Show: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
June 28th and July 5th,12th and 19th at 10:00 AM in the Pinnacle Room: 2nd Stage - Based on the Comic Strip "Peanuts" by Charles M. Schulz, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown depicts a day in the life of everyone’s favorite “blockhead.” Musical numbers include “My Blanket and Me,” “The Kite,” “The Baseball Game,” ‘Suppertime,” “Happiness” and many more! Join the Peanuts gang in this fast paced, lighthearted musical, guaranteed to please audiences of all ages! Call 828-898-8709

Kiddo Fishing Derby
Saturday, 6/28, 8:00 AM Registration at Coffey Lake in Beech Mountain, NC - This is a free event open to all children ages 4 to 12 (children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Free. Derby begins at 9:00 AM and prizes and trophies will be awarded in several categories. Bring fishing gear and bait. Sponsored by the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses. Call 828-387-9283.

An Appalachian Summer Festival
Saturday, 6/28, June 28 - July 26 at ASU - An Appalachian Summer Festival is a multi- and inter-disciplinary arts festival presenting and producing programs in music, theatre, dance, and visual arts. The festival will forge a unique national identity through artistic excellence, innovative programming, commissioning new works, and educational opportunities. By bringing the most accomplished and respected creative and performing artists from around the world to Appalachian State University, the festival supports the overall university mission, enhances the cultural life of the Appalachian community, and serves as an important gateway onto the campus. Visit http://www.appsummer.org for details.

Lees-McRae Summer Theatre - A Chorus Line
June 29 - July 5 at the Hummingbird Theatre, Lees-McRae College, Banner Elk, NC - In an empty theatre, on a bare stage, casting for a new Broadway musical is almost complete. The field’s been narrowed down to just 17 dancers. For these men and women, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It’s what they’ve worked for — with every drop of sweat, every hour of training, every day of their lives. It’s the one opportunity to do what they’ve always dreamed of. Not to be the star, but to get the job … to have the chance to dance and come through. Performed as a series of vignettes, A CHORUS LINE is a celebration of those unsung heroes of the American Musical Theatre and a celebration of the American Musical itself. Call 828-898-8709