Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
January 11, 2007 issue
Get a Jump on Participating in Blowing Rock’s Winterfest Events
9th Annual Festival Takes Place January 25 to 28
Story by David Brewer
Nothing brings more winter fun to the town of Blowing Rock each year than the annual Winterfest. The weekend-long event, which brings the whole town out from in front of the fireplace to celebrate together, will again take place from Thursday, January 25, to Sunday, January 28.
With each day jam-packed with fun winter activities and shopping, there’s hardly time for festivalgoers to catch their breaths before moving on to the next event. However, getting a leg up on some events will save you the hassle (and, in some cases, extra expense) of doing so when the big weekend rolls around.
For a complete schedule of Winterfest events, click to www.blowingrockwinterfest.com.
Winterfeast
Getting the weekend started on an extremely tasty note will be Winterfeast. Taking place on Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Green Park Inn, this year’s Winterfest will feature seatings at 5:30, 6:00, 6:30, 7:00 and 7:30 p.m.
For just $20, diners will be able to sample cuisine from some of Blowing Rock’s finest restaurants including the Best Cellar, Canyons, The Divide Tavern at the Green Park Inn, the Parkway Café, Pssghetti’s, Six Pence Pub, Chetola’s Manor House Restaurant, Woodlands BBQ and many more. A cash bar will be open to diners.
Make reservations for Winterfeast by calling 828-295-9627. Tickets are also available on the Winterfest website. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted at the door.
Polar Plunge
Leave your sanity at home, but bring your most outrageous costume to Chetola Lake on Saturday morning for the always-hilarious Polar Plunge. Easily the most popular spectator event held at Winterfest each year, Polar Plunge pits participants against nature in a struggle to stay warm. Unfortunately, man has yet to win.
The event will get plunging at 10:00 a.m., with costumed contestants competing for the much-coveted Golden Plunger Award, given to the person or couple with the most ridiculous costume.
After making the icy leap, polar plungers are whisked away in a heated van to Chetola where they are treated to an extended dip in the hot tub and a warm beverage.
In addition to providing nonstop laughs and cringes for spectators, the Polar Plunge also raises funds through the $25 entry fee for local charities. Beneficiaries include the Blowing Rock Fire & Rescue Squad and Blowing Rock’s Boy Scout troop.
Obtain the entry/liability form at the Winterfest website, www.blowingrockwinterfest.org, or by calling 828-295-4636.
Chili Challenge
With the exception of the aforementioned Chetola hot tub, what could better warm your insides than a stop by the hotly contested Chili Challenge? A big draw each year since the inception of Winterfest, the Chili Challenge brings the area’s best cooks out of both home and restaurant kitchens and into the Blowing Rock School gymnasium to compete for top honors.
Live entertainment will be provided as chili connoisseurs make their way from table to table in search of that perfect blend of crucial chili ingredients. Prizes will be awarded for the best chili recipe and the best table decorations and display.
The entry fee for the Chili Challenge is $20 in advance, and $25 on the day of the event. Applicants are responsible for providing four to five gallons of heated chili, table decorations, a server, serving utensils and a small fire extinguisher.
Obtain an entry forms by clicking to www.blowingrockwinterfest.com or by calling 828-295-7851.