Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

January 25, 2007 issue

Blowing Rock Hosts Winterfest This Weekend

Story by David Brewer

Blowing Rock is the place to be this weekend when Winterfest comes to the village. An annual celebration—the ninth one!—featuring food, music, family activities and a wine tasting/auction for the grownups, Winterfest covers all the bases when it comes to frolicking in the cold.

So what is there to do? Keep reading!

Thursday, January 25

The Winterfest weekend kicks off with WinterFeast, the opportunity to sample cuisine from lots of the town’s best restaurants. With multiple seatings at the Green Park Inn between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., diners will have a chance to make their way around the room and test the menus of premier Blowing Rock chefs until they’ve had their fill. Tickets are $20.

Friday, January 26

When Friday afternoon rolls around, Winterfest will pick it up a notch with two showings of the classic winter movie Cool Runnings at the Hayes Performing Arts Center. Movie tickets are $5 per person. Those heading into downtown will be able to take advantage of free hot chocolate and hayrides, both of which will be available throughout the weekend. When the sun begins to dip below the trees, folks can head over to Memorial Park and enjoy the raging bonfire.

Friday’s Schedule at a Glance

2:30 & 7:00 p.m.— Cool Runnings: Hayes Performing Arts Center

3:00 p.m.—FREE Hayrides Begin: Parking lot north of the intersection of Highway 221 and Main Street

3:00 p.m.—FREE Hot Chocolate: Downtown 

Dusk—Bonfire: Memorial Park

Saturday, January 27

For early risers inclined to enjoy a cold winter workout, Winterfest organizers have included a 5K run in this year’s Saturday morning schedule. The run will begin at 8:30 a.m. and finish at Chetola Lake just in time for the one and only Polar Plunge at 10:00 a.m. The Polar Plunge has been Winterfest’s most popular event for nearly a decade. Those brave enough to take the plunge are rewarded with a trip to Chetola Resort’s steaming hot tub.

Also getting rolling on Winterfest’s busiest day will be a host of children’s activities at the Parks and Recreation building beside Memorial Park. Those in a bidding mood can head over to the Community Club Library’s meeting room for the opening of the raffle and silent auction. While in the neighborhood of Memorial Park, take a breather and watch the amazing ice carvers work their artistic magic.

Those who have recovered from WinterFeast and need food to heat up their bones can head to Blowing Rock School’s gym for the highly anticipated Chili Challenge. Pitting dozens of amateur and professional chefs from around the High Country, the Chili Challenge will provide contestants a chance to take home cash prizes while providing tasters with an abundance of mouthwatering chili. Tickets to the chili challenge are $7.

The Chili Challenge will also feature live bluegrass by area favorites Boss Hawg and storytelling from Blowing Rock resident Glenn Bolick.

Meadowbrook Inn will once again host Winterfest’s annual popular wine tasting and wine auction beginning at 4:00 p.m. Tickets to the wine tasting are $20. Patrons will have a chance to try wines from around the globe before having the opportunity to bid on them following the tasting.

The Hayes Center will treat festivalgoers to WinterTale featuring Blowing Rock Stage Company’s Who Threw The Overalls in Mrs. Murphy’s Chowder. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. On Saturday night, the Hayes Center will host Wintergrass with talented acoustic trio Strictly Clean & Decent. Concert tickets cost $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

 

Saturday’s Schedule at a Glance

8:30 a.m.—5K Run

10:00 a.m.—Polar Plunge: Chetola Lake

10:00 a.m.—Children’s Activities: Blowing Rock Parks & Recreation Center

10:00 a.m.—Raffle & Silent Auction Begin: Behind Blowing Rock Community Library

10:00 a.m.—FREE Hayrides Begin: Parking lot north of the intersection of Highway 221 and Main Street

10:00 a.m.—FREE Hot Chocolate: Downtown

11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.—Chili Challenge: Blowing Rock School gym

11:00—WinterTale, Who Threw the Overalls in Mrs. Murphy’s Chowder?: Hayes Performing Arts Center

12:00 p.m.—Ice Carving Competition: Memorial Park

1:00 p.m.—WinterTale, Who Threw the Overalls in Mrs. Murphy’s Chowder?: Hayes Performing Arts Center

2:00 p.m.—Wine Tasting: Meadowbrook Inn

4:00 p.m.—Wine Auction: Meadowbrook Inn

Dusk—Bonfire: Memorial Park

7:30 p.m.—Wintergrass Live with Strictly Clean & Decent: Hayes Performing Arts Center

 

Sunday, January 28

For those with any room left in their stomach, the Sunday morning pancake breakfast at 8:30 a.m. ought to be a fine cap to a weekend full of great food. Adults eat for $6, and children 10 and under for $4. Free hayrides, hot chocolate and ice-carving demonstrations will still be happening downtown, while the Hayes Center will wrap up its offerings with one last showing of Cool Runnings.

 

Sunday’s Schedule at a Glance

8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.—Winterfest Pancake Breakfast: Blowing Rock School cafeteria

1:00 p.m.—Ice Carving Demonstration: Memorial Park

1:00 p.m.—FREE Hayrides: Parking lot north of the intersection of Highway 221 and Main Street

1:00 p.m.—FREE Hot Chocolate: Downtown

2:30 p.m.—Cool Runnings: Hayes Performing Arts Center