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

August 16 , 2007 issue


Mitford Days in Blowing Rock Will Include a Barnabus Look-Alike Contest

Story by Kathleen McFadden

The folks in Blowing Rock are gearing up for the first-ever Mitford Days, a celebration of Jan Karon’s nine novels that reflect life in the village. Among the activities planned for the five-day event from Wednesday, September 12, through Sunday, September 16, are two appearances by the novelist, trolley rides to various sites in Blowing Rock that inspired the fictitious places in the books, a play by Bob Inman that is based on the nine novels and a country fair and parade.

The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce has just announced an addition to the lineup of festivities: a Barnabus Look-Alike Contest.

A dog “as big as a Buick” is the way Karon describes Barnabus, Father Tim’s dog in the Mitford novels. The Barnabus Look-Alike Contest is scheduled as part of the Mitford Days Country Fair on Saturday, September 15. The fair in Memorial Park begins at 10:00 a.m., and the Barnabus contest begins at 10:30 a.m.

Everyone who has read the Mitford books knows Barnabus, “a mixed-breed dog...who adopted Father Tim early on, and has been the rector’s boon companion ever since,” according to the Mitford Bedside Companion. 

Barnabus was based upon a beautiful, amazingly intelligent dog named Bear, a Bouvier des Flandres. This breed is known for its herding skills and also for its ability to pull carts. To see pictures of the breed and learn more about it, click to www.bouvier.org.

Bear was a large shaggy silver-black dog much loved in Blowing Rock.

The Barnabus Look-Alike Contest is open to any dog that resembles Father Tim’s companion. In addition to the honor of being chosen as the dog most like Barnabus, the winner will receive a special prize from The Barking Rock Pet Boutique. Runners-up will also receive prizes.

For more info about Mitford Days in Blowing Rock, click to www.MitfordDays.com or call the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce at 828-295-7851.