DECEMBER 18, 2008 issue
Christmas at the Beech
Celebrate the Holiday Season at Beech Mountain
Story by Anna Oakes
Christmas is a week away, but already, several local holiday events have come and gone. Several communities held their Christmas parades and town lightings weeks ago. Beech Mountain, on the other hand, reserves several holiday events for late December.
“Some people start at Thanksgiving, but we start a little bit later—when we feel there are more people around to enjoy it all,” said Peggy Coscia, office manager for the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
Maybe you were so busy with work or shopping that you’ve missed all of the other holiday events so far. If that’s the case, bundle up and head to the highest town in Eastern America for some old-fashioned Christmas traditions—a tree decorating and lighting, Santa and Mrs. Claus, a Christmas Eve outdoor service, a bonfire, hayrides and caroling.
Sledding Hill for Kids
The Town of Beech Mountain’s municipal sledding hill is open and free to children 12 and under. The sledding hill is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., weather permitting. Only plastic sleds are permitted, and sleds can be rented or purchased on site.
The hill is located next to the Beech Mountain Town Hall at 403 Beech Mountain Parkway. For information, call 800-468-5506.
Breakfast with Mrs. Claus—Saturday
Before visiting with Santa later in the day, catch up with Mrs. Claus at the Buckeye Recreation Center in Beech Mountain on Saturday, December 20. Enjoy breakfast with Mrs. Claus beginning at 9:00 a.m., with doughnuts, juice, hot chocolate and coffee. The Buckeye Recreation Center is located at 206 Grassy Gap Creek Road in Beech Mountain. For info, call 828-387-9283 or 828-387-3003.
Santa Visit and Tree Lighting—Saturday
The Man in Red plans to stop in Beech Mountain on Saturday, December 20, to hear local children’s Christmas wishes. He’ll be seated at Fred’s Gazebo at Fred’s General Mercantile in Beech Mountain from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Fred’s is located at 501 Beech Mountain Parkway.
After visiting Santa Claus, walk on over to the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce at 403-A Beech Mountain Parkway to help decorate the town’s own “little Charlie Brown Christmas tree,” Coscia said. The four-foot tree grows in the chamber’s courtyard. The chamber will serve cookies and hot cocoa as families help decorate the tree with ornaments that children have brought in years past.
Instead of bringing an ornament this year, however, the chamber asks that folks bring a pet toy or pet treat for donation to High Country Friends for Life, a nonprofit organization that works to find homes for unwanted animals.
Once the tree has been decorated, the chamber will light the tree. Although the town uses only white lights for its holiday decorations, the chamber’s tree features old-fashioned colored lights, Coscia said.
This event has been held for six or seven years, Coscia said, and typically about 30 to 40 people attend. Visitors and locals are welcome. Parking is available at the chamber and across the street. For more info, call 828-387-9283.
Christmas Eve Outdoor Service—December 24
Ski Beech Resort will hold a free Christmas Eve Outdoor Service on Wednesday, December 24, at 4:00 p.m. The service will take place at Beech Tree Village beside the resort’s outdoor ice skating rink.
Ski Beech has held this service for many years, said Marking Director Gil Adams. The service originated so tourists who wanted to attend a Christmas Eve service would have some place to go, he said. Some of the same people attend each year.
“Most people here are vacationers who want to go somewhere for a Christmas Eve service,” Adams said. Anywhere from 40 to 60 people attend, he said.
Hayst Harold will deliver a seasonal message at the service, and attendees will sing carols accompanied by keyboard. Harold used to live in Beech Mountain but now resides near Burnsville.
The service will last about 20 minutes. For more information, call 800-438-2093.
Bonfire and Hayrides—December 30
On Tuesday, December 30, head to Beech Mountain for another longstanding tradition—a bonfire and hayrides.
“We try to do it between Christmas and New Year’s, while people are still here,” Coscia said. “And they love it—I just wish we could do it more often.”
Beginning at 6:00 p.m., the chamber will build a bonfire in the field beside the Brick Oven Pizzeria, located at 402 Beech Mountain Parkway. Marshmallows will be provided, but bring your own sticks. The chamber will also serve hot cocoa and apple cider.
Two hayrides will run, weather permitting. Dress warmly and tune up your vocal chords for some seasonal caroling. About 100 people attend this event. Parking is available next to the pizzeria. For more info, call 828-387-9283.
Holidays on the Slopes
Looking for something different to do on Christmas or New Year’s Eve? The High Country’s ski resorts are among the few diversions available to folks on these two holidays. After the food is eaten and the gifts are unwrapped, think about heading to the slopes!
Appalachian Ski Mountain
800-322-2373
December 24 Skiing with Santa, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. day session only
December 25 SLOPES CLOSED; Christmas Day ice skating from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.
December 31 New Year’s Eve Extravaganza, breakfast, fireworks, torchlight skiing parade and moonlight ice skating, 9:00 p.m. to midnight.
Hawksnest
828-963-6561
December 24 Tubing sessions at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 and 2:00 p.m.
December 25 Tubing sessions at 2:00, 4:00, 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.
Sugar Mountain Resort
828-898-4521
December 24 Open 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
December 25 Open 12:00 to 10:00 p.m.
December 27 and 28 USSA Holiday Slalom and Giant Slalom Competition, 9:00 a.m. start
December 31 New Year’s Celebration Mountain Style, night skiing until 10:00 p.m., torchlight parade and fireworks at midnight
Ski Beech
828-387-2011
December 24 Christmas Eve Outdoor Service, Beech Tree Village, 4:00 p.m.
December 24 Slopes close at 4:30 p.m.
December 25 Slopes open at 12:30 p.m.
December 31 New Year’s Party, Beech Tree Village, live music, food and drinks and fireworks
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