January 29, 2009 Issue
Blowing Rock’s 11th Annual Winterfest Hosts Record Crowds
The King Bees along with soul and blues legend Roy Roberts (center) and speccial guest “Big” Mike Kincaide played to a near-capacity crowd at Blowing Rock’s Hayes Center last Friday night during the 2nd Annual Winter Blues Festival
Last week’s winter weather and extremity-numbing temperatures moved out of the High Country just in time for hundreds of revelers to descend on Blowing Rock last weekend for the town’s 11th Annual Winterfest.
According to Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Charles Hardin, 225 diners kicked off Winterfest at the annual ode to area dining, Winterfeast. Several of the High Country’s best restaurants dished out delectable delights at Chetola Resort, where the event was held for the first time.
On Friday night, the 2nd Annual Winter Blues Festival, headlined by Roy Roberts, Pop Ferguson and The King Bees, drew a near-capacity crowd. The 80-year-old Ferguson and his son Clyde Jr. got the crowd in the mood followed by smoking sets by The King Bees and Roy Roberts that left the crowd cheering.
With temperatures hovering in the 40s on Saturday morning, a record 54 costumed crazies lined the dock for their chance at frigid glory as thousands of cheering spectators crowded the banks of Chetola Lake for the Polar Plunge. Plunge veterans Dick and Joan Hearn took a bite out of the competition in their Golden Plunger Award-winning shark costumes.
On a warmer note, more than 40 chefs lined the tables inside the Blowing Rock School gym to compete at the hotly contested Chili Challenge. This year’s event included the first-ever participants from the Chili Appreciation Society International. According to Hardin, more than 800 chili connoisseurs came out in droves to sample the spicy winter staple, enjoy live music and warm up from the chilly winter weather.
On Saturday night, progressive roots music legend John Cowan and his band delivered another stellar set of bluegrass, newgrass and acoustic soul to a sold-out Hayes Center for the second consecutive year.
One of the weekend’s biggest successes was the inaugural Winter Paws Pet Show at the American Legion Building. Hardin said that the room was “absolutely packed to the walls” with eager spectators. Hardin added that the event would definitely have to be moved to a new venue next year to accommodate the dog-loving masses.
The Big Winners at Blowing Rock’s Winterfest
There’s nothing like a little fun and friendly competition to get the blood pumping and Blowing Rock’s Winterfest always provides an opportunity for chili cooks, ice carvers and polar plungers to cook up batches of their famous chili, crank up the chain saw or don festive and often ridiculous outfits in hopes of taking home top honors.
Polar Plunge Golden Plunger Award Winners
Dick and Joan Hearn
Ice Carving Competition Winner
Nate Moran, Winter Solstice
Chili Challenge
Overall Winners
1st Keith Miller, Madison, N.C.
2nd Robin Miller, Madison, N.C.
3rd Dick Steinert, Greensboro, N.C.
Best Restaurant Chili Winner
Ciao Bella at The Meadowbrook Inn, Chef Guy Thomas
Best Showmanship Winner
Doc’s Rocking Chili by Ken Summer, Claremont, N.C.
People’s Choice Winner
Green Park Inn, Chef Jamie Lyda
Chili Appreciation Society International Winners
1st Keith Miller, Madison, N.C.
2nd BJ Barefoot, Burlington, N.C.
3rd Dick Steinert, Greensboro, N.C.
4th Brent Lundy, Statesville, N.C.
5th Kenny Jones, Reidsville, N.C.
6th Jean Lundy, Statesville, N.C.
7th George Doggett, Shelby, N.C.
8th Brandi Jones, Reidsville, N.C.
9th Don Putman, Grover, N.C.
10th Ronnie Joyce, Reidsville, N.C.
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