High Country Holiday Checklist
Your Guide to the 2009 Holiday Season
Check the High Country Press weekly now through the end of the year for a listing of local holiday events. From parades to concerts to local shopping opportunities, we’ll summarize it all for you right here.
Christmas trees and wreaths are available at area holiday markets, including the Watauga County Farmers’ Market (pictured).
HOLIDAY MARKETS & CRAFT SALES
Skip the catalogs and do your Christmas shopping at these upcoming holiday markets and craft sales.
Christmas Craft Sale—Thursday
A Christmas Craft Sale will take place at the Harrill Senior Center in Boone this Thursday, November 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Crafters ages 60 and up are eligible to participate in the sale. Inventory forms and instruction sheets are available at the Senior Center and the Western Watauga Center. For more info, call 828-265-8090.
Boone Service League Holiday Market—Saturday
The Boone Service League will host its holiday market this Saturday, November 21, at the National Guard Armory from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is $3 or $1 with two canned goods to be donated to the Hunger Coalition. The market will feature a variety of goods including stationary, toiletries, baked goods, pottery, jewelry, decorations and arts and crafts. For more info or to be a vendor, email bslholidaymarket@hotmail.com or click to www.booneserviceleague.org.
Watauga Holiday Markets—Saturday and November 28
The Watauga County Farmers’ Market will hold holiday markets on the Saturdays before and after Thanksgiving, November 21 and 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. each day.
Featured at the holiday markets will be Christmas trees and wreaths, pasta, homemade soaps, sourdough bread, goat cheese, wool hats, jewelry, all cuts of lamb, quilts, pumpkins, pork, jams, jellies, some produce including potatoes and garlic, vinegars, candles, beef, baked goods, baskets, pottery, handcrafts and fresh coffee. Chicken and eggs could also be available, Market Manager Karen Bauman said.
Local singer-songwriter Crys Matthews will perform at one or both of the markets, she said.
To find Horn in the West, turn next to First Citizens Bank on Highway 105 Extension and go to the top of the hill. For more info, call 828-355-4918 or click to www.wcfm.info.
Wear your warm coats, hats and scarves to browse the variety of goodies available at this year’s holiday markets.
Ashe Holiday Markets—Saturday and November 28, December 5 and 12
The Ashe County Farmers’ Market will host four holiday markets on Saturdays, November 21 and 28 and December 5 and 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day.
The holiday markets will feature baked goods, cheeses, desserts, meats, honey, molasses, culinary vinegars, apple butter, jams, preserves, handmade soaps and lotions, knitted items, quilts, candles, wood crafts, framed photographs, jewelry, ornaments and a variety of holiday décor and greenery. The market shelter will be decorated with lights and a Christmas tree. Fresh coffee and hot apple cider will be available.
Santa will be at the market on Saturday, November 28, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. On Saturday, December 5, the Blue Ridge Elementary sixth grade chorus will perform Christmas carols at the market. The market is located at the Backstreet in West Jefferson. For more info, call Market Manager John Smyre at 910-309-1932 or 336-877-4141 or click to www.ashefarmersmarket.com.
Crossnore Weavers and Gallery Christmas Sale—November 23 to December 5
The Crossnore Weavers and Gallery will hold a Christmas sale featuring 25 percent off all hand weaving beginning Monday, November 23, and continuing through Saturday, December 5. The gallery is located at 206 Johnson Lane in Crossnore. For more info, call 828-733-4660.
Blowing Rock Holiday Fresh Markets—November 24 and December 17
The Fresh Market in Blowing Rock and will hold a Thanksgiving Market on Tuesday, November 24, and a Christmas Market on Thursday, December 17, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. both days.
The market will feature baked goods, jams and jellies, goat cheese, desserts, fresh eggs and meats and wreathes and freshly cut trees, among other items. The market takes place along Wallingford Street in downtown Blowing Rock. Parking is available in the new two-level parking deck beside the American Legion building. For more info, call the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce at 828-295-7851.
Beech Mountain Holiday Market—November 28
On Saturday, November 28, the Beech Mountain Holiday Market will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Buckeye Recreation Center.
The market will offer plenty of unique gift items made by local artisans, delicious food and live Christmas and folk music played by Art and Kathy Lang. Door prizes include yart (yarn art), gift baskets and a Zumba party. For more info, call the Beech Mountain Parks and Recreation Department at 828-387-3003.
HOLIDAY PARADES
Fire trucks, colorful floats, costumes, horses, scout troops, beauty queens, Santa and more! These processions are marching through the High Country in the coming weeks.
Blowing Rock Christmas Parade—November 28
The Blowing Rock Christmas Parade will be on Saturday, November 28, at 2:00 p.m.; the line-up will start at noon. For more info, call Blowing Rock Parks and Recreation at 828-295-5222 or click to www.townofblowingrock.com.
Newland Christmas Parade—December 5
The Newland Business Association sponsors a Christmas parade on Saturday, December 5, beginning at 1:00 p.m. The parade will begin at the Newland Town Square and end at Newland Elementary School. Anyone who wishes to be in the parade should line up at 12:15 p.m. at the square. For more info, call Brian Powers at 828-733-9301.
Boone Christmas Parade—December 12
High Country residents are invited to join Santa Claus, friends and neighbors in downtown Boone for the annual Boone Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 12, at 10:00 a.m. The parade takes place along King Street. For more info and to participate in the parade, call the Downtown Boone Development Association at 828-262-4532.
HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES
Local artists present special performances of music, dance and theatre for the holidays. Get your tickets now because they’re likely to sell fast.
ASU’s talented musicians will lend their voices to the holiday traditional opera Amahl and the Night Visitors this Thursday through Sunday, November 19 to 22.
Amahl and the Night Visitors—Thursday to Sunday
The ASU Opera will perform the classic Christmas tradition, Amahl and the Night Visitors, opening this Thursday, November 19, and running through Sunday, November 22. The performances will take place in Rosen Concert Hall in the Broyhill Music Center of ASU at 8:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Tickets are $12 and $6 for students and can be purchased by calling 828-262-3020.
The English opera, written by Gian Carlo Menotti, is about the misfortunes of a mother and her crippled son, Amahl, and how their lives are altered by a visit from three kings in search of an infant savior. For more info, call 828-262-3020.
Community Christmas Tree Concert—November 28
Mountain Home Music will once again team up with the Watauga County Christmas Tree Association to present the Community Christmas Tree Concert on Saturday, November 28, at 8:00 p.m. at the Blowing Rock School Auditorium. Select your Christmas tree and then listen to the music of Steve Lewis, Scott Freeman, Steve and Ruth Smith and the Blue Ridge Vocal Ensemble. Tickets are $12.50 in advance and $15 at the door. Student admission is $10 at the door only. For more info, call 828-964-3392.
HOLIDAY EVENTS
Christmas lights, art exhibits, nativity scenes and other events take place to celebrate the holidays. Here’s a list of miscellaneous events happening in the High Country.
Advent Festival—Saturday
High Country United Church of Christ in Vilas will host an advent festival this Saturday, November 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The festival will feature entertainment, snacks, ornament making, advent wreaths, cookie decorating, yoga, dulcimer lessons and vendors. For more info or to reserve a vender booth, call 828-297-1092.
A donkey stands in front of a scenic mountain view typical of Apple Hill Farm. The farm will host Christmas at Apple Tree Farm on weekends beginning this Saturday, November 21.
Christmas on Apple Hill Farm—Weekends through December 13
Christmas on Apple Hill Farm takes place this Saturday and Sunday, November 21 and 22, Friday to Sunday, November 27 to 29, Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6 and Saturday and Sunday, December 12 and 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.
Christmas trees and custom-made wreaths will be available for purchase, as will gift items offered at the Apple Hill Farm Store. A half-hour walking tour of the farm is available. The mini-tour fee is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 10. Children under 3 are free.
Apple Hill Farm is located off Highway 194 at 400 Apple Hill Road in Banner Elk. For more info, call 828-963-1662 or click to www.applehillfarmnc.com.
Local artists decorate Christmas trees at the Ashe County Arts Council’s annual Tree Fest, on display at the Ashe Arts Center in West Jefferson beginning Monday, November 23.
Tree Fest—November 23 through December
The 10th annual Tree Fest exhibit presented by the Ashe County Arts Council opens Monday, November 23, at the Ashe Arts Center in West Jefferson and will run through December. Each year, a local Christmas tree farm donates seven trees to the arts council, and the council selects six local artists or organizations to each decorate one tree. Local artists create ornaments from clay, paper, fibers, wood and stained glass for the arts council tree. A reception and open house will take place on Saturday, December 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Ashe Arts Center is located at 303 School Avenue in West Jefferson. For more info, call 336-846-2787 or click to www.ashecountyarts.org.
Christmas in the Park—November 27
Head to Blowing Rock to kick off the holiday season on Friday, November 27, at Christmas in the Park. Enjoy visits with Santa, caroling in the park, hot chocolate and the ceremonial lighting of the town beginning at 2:00 p.m. For info, call 828-295-5222.
Hometown Christmas—November 27
Downtown West Jefferson's Backstreet Park becomes a hub for Christmas merriment with the lighting of the official Ashe County tree, along with carols, cider and a visit from Santa Claus on an antique fire engine. The event starts at 5:00 p.m. For more info, call 336-846-9550.
Alta Vista Gallery Open House—November 28
Alta Vista Gallery invites you to its Christmas Open House on Saturday, November 28, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Enjoy refreshments and Christmas decor while viewing art and crafts from more than 100 artists. The gallery will feature Shelton Vineyards wines and a variety of finger foods to enjoy while listening to Christmas music and enjoying the artwork. The gallery will receive 12 new oil paintings by the time of the Open House. The gallery also includes many gift items, including kaleidoscopes, small paintings or prints from $25, pottery, handmade jewelry, fused-glass platters, votive-holders and photo frames, and art tiles in the Craftsman design. Alta Vista Gallery is located at 2839 Broadstone Road in Valle Crucis between Mast Farm Inn and Mast Store Annex. For more info, call 828-963-5247.
Kevin Beck Studio Open House—November 28
The Kevin Beck Studio will host an open house Saturday, November 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The studio will serve spiked cider, and Judi Beck will sign copies of her new book The Ecology of Conversation, priced at $13.99. The studio will also have a bin of small plein oil studies priced at $200, $300 and $400—great for beginning a collection or gift giving. The studio is located at 1590 Shull’s Mill Road. For more info, call 828-963-1181.
Art Cellar Holiday Open House—November 28
The Art Cellar Gallery in Banner Elk will host a Holiday Open House on Saturday, November 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Small works of art are perfect for gift giving or decorating for the season. Works in clay range from coffee mugs and serving pieces to clay sculpture. New works in glass include blown glass ornaments and life-like glass rainbow trout. Turned wood bowls and small ready-made frames for photos or artwork are also available. The Art Cellar is located at 920 Shawneehaw Avenue in Banner Elk. For more info, call 828-898-5175.
SANTA SIGHTINGS
High Country Press has received reports that a man known as Santa Claus is going to be traveling through our area. Mr. Claus is described as an elderly male with a thick white beard, twinkling eyes and rosy cheeks, wearing a red jacket, pants and hat with white trim. Also goes by the aliases of Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas and St. Nick. Responds well to hugs, cookies and milk. Could be traveling alone or with eight reindeer.
We’ve heard rumors that he’ll be appearing at the following locations throughout the High Country…
- Cherish a family moment with Santa on Friday and Saturday, November 27 and 28, at Chetola Resort, where photos with Santa are available in the Manor House lobby from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. each night. Photos cost $11.
- Santa will visit the Ashe County Farmers’ Market on Saturday, November 28, from 11:00 a.m. to noon.
- Make your case to Santa at the Boone Mall Fridays through Sundays, December 4 to 6, 11 to 13 and 18 to 24. Santa’s hours will be 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Fridays, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturdays and 1:00 to 5:30 p.m. Sundays. Santa will also receive last-minute requests on Thursday, December 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Santa will be on skis at Sugar Mountain Resort to hit the slopes with all the good boys and girls Saturday, December 12, through Thursday, December 24.
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