DECEMBER 10, 2009 ISSUE
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 in the High Country Holiday Checklist.
HOLIDAY MARKETS & CRAFT SALES
Skip the catalogs and do your Christmas shopping at these upcoming holiday markets and craft sales.
Wear your warm coats, hats and scarves to browse the variety of goodies available at this year’s holiday markets.
Ashe Holiday Market—Saturday
The Ashe County Farmers’ Market will host its final holiday market this Saturday, December 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
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.
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.
Blowing Rock Holiday Fresh Market—December 17
The Fresh Market in Blowing Rock and will hold a Christmas Market on Thursday, December 17, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
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.
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.
The colorful Boone Christmas Parade will take place on King Street on Saturday, December 12, at 10:00 a.m.
Boone Christmas Parade—Saturday
The Boone Christmas Parade will begin at 10:00 a.m. this Saturday, December 12, and is themed “Celebration of Christmas,” said Tuesdae Rice, executive director of the Downtown Boone Development Association.
Featuring an estimated 40 floats, plus plenty of groups on foot, the parade—always family-friendly—will bring the holiday spirit to town. The parade takes place along King Street.
The Friends of the Watauga Public Library will host a reception immediately following the parade. The reception will feature photos with Santa Claus, music, refreshments and holiday festivities.
For more info, call the Downtown Boone Development Association at 828-262-4532 or the library at 828-264-8784.
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.
Christmas Drama—Friday
Alliance Bible Fellowship in Boone will present a Christmas drama this Friday, December 11, at 7:00 p.m. and this Saturday, December 12, at 4:00 p.m. Word on the Street is a contemporary play set in urban America where the Christmas miracle once again comes to life as it celebrates and explores the journey of two people, much like us, who when faced with that which is impossible to believe, choose to follow. Admission is free. For more info, call 828-264-8312.
The Nutcracker at Ashe Civic Center—Saturday
The Conservatory of Dance & Theatre in Galax, Va., will perform The Nutcracker at the Ashe Civic Center in West Jefferson this Saturday, December 12, at 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. Advance tickets are available at the Ashe County Arts Council for $12 and $5 for children. General admission tickets are $10 and $4 for children. For more info, call the Arts Council at 336-846-2787.
Melissa Reaves Holiday Shows—Saturday and December 17
Local musician Melissa Reaves will give two holiday shows this year, with the first show taking place at Louisiana Purchase in downtown Banner Elk this Saturday, December 12, at 7:00 p.m., and the second slated for Char in Boone on Thursday, December 17, at 7:00 p.m. Both shows cost $8 and restaurant reservations are strongly encouraged. “I have done something a little different with each show over the years,” Reaves said.
Her original vision was performing in a restaurant setting so audience members could have dinner and drinks while listening, and the holiday concert evolved into a variety show, incorporating theatre and musical components, she said. To make dinner reservations for the Louisiana Purchase show, call 828-963-5656; for the Char show, call 828-266-2179.
Studio K Presents The Nutcracker—Saturday and Sunday
For the 14th consecutive year, Studio K Youth Ballet Company will present The Nutcracker at Farthing Auditorium on the ASU campus. Performances take place at 7:00 p.m. this Saturday, December 12, and at 3:00 p.m. this Sunday, December 13. Tickets are $11 for adults, $8 for students and children and group rates are available. About 150 dancers—ranging from 2.5-year-olds to men and women in their 60s—bring the classic tale to life, said Cay Harkins, Studio K owner and The Nutcracker director.
A wordless ballet based upon the story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffman, which was set to music by Russian composer Tchaikovsky around 1891, The Nutcracker has been performed worldwide and retains popularity, especially around Christmas. For more info, call Studio K at 828-265-4111. For tickets or for information about group rates, call 828-262-4046.
Messiah Sing-Along—Sunday
The 5th annual Messiah Sing-Along will be held this Sunday, December 13, at 6:00 p.m. in Rosen Concert Hall in the Broyhill Music Center on the ASU campus. The audience will be invited to sing the chorus parts from the Christmas portion of Handel's Messiah, including “Hallelujah.” Sheet music will be provided. Joby Bell will be the organist, and William G. Harbinson will conduct. Admission is free. For more info, call 828-262-3020 or 828-262-6467 or email belljr@appstate.edu.
The Bethany United Methodist Church hand bell choir, the Ding-A-Lings, will perform a holiday concert this Sunday, December 13, at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of the church in West Jefferson.
Hand Bell Choir Performance—Sunday
The Bethany United Methodist Church hand bell choir, the Ding-A-Lings, will perform a holiday concert this Sunday, December 13, at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of the church in West Jefferson. The concert is free and open to the public. For more info, call the church at 828-877-2801 or Jane Lonon at 828-877-5534.
Women’s Caroling—December 14
Women in the High Country are invited to sing in four-part harmony carols on a tour of local rest homes. The group will gather to review the music at 5:30 p.m. in the Hayes School of Music lobby at ASU. A dinner for the carolers will follow the tour at 7:00 p.m. at Sagebrush restaurant in Boone. For more info, call 828-264-8811.
The High Country High School Chorale will end its first semester with a Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 17, at ASU’s Rosen Concert Hall. Photo submitted
Christmas Chorale Concert—December 17
The High Country High School Chorale will perform its Christmas choral concert on Thursday, December 17. The free performance will take place in ASU’s Hayes School of Music Rosen Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m.
The High Country High School Chorale is an ensemble of 30 charter members—a mix of public, private and homeschooled high school students. The High Country High School Chorale is in its first semester and is excited to share with the community what it has accomplished.
For more info, call 828-263-8367.
Men’s Caroling—December 21
Men in the High Country are invited to join the Mountainaires Quartet for a four-part harmony caroling tour of local rest homes. The group will meet at 5:15 p.m. in the Hayes School of Music lobby of ASU to review music. A dinner for the carolers will take place at the Sagebrush restaurant at 7:00 p.m. For more info, call 828-264-8811.
Watauga County Schools Performances
Just about every school in the Watauga County Schools system has a special event planned for the holiday season. Here’s a calendar of upcoming events and their locations.
Event schedules are subject to change depending on winter weather and other factors. Contact the school (or other host facility) to confirm the date and time for an event.
Thursday, December 10
• The Nutcracker performed by grades pre-K through 2, 7:00 p.m., Bethel
• Winter concert with Cove Creek and Mabel band and orchestra & Mabel Mountain Music Jammers, 6:30 p.m., Cove Creek gym
• Winter concert featuring Honors Orchestra and Honors Chorus, 7:00 p.m., Watauga High School auditorium
Monday, December 14
• Winter concert performed by high school orchestra and band, 6:00 p.m., Watauga High School auditorium
Tuesday, December 15
• Middle school Christmas play, 6:00 p.m., Bethel
• Bethel and Valle Crucis advanced strings concert, 11:00 a.m., Broyhill Inn and Conference Center Jackson Dining Room
• 7th and 8th grade chorus and chimes concert, 7:00 p.m., Hardin Park cafeteria
• Chorus concert, 7:00 p.m., Valle Crucis gym
Thursday, December 17
• Model UN “Christmas Around the World” celebration, 1:30 p.m., Valle Crucis media center
Monday, December 21
• Concert with All-County band and orchestra and pre-K through 8 students, 5:30 p.m., Rosen Concert Hall, ASU
HOLIDAY EVENTS
Christmas lights, art exhibits and other events take place to celebrate the holidays. Here’s a list of miscellaneous events happening in the High Country.
Attendees to Chetola Resort’s Festival of Lights can have their picture taken with Santa Claus for $11.
Festival of Lights—through January
Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock hosts its annual Festival of Lights display now through January 31, 2010. This year, the display consists of 50,000 lights set up on the resort’s 87 acres of property. The public is invited to tour the display free of charge. For more info, call 828-295-5500 or click to www.chetola.com.
Tree Fest—through December
The 10th annual Tree Fest exhibit presented by the Ashe County Arts Council at the Ashe Arts Center in West Jefferson 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. 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.
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—Saturday and Sunday
Christmas on Apple Hill Farm takes place this 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.
Festive Friday—Friday
At Festive Friday, which takes place from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. this Friday, December 11, in Blowing Rock, you can find Santa Claus, hear The Night Before Christmas read aloud, enter a gingerbread house contest, buy your Christmas tree or wreath, hear roving carolers, win prizes, shop late and enjoy other festivities. “Festive Friday: A Hometown Holiday” is sponsored by the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce.
Carolers will begin singing at 5:00 p.m., and Appalachian Evergreens will sell trees, wreaths and garlands. The former Mast Candy Barrel location on Main Street will host the gingerbread house competition. Builders of all ages can drop off their masterpieces and fill out entry forms, and voting will start at 5:00 p.m., with proceeds from the contest benefiting the Hospitality House.
Join Mayor J.B. Lawrence and his wife Lynn at the Community Library for the reading of The Night Before Christmas starting at 5:30 p.m. Santa arrives at 6:00 p.m. at the former Mast Candy Barrel location and is eager to hear what kids are hoping for this Christmas. For more info, call 828-295-7851.
Post-Parade Reception at Library—Saturday
The Friends of the Watauga County Public Library will host a reception immediately after the Boone Christmas Parade this Saturday, December 12, featuring live music. Hot chocolate and other hot drinks, along with “lots of cookies,” will be provided, and “kids can sit on Santa’s lap and have their picture taken”—all for free. People can also browse the shelves and check out books while they are there, and they can also sign up to join the Friends. For more info, call 828-264-8958.
Christmas Open House—Saturday
The Watauga Humane Society in Boone will have a Christmas Open House this Saturday, December 12, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the animal shelter. Refreshments will be provided, and guests are encouraged to bring gifts for the animals who won’t have a home this Christmas. Wish list suggestions include Kong toys for dogs, cat toys, canned food, dog and cat nail clippers, grooming clippers, treats and gift cards to Lowe’s Food, Lowe’s Hardware, Wal-Mart, Kmart and Staples. For more info, call 828-264-8784.
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…
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Make your case to Santa at the Boone Mall Fridays through Sundays, December 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 peek in at the former Mast General Store Candy Barrel location on Main Street in Blowing Rock this Friday, December 11, at 6:00 p.m.
- Mr. Claus and all his local friends will ride by in the Boone Christmas Parade this Saturday, December 12, beginning at 10:00 a.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.
- Your last chance to spot Santa in Beech Mountain will likely be at the tree lighting on Saturday, December 19.
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