DECEMBER 17, 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.
Blowing Rock Holiday Fresh Market—Thursday
The Fresh Market in Blowing Rock and will hold a Christmas Market this 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 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.
Melissa Reaves will perform a special holiday show at Char in Boone this Thursday, December 17, at 7:00 p.m.
Melissa Reaves Holiday Show—Thursday
Local musician Melissa Reaves will perform a special holiday show at Char in Boone this Thursday, December 17, at 7:00 p.m. The cover is $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, call 828-266-2179.
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—Thursday
The High Country High School Chorale will perform its Christmas choral concert this 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.
Members of the kids chorus rehearse a scene from Christmas in Blowing Rock, a variety show to be performed by the Ensemble Stage Company Friday and Saturday, December 18 and 19.
Christmas in Blowing Rock—Friday and Saturday
The Ensemble Stage Company will channel the cheery nostalgia of an Andy Williams or Bing Crosby Christmas special on Friday and Saturday, December 18 and 19, with a variety show called Christmas in Blowing Rock. The High Country-themed production will take place at the Blowing Rock School Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. on Friday and at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for kids 12 and under.
The 70-minute variety show will feature Christmas carols, dancing, storytelling, music, comedy and more. The show also features original scripted scenes between acts.
The company will collect food donations for the Hunger and Health Coalition at the performances. Tickets are available at the Blowing Rock Visitors Center, Gems by Gemini and Black Dog Coffee. You can also purchase tickets by calling 828-406-2884 or by clicking to www.ensemblestage.com.
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.
‘East of the Rocky Mountain High Evening’—December 27
Guitarist Jess Smith will perform at an “East of the Rocky Mountain High Evening” at the Beech Tree Bar and Grill at Ski Beech on Sunday, December 27, from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. No cover will be charged. For more info, call 828-387-9283.
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 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.
Candlelight Parlor Tours—Friday and Saturday
The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce and the Lodging Association sponsor candlelight parlor tours this Friday and Saturday, December 18 and 19, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Eight Blowing Rock hotels participate in the tours, offering hors d'oeuvres and festive, decorated lobbies for the public's enjoyment. For more info, call 828-295-7851.
Children can make last-minute requests to Santa on Saturday, December 19, at the Fred’s General Mercantile gazebo in Beech Mountain.Santa Visit and Tree Lighting—Saturday
This Saturday, December 19, children can visit with Santa at the gazebo at Fred’s General Mercantile from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Bring a camera. Then, enjoy cookies and hot cocoa while children decorate the Charlie Brown-esque Christmas tree from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce office. The event will end with the lighting of the tree. For more info, call 828-387-9283.
Holiday Tea for Children—Saturday
A Holiday Tea for Children will take place this Saturday, December 19, at 11:30 a.m. at the Meadowbrook Inn. Servers will dress up in Christmas costumes, and the event will feature fruit-flavored teas, sweets and finger sandwiches cut into festive shapes such as snowflakes and stars. The cost, including gratuity, is $6 for children ages 3 to 4, $12 for ages 5 to 10 and $15 for adults. For more info, call 828-295-4300.
Holiday Tea for Adults—Saturday
A Holiday Tea for Adults will take place this Saturday, December 19, with seatings from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Meadowbrook Inn. Guests must be 16 years old to participate. The tea hostesses will dress up in period costumes, and the three-course tea features live piano music, finger sandwiches, sweets and scones. The cost is $19.16, which includes gratuity, and guests can either make reservations or just show up. For more info, call 828-295-4300.
Breakfast with Mrs. Claus—December 21
Breakfast with Mrs. Claus will take place at the Buckeye Recreation Center in Beech Mountain on Monday, December 21, from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. Enjoy a free breakfast before Mrs. Claus reads Christmas stories by the fire. For more info, call 828-387-3003.
Yule Log Bonfire—December 22
The Buckeye Recreation Center in Beech Mountain will host a yule log bonfire on Tuesday, December 22, beginning at 7:00 p.m. A guitarist will perform. Call the recreation center in the event of inclement weather. For more info, call 828-387-3003.
Christmas Eve Outdoor Service—December 24
On Thursday, December 24, a Christmas Eve Outdoor Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. by the ice skating rink at Ski Beech in Beech Mountain. For more info, call 828-387-9283.
Bonfire and Hayrides—December 29
Enjoy a bonfire and hayrides with roasted marshmallows and hot cocoa in the field next to the Brick Oven Pizzeria in Beech Mountain on Tuesday, December 29, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Admission is free. For more info, call 828-387-9283.
Attendees to Chetola Resort’s Festival of Lights can have their picture taken with Santa Claus for $11.
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.
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.
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…
- Make your case to Santa at the Boone Mall Friday through Sunday, December 18 to 20. Santa’s hours will be 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday and 1:00 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. 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 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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