JANUARY 21, 2010 ISSUE
Cure Your Cabin Fever!
Blowing Rock Hosts Winterfest January 28 to 31
At the annual Polar Plunge at Winterfest, plungers show off with elaborate costumes and flamboyant leaps into the water. Photo by Todd Bush
In just a few days, crews from Chetola Resort’s maintenance department will begin drilling through a solid block of ice coating the surface of Chetola Lake, carving out plenty of room for courageous, costume-wearing souls to launch themselves from a lakeside gazebo into the frigid winter waters.
Fondly referred to as the “No. 1 spectator sport in Blowing Rock,” the Polar Plunge is the signature event of the 12th annual Winterfest, taking place Thursday through Sunday, January 28 to 31, at various locations in the village.
After nearly a month of freezing temperatures, nasty weather and poor road conditions, High Country folks need an excuse to get out of the house. Conquer the winter blahs and head to Blowing Rock for a weekend of great food, entertainment and family fun.
For more information and tickets to certain events, call 828-295-7851, click to www.BlowingRockWinterfest.com or visit the Blowing Rock Visitors Center at 7738 Valley Boulevard.
SPECTACLE
There are plenty of sights to see at this year’s Winterfest. The Polar Plunge returns to Chetola Lake on Saturday, January 30, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Last year, a record 42 people jumped into the lake to raise money for the charity of their choice.
“I think that our emcee has a lot to do with that,” said Marcia Greene, Winterfest marketing chair, about the always-entertaining Tracy Brown. Organizations slated to benefit from this year’s Plunge include the United Way, Middle Fork Greenway Association, Watauga Humane Society and Wine to Water.
Get there early to grab a spot with a good view, as 1,000 people crowded around the lake to watch last year’s event. In addition to raising money for charity, plungers also compete for the “Golden Plunge Award,” the prize awarded to the best costume.
On Saturday and Sunday, don’t miss an ice carving competition and demonstration in Memorial Park. Presented by Ice Sensations, the competition takes place on Saturday at noon, and demonstrations begin at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Returning to Winterfest for the second year is the Winter Paws Pet Show, a popular event in 2009. The event moves to a larger space, the Blowing Rock School gymnasium, to accommodate all of the animal lovers this year. Anyone can register their dog in categories such as longest hair, shortest hair, best-dressed, most mellow and owner-dog look-alike.
Registration begins at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 31, and entry fees are $10 per dog per category. Admission for spectators is $1. All proceeds will benefit the Watauga Humane Society.
GOOD EATS
On Thursday, January 28, go on a culinary quest at WinterFeast, held at The Manor House Restaurant at Chetola Resort. Sample dishes from The Manor House at Chetola, Best Cellar, Rowland’s at Westglow, Crippen’s Country Inn and Restaurant, Kojay’s Cafe, Six Pence, The Gamekeeper, Canyons, Crestwood, Woodlands, Meadowbrook Inn, Glidewell’s and Bistro Roca.
Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door, and seatings will be at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Plenty of tickets are still available, but festival organizers recommend purchasing tickets in advance to receive your desired seating time.
Another wildly popular event is the Chili Challenge, taking place at the Blowing Rock School gymnasium from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Amateurs and restaurants enter their chili creations to compete for prizes, and attendees get to sample all of the entries.
“[The Chili Challenge] sells out every year,” Greene said. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under.
On Sunday, January 31, a pancake breakfast hosted by Knights On Main will take place at the Blowing Rock School cafeteria from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Proceeds will benefit Blowing Rock Fire and Rescue. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for kids 2 to 11 and free for kids under 2.
SHOPPING
Throughout the Winterfest weekend, “shop ‘til you drop” at Blowing Rock’s downtown shops and Tanger Outlet Shoppes on the Parkway, which will offer Winterfest specials.
A silent auction and raffle sponsored by the Watauga County Crimestoppers takes place on Saturday, January 30, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Blowing Rock School cafeteria. Bid on items donated by local retailers—including hotel packages, clothing, dinners and jewelry—and purchase raffle tickets for baskets of goodies from local shops. Auction winners can pick up their items that evening. Proceeds go directly to Crimestoppers.
A wine tasting and charity auction will be held at Meadowbrook Inn on Saturday, with the tasting beginning at 2:00 p.m. and the wine auction starting at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
FAMILY
Hayrides through downtown Blowing Rock will take place all weekend, starting at 3:00 p.m. Friday, 10:00 a.m. Saturday and 1:00 p.m. Sunday. A bonfire will be held at dusk on Friday and Saturday at Memorial Park, where you and the kids can toast marshmallows and make s’mores. Hot chocolate vendors will be located on Main Street throughout the weekend.
Kids’ activities, including games, dress-up, creative crafts, cookie decorating and face paining, will take place at the Parks and Recreation building (by the tennis courts) from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday.
One of two game shows presented by the Ensemble Stage Company will be family-oriented. On Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at the Blowing Rock School Auditorium, be part of the audience for the Match Game, patterned after the popular ‘70s game show. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online or by calling 828-406-2884.
ENTERTAINMENT
The newly formed Ensemble Stage Company, based in Blowing Rock, is heading up several live entertainment events as part of this year’s Winterfest.
“It’s something great that has come in where we didn’t have the Hayes Center,” said Greene.
The Ensemble Stage Company presents a concert by Echo Park, a local progressive rock band, at the Blowing Rock School Auditorium at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 29. Tickets are $12.
In addition to the Match Game, Ensemble Stage will present a game show for an adult audience at 9:00 p.m. on Saturday at the auditorium. The Not Necessarily Newlywed Game will feature married couples and good friends, who will find out just how much they really know about each other. Tickets are $8.
Tickets to the concert and game shows are available online or by calling 828-406-2884.
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