Author: Amanda Lugenbell

cropped Image of map indicating construction zones on Main Street for spring 2024

Main Street Construction: What to Expect

Blowing Rock infrastructure is getting some much-needed upgrades! Main water and sewer lines are being replaced along Main Street in the downtown core now through Spring 2024.  Key Takeaways: Access to businesses and activities on Main Street will remain open. Expect single-lane closures and potential travel/traffic delays. One full closure of Main Street is required in a residential section. Construction activity will be limited to Mon-Thurs when possible. About the Project: According to the contractor’s project page, “the existing and new water and sewer lines are located within the roadway. In order to complete replacement of these lines, the pavement on Main Street will be removed within the trench area. With the majority of this work occurring within the paved roadway, traffic control is required, and travel will be reduced to one lane during construction.” These single-lane closures will be controlled with automated flagging devices with barrier arms. While every effort will be made to reduce traffic impacts, some delays should be expected when driving through all downtown areas. Main Street Closure Details: One full closure of Main Street is required north of Chetola Resort. This closure will not prevent access to any businesses, but visitors to Chetola Resort, McCoy Minerals, and other north Main locations will need to access those places from the south end of Main Street. That simply means that downtown visitors, including school traffic, will need to access Main Street via Sunset Drive. This full closure of north Main Street from Chetola out to the US Highway 321 intersection will be active Monday mornings through Thursday evenings from February 12 through at least mid-April 2024. The road will be opened Friday mornings through the weekends. This closure is for 18-inch sewer line replacement. See area marked in red on full map below. Downtown Core Construction Work: Currently, sewer installation continues on Main Street between Chestnut Drive and Morris Street, along the parking spaces on the east side of Main Street. Sewer installation will progress north on the east side of Main Street toward US Hwy 221. Single-lane closures and lane shifts will be necessary during this construction. Sidewalk access for pedestrians will remain open throughout the project. Fridays of each work week will be reserved for clean-up (unless work days are lost through the week), with both traffic lanes and on-street parking reopening for each weekend. Starting in mid-March, water line installation will begin on the other side of Main Street, following the same method. This work will begin at Ginny Stevens Lane and continue north on Main Street through downtown. The west side of Main Street parking and the south bound lane will be utilized for water installation. Single-lane closures and lane shifts will be necessary during this construction as well. See this area marked in yellow on full map below. Additional Details: For information about additional parking areas off of Main Street, click here. Entire water and sewer project completion date is September 10, 2024. Please note that all dates listed are approximate and the timing of all construction activity is weather-dependent. More information about the project is available on the project website.

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A dish of mountain trout at the Restaurant at Gideon Ridge, with a bright garnish of seasonal vegetables.

Restaurant at Gideon Ridge a James Beard Award Semifinalist

The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge in Blowing Rock, North Carolina is a 2024 James Beard Award Semifinalist in the Outstanding Restaurant category. Semifinalists are recognized as exemplary in their category; the top 5 in each award category will be announced as Nominees this spring.  According to the James Beard Foundation’s website, the Outstanding Restaurant Award recognizes restaurants that “demonstrate consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations while contributing positively to their broader community.” The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge has been a fine dining staple in Blowing Rock for many years. It has become known for thoughtfully crafted, locally-sourced fare and attentive service. Wide mountain views surround the intimate dining area. The restaurant is housed inside a rustically elegant inn, built in 1941 as a summer estate by the Lindau family, relatives of Moses and Bertha Cone. The Milner family purchased the establishment in 1984 and in 2000, Cobb and Cindy Milner opened The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge.  “This honor is the result of many years of effort by our wonderful staff, from the kitchen, to the servers, cleaning staff and managers who made this all possible,” Cobb Milner said. “And especially our Executive Chef, Hunter Womble.” Womble became the Executive Chef at The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge in 2014. As he has applied his creativity and vision, the restaurant’s reputation for exceptional experiences has grown. He is excited about this latest recognition for the restaurant. “There are so many incredible chefs and restaurants represented in these categories,” Womble said. “Just to be considered for this distinction really is an honor. We appreciate the show of confidence, as well as the consistent support from our local community over the years.” Community connection is especially valued by the team at The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge. “We couldn’t have reached such success without our local community including our farmers, suppliers, friends, and families who have given their time and expertise to helping our business shine,” Cindy Milner added. “Families have been with us for decades and shared their generations. We are ever grateful and humbled by that support.” The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge has been recognized with multiple accolades in the last several years. Just a few months ago, the Restaurant at Gideon Ridge received Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Award for the second year in a row. The online travel review giant ranked The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge as #2 Fine Dining Restaurant and #3 Date Night Restaurant in the United States, based on quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings. The restaurant is also currently recognized by Fodor’s Travel as a Fodor’s Choice selection.   The 2024 James Beard Award Restaurant and Chef semifinalists are recognized across 22 categories. North Carolina’s rich culinary culture is well represented in the lists. Eleven other North Carolina restaurants and chefs join The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge as semifinalists across several categories. Nominees will be announced on Wednesday, April 3, and winners will be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 10. The 2024 James Beard Awards are presented by Capital One. Learn more about the James Beard Awards and see the full Semifinalist lists at jamesbeard.org. Get information and reservations for The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge at gideonridge.com. January 2024

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Blowing Rock Inn Under New Ownership

Savara Hospitality and Piedmont Capital are pleased to announce the acquisition of Blowing Rock Inn located in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. The property was purchased by a joint venture between Fairfax, Virginia based Savara Hospitality Inc. and Charlotte, North Carolina based Piedmont Capital RE, LLC. Blowing Rock Inn, situated in the heart of Downtown Blowing Rock, features twenty charmingly appointed guest rooms, four spacious villa-style suites, and an exclusive two-bedroom suite. Conveniently situated on Main Street, the inn is within walking distance to the town’s vibrant shopping, dining, and outdoor adventure offerings, as well as driving distance to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the High Country’s most popular attractions. “We are proud to welcome Blowing Rock Inn to Savara Hospitality’s portfolio of boutique hotels. In the spirit of timeless hospitality, we look forward to curating moments for our guests that weave into the fabric of this property’s rustic charm. The High Country offers a wealth of experiences for visitors, and we are ecstatic about partnering with Piedmont Capital to complete this acquisition in one of North Carolina’s premier destinations,” stated Vishal Savani, Managing Director of Savara Hospitality. William Hodges, Founding Partner of Piedmont Capital, added “The Blowing Rock Inn is a landmark property in downtown Blowing Rock and a perfect complement to Piedmont Capital’s growing hospitality portfolio. We are excited to grow our presence in the market as well as expand our partnership with Savara Hospitality.” Savara Hospitality operates a portfolio of unique upscale hotels in Virginia and North Carolina, including Blowing Rock’s Meadowbrook Inn, Mountainaire Inn & Log Cabins and Azalea Garden Inn, which are all located just steps away from Blowing Rock Inn. Savara Hospitality will be operating Blowing Rock Inn following the acquisition. About Savara HospitalitySavara Hospitality owns, operates, and provides hospitality management and consulting services to historic and boutique hotels and inns in urban and vacation destinations throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Featuring a portfolio of independent hotels that boldly express their individuality, Savara Hospitality utilizes a customized, hand-on approach to ensuring that each property in its portfolio finds its way to thrive. Savara Hospitality’s hotels and inns have received countless accolades for their attention to design and unwavering commitment to service.  For more information, visit www.savarahospitality.com. About Piedmont CapitalFounded in 2021, Piedmont Capital is a Charlotte-based real estate investment firm focused on core plus and value-add retail, office, and hospitality assets throughout the Carolinas. Blowing Rock, NC (January 18, 2024)

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Blowing Rock Voted Best Mountain Getaway and Best Downtown

NC Tripping, the go-to website and social media resource for North Carolina travel, has announced the winners of their third-annual Best of North Carolina (Best of NC). After tallying thousands of votes, Blowing Rock came out on top in two categories! Blowing Rock was voted Best Mountain Getaway in North Carolina AND the Best Downtown in North Carolina by NC Tripping’s readers and social media followers. Additionally, Blowing Rock’s Tweetsie Railroad was voted as the runner up for Best Family-Friendly Attraction, and Blowing Rock was a finalist for Best Dog-Friendly Destination. Folks can find the pick for Best Breakfast in neighboring Boone, the Best Winery in nearby Foscoe, and the Best Trail and Most Beautiful Waterfall (Linville Falls selected for both) in the local area. Thousands of website readers and social media followers nominated and voted for destinations and local businesses in 4 main categories, including: • Getaways • Outdoors • Food and Drink • Community To see all the 2023 winners, visit www.nctripping.com/best-of-north-carolina-2023 NC Tripping announced contest winners on its website, social media, and to email newsletter subscribers. One participant was also chosen to receive a $100 gift card to a business of their choosing. “We’re so grateful to our readers and followers forparticipating. Most importantly, our thanks goes out to the local businesses and destinations that make this state such an ideal place to live in and visit,” explained Carl Hedinger, co-founder of NC Tripping. The fourth-annual Best of NC tentatively planned for November 2024 and more info is available at nctripping.com/best-of-north-carolina. About NC Tripping NC Tripping is a website and social media brand focused on North Carolina travel and things to do in all 100 counties. Based in Durham, the family-run company has published hundreds of travel guides and two books that cover destinations from the mountains to the sea. For travel inspiration and sponsorship opportunities, visit nctripping.com and follow @nctripping on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. December 14, 2023

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Blue Ridge Parkway announces Blowing Rock sledding hill closure due to unsafe conditions

Heavy traffic and safety concerns necessitate closure of popular, but unofficial, sledding hill at Sandy Flat Gap.  Blue Ridge Parkway officials announced today that the area locally known as “Sled Hill,” near milepost 294.5, is closed effective immediately to all winter activities including sledding, tubing, skiing, and snowboarding.  The hill is located at the intersection of Shulls Mill Road and the Blue Ridge Parkway.  In addition to the hill closure, parking is prohibited along the nearby Parkway administrative access road and portions of Shulls Mill Road within park boundaries.   “The growing popularity of winter recreation activities in this area unfortunately can no longer be accommodated. The area was not designed for snow play or a high level of pedestrian use, and these activities, combined with roadside parking, have created a dangerous situation for park visitors,” said Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Tracy Swartout. “In recent years staff have witnessed multiple near misses of adults and children with passing vehicles due to unsafe conditions, high volumes of traffic, and poor sight lines. While we know that this will be disappointing to many of our winter visitors, we must take this action in the interest of visitor safety.”   In the coming days, park staff will install closure fencing and signage in the area, and anyone found not in compliance with the closure order may be cited. BLOWING ROCK, NC – December 13, 2023 Looking for downhill fun? Try tubing at Hawksnest Tubing or Sugar Mountain. Or see our list of sledding locations here.   –NPS– www.nps.gov/blri www.Facebook.com/BlueRidgeNPS www.Twitter.com/BlueRidgeNPS www.Instagram.com/BlueRidgeNPS https://npgallery.nps.gov/BLRI

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Blowing Rock Voted a Top Adventure Town by Blue Ridge Outdoors Readers

Over 24,000 votes poured in to Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine’s thirteenth annual Top Adventure Towns contest, presented by LOWA. From 100 adventure hubs across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, readers narrowed down nominees in four different categories: tiny town (population less than 3,000), small town (population 3,001-16,000), mid-sized town (population 16,001-75,000), and large town (population 75,001+). This year, readers selected Blowing Rock, N.C. (tiny town), Bedford, Va. (small town), Boone, N.C. (mid-sized town), and Roanoke, Va. (large town), as their favorites. All four will be featured in Blue Ridge Outdoors’ adventure towns coverage in the magazine’s November issue, hitting stands now. “Blowing Rock is pleased to be recognized as a top adventure destination,” says Tracy Brown, Executive Director of the Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority. “Our local adventure experience is second to none, with unique landscapes and incredible recreation providers. The fact that our neighbor Boone was also selected as a favorite really highlights the experience this region can offer to adventure enthusiasts.” All 100 towns in the contest received tremendous support from readers across the region. The field was stacked with well-known outdoor hubs, from tiny towns to major metropolises, featuring a mix of mountain biking meccas, whitewater oases, climbing paradises, and hiking nirvanas. The runners-up ineach category in 2023 were Damascus, Va., and Floyd, Va. (tiny town), Abingdon, Va., and Lexington, Va. (small town), Charlottesville, Va., and Bristol, Tenn. (mid-sized town), and Asheville, N.C., and Lynchburg, Va. (large town). “As we navigate a post-pandemic world, we are thrilled by the enduring fascination with the outdoors and our readers’ rekindled passion for adventure,” says Leah Woody, Publisher of Blue Ridge Outdoors. “Join us in celebrating this renewal of spirit through the Top Adventure Towns contest, where we shine a spotlight on the rich variety of outdoor destinations across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Together, let’s inspire travelers from all walks of life to experience the incredible beauty of our region and the vibrant communities that call it home.” For more information, contact Blue Ridge Outdoors, associate publisher Katie Hartwell at katie@blueridgeoutdoors.com / 434-825-5823 or editor Jedd Ferris at jedd@blueridgeoutdoors.com.

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Path to Achievement: Building a Pump Track Trail

Becoming an Eagle Scout takes dedication and persistence. To earn this highest rank advancement, Scouts must plan and complete a community service project that gives them the experience of leading others in pursuit of a worthwhile goal. Local Scout Evan Cutlip of Troop 109 knew he wanted his project to have a lasting impact. He thought BIG. When contemplating possibilities for his Eagle Scout project, Evan, age 14, landed on a concept quickly. He and his friends enjoy mountain biking and they would often ride their bikes around town, particularly around the track at Davant Field. But Evan knew something more exciting was possible- he’d been dreaming of a bike track in his hometown of Blowing Rock since he was in Cub Scouts, after all. He envisioned building a pump track for mountain bikes, tucked by an area where people were already riding their bikes. A pump track is essentially a circuit trail with special features like berms and ramps. Cyclists ride a pump track by generating momentum along the trail with up and down body movements – pumping- instead of pedaling or pushing. He could imagine it easily. “I just drew a plan one day at school,” Evan said. That plan, complete with a preliminary layout and track features, became the first big step in his Eagle Scout Project. Though the trail itself had a small footprint, Evan’s parents immediately understood that the project would be a big undertaking, especially as the selected site was on Town property. They didn’t discourage him from taking it on, however. “It was going to take a lot of different elements to come together,” said Ron Cutlip, Evan’s father. As a landscape architect, he knew what kind of steps would be required to build a new landscape feature. “But we were confident he could take this on and we just needed to support his efforts.” Evan’s mother, Cheryl Cutlip, agreed. “We always want to encourage our kids to do hard things, and Evan was so passionate about this right from the start.” Evan began with his Eagle Scout Application, which required details on project implementation. He listed materials, quantities, expenses, potential donors, needed equipment, and more. With the project decided and plan refined, the next step was to gain approval for a brand new bike feature inside a Blowing Rock park. On March 14, 2023, Evan went before the Town Council to present his plan. “I was pretty nervous, probably as nervous as I’ve ever been. I felt like I was on trial!” Evan said about speaking to a room of town representatives. When the issue of funding came up, Evan assured the Council that no money would be needed from the Town. The project would rely entirely on donations of materials and labor. From questions about safety and insurance to others about use and maintenance, Evan answered them all. The pump track project was approved unanimously by the Blowing Rock Town Council. Work on the pump track began in April 2023. Though Evan initially thought the work would be completed quickly, he soon realized the project would likely take the whole summer. The project consisted of not only building the track, but clearing the initial trail, building bridges, rehabilitating the creek, and installing drains to prevent erosion.  “The project took 660 hours of work,” Evan said. He was helped by his friends, other Boy Scouts, and volunteers. He also raised $8,437.58 for the track from more than a dozen donors. Throughout the entire project, Evan took on the main leadership role. “When I first started off, I was not getting that much respect,” Evan said, explaining that it’s natural for people to expect an adult to be in charge. But it didn’t take long for everyone to realize that the bike trail was truly Evan’s project. He became a site director, there to provide instruction, direct volunteers, and document everyone’s efforts. On Wednesday, September 6th the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for the new Davant Bike Park. The pump track is located alongside Davant Field on Clark Street. The ¼ acre park contains 347 linear feet of bike track, with two bridges and a trail path that varies between 4 and 6 feet wide. Evan expressed his appreciation for the support from the Town of Blowing Rock, as well as the volunteers and donors who helped make the idea a reality. “I have learned a lot of good life lessons about leadership and helping the community,” he said. He and his friends then treated the crowd to a demonstration by riding their bikes around the pump track, showing the jumps, bridges, and other terrain. Evan is excited about the fun this new trail will offer. “I just wanted to create something for the kids here in the community,” he said. “We used to have to find places to ride our bikes where we knew we really shouldn’t, so I thought it would be really nice if we had a place to go.” Evan Cutlip’s achievement was recognized at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor on October 17th, where he was officially named an Eagle Scout. Reflecting on his accomplishment, Evan said, “Throughout all of scouting, and my entire life, I’ve learned one thing that keeps me pushing: self discipline. Just like anything, motivation comes and goes but if you have strong self discipline nothing can stand in your way. It’s a skill that takes practice. I hope to help other scouts in the future to reach their goals.” As it so happens, 2023 is the Year of the Trail in North Carolina, and September’s trail theme was Achieve a Trail Goal. Evan Cutlip, Eagle Scout, opened a new pump track this September, achieving his goal of building a new trail for bikers of all ages to enjoy. The entire Blowing Rock community is proud of its newest Eagle Scout, and excited to see his vision become a reality! Donors to the Davant Bike Park include Appalachian Ski Mountain,

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National Accolades for the Restaurant at Gideon Ridge

For the second year in a row, Tripadvisor has named The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge in Blowing Rock a top dining destination. In their 2023 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards, the online travel review giant ranked The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge as #2 Fine Dining Restaurant and #3 Date Night Restaurant in the United States. It is the only North Carolina restaurant honored in either respective category this year. According to Tripadvisor, Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best is their highest honor. The award “takes into account the quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings, and ranks the very best accommodations, destinations, beaches, attractions, restaurants, airlines, and experiences in specific categories and geographic areas, as rated and reviewed by travelers. Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best award winners are among the top 1% of listings on Tripadvisor.” The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge owners Cobb and Cindy Milner consider their staff as the recipients of the award and are thrilled to see their work recognized. “Our staff really cares about the people they are serving and that makes a huge difference,” says Cindy Milner. “We are so grateful for all the hard work that they do! This would never have happened without our team; they really are the Best of the Best.” The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge has been a fine dining staple in Blowing Rock for many years. It is known for locally-sourced fare, creatively and thoughtfully crafted. Stunning mountain views surround the intimate dining area. Dining staff is always attentive and well-acquainted with the flavors of each dish, able to offer friendly guidance on course selection and beverage pairings. Executive Chef Hunter Womble even takes time to personally greet each table whenever possible, making each guest feel welcome. “We couldn’t be more honored,” says Womble. “This award isn’t a competition or something decided by industry folks. Our diners felt strongly enough about their experience to write those reviews. That’s everything to our team because creating memorable experiences for our patrons is what we love to do.” Womble began working at The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge 11 years ago, becoming Executive Chef in 2014. Under his leadership, the restaurant’s positive reputation has steadily grown. In 2017 The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge was recognized in another review-based list: OpenTable’s Top 100 Most Scenic Restaurants in America. Two years later, it was included among OpenTable’s Top 100 Restaurants in America. The restaurant is also currently recognized by Fodor’s Travel as a Fodor’s Choice selection. Reservations are required for dining at The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge, available at gideonridge.com on a rolling 2-week schedule. – October 2023. Photos courtesy of Restaurant at Gideon Ridge.

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Blowing Rock TDA Prioritizes Research and Wayfinding This Year

The Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority (BRTDA) has adopted and begun implementing its budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024. Anticipating a decline in occupancy tax revenues, the TDA staff and board set the current budget at $ 1,518,636 – a 15% reduction from the previous year’s budget. With a continued reduction in call-to-action advertising, the TDA is dedicating a notable portion of promotional spending to research that will bring clarity to future promotions planning. Infrastructure dollars will be directed to several projects, including updated wayfinding signage throughout Blowing Rock and expanded restrooms in Memorial Park. The explosive rate of growth in leisure travel directly following the pandemic was not a long-term trend, and travel industry experts anticipated a shift when travel became safer. Currently, the domestic travel industry is seeing a continued “cooling-off” that began late last year. Indeed, Blowing Rock occupancy tax collections for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 were about 5% below the previous year. Much of this decline can be attributed to changes in demand as airline options and international travel began to return to normal; many regional visitors resumed more varied travel habits as soon as they became available. A continued decline is expected this year as these travel patterns continue to normalize and local pricing responds to reduced demand. The BRTDA does not see these declines in comparative revenue and visitation as a cause for alarm. “Many businesses in Blowing Rock will likely tell you it was a challenge to keep up with the record demand of late 2020 through 2021,” says Tracy Brown, Executive Director of the BRTDA. “And our residents were certainly feeling the impacts of overwhelming visitation levels. This slow-down is really a return to more normal, sustainable levels of business, which is something we welcome.”   Even with changes in demand, and other potentially-affecting factors like inflation and gas prices, travel forecasters have predicted strong overall domestic leisure travel in 2023 and 2024. And Blowing Rock continues to garner accolades that confirm the little town remains a favorite vacation spot. Earlier this year, Blowing Rock was voted Best Small Town in NC by readers of Southern Living Magazine, and Best Walkable Town and Best Main-Street Local Shopping by readers of Blue Ridge Country Magazine. It’s also worth noting that while occupancy tax revenues are expected to be less than last year, current budgeted revenues are still about 40% higher than 2018-2019 revenues, reflecting overall growth.  The BRTDA is always working to gather industry information and research to better understand the Blowing Rock visitor and market. With current shifts in travel patterns- plus new technology and partnerships available- staff felt that 2023-2024 was an ideal time for more focused research. Earlier this month, the BRTDA received results from a 2023 Brand and Image Position survey conducted by SMARInsights. Participation in this survey was made possible through a partnership with Visit North Carolina.  During the current fiscal year, the TDA is contracting with data collection companies AirDNA and Arrivalist. “These firms will help the TDA learn a great deal about the High Country visitor: how long they stay, where they are from, and where they spend their time while visiting,” says Brown. This useful information will be available regularly throughout the year and the BRTDA plans to share with its constituents, board, and Town Council. General promotions activity is planned in 2023-2024, with advertising that continues an established focus on sustainable messaging in connection with Outdoor NC and Leave No Trace principles. For the last few years, the BRTDA has focused on educational and stewardship messaging during busy summer and fall seasons. Traditional call-to-action marketing, designed to increase visitation, is generally limited to “shoulder seasons” when regular visitation declines. New educational programming for students at Appalachian State University will continue this year, with the intent to enhance communication between the university and local businesses for student employment. Phase I of the new wayfinding signage, funded entirely by the BRTDA, will be implemented in the current fiscal year. These attractive signs will direct visitors and residents to points of interest and help reduce sign clutter in some key areas. The custom design, construction, and installation will be directed by Destination by Design of Boone. The BRTDA will also continue to provide funding support for Town events like the 4th of July Festival, Halloween Festival, and Christmas in the Park. Infrastructure dollars from the BRTDA go to landscape improvements and beautification each year, which this year includes the purchase of hundreds of blooming plants, installation of Christmas lights, and restroom cleaning services. A portion of this year’s infrastructure budget will also build additional restrooms in Memorial Park, doubling the current capacity. Construction is currently underway. About the Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority:The BRTDA operates as the official Destination Marketing Organization for the Town of Blowing Rock, and exists to increase and enhance Blowing Rock’s visitor economy. Utilizing the 6% occupancy tax levied on short-term lodging stays in the Town of Blowing Rock, the TDA funds the promotion of tourism in Blowing Rock and provides a funding base for improvement and maintenance of the Town’s tourism-related infrastructure. August 2023

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