Category: Press Release

Visitors to The Mountain Thread Company in Blowing Rock will often find the owner, Katherine Lile, enthusiastically sharing her crafting knowledge with curious and aspiring crafters. In Zigzag Rope Sewing Projects, available this September, Katherine shares even more of her unique expertise.

BRAHM (Blowing Rock Art & History Museum) will host their annual Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival from August 16-20, 2022, concluding in the Wet Paint Sale on August 20, 2022, from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Be on the lookout August 16-20th and you may notice scores of artists painting outdoors in the fifth annual Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival. “Plein Air” is a French term referring to the practice of painting from life and nature in the great outdoors. BRAHM will once again welcome 120 artists from over fifteen states to draw and paint the area’s many sights and splendors. In addition to watching artists at work over the course of the 5 day festival, BRAHM invites the public to view and shop the Wet Paint Sale on Saturday, August 20th, from 11 AM – 5:00 PM. Tickets are free, but timed entry spots must be reserved online. The sale will be held in BRAHM’s Alexander Community Gallery, located at 159 Ginny Stevens Lane, off Main Street in Blowing Rock. The Wet Paint Sale is a culmination of the artists’ work painting the scenes of the quaint village of Blowing Rock, as well as the stunning Blue Ridge Parkway vistas, lakes, trails, and features. Artists may work in any 2-dimensional medium, with oil painting being the most popular. (Since oil paint often takes days or even weeks to dry to the touch, the still wet paintings are framed and hung for display and sale, hence the Wet Paint Sale name.) Participating artists vary from hobbyists to collected professionals, assuring there will be art available for purchase in a wide price range. Proceeds from the Wet Paint Sale go toward the mission of BRAHM to provide cultural enrichment to the High Country communities by promoting the Arts and Southern Appalachian Heritage & History through educational programs, exhibitions, activities, and permanent collections. Proceeds also benefit BRAHM’s Education Outreach programs. What better way to celebrate the purchase of your new home, remember a vacation destination, or give a gift to be treasured for decades, than to support the arts and artists with the purchase of original creations at the Wet Paint Sale. To learn more about the 2022 Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival and to register for the Wet Paint Sale on August 20th, please visit BlowingRockPleinAir.org or call 828-295-9099. Thanks to the 2022 Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival Sponsors, Blowing Rock Properties Cheap Joes Art Stuff Hemlock Inn Monkee’s of Blowing Rock Patti Turner, Managing Broker, Premier Sotheby’s International Realty Sue Glenn, Broker Associate, Blowing Rock Properties The Blowing Rock Related Posts Sculpture & Art in Blowing Rock Blowing Rock Makers

Concerns over COVID-19 safety and extreme weather forecasted for Saturday, January 29 have led to the cancelation of the 2022 Polar Bear Plunge at Chetola Resort. As the centerpiece of the annual Blowing Rock WinterFest, the Polar Bear Plunge has often taken place in very cold temperatures, but potential for some blizzard-like conditions and extra impacts from COVID-19 have tipped the scales. In a Wednesday night email to the Chamber of Commerce, owner of Chetola Resort, Kent Tarbutton, expressed frustration over the necessary measures. “The 9:00 am temperature will clock in with a wind chill factor of -8. We found little choice when considering the additional COVID spread factor, the frostbite potential, and our attempt to keep people protected.” “Safety is always a top priority at the Polar Bear Plunge,” says Suzy Barker, Event Director for the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce and coordinator of Blowing Rock WinterFest. “Every precaution is taken and when temperatures are very cold, we have participants come to the dock in smaller groups so they spend less time waiting to jump. The need to keep participants together indoors more is a special concern for public health right now, and snow combined with high winds raises issues of visibility and safety for participants and attendees alike, so we understand Chetola’s decision to cancel.” Other Blowing Rock WinterFest events and activities are still on for this weekend. Ice carving demonstrations in Memorial Park, Curling Exhibitions at the Blowing Rock School Gym, and the Beer Garden on the Chamber of Commerce lawn are among a calendar full of various activities and restaurant specials. More details can be found on the official event website: BlowingRockWinterFest.com. “We appreciate the generosity and support of this year’s Polar Bear Plunge participants,” Suzy Barker added. “We will be communicating with them regarding registration fees and refunds.”

Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) will host WFDD’s Photo of the Year contest, taking place in the Alexander Community Gallery from February 8th to March 19th. Beginning in February, BRAHM will display 53 images taken from the surrounding region, all highlighting the beauty of our local communities. Featuring all of the 2021 winners of WFDD’s Photo of the Week challenge, these images range from sunsets to sunrises, rivers to mountains, plants to animals, and plenty more. Each image captures the wonders and joy that our communities have continued to find in the past year. To learn more —or to get a preview of the photos—please visit https://www.wfdd.org/2021photooftheyear. Patrons will be able to vote for their favorite images, and the winner will be listed as WFDD’s Photo of the Year. This contest will take place starting Tuesday February 8th and end on Saturday March 19th. This event is free to participate in, and we highly encourage the community to come and view these captivating photos. BRAHM and its members are excited for this community partnership, as stated by Lee Carol Giduz, Executive Director, “BRAHM is so thrilled to host this exhibit that represents the beauty of both the natural world and everyday lives in our region. We are especially pleased to host this exhibition in partnership with our friends at WFDD.” The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum is a 501-c3 non-profit arts and history museum nestled in the village of Blowing Rock, North Carolina. BRAHM’s mission is to provide cultural enrichment to the High Country communities by promoting the arts, and Southern Appalachian heritage and history, through educational programs, exhibitions, activities and permanent collections. The museum offers FREE ADMISSION and is open to the public, Tuesday – Saturday, 11:00AM – 5:00PM. Photo: 11/5/2021, Kellan Wilsonwithers, Mount Airy. “Chilly November morning, watching the Yadkin River flow and allowing my racing thoughts and fervent prayers to flow away with it.”

VALLE CRUCIS, NC — The celebratory shouts that went up when it was announced that the 2021 Valle Country Fair would be back live and in-person could have rivaled the enthusiasm that burst forth when Noah threw open the doors and let all his passengers off of the ark! Now in its 43rd year, the fun and fellowship enjoyed by the volunteers who put on the Valle Country Fair is almost as meaningful as knowing that their efforts manifest the tagline “Community Supporting Community.” “A community is about people,” said John Heiss, Co-chair of the 2021 Valle Country Fair. “This Fair provides a perfect venue for the people of our community to come together, talk, smile, laugh and enjoy the camaraderie of neighbors, friends and visitors with a common goal – supporting those in need within our community.” “Even though the Fair was “virtual” in 2020,” Heiss continued, “the outpouring from the community through donations and online sales made it a success and provided the means to continue our mission of community support.” Now returning to an in-person event, and in keeping with over four decades of precedent, the Valle Country Fair is held on the third Saturday in October (Saturday, October 16, 2021). The festivities spread out across a large hay field on the grounds of the Valle Crucis Conference Center on NC Highway 194. Admission is free and parking is available in the adjoining field for $10 per car. NO PETS are allowed. New for 2021 is the addition of a second entrance into the field. During the morning hours, traffic managers will direct vehicles off of NC 194 and onto the fairgrounds via two different portals, meaning that fairgoers should spend considerably less time in traffic waiting to get into the event. When traffic coming into the Fair slows down around mid- day, the second entrance will revert to a second exit, allowing cars departing the fairgrounds to get back on the highway quickly and easily. One-hundred-fifty craft exhibitors set up tents along wide lanes that meander back and forth between a picturesque red barn and a field of sorghum. Bales of hay are stacked in the intersections of these walkways to offer fairgoers places to sit while they ponder which craft booths to visit next. Exhibitors submit to a jury process designed to bring together the highest quality handmade crafts available and to assure fairgoers that there is a wide variety of unique products to choose between. As a show of support, exhibitors donate 10% of their earnings back to the charitable work of the Fair. Two stages host entertainment throughout the day. The stage located near the dining tent showcases the best in local bluegrass, country and gospel music. A second stage located near the Kids’ Activity Area features cloggers, magicians and more. Diversions offered in the Kids’ Area include games like Twister and pumpkin bowling, arts and crafts and creating Halloween treats. Eat all you want at the Valle Country Fair because almost all of the food concessions are operated by the church or by other non-profit organizations that return 100% of their earnings to local charities. Tables and chairs are provided under a large tent next to the music stage so that fairgoers can enjoy the entertainment while they dine. You can take a vacation from cooking on the night of the 16th as well, because the Brunswick Stew, barbecue and chili can all be purchased by the quart for later consumption – as can baked goods, jams & jellies, apple cider and apple butter! Some of the most scrumptious and beautiful cakes to come out of the Valle ovens go up for auction at 12:00 noon, so don’t miss the entertaining bidding wars! “To promote the health and safety of our visitors and volunteers, the Holy Cross food tents will, for the first time, be accepting credit cards,” Heiss said. “By establishing a ‘contactless’ credit card payment option we can reduce wait times and be mindful of our guests’ COVID concerns.” In continuing response to the pandemic, sponsors are following NC safety guidelines. Organizers increased the number of hand washing stations and hand sanitizing stations placed strategically around the fairgrounds. And, although it is an outdoor event, fairgoers are encouraged to wear masks when shopping in the busy craft booths. “The origins of the Valle Country Fair are deeply rooted in supporting the community,” said Heiss. “The growth and popularity of this annual event takes the involvement of the entire community. It is not simply a local church event – from exhibitors and musicians, to individual volunteers and donations from local businesses – it takes a village (a community) to generate the joyful celebration that is the Valle Country Fair.” The single-day harvest festival is held in a large pasture located beside NC Highway 194 between Valle Crucis and Banner Elk. Admission to the Fair is FREE and parking is available in the adjoining field for $10 per car, $25 for a small bus or van, and $50 for a motor coach. NO PETS are allowed. The event is sponsored by Holy Cross Episcopal Church in cooperation with the Valle Crucis Conference Center. All proceeds are used to help the community’s most vulnerable citizens. Recipients of the 2021 Valle Country Fair grants are Appalachian Senior Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs, Blue Ridge Women In Agriculture, the Children’s Council, Community Care Givers, High Country Caregivers, the Hunger and Health Coalition, LIFE Village , Mountain Alliance, Parent to Parent Family Support Network, Spirit Ride Therapeutic Riding Center and Watauga County Schools Extended Learning Centers. The outreach committee at Holy Cross Church distributes all remaining proceeds to individuals and families in crisis. Media sponsors for VCF 2021 are Curtis Media Group and Mountain Times Publications. For more information, contact Holy Cross Church at 828-963-4609 or visit the Fair on the web at www.vallecountryfair.org. Images Top: Apple Cider Press with John Goodrich, Bill Welch, Jim Toomey. Photo by Karen Lehmann. Middle: The Holy Smokes. Photo by

Repair attempt will close the motor road on Friday, Aug 27, 2021. Official release from the Blue Ridge Parkway: (Blowing Rock, NC) – Blue Ridge Parkway officials announced today that staff will try to repair a damaged gate at Price Lake Dam on Friday, August 27, 2021. To safely attempt the repair, the Parkway will close at Milepost 297, between the entrances to Price Park Campground and the Price Park Picnic Area. The closure will go into effect at 9:00 a.m. on Friday morning, and is estimated to last approximately five hours. While repair work is underway, this section of the Parkway will be closed to all traffic, including cyclists and pedestrians. Park staff will be on site to help visitors navigate the closure area safely. If normal gate function is restored tomorrow, park staff will conduct a thorough inspection of the dam while the water is low, and then begin the process of restoring the lake to normal levels. It is estimated to take approximately two weeks for water levels to return to normal. The lake will remain closed to all uses, including fishing, boating, and all other activities, while lake levels are restored. An area closure is in effect at the lake, and violations of this closure can result in fines. A variety of hazards can be found on the lakebed which create a dangerous situation for anyone who enters the lake. The public’s cooperation with these closures is important to personal safety as well as the protection of Parkway resources. If it is determined that more extensive repair work is needed, park staff will begin planning that work and an extended closure period is anticipated. Once the road opens tomorrow afternoon, updates regarding the repair attempt will be provided.   Price Lake Dam was constructed in 1958 and impounds the 47-acre Price Lake located near Blowing Rock, North Carolina on the Blue Ridge Parkway. When significant rain events are forecasted such as a hurricane or tropical storm, park staff preemptively open a slide gate within the dam to release water from Price Lake to accommodate a potential rapid increase in water flow into the lake from contributing streams.   On August 18, 2021, once Tropical Storm Fred had moved out of the region, park staff attempted to close the slide gate. The gate did not close and staff realized the gate had suffered a mechanical failure.  As a result, water that would normally be impounded by the Price Lake Dam was released through the open gate, causing the lake water level to drop approximately 15 feet below its normal level.     www.nps.gov/blri August 26, 2021 Contact:      Leesa Brandon, 828.348.3420