Category: Press Release

Blowing Rock has been honored with an inclusion in Southern Living’s 50 Best Small Towns in the South 2023! Readers of the popular magazine voted for their favorite places all across the south, and Blowing Rock received top billing among other North Carolina towns, listed 5th overall. Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority Executive Director Tracy Brown was justifiably proud that the town found itself near the top of the Southern Living list, and not for the first time. “We couldn’t ask for a better endorsement,” Brown said. “Votes from readers mean votes from real travelers- our neighbors.” Southern Living notes that when the awards first began, readers were simply asked, “have a favorite?” For this year’s South’s Best awards, the magazine remarks that the lists “include dazzling newcomers, repeat champions, hidden gems, and tried-and-true classics in states across our region.” Of Blowing Rock, magazine editors wrote, “This mountain town is named for its most famous feature, a 4,000-foot cliff that overlooks a spectacular gorge, distant peaks, and dense forests. But Blowing Rock is no one-hit wonder. Expect plenty of High Country character from a community of talented craftspeople and chefs inspired by their surroundings.” Readers were invited to participate through promotions in Southern Living magazine, email newsletters, social media platforms, and on southernliving.com. The resulting list is diverse. Other NC towns on the list include Boone, Hendersonville, and Beaufort. Finishing ahead of Blowing Rock in the Best Small Town category were Dahlonega, GA, Gatlinburg, TN, Beaufort, SC, and St. Augustine, FL. Southern Living’s South’s Best awards celebrate the “people, places, and communities that make our home more vibrant than ever.” For more information on the South’s Best awards, visit southernliving.com/souths-best                     March 9, 2023                      

The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) is excited to open the exhibition POP-UP: Andy Warhol & the Portrait Impulse. Theexhibition highlights 96 Polaroids, 27 black and white prints, and 6 silkscreens generously loaned from the Permanent Collection of the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts at Appalachian State University, courtesy of a gift by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts’  Andy Warhol Photographic Legacy program. POP-UP will be on view through June 2nd, 2023 in BRAHM’s Fort Gallery. Photography and its potential for experimental portraiture is foundational across Andy Warhol’s prolific career. In POP-UP, Warhol’s commitment to instant film as a candid documentary medium is explored alongside examples of his iconic silkscreen prints. Synthesizing the photographic, the painterly, and the commercial, the artist’s manipulation of the human visage constitutes some of his most lasting impacts on contemporary photography and image-making. In this exhibition, we see Warhol’s near-obsessive use of the camera—the Polaroid in particular—some examples of which would ultimately be transformed into the high contrast, color blocked images audiences are so familiar with today. For more information on POP-UP, please visit blowingrockmuseum.org/see/warhol-pop-up. Those interested in viewing the new exhibition are encouraged to come to BRAHM’s Spring Exhibition Celebration on Friday, March 24 from 5–7:00pm. Docents will be on hand to answer questions and provide insight into the exhibitions, and light refreshments including a cash bar will be available. This is a free event welcoming all visitors. To learn more about the Spring Exhibition Celebration, visit the calendar on BlowingRockMuseum.org. BRAHM  is an art and history museum nestled in the mountains of North Carolina. Open to the public since 2011, BRAHM provides cultural enrichment by promoting the arts, and Southern Appalachian heritage and history, through educational programs, exhibitions,activities and permanent collections. BRAHM is located in downtown Blowing Rock and is open to the public, free of charge, Tues. – Sat. 11-5 and, beginning May 1 through October 31, Sun. 11-4. February 2023

2023 brings the 25th Blowing Rock WinterFest event, with a calendar full of seasonal activities. From Thursday, January 26 through Sunday, January 29, everyone is again encouraged: don’t hibernate- celebrate! The first Blowing Rock WinterFest was presented in 1998, created to bring celebration to a sleepy season. Since then, the festival has grown to present a wide variety of activities and events. Many have become highly anticipated, and festival coordinators are very excited to be able to bring them back this year. Back for 2023, the Polar Bear Plunge at Chetola Lake is arguably the most-loved event. Register to take a chilly dip in the icy water, or help countdown participants from beside the firepit, if that’s more your speed. John Carter of WBTV Charlotte returns as emcee, and the participant costumes are sure to delight. There’s so much more packed into the weekend that you won’t want to miss, starting with WinterFeast, presented at Green Park Inn.  Sample a variety of culinary treats provided by several popular restaurants from the area. So many choices and an opportunity to expand your palate with some top picks from our local chefs! The Chili Challenge and Beer Garden are a couple of staple events getting a refresh for this special milestone year. The Rotary Chilly Chili Challenge is a crowd favorite. Guests are invited to warm up and place their own vote for the best chili in town! All donations go to helping out the community through local non-profits. The WinterFest Beer Garden gives attendees the opportunity to experience some of the best local beers from around the High Country. New this year: these two events will be presented together in adjacent, indoor spaces. “We had a lot of feedback of wanting to have the Beer Garden and Chili events closer together,” says John Goheen, festival coordinator. “And it makes a lot of sense, they really are a great combination!” “Presenting the Beer Garden indoors offers a comfortable atmosphere that isn’t dependent on unforeseen weather conditions,” John adds. “And this year’s Rotary Chilly Chili Challenge will be easily accessible again; attendees can try all the chilis under one roof in Meadowbrook Inn’s beautiful Four Seasons Ballroom.” While admission to WinterFeast, the Chili Challenge, and the Beer Garden are limited and require advance tickets, other festival activities are general admission and free of charge. The Ice Stroll, opening Friday night of the festival, features a collection of custom ice carvings hosted at local businesses. Be sure to stop by each one to take a look and maybe a photo or two. Live Ice Carving Demonstrations in Memorial Park are a centerpiece of the Saturday schedule. The talented team from Artisan Ice Sculptures will create masterpieces throughout the afternoon. Also in Memorial Park, catch Snow Making Demonstrations hosted by Brad Panovich, Chief Meteorologist at WCNC Charlotte. He explains the science of snow with the assistance of a simple snow-making rig. Plus, he’s always happy to answer questions about weather, so stop by to watch the snow and say hello! “Brad’s demonstrations are an excellent way to learn while having a ton of fun,” John says. “Especially for visitors who don’t usually get to experience snow!” Festival attendees can also look forward to the return of the classic Pancake Breakfast fundraiser at Blowing Rock School and a fresh update to this year’s Downtown Hayrides. Cue up for a unique hayride pulled by a Humvee, courtesy of Speckled Trout Outfitters! There’s even more, including the Silent Auction, Wine Seminars, Square Dancing, and Cork & Canvas classes. Don’t miss great activities all weekend just off Main Street, too, like the Festival of Lights at Chetola Resort and the Tomahawk Hill Winterhawk Tournament, Winter Duck Derby and Frozen Heart Adventure at Mystery Hill. Several festival activities are free, some are ticketed. For a full schedule of events, tickets, lodging partners, event packages, and participation information, go to blowingrockwinterfest.com. Tickets and info are also available by calling 828-295-7851. “With WinterFest back in full swing, we encourage everyone to come out and celebrate this exciting season that offers so many fun opportunities that are unique to our beautiful mountain town,” John says. Blowing Rock is accessible from anywhere in the region, less than two hours from Charlotte and Greensboro, three hours from Knoxville and Raleigh, and five hours from Atlanta and Charleston. A wide range of accommodations is available; visit blowingrock.com/lodging for details. WinterFest, which has been named a AAA “Top Pick” and a Top 20 Event by Southeastern Tourism Society, is organized by the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce and presented by Hendrick Luxury Group.

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.”