THE BLUE RIDGE DIGEST - SPRING 2019 ISSUE

the most widely distributed travel publication in the mountains

Blue Ridge & gReat Smoky mountainS

The Final Salute

All Trails Lead to Elkin for the NC Trail Days Festival

Discover the Grooviest town around!

SPRING FEVER IN BLOWING ROCK

Cure your spring fever in Blowing Rock, NC! The charming village is located along the Blue Ridge Parkway about halfway between Asheville and Fancy Gap. In the spring, outdoor pastimes include hiking, birding, fishing, and climbing, and with so much more wilderness waiting in the adjacent Pisgah National Forest, nearby state parks, and along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, there is no shortage of paths to tread.

Some of the most beloved Blue Ridge Parkway locations are in Blowing Rock, like Moses Cone Memorial Park. The historic home there, Flat Top Manor, is home to the Parkway Craft Center and overlooks the town of Blowing Rock. Enjoy horseback riding on the miles of trails there, or gather up some local

delicacies from downtown shops to picnic on the grass under budding trees. Don’t miss Price Park, where the calm surface of the lake reflects Grandfather Mountain with mirror-like clarity. Take a canoe or kayak to enjoy the peaceful setting from the water; watercraft rentals are available beginning weekends in April.

When you’re done adventuring and want to relax, the charming shops, delectable restaurants, and cozy inns of the village are an easy distance from the wild places in Blowing Rock’s backyard. Don’t miss Savor Blowing Rock, a four-day celebration of food, drink, and spring in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This year’s festival is May 2-5, and features a wine and food tasting event right down Main Street with live music! See more information on local attractions and events at BlowingRock.com

The grown-up sense of discovery at every turn around the mountain will only be surpassed by the childlike wonder our natural playground evokes.

www.grandfather.com

GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN

WONDERS NEVER CEASE

Even the smallest of us can be part of something very big.

“To Paint a Mockingbird”

Many visitors to the Appalachian Mountains travel the Blue Ridge Parkway from Cherokee, North Carolina on up into Virginia. A favorite stop on the journey is the small yet vibrant city of Roanoke, VA. Located right off the parkway, Roanoke is the cultural hub of southwest Virginia, with a bustling downtown full of history and amenities galore. Black Dog Salvage, the subject of the popular TV show “The Salvage Dawgs,” is located in Roanoke. The

Appalachian Mural Trail recently added three Roanoke murals to its mural trail. Roanoker Mim Young, Artrepreneur and instigator of RAMP -- Roanoke Art Mural Project, was excited to learn that the Appalachian Mural Trail features murals for Blue Ridge Parkway travelers, and immediately applied to ensure that some of Roanoke’s terrific art murals would be included.

Roanoke murals added to the mural trail include: “Maurice’s Mockingbird Mural,” which is a tribute by a group of writer-admirers for area poet, writer, and mentor Maurice Ferguson. The stanza painted on the mural is from Ferguson’s poem “Sailing for the East Indies.” It is believed to be Roanoke’s first poetry mural. Artist Toobz (Scott Noel) and the group of writers was assisted by RAMP - Roanoke Art Mural Project in procuring the wall and installing the art on a convenience store in an up-and-coming area.

Just a short block away is another Toobz mural “Humanufacturing,” where it covers the entire long side of an industrial building. Mural-savvy owner of The Lofts at West Station, Bill Campbell, hired a Berlin-based street artist James Bullough to install an untitled mural on the west side of his building. This mural artist is now world renowned. James Bullough is an American born artist living and working in Berlin, Germany. His studio paintings and huge monumentally scaled murals combine delicately handled realistic portraiture with harsh graphic distortion and abstraction.

Roanoke is burgeoning and so is the Appalachian Mural Trail. The mural trail now has 80 murals. Coming up are four more historical murals in Wise County, Virginia. Martinsville Virginia just added 3 new murals to the trail

Stay tuned in by visiting muraltrail.com, where you can find

directions and images of all the murals on the trail in North Carolina, VA and coming soon, West Virginia! Take a ‘selfie’ in front of a mural located on the Appalachian Mural Trail, upload your image to muraltrail.com and receive a free mural trail tee shirt!

Merlot in Mayberry: Budbreak Wine & Craft Beer Festival

Visitortips.com, where F.P.I.S., the east coast’s premier brochure distributor, brings you an online virtual brochure display. This site allows users to access brochures by city or region before leaving home or while traveling. With links to attractions websites & social media platforms we are delivering the power of brochures to the internet.

Scan this QR code to download the app

P.O. Box 1758

Asheville, NC 28802

Phone: (828) 691-5437

www.blueridgedigest.com

All articles and information supplied are printed accurately to the best knowledge of the management. The Blue Ridge Digest is not responsible for errors beyond its control.

Publisher: Thomas Hardy

tomhardy@blueridgedigest.com

Design: Imagewerks Productions

Need good design? Call (828) 681-8029

Cover image courtesy of the National D-Day Memorial Located in Bedford, Virginia. If you are a past reader, you may recognize the cover photo from 5 years back. We got so many positive comments on it that we elected to use it again.

A selection of North Carolina’s premier wineries and breweries will line Mount Airy’s Main Street on Saturday, May 4, for the 10th annual Budbreak Wine and Craft Beer Festival. The event celebrates a new growing season in the Yadkin Valley with wine, beer, food and live music.

The popular boutique festival showcases between 15 and 20 wineries along with three or four breweries, all from North Carolina.

Local restaurant 13 Bones will serve barbecue, complementing the offerings at local restaurants along Main Street.

Will Jones, who grew up just over the Virginia line in the community of Cana, will bring his Nashville-based Will Jones Band to Mount Airy to headline the festival. Jones plays Americana and country music inspired by his bluegrass roots in the Blue Ridge foothills.

“We’re in the heart of the Yadkin Valley, the largest winegrowing area in the state; we have a strong musical heritage, and the mountains are our backdrop for it all,” says Bob Meinecke, festival director. “The festival incorporates all of those key factors.”

Participating wineries include: Round Peak, Surry Cellars, Old North State, Cougar Run, Thistle Meadow and Morgan Ridge. Morgan Ridge also will pour its craft beers, along with Foothills Brewing Co. and Skull Camp Brewery.

Mount Airy Rotary sponsors the festival, and all proceeds go to charity.

Budbreak Festival hours are noon to 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 and non-tasting tickets are $5. Packages are available that include admission for two, lodging, transportation to and from the event, and a bottle of wine.

Several downtown events lead up to Saturday’s activities. Blackmon Amphitheatre hosts live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Thursday’s band is the legendary beach group The Embers featuring Craig Woolard. On Friday, Too Much Sylvia from Charlotte plays the amphitheater, while Saturday brings the classic beach and Motown sound of Carolina Soul Band.

www.BudbreakFestival.com.

To learn more about the festival and purchase tickets visit

THANKS TO THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY ASSOCIATION FOR THE USE OF THEIR CENTER-SPREAD MAP

Spring Brings Cycling, Music and a Tour of the Arts in Burnsville

This spring, the Blue Ridge Mountain town of Burnsville, North Carolina, comes alive with the return of two beloved events and the debut of something new.

The Burnsville Metric celebrates its 25th anniversary this year on Saturday, April 27. The 60.7-mile ride begins and ends on Town Square. The ride traverses scenic back roads and passes through the communities of Huntdale, Relief, Green Mountain, Red Hill and Loafer’s Glory. For less advanced riders, a 43-mile loop is also available. Homeplace Beer Co., located just off of Town Square, hosts a post-ride party for cyclists and their friends and family.

On Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26, the inaugural Mountain Acoustics Luthier Invitational fills downtown Burnsville with beautiful stringed instruments and the talented people who make them and play them. The event kicks off on Friday evening with a free luthier jam at Homeplace Beer Co. Throughout the day Saturday and Sunday, luthiers showcase their instruments to the public and lead workshops on songwriting, guitar and ukulele playing, and the luthier craft. Jay Lichty of Lichty Guitars in Tryon serves as host luthier. On Saturday night, guitar virtuoso Kaki King headlines a concert at Parkway Playhouse. Rolling Stone named King its first female “guitar god.”

The following weekend, May 31-June 2, the Toe River Studio Tour once again invites visitors to meet the many artists who call Yancey and Mitchell counties home. Approximately 100 artists participate, welcoming visitors to see where they create, ask questions and purchase their work. The tour includes potters, painters, glass blowers, woodworkers, basket weavers, sculptors, textile artists, photographers, jewelers and mixed-media artists. The tour, which takes place in June and December, has been a tradition for 26 years, but each one is different as new artists come onboard and artists’ styles evolve.

For more information about these events and more Burnsville happenings, go to www.YanceyChamber. com or call (828) 682-7413.

Parkway Icon

Travelers today see the daily patterns of life and the settled landscape here on the high plateau at places like Mabry Mill.

Cultural history demonstrations are offered in summer and early fall at the nearby blacksmith shop and Matthews cabin.

Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 176 www.mabrymillrestaurant. com or (276) 952-2947.

Explore Park Where Adventure Begins

Located directly on the parkway at milepost 115, Explore Park has added several new adventure-based amenities this season. Roanoke County has partnered with local businesses to offer overnight accommodations

including primitive campsites, yurts, tent rental and unique wooden structures called pod cabins. Overnight guests will enjoy access to a new bathhouse, as well as discounts off select park experiences.

Northwest Trading Post

The store offers handcrafted and gift items. Food and beverages include made-to-order subs, breakfast biscuits, home baked goodies, as well as fudge and many snack items. It’s a great place to stop and have lunch or a snack while enjoying beautiful mountain scenery.

While you’re there, choose from new on-site adventures every weekend such as horseback riding, environmental education programs, an 18-hole disc golf course, tubing in the Roanoke River gorge (starting June), an aerial adventure course (starting July) and a bike skills park (opening fall). Come back over the winter for Illuminights, a walk-through holiday lights display and the opening of a planned brewery and restaurant at a historical building within the park (projected November 2019). Throughout the year, take advantage of over 14 miles of scenic hiking and biking trails within the park.

Looking for more adventure? Explore Park’s convenient location only 10-minutes from the cultural amenities of downtown Roanoke makes it the perfect

starting place to explore Virginia’s Blue Ridge. More programs and activities are being added each week, as Roanoke County works to expand this destination facility!

ExplorePark.org | (540) 427-1800

SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK

Shenandoah National Park lies astride a beautiful section of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which form the eastern rampart of the Appalachian Mountains between Pennsylvania and Georgia. The Shenandoah River flows through the valley to the west, with Massanutten Mountain, 40 miles long, standing between the river’s north and south forks. The rolling Piedmont country lies to the east of the Park. Skyline Drive, a 105-mile road that winds along the crest of the mountains through the length of the Park, provides vistas of the spectacular landscape to east and west. Many animals, including deer, black bears, and wild turkeys, flourish among the rich growth of an oak-hickory forest. In season, bushes and wildflowers bloom along the Drive and trails and fill the open spaces. Apple trees, stone foundations, and cemeteries are reminders of the families who once called this place home. Shenandoah National Park has many stories waiting to be told, and a world of beauty that can renew and bring peace to the spirit.

ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

Visitors can participate in Ranger-guided activities, view audio-visual programs or exhibits at visitor centers, enjoy the panoramic views from overlooks, hike to peaks and waterfalls, fish or just plain relax in the peaceful surroundings.

Continuing a tradition set by George Freeman Pollock, who founded a resort at Skyland long before Shenandoah National Park was

established, Delaware North at Shenandoah National Park, the Park’s concessioner offers a variety of activities for visitors in spring, summer, and fall, providing a terrific way to have fun and learn more about the Park’s history and wildlife as well as regional arts, music, and crafts. For a calendar of events visit the concessioner’s website at www.goshenandoah.com

Facilities and Services

Includes visitor centers, bookstores, campgrounds, showers and laundries, picnic areas, gift shops, lodges, cabins, restaurants, gas station, ATMs, waysides, campstores, a stable, & restrooms.

• Most facilities and services are available April through November

• Plan to obtain all food, gas, and lodging outside of the Park in December, January, February, and March.

Check the Park’s website or call (540) 999-3500 for current information.

www.nps.gov/shen

Berry Good, Thank You

56th Annual Coon Dog Day Festival

Sat, July 6, 2019

8 AM - 11 PM

Don’t miss Saluda’s 56th Annual COON DOG DAY—a celebration for dogs and their people! A homecoming and celebration for dogs and their people! Great food, live music, parade, crafts, street dance, and more.

What says “summer” to you? To many of us, berries, be they blue, black, red, purple, or other hues, speak the language of warm weather and tart to sweet tastes. North Carolina’s High Country is noted for delicious berries, products of cold winters, plentiful spring rains, and cool summers, which result in a bounty of tasty, blemish-free, fruits.

Berries in the High Country may be harvested in the wild. Blue Ridge Parkway visitors may pick one gallon per person per day.Visit MountainsofNC.com for a list of our favorite berry picking trails. You can also find berries by visiting a “u-pick” farm, or simply “pick” a pint at your favorite farmer’s market or roadside stand (see local farmers markets below). Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture (brwia.org) and Appalachian Grown (appalachiangrown. org) have listings of local farms.

Of course, the High Country is also home to many cooks and chefs who elevate local berries to high art by way of pies, tarts, puddings, and other, more exotic, dishes and baked goods. Call the NC High Country Welcome Center for regional recommendations at 828-264-1299.

Watauga County

Farmers Market

(May - November)

Saturdays 8am- Noon, 591 Horn in the West Drive, Boone

King Street Farmers Market

(May 14 – October 29)

Tuesdays 4-7 pm, 26 Poplar Grove Connector, Boone

Ashe County Farmers Market

(April 13 – October 26)

Saturdays 8 am – 1 pm, Backstreet in West Jefferson

Blowing Rock Farmers Market

(May 25 – October 10)

Thursdays 4-6 pm, Located on Park Avenue in front of the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce

Avery County Farmers Market

(May 2 – September)

Thursdays 4 – 6:30 pm, Old Banner Elk Elementary School

Wilkes County Farmers Market

(April – September)

Saturdays 7:30 am – noon,

Tuesdays 3:30 – 5:30 pm, 842 CBD Loop, North Wilkesboro

Come enjoy this homecoming event in downtown Saluda. What began as a chicken supper fundraiser for the local Coon Club has grown into an event that attracts over 15,000 people each year.

(800) 440-7848

www.saluda.com/ coon-dog-day

Floyd County, VA

Spring Happenings 2019

Located atop the magnificent Blue Ridge Plateau in southwestern Virginia, Floyd is a haven of natural beauty renowned for our hospitality and for a vibrant culture of music, arts, local foods and spirits, and outdoor recreation. With near 40 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Spring is a wonderful time to visit. For more info about below and other events, go to VisitFloydVA.com or call Visitor Center at 540-745-4407

SAMPLING OF MAJOR EVENTS:

Sunday, April 28

Fireside Gathering & Dinner at Fields Edge Farm

Saturday, May 4

MayFaire Arts & Crafts at Floyd Center for the Arts

Saturday, May 18

Tour De Floyd – Cycling Event Tourdefloyd.org

Friday & Saturday, May 24-25

Chantilly Farms Bluegrass& B.B.Q.

Festival at Chantilly Farm

Friday thru Sunday, June 7-9

Floyd Artisan Trail Tour

WEEKLY:

Music is happening in season every Thursday through Sunday

Small Town Summers concerts & Hotel Floyd Music in the Mountains series – free on Thursdays

Floyd Country Store, Friday Night Jamboree, Saturday afternoon American Afternoon music 123pm, Sunday afternoon music Jams, Oldtime and Bluegrass. Watch for special Saturday night concerts and dances

Wildwood Farm General Store has free bluegrass music every Saturday night, music Jams every 1st & 3rd Sunday afternoons

Dogtown Roadhouse features music Friday, Saturday & Sunday evenings

Buffalo Mountain Brewery –hosts free music most nights Thursday through Saturday.

Cycle Floyd

Spring is a perfect time to check out Floyd’s Floyd County Bike Guide /Map in print and on-line. Available at the Floyd Visitor Center and on VisitFloydVA.com.

Sequoyah Birthplace Museum Statehood Day Celebration Activities.

The Final Salute

On June 1, 1796, Congress approved the admission of Tennessee as the sixteenth state of the Union.

The 1809 Blacksmith shop will be open with demonstrations going on throughout the afternoon. Come out and share the afternoon with living history in our 1800’s dog-trot log cabin. Learn about Cherokees in the Civil War, corn husk doll making and other activities. All Statehood Day activities are free along with free admission to the museum. The museum is located in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee on the shores of beautiful Tellico Lake, 37 miles south of downtown Knoxville off Highway US.

411 in Vonore, TN at 576 Hwy 360 (423) 884-6246

www.sequoyahmuseum.org

June 6, 2019 marks the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, a milestone that is expected to represent the last large gathering of D-Day veterans around the globe. The youngest D-Day veterans are in their middle-90s; a few more years will find the last of them gone from us.

To mark this milestone and take advantage of the opportunities for discussion and commemoration it presents, the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia will observe the 75th Anniversary with six days of ceremonies, displays, interviews, and much more.

“The Final Salute” combines the best of the Memorial with the best of the D-Day story: a gathering of veterans and the general public at the Nation’s monument to the invasion of Normandy for reflection and remembrance – the story of ordinary people in extraordinary moments.

A thunderous aerial tribute featuring World War II - era warbirds, including fighter planes and transport planes used to drop thousands of paratroopers into

Normandy, kicks off the ceremony on June 6. The event lineup also includes a USO-inspired outdoor concert and canteen on Friday night, a Saturday victory-style parade, and field chapel service on Sunday.

For the complete list of events and to plan your anniversary

week trip, please visit www.dday.org/75.

Every visit to Bedford should include a stop at the Bedford Area Welcome Center, 816 Burks Hill Road. The Welcome Center is open daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and offers free Wi-Fi, gift shop, firefighter exhibit, RV hookups, electric car charging station, and more.

“The Final Salute” combines the best of the Memorial with the best of the D-Day story.

This June, Bedford looks forward to hosting visitors from across the globe as they come to be part of the 75th Anniversary of D-Day: The Final Salute. Events will take place June 4-9. In addition to the events at the National D-Day Memorial, visitors can take part in various other happenings. This spring, the Company A Bedford Boys Tribute Center will open in historic downtown Bedford, at the same location where telegrams

were delivered in July 1944 that alerted the community of war casualties. There is also a Bedford Boys Homefront Walking Tour brochure that will guide visitors to the sites where the soldiers spent much of their youth, before going off to war. There is a historical marker at each of these locations that lend to the Bedford Boys story.

The Bower Center for the Arts will host a special production of Tuesday Mourning, a play by Duane

Hahn, which tells the story of one small rural town in Virginia and its ultimate sacrifice. The story and dialogue are taken from the words of the few survivors and the community that remembered. Together they take the audience on a roller coaster of emotions. Tuesday Mourning is about more than Bedford, it is about all wars and the sacrifices that families and communities are making even today. Tickets are available by advance purchase only at the box office website: https:// tuesdaymourning.bpt.me.

Wineries along the Bedford Wine Trail will offer special discounts to visitors in town for the commemoration.

For more information about the events taking place this June, and throughout the year, visit www.dday.org/75 or

Contact the Welcome Center at (540) 587-5681 or visit DestinationBedfordVA.com.

There are also less strenuous trails for the uninitiated. And lots of shops and galleries for people who like to walk around indoors. 800.852.9506 ExploreBoone.com

All Trails Lead to Elkin for the NC Trail Days Festival

SIX Wineries ONE BIG Adventure

Bedford is home to six wineries. Mild winter temperatures, warm summers, fertile soil and the protection of the Blue Ridge Mountains make this Piedmont plateau an exceptional location for excellent grape and fruit harvests used in the production of quality wines.

Blaze a trail to Elkin this spring for the inaugural North Carolina Trail Days Festival. The three-day event takes place May 31-June 2 and combines the area’s abundance of trails with a fun schedule of events.

The festival, which coincides with National Trails Day (June 1), is the brainchild of the Elkin Valley Trails Association. The EVTA is a volunteer group with a mission to enhance the quality of life in Elkin by building a network of trails for people of all abilities.

“The festival has competitive events, family-oriented events and guided hikes throughout the weekend,” says festival director Denise Lyon. “We’ve put together a variety of activities to appeal to as many people as we can.”

The festival kicks off Friday with several options during the day,

followed by an evening gathering at Elkin Municipal Park. The gathering includes a welcome tent, festival information, live music and a low country boil. Later that night is Five Point Adventure Film Night at the Reeves Theater on Main Street, showing adventure film shorts that won awards at the Five Point Film Festival.

Saturday is full of activities, starting with a 5k hill climb trail race to the top of Stone Mountain and concluding with a bonfire and live music at the Foothills Arts Council. Other Saturday activities include guided hikes,

a 40-mile group cycle ride, women’s kayaking on the Yadkin River Paddle Trail, fly fishing and mountain bike demonstrations, trail seminars and kids’ activities.

Sunday includes a family paddle flotilla on the Yadkin River and exploring the Surry County Wine Trail.

“What we’re seeing is everybody is starting to embrace trails across all activity levels,” Lyon says. “I think as we get busier, more stressed out, and glued to our phones and computers, there’s this real shift that is happening with people wanting to find themselves again on a trail.”

For more information, go to www.NCTrailDays.com.

Visit all six wineries and have your trail map or brochure stamped and for a free Bedford Wine Trail glass, return it to the Bedford Welcome Center located at 816 Burks Hill Road, Bedford, VA, at the intersection of Route 460 and Route 122. For more information call 540587-5681 or 1-877-447-3257. Learn more about the wine trail at thebedfordwinetrail.com

For 60+ consecutive years, burly athletes, dainty dancers, lusty bagpipers and thousands of kilted visitors have converged in Linville for the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games.

On July 11-14, the nation’s premier Highland Games and gathering of Scottish clans returns to this awe-inspiring site of MacRae Meadows.

The Grandfather Games are considered some of America’s best because of the outstanding mountain setting reminiscent of the Scottish moors. The craggy peaks of the 5,946-foot Grandfather Mountain overlook the grassy fields where Scottish traditions are fostered and deepened.

The event lineup includes a stirring opening torchlight ceremony, sheep herding exhibitions, “The Bear” footrace, tug of-war battles and highland wrestling — all set to the sounds of pipes, drums, fiddles and rocking Celtic tunes.

Witness the parade of tartans or learn about your own heritage and genealogy at more than 150 clan tents surrounding the grounds.

www.gmhg.org

Trailsetter Adventures in Virginia’s

Blue Ridge

Within the vast Blue Ridge Mountains, the Roanoke Valley in Virginia’s Blue Ridge is an energized, metro mountain region with trails for all types of Trailsetters. The region boasts miles of paddling and hiking trails plus some of the best mountain biking on the East Coast - our International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) Silver-Level Ride Center designation says so.

At the hub of thrilling outdoor adventures, find an amazing craft beverage Cheers Trail with 30 different local wineries, distilleries and breweries. Be sure to download the Virginia’s Blue Ridge Cheers Trail Passport for special discounts and rewards. Enjoy renowned restaurants with outstanding flavors and a thriving arts scene with live music and world-class performances. Take the Greenway Trail to Grandin Village and shop at Black Dog Salvage, home of the hit television show Salvage Dawgs, then relax in a spacious suite with a skyline view at the Hampton Inn & Suites conveniently located in the heart of downtown Roanoke.

Take milepost 120 into Roanoke in Virginia’s Blue Ridge for can’t miss attractions, thrilling adventures, craft spirits and local cuisine year-round. Find out what kind of Trailsetter you can be in Virginia’s Blue Ridge at VisitVBR.com.

Image Credit: Sam Dean Photography - Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Dining With a Unique Perspective

Based in Bryson City, NC, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is known for providing delightful rides through the mountains, where everyone has a front row seat for beautiful views. Food is always available to order, but you can also experience packages pairing food and drink.

What goes better together than BBQ & Brews? Board the train and savor the ride with craft beer tastings, a BBQ meal with sides and apple cobbler for dessert. Tickets include a souvenir tasting glass for three samples of finely crafted beer selections. Adults only and family friendly seating. Dates are 4/27, 5/25, 6/14, 7/19, 8/24 & 9/14.

Join us for “Uncorked “– a unique experience pairing good wines with a four-course, gourmet surf & turf meal. A narrator presents each pour and shares knowledge of the four wines selected to passengers in an all-adult first-class car. Every passenger receives a GSMR souvenir stemless wine glass. Dates are 4/13, 5/11, 6/8, 8/10, 9/7 & 9/21.

“Shine and Dine” on the railway! Hop on board the Carolina Shine, our all-adult first-class Moonshine Car. Offered on the Nantahala Gorge excursion, the experience includes samples of hand crafted, triple-distilled moonshine along with a pulled pork meal with sides and Moonshiners’ Mud Pie. Riders receive their own mason drinking jar and a souvenir tote bag (1 per couple/party). Check the schedule for rides May through October.

Make your reservations today for these one-of-a-kind trips by calling 800-872.4681 or visiting gsmr.com.

FIVE REASONS TO VISIT SEVIERVILLE, TN THIS YEAR

The Great Smoky Mountains.

Located in the foothills of these ancient, majestic mountains, Sevierville’s views are incredible. Venture a few miles up the road (the park entrance is less than 13 miles away) to explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s most visited national park. While there, enjoy hiking, horseback riding, visiting historic farmsteads and more. Did you know: Great Smoky Mountains is one of the few national parks that are absolutely free to enjoy.

Dolly.

World-wide entertainment icon Dolly Parton hails from Sevierville, Tennessee and her hometown has honored her with a bronze statue in the middle of the historic downtown district. Stop for a photo-op with the bronze beauty before making the quick trip to her nearby Dollywood theme park.

The food.

Southern cooking is good. Really good. Check out the house specialties at places like Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant – a perennial visitor favorite – where every meal

begins with a hearty helping of Applewood Fritters, apple butter and Applewood Julep. Get the fried chicken or the chicken pot pie (which, incidentally, is the size of a whole pie) and finish your meal with apple cobbler a la mode.

4 5

The shopping.

Sevierville has long been called the Shopping Capital of the Smokies, and for good reason. Not only will you find luxury items at discounted prices at places like Tanger Outlets Sevierville (which has more than 100 high end outlet stores), you’ll also find weird, wild and beautiful things at our boutiques, galleries and antique stores.

The museums.

This small town has big history on display. Explore the Tennessee Museum of Aviation, Tennessee’s official repository and archive for aviation history, and see warbird aircraft from WWII through Vietnam on display. The rarest aircraft in their collection are two airworthy P-47 Thunderbolts, given the names “Wicked Wabbit” and “Hun Hunter” during the second world war. There are fewer than twelve airworthy P-47 Thunderbolts remaining worldwide. Also, visit Floyd Garrett’s Muscle Car Museum, The Relic Room at Smoky Mountain Knife Works, and the Sevier County Heritage Museum.

2 www.blueridgedigest.com SPRING | SUMMER 2019 18

To learn more about visiting Sevierville and the Smoky Mountains this year, go to VisitSevierville.com.

Outdoor Adventures in Lexington & Rockbridge County

Spring and summer are perfect seasons to visit Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County as native plants and trees fill in the voids of winter to create a vibrant backdrop for outdoor adventure.

Plan a hike for wildflowers and breathtaking views along Whetstone Ridge, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, or opt for a level seven-mile walk on the Chessie Nature Trail along the Maury River between Buena Vista and Lexington.

Saddle up for a guided trail ride with Stone Bride Equestrian Center, a 155-acre riding facility near Natural Bridge State Park. After the ride, visit “the most sublime of nature’s works,” the Natural Bridge itself. Believed to have been formed when a huge cavern collapsed, a visit to the adjacent Caverns at Natural

Bridge is an excellent addition to get a “before” point of view.

Great Valley Farm Brewery is just north of Natural Bridge State Park and offers not only award-winning craft beer but what should be award-winning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Enjoy a seasonal pint and then travel north to downtown Lexington to treat yourself to a chef-prepared meal at Red Hen, Rocca, Haywood’s, or Southern Inn.

As the weather continues to warm, consider the Upper James River Water Trail for a kayaking trip. Guided options and rentals are available from

Wilderness Canoe Company. Advanced kayakers thrive among the enormous boulders of Goshen Pass, and spring is the best season to tackle the roaring rapids of the Maury River. Music lovers tend to plan trips around festivals and concerts. If

that’s you, Glen Maury Park and Lime Kiln Theater are two venues with which to become familiar. Bluegrass, folk, and even beach music ring out from Lexington and Rockbridge County.

For more travel ideas, head to www.LexingtonVirginia.com.

The wondrous profusion of mountain flowers in spring and early summer, the high altitude coolness of the forest-clad mountains in summer, and the glorious coloring of these mountains in autumn provide an everchanging appeal.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is open 365 days a year, weather permitting. Sometimes road repair is undertaken in the winter months and detours are posted. The Parkway is not plowed or salted in the winter, so after snow or ice events, portions may be closed until the weather warms and makes the roadway safe for travel again.

So as not to be disappointed when planning a winter drive, visit: http://go.nps.gov/parkway-realtime-map

at your fingertips

Find attractions, history, nearby communities, lodging, hiking trails and more with or without connectivity.

FREE DOWNLOAD!

Cell service/internet conductivity is not 100% in or even near the mountains in many places.

This is a very comprehensive app with lots of information, and best downloaded on a wireless connection.

“America’s Favorite Drive”

HIDDEN GEMS

RV SERVICES

ASHEVILLE, NC

Located just off I-40 exit #44 at 120 Highland Center Blvd. 30+ years RV repair experience.

Contact: markcoyne@rocketmail. com or (828) 553-7111

Head to the Boone Area for Spring Hiking and Outdoor Adventures

Spring in the Boone area is a great time to enjoy warmers temperatures and get outdoors. Go hiking, horseback riding, fly fishing, and, for thrill-seekers, go all out for ziplining, mountain biking, and rock climbing.

Take an easy hike around Bass Lake or along the Boone Greenway, or enjoy more strenuous hikes at Price Lake, Linville Falls, Rough Ridge Overlook, or Cascade Falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway, as well as Grandfather Mountain State Park and Elk Knob State Park. Try your hand at fishing on the Watauga or New Rivers, or at a number of small lakes on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Local horse stables throughout the Boone area

offer guided horseback rides on various trails, even some led by a real, cowboy poet. Each June through August, catch the monthly week-long event of the award-winning Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show, now in its 96th year. Go rock climbing at Ship Rock or in the nearby Linville Gorge Wilderness. Check out an indoor climbing gym, or a four-sided climbing tower in the heart of downtown Boone – these are appropriate for most ages of climbers.

The Boone area is the home of aerial adventure courses

Big Meadows Lodge is celebrating their 80th Anniversary

Celebrate with Big Meadows Lodge on their 80th Anniversary with a 1939 Re-wind theme. Located on Skyline Dr in Shenandoah National Park, all staff in 1939 attire, special movie nights featuring 1939 classics “Gone With the Wind”, “Wizard of Oz”, “Stagecoach” with re-wind prices of 25 cents for popcorn and lemonade. 1939 music will be streamed throughout the lodge, museum located in the downstairs hallway, black/white 1939 photo theme throughout the lodge.

and zip lines where ages 4 and up can test their limits on their own terms. And, Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park offers more than 8 miles of mountain biking trails, as well as a pump truck appropriate for beginners in the sport. Whatever your choice of activities this spring, the Boone area is the premier destination for all levels of outdoor adventure. Visit ExploreBoone.com for listings, or call us at 800-852-9506.

More information: www.goshenandoah.com/lodging/big-meadows-lodge

CONCERTS ON THE CREEK

These mountains are known as much for the music that comes out of them as they are for their picturesque vistas, cascading waterfalls and alluring trails.

Some of the world’s finest musicians have come from Western North Carolina and that rich tradition carries on today.

In Jackson County, the Town of Sylva, Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department and

Jackson County Chamber of Commerce team up to produce the Concerts on the Creek series at the Bridge Park gazebo in Sylva every Friday from 7-9 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Concerts on the Creek events are free and open to the public with donations encouraged. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the shows. Occasionally, these events will feature food truck vendors as well.

Following are the scheduled dates for the 10th annual Concerts on the Creek in 2019:

May 24 Daddy Rabbit

May 31 Jonah Riddle & The Carolina Express

June 7 Arnold Hill Band with special guest Chris Pressley (Country/Rock)

June 14 Summer Brooke and Mountain Faith

June 21 Shane Mead & The Sound

June 28 The Rewind Band

July 4 Fireworks & Festivities, The Carolina Soul Band (Soul/R&B/ Beach/Classic Hits)

July 5 Hot Trail Mix

July 12 The Darren Nicholson Band

July 19 Geoff McBride & Scott Baker

July 26 Dashboard Blue

Aug 2 Andrew Scotchie & The River Rats (Rock)

Aug 9 Tuxedo Junction

Aug 16 Mama DangerAug 23 Troy Underwood

Aug 30 Maggie Valley Band

The Blue Ridge Digest can be found at these regional visitor’s centers!

GEORGIA

Blairsville/Union CoUnty ChamBer

129 Union County Rec Rd. • Blairsville, GA 30512; (706) 745-5789

www.blairsvillechamber.com

Fannin CoUnty ChamBer oF CommerCe

152 Orvin Lance Drive • Blue Ridge, GA 30513 • (706) 632-5680

www.blueridgemountains.com

raBUn CoUnty WelCome Center

232 Hwy 441 North, POB 750 Clayton, Georgia 30525; (706) 782-4812

www.gamountains.com/rabun

toWns CoUnty visitor Center 1411 Jack Dayton Circle Young Harris, GA 30582

(706) 896-4966 • www.mountaintopga.com

NORTH CAROLINA

alleghany Co. ChamBer oF CommerCe

58 S. Main, POB 1237 BRD

Sparta, NC 28675; (800) 372-5473

www.sparta-nc.com

andreWs ChamBer oF CommerCe

345 Locust St. • P.O. Box 800 Andrews, NC 28902 • (877) 558-0005 www.andrewschambercommerce.com

ashe CoUnty ChamBer & visitor Center

1 N. Jefferson Ave, P.O. Box 31 West Jefferson, NC 28694

(336) 846-9550 • www.ashechamber.com

avery CoUnty ChamBer oF CommerCe

4501 Tynecastle Hwy • Unit 2 Banner Elk, NC 28604; (800) 972-2183 www.averycounty.com

Banner elk visitor Center 100 Main Street West, Banner Elk, NC 28604 (828) 898-8395 www.bannerelk.org

BeeCh moUntain ChamBer oF CommerCe

403A Beech Mountain Parkway

Beech Mtn, NC 28604; (800) 468-5506 www.beechmtn.com

BlaCk moUntain ChamBer oF CommerCe 201 E. State St., Black Mountain, NC 28711; (828) 669-2300

BloWing roCk ChamBer oF CommerCe 132 Park Ave • Blowing Rock NC 28605 (800) 295-7851 www.blowingrockncchamber.com

BlUe ridge mtn stop visitor Center

4220 Blowing Rock Blvd • Lenoir, NC 28645 (828) 754-5400

BlUe ridge parkWay visitor Center

195 Hemphill Knob Rd Asheville, NC 28803 828-298-5330

Boone area ChamBer oF CommerCe

870 W King St. Suite A, Boone, NC 28607; (828) 264-2225 • www.VisitBooneNC.com

Bryson City ChamBer oF CommerCe

210 Main Street • Bryson City, NC 28713; (800) 867-9246 • www.greatsmokies.com

BUrke CoUnty travel & toUrism

110 E. Meeting Street Morganton, NC 28655; (828) 433-6793

CaldWell CoUnty visitor Center

1909 Hickory Blvd. SE Lenoir, NC 28645; (828) 726-0616

Cashiers area ChamBer oF CommerCe 202 U.S. 64, POB 238 BRD Cashiers, NC 28717; (828) 743-5191 www.cashiers-nc.com

CataWBa CoUnty visitor Center 1055 Southgate Parkway SW Hickory, NC 28602 (828) 328-6111

Cherokee CoUnty visitor Center 20 Tennessee Street Murphy, NC 28906 828-557-2583 www.visitcherokeecountync.com

Cherokee CoUnty WelCome Center 805 W. US 64

Murphy, NC 28906; (828) 837-2242 www.cherokeecountychamber.com

Cherokee smokies ChamBer oF CommerCe 516 Tsali Blvd Cherokee, NC 28719 www.cherokeesmokies.com or 828-788-0034

Cherokee WelCome Center P.O. Box 460 • 498 Tsalis Rd. Cherokee, NC 28719; (800) 438-1601 www.cherokee-nc.com

Clay CoUnty ChamBer oF CommerCe 388 Business Hwy 64 Hayesville, NC 28904; (828) 389-3704 www.claycounty-nc-chamber.com

davie CoUnty ChamBer oF CommerCe 135 S. Salisbury St., Mocksville, NC 27028-2337; (336) 751-3304 - www.mocksville.org

Floyd visitors Center & Chamber of CommerCe 109 E. Main St. • Floyd, VA 24091 540-745-4407

Franklin area ChamBer oF CommerCe 98 Hyatt Rd. Franklin, NC 28734; (888) 439-park • www.franklin-chamber.com

gaston CoUnty visitor Center 620 Main Street • Belmont, NC 28012

greensBoro visitor Center 2411 West Gate City Blvd Greensboro, NC 27403; (800) 344-2282

www.VisitGreensboroNC.com

hayWood ChamBer oF CommerCe

28 Walnut St. • Waynesville, NC 28786 (828) 456-3021

hendersonville visitor Center 201 S. Main St • Hendersonville, NC 28792 (800) 828-4244 www.historichendersonville.org

hiCkory metro CvB 1680 13th Ave Dr. SE Hickory, NC 28602 www.hickorymetro.com

lake lUre WelCome Center 2926 Memorial Hwy. Lake Lure, NC 28746

highlands ChamBer oF CommerCe 108 Main St., P. O. Box 404 Highlands, NC 28741 (828) 526-2112 www.highlandschamber.org

JaCkson CoUnty ChamBer oF CommerCe

773 W. Main Street • Sylva, NC 28779; (800) 962-1911 • www.mountainlovers.com

Jonesville WelCome Center 1503 NC Hwy 67W Jonesville, NC 28642 • (336) 526-1111

madison CoUnty visitor Center

56 S. Main Street • Mars Hill, NC 28754; (828) 680-9031

www.visitmadisoncounty.com

maggie valley ChamBer oF CommerCe

2791 Soco Road, POB 279 Maggie Valley, NC 28751 (800) MAGGIE-1 • www.maggievalley.org

mCdoWell CoUnty visitor Center

1170 W. Tate St. • Marion, NC 28752; (828) 652-4240 • www.McDowellNC.org

mitChell Co. ChamBer oF CommerCe

79 Parkway Rd • Spruce Pine, NC 28777; (800) 227-3912 www.mitchell-county.com

moUnt airy visitor Center

200 N. Main St. • Mt. Airy, NC 27030; (800) 948-0949 • www.visitmayberry.com

moUnt mitChell state park 2388 State Hwy. 128 Burnsville, NC 28714 (828) 675-4611

nW nC visitor Center 2121 East US Hwy 421 • North WIlkesboro, NC 28659 • (336) 667-1259

nC high CoUntry host visitor Center 6370 US HWY 321 South, Blowing Rock, NC 28605; (800) 438-7500 www.mountainsofnc.com

old Fort visitor Center

91 S. Catawba Ave • Old Fort, NC 28762 (888) 233-6111 • www.visitmcdowell.com

piedmont triad visitor Center 700 NC Hwy 700 Pelham, NC 27311; (800) 388-9830

polk CoUnty visitor Center 20 E. Mills Street Columbus, NC 28722; (800) 440-7848

shenandoah CoUnty toUrism

600 N. Main St, Ste 101 Woodstock, VA 22664

smoky moUntain host oF nC, inC 4437 Georgia Road, Franklin, NC 28734 (800) 432-4678 • www.visitsmokies.org

sprUCe pine visitor Center 165 Locust St. Spruce Pine, NC 28777 (828) 765-7008

statesville Convention & visitors BUreaU 118 W Broad St, Statesville, NC 28687; (704) 878-3480 or (877) 531-1819 www.visitstatesville.org

Waynesville/hayWood

CoUnty visitor Center 1110 Soco Rd Maggie Valley, NC 28751 (800) 334-9036 www.visitncsmokies.com

Wilkes CoUnty ChamBer oF CommerCe 717 Main St., PO Box 727 BRD N. Wilkesboro, NC 28659; (336) 838-8662 • www.wilkesnc.org

Winston-salem visitor Center 200 Brookstown Ave, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 336-728-4205 • VisitWinstonSalem.com

yadkin valley visitor Center 116 East Market St. • Elkin, NC 28621; (336) 526-1111 • www.yadkinvalley.org

yanCey CoUnty ChamBer oF CommerCe 106 W. Main St. • Burnsville, NC 28714; (800) 948-1632 • www.yanceychamber.com

TENNESSEE

anderson CoUnty visitor Center 115 Welcome Lane • Clinton, TN 37716; (800) 524-3602 • www.yallcome.com

ClairBorne Co. ChamBer oF CommerCe 1732 Main St., Suite 1 Tazewell, TN 37879; (423) 626-4149 www.clairbornecounty.com

Coker Creek visitor Center 12197 Hwy. 68 • Tellico Plains, TN 37385 (423) 261-2286

elizaBethton visitor Center 500 Veterans Memorial Parkway Elizabethton, TN 37644; (423) 547-3850 www.tourelizabethton.com

greene Co partnership/CoB 115 Academy St. Greeneville, TN 37743; (423) 638-4111 www.GreeneCountyPartnership.com

historiC JonesBoroUgh

117 Boone St. Jonesborough, TN 37659; (423) 423-753-1010 • Toll Free: 866-401-4223 www.historicjonesborough.com

The Blue Ridge Digest can be found at these regional visitor’s centers!

Johnson City visitor Center

603 E. Main St. Johnson City, TN 37605; (423) 926-2141, www.johnsoncitytn.com

Johnson CoUnty WelCome Center

716 S. Shady St. (Hwy. 421S) Mountain City, TN 37683; (423) 727-5800

jcwc@preferred.com

kingsport visitor Center

151 E. Main St., POB 1403 BRD Kingsport, TN 37662; (423) 392-8820 www.kingsportchamber.org

loUdon CoUnty visitor BUreaU

1075 US Hwy 321 • Lenoir City, TN 37771

(865) 568-3662 • www.visitloudoncounty.com

oak ridge visitor Center

1400 Oak Ridge Turnpike

Oak Ridge, TN 37830 (865) 483-1321

www.ExploreOakRidge.com

pigeon Forge visitor Center

1950 N. Parkway, POB 1390 BRD Pigeon Forge, TN 37868; (800) 251-9100 mypigeonforge.com

rogersville/haWkins CoUnty C oF C 107 E. Main St., Ste.100 Rogersville, TN 37857; (423) 272-2186

sCott CoUnty visitor Center

12025 Scott Highway

Helenwood, TN 37755 • (800) 645-6905

smoky mtn visitor Center

3540 Line Drive • Kodak, TN 37764

(865) 932-3696

UniCoi visitor Center 106 Unicoi Village Place PO Box 39

Erwin, TN 37692

www.unicoitn.net 423-735-0426

VIRGINIA

1908 CoUrthoUse visitor Center 107 E Main Street Independence VA 24348 (276) 773-2471

alBemarle toUrism & adventUre Center

5791 Three Notched Rd • Crozet, VA 22932 (434) 906-2713

appomattox visitor Center

214 Main Street. PO Box 246

Appomattox, VA 24522; (434) 352-8999

historicappomattox.com

aBingdon visitor Center

335 Cummings St. • Abingdon, VA 24210 (800) 435-3440 • www.abingdon.com

aFton visitor Center

130 Afton Circle • Afton, VA 22920

(540) 943-5187 • www.visitwaynesboro.net

BedFord visitor Center

816 Burks Hill Rd • Bedford, VA 24523; (877)-HiPeaks • VisitBedford.com

BlUe ridge visitor Center

2577 JEB Stuart Highway

Meadows of Dan, VA 24120 • 276-694-6012

BUena vista visitor Center

595 E. 19th St. • Buena Vista, VA 24417 (540) 261-2880 • buena-vista.va.us.com

Carroll CoUnty visitor Center

231 Farmers Market Rd, Hillsville, VA 24343 (888) 785-2782 • (276) 730-3100

www.visittheBlueRidge.com

Charlottesville visitor Center

610 East Main St

Charlottesville, VA 22902

(434) 293-6789 • (434) 970-3641

www.visitcharlottesville.org

CUlpeper visitor Center

111 S. Commerce St. • Culpeper, VA 22701

Phone: (540) 727-0611 Toll Free: 844-490-2577. www.visitculpeperva.com

danville visitor Center

645 River Park Dr • Danville, VA 24540; (434) 793-4636 • www.visitdanville.com

disCovery Center at mill moUntain roanoke’s mill moUntain

215 Church Ave., Room 303 Roanoke, VA 24016 • (540) 853-1236

explore park visitor Center Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 115 Roanoke, VA 24014 • (540) 427-1800

Floyd visitors Center

109 E. Main St. Floyd, VA 24091 www.VisitFloydVA.com 540-745-4407

Front royal visitor Center

414 E. Main St. • Front Royal, VA 22630; (800) 338-3576 • www.discoverfrontroyal.com

City oF galax toUrism department

110 East Grayson St. • Galax, VA 24333 276-238-8130 www.visitgalax.com

greene CoUnty eConomiC development & toUrism 8315 Seminole Trail, Suite 2 Ruckersville, VA 22968

hardesty-higgins hoUse visitor Center 212 S. Main St Harrisonburg, Virginia, 22801 VisitHarrisonburgVA.com. (540) 432-8935

lexington visitor Center

106 E. Washington St. Lexington, VA 24450; (540) 463-3777 www.lexingtonvirginia.com

loUdoUn CoUnty toUrism

112 South Street • Leesburg, VA 20175

(800) 752-6118 • www.visitloudon.org

lUray/page CoUnty ChamBer

18 Campbell Street. Luray, VA 22835; (540) 743-3915 - www.luraypage.com

lynChBUrg regional inFormation Center

216 12th St. at Church St. Lynchburg, VA 24505; (800) 732-5821 www.discoverlynchburg.org

madison CoUnty visitor Center

110A N. Main St., Madison, VA 22727 (540) 948-4455 • www.madison-va.com

martinsville-henry CoUnty visitor Center 191 Fayette St., Martinsville, VA 24112 (888) 722-3498 www.visitmartinsville.com

nelson CoUnty visitor Center

8519 Thomas Nelson Hwy., Lovingston, VA 22949; (800) 282-8223 www.Nelsoncounty.com

orange Co visitor’s Center

122 East Main St. • Orange, VA 22960 (877) 222-8072 • www.visitorangevirginia.com

patriCk CoUnty ChamBer oF CommerCe 20475 JEB Stuart Hwy • PO Box 577 Stuart, VA 24171; (276) 694-6012 www.patrickchamber.com

prinCe William visitor Center 200 Mill St. • Occoquan, VA 22125 703-491-4045 • ticctr@aol.com

pUlaski CoUnty visitor Center 4440 Cleburne Blvd • Dublin, VA 24084 540-674-4161. www.pulaskicounty.org

radFord visitor Center

600 Unruh Dr. • Radford, VA 24141 (866) 605-6442 • www.visitradford.com

roanoke visitor inFormation Center 101 Shenandoah Ave., NE Roanoke VA 24016 • (800) 635-5535 www.visitvablueridge.com

roCkFish gap visitor Center 130 Afton Circle Afton, VA 22920; (540) 943-5187 www.augustabusiness.org

salem visitor Center 1001 Boulevard @ Civic Center Salem, VA 24153; (888) 827-2536 www.visitsalem.com

smith moUntain lake visitor Center 16430 Booker T. Washington Hwy. #2 Moneta. VA 24121 • 540-721-1203 www.visitsmithmountainlake.com

smyth CoUnty visitor Center 408 Whitetop Rd., Chilhowie, VA 24319 (276) 646-3306

VisitVirginiaMountains.com

staUnton travel inFormation Center 1290 Richmond Rd. (I-81 Exit 222) Staunton, VA 24401 • (540) 332-3972 www.VisitStaunton.com

staUnton visitor’s Center 35 South New Street, Staunton,VA 24401 540-332-3971 • www.VisitStaunton.com

gateWay to shenandoah visitor Center at hUpp’s hill Civil War park and mUseUm 33229 Old Valley Pike Strasburg, Virginia 22657 540-465-5884

virginia teCh visitor Center 925 Prices Fork Rd. • Blacksburg, VA 24061;(540) 231-3548

welcome@vt.edu

Western highlands visitor Center 241 W. Main St. • Covington, VA 24426; (540) 962-2178 • www.alleghanyhighlands.com

WinChester-FrederiCk CoUnty CvB 1400 S. Pleasant Valley Rd. Winchester, VA 22601 • (877) 871-1326 www.visitwinchesterva.com

Wytheville CvB 975 Tazewell Street Wytheville, VA 24382; (276) 223-3355 Toll free (877) 347-8307 www.visitWytheville.com

WEST VIRGINIA

West virginia WelCome Center 37 Washington Court at US 340 Harpers Ferry, WV 25435; (866) -HELLO-WV • www.hello-wv.com

KENTUCKY

CUmBerland gap nhp visitor Center US 25E South • Middlesboro, KY 40965 (606) 248-2817

Mountain Lodging Food Fun

NORTH CAROLINA ASHEVILLE, NC

Asheville East KOA-Exit 59 off I-40 big rigs & tenters welcome. Wooded sites, with pool, lake & river fishing. 800-562-5907 or (828) 6863121. 2708 Hwy 70E, Swannanoa, NC 28778. www.ashevilleeastkoa.com.

Asheville West KOA-Exit 37 off I-40 Something for everyone, RV’s, tenters, cabins. In foothills, wooded sites, hiking trails, pool. (800) 5629015. 309 Wiggins Rd., Candler, NC 28715. www.ashevillekoa.com

Bear Creek RV Park - Exit Rt. 191 from Parkway; I-40 Exit 47; or I-26 Exit 2. 3 miles north of Parkway off Rt. 191. 5 mins. Biltmore House. 90 full hookups, paved sites, pool, laundry. Open year round. (800) 833-0798 www.ashevillebearcreek.com.

Mast Store – Located at 15 Biltmore Ave., Downtown Asheville. Restored to its 1940s heyday, this store features housewares, jams & jellies, camping gear, shoes & boots, clothing, and over 500 old-fashioned candy favorites. www.MastStore.com 828-232-1883.

Rug & Home - Over 20,000 oriental rugs & home accessories. Finest rugs from India, China, Pakistan, Persia, Turkey, Egypt, Karastan, Milliken. Tapestries, needlepoints, oil paintings, antique furniture, brass, crystal, & Tiffany lamps, mirrors. Local & national artists. Sculptures and fine porcelain. Located at I-26, exit 33 behind Ethan Allen. Open 7 days. (828) 667-4585.

Shoji Spa & Lodge - Relax at Asheville’s only outdoor hot tub spa. Reap the benefits of the cold plunge, unwind in our sauna and rest in the Lodge. Specializing in couples massage. 2500 ft. above stress level. www.shojiretreats.com. By appt. only. (828) 299-0999.

BALSAM, NC

Balsam Mountain Inn .5 mi. from pkwy mp 443 at Balsam Gap. Historic inn, gracious dining, porches, 50 rms. www.balsaminn.net 800-224-9498

BANNER ELK, NC

Smoke Tree Lodge - 12 miles south of Boone on Hwy 105. Nestled at the foot of Grandfather Mtn. Condo-apts, heated indoor pool, ESPN, Jacuzzi, saunas. (800) 422-1880. www.smoketreelodge.com

BLOWING ROCK, NC

Alpine Village Inn - 297 Sunset Dr. Quaint cozy rooms & suites in the heart of town. AC, CCTV, & phones, Wi-Fi complimentary. Some fireplaces & Jacuzzi. Pet friendly rooms. www.alpine-village-inn.com

(828) 295-7206.

Hemlock Inn & Suites - 134 Morris St. Downtown Blowing Rock. 1/2 mile to Parkway. Open year round. Walk to shops and restaurants. (828) 295-7987. www.hemlockinn.net.

Jenkins Rentals - The finest rental homes, cabins and condos in the Blowing Rock area. Hot tubs & Mtn vews available. (800) 438-7803. www.jenkinsrentals.com

Mystery Hill. - 129 Mystery Hill Ln, Blowing Rock, NC 28605. Family fun center. Feel the strange pull. Hall of Mystery artifacts. Museum open all year. 828-263-0507. info@mysteryhill-NC.com

Village Inns of Blowing RockNo Smoking, Wi-Fi/Breakfast. Suites/ Cottages/Rooms. Some Pet Friendly Rooms. (828) 295-3001

BOONE, NC

Foscoe Rentals - Cabins, Condos and Vacation homes centrally located to Boone, Banner Elk and Blowing Rock. (800) 723-7341. www.foscoerentals.com

Hidden Valley Motel- Birds, blooms and butterflies in the Foscoe Valley. Hwy 105 south between Boone and Banner Elk. Call 828/963-4372. www.hiddenvalleymotel.com or email: jim@hiddenvalleymotel.com.

KOA Kampground - From Boone, 194N 3 miles. Left on Ray Brown Rd. 1 mile. Beautiful view. Rec room, mini golf, laundry. 123 Harmony Mtn. Lane, Boone, NC 28607. 828-264-7250.

Mast Store – Located 630 W King St, Downtown Boone. Built in 1913/1917, you’ll find most everything you need for life: clothing, footwear, trail & travel gear, housewares, gifts, & old-fashioned candy. www.MastStore. com. 828-262-0000

NC High Country Host Visitor Center- 6370 US HWY 321 South Blowing Rock, NC 28605; (800) 4387500 www.mountainsofnc.com

BURNSVILLE, NC

Alpine Village Resort - 1 & 2 bedroom condos. Great views. Tennis, heated pool/summer, cable TV, special golf fees. 3 miles west of Parkway, exit Buck Creek Gap Hwy. 80. No pets. 828/675-4103.

CHEROKEE, NC

Oconaluftee Indian Village

- Share the rich history & traditions of the Cherokee at this replica of a Cherokee community of the 1750s. May thru Oct.

www.cherokeehistorical.org/village.html

CHIMNEY ROCK, NC

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park – 40 min. SE of Asheville, exit milepost 384.7. Come for the views. Discover infinite possibilities. Spectacular wildflowers, hiking, rock climbing instruction, special events, workshops and more! 26-story elevator inside mountain. Pet friendly. Admission rates: $15 Adults, $7 Youth ages 5-15, 4 and under free. Open all year. Open daily 8:30am5:30pm. Live it up! 800-277-9611 chimneyrockpark.com

HENDERSONVILLE, NC

Mast Store – Located 527 N Main St, Downtown Hendersonville. Built in 1905, this store embodies the essence of the era and is packed with clothing, shoes & boots, camping gear, country gourmet foods, & candy.

www.MastStore.com. 828-696-1883

Discover Hendersonville! Check out our Stay & Play Packages & Room Availability! Hendersonville Visitors Center, 201 S Main Street, Hendersonville, NC. 1-800-828-4244. Open 7 days a week. www.visithendersonvillenc.org

LINVILLE, NC

Grandfather MountainGrandfather’s lofty heights offer guests opportunities for rejuvenation, excitement and family memories in a natural haven that will endure forever. Marvel at 360-degree views from the Mile High Swinging Bridge, stand eyeto-eye with native wildlife in natural habitats and interact with our friendly, knowledgeable staff. One mile from Blue Ridge Parkway; take th Linville exit at Milepost 305 to U.S. 221 South. Open daily, weather permitting, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. $22 adult, $20 senior 60+, $9 child 4-12, under 4 free www.grandfather.com

(828) 733-4337 or (800) 468-7325.

LINVILLE FALLS, NC

Linville Caverns - 19929 US 221 N. Marion. 4 miles South of Parkway, MP 317. NC’s ONLY show cavern. 800-419-0540. www.linvillecaverns.com

Linville Falls Lodge & Cottages - BRP Milepost 317.4, US 221S 1 mile to Rt. 183, left. Restaurant (ABC permit), Walk to falls & gorge. www.linvillefallslodge.com

(800) 634-4421.

Be sure to tell them you saw it in THE DIGEST!

Be sure to tell them you saw it in THE DIGEST!

Mountain Lodging Food Fun

LITTLE SWITZERLAND, NC

Emerald Village - Real mines, mine tours, & gem mining. Other free displays: railroad, music museum, wildlife. MP334. 828-765-6463. www.emeraldvillage.com

Switzerland Cafe & General Store - MP 334 1/4 mile of the Parkway. Lunch and weekend dinners. Souvenirs and picnic items. Call 828-765-5289. www.switzerlandcafe.com

Switzerland Inn And Chalet Restaurant - A little bit of Switzerland in NC. Fantastic mountain views, rooms, suites, cottages, dining, shopping, tennis. Located directly on the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Little Switzerland exit near Parkway Milepost 334. Little Switzerland, NC 28749. (828) 765-2153 or (800) 6544026. www.switzerlandinn.com

MAGGIE VALLEY, NC

Boyd Mountain Log CabinsSecluded 130 acres near Maggie Valley, 7 Authentic cabins, fireplaces, AC, cable, WIFI. Choose n cut Christmas tree farm, trout fishing, hiking. (828) 926-1575. www.boydmountain.com

Haywood County Hotel & Motel Assoc.-Maggie Valley,Waynesville,Lake Junaluska. Quality lodging & dining within minutes of 4 BRP exits, MP 420-450. All accommodations adhere to Quality Standards. See us @www.maggievalley.travel.

Maggie Valley Area Chamber of Commerce - US 19, Eastern entrance to the Great Smokies. Escape. Explore. Exhale. Maggie Valley Area Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 279, Maggie Valley, 28751.

Jonathan Creek Inn & Maggie Valley Villas - MP 455.7 AAA 3 Diamond Rated. Creekside and Hot Tub Rooms, Creekside & Mountain View Villas, Indoor Heated Pool, Children’s Play Area. 1-800-577-7812. www.jonathancreekinn.com

McDOWELL COUNTY, NC

McDowell Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center - Shopping & food near center. Free coffee & area info. Clean restrooms. From Parkway MP 317, 24 mi. S on US 221. From MP331: 15 mi S on NC226. (828) 652-4240.

NEWLAND, NC

Secluded Valley RV Campground - 8 miles North Spruce Pine on 19E. 5 miles from Blue Ridge Parkway. 30 & 50 amp full hookups, children & pets welcome, level & spacious sites. (828) 765-4810. www.secludedvalleyrvcampground.com

SPARTA & GLADE VALLEY, NC

Alleghany Inn - 341 N. Main St., Sparta, NC 28675. 64 Rooms - Free Wireless Internet - Cable TV 60+ Chan, Guest Laundry - Restaurant on site. 888) 372-2501 Reserve online: www.AlleghanyInn.com . see ad p 5

Thistle Meadow Winery - Stop for wine tasting - exit at Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 248. 3 miles to winery on NC18.(800) 233-1505. gas nearby. www.thistlemeadowwinery.com

SPRUCE PINE, NC

Bear Den Mountain Resort - Blue Ridge Pkwy @ MP 324. 144 sites. Deluxe cabins, tents to RV’s, Campin’ cabins. Mar. 15-Nov. 30. Spruce Pine, NC. www.bear-den.com (828) 765-2888

Peak Mountain Cottages & Retreat Center--On 300 acres, 7 miles N of Pkwy. Room to play or relax. Hiking trails, clear mtn streams. 460 Rabbit Hop Rd near Penland. Individuals,families or groups up to 25. 828-765-9559. www.peakmountaincottages.com

VALLE CRUCIS, NC

Mast General Store & Annex – Est. 1883 & listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this authentic general store in rural Valle Crucis features clothing, camping gear, shoes & boots, housewares, unique gifts, and over 500 old-fashioned candies. Visit our other historic locations in NC, SC, & TN. www.MastStore.com.

WAYNESVILLE, NC

Mast Store – Located 63 N Main St, Downtown Waynesville. Built in 1930s and filled with everything you’d expect in a general store – clothing, shoes, cast iron, candy, and camping gear. 828-452-2101 www.MastStore.com.

TENNESSEE GATLINBURG, TN

Ski Mountain Chalet & Condo Rentals - 1-4 bedrooms , hot tubs, jacuzzis, pool tables, kitchens, fireplaces, privacy. (800) 824-4077. www.skimtnchalets.com

VIRGINIA BEDFORD, VA

Peaks of Otter Winery & Orchards - 2122 Sheep Creek Rd, 24523. MP 86. Fruit wine, fruit, jams, jellies, free tastings. Vacation rentl house. 540-586-3707. www.iwineu.com or www.elmosrest.com

Gross’ Orchard & Apple Valley Homeplace - Vacation Home Rental. Open year round. $75 per couple per night. Mountain grown fruit & produce. Bedford, VA. Rt. 43 in Apple Valley. Open Year round. U-pick or U-select. Apple Festival 3rd Sat. in Oct. (540) 586-2436.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA

Montfair Resort Farm - Pet friendly cabins by lake. 30 min from Parkway. Wi-fi, linens & cookware provided. Canoe, hike, fish. (434) 8235202. www.montfairresortfarm.com.

Be sure to tell them you saw it in THE DIGEST!

FANCY GAP, VA

Skyland Lakes Golf ClubRight on Parkway at milepost 202.2. New 18 hole public course. Beautiful scenery. Motel & golf packages available. (276) 728-4923.

FISHERSVILLE, VA

Antique Expo - 400 dealers exhibiting in halls, barns, tents & outside twice yearly. May 17-19, 2019. May 10-11, 2020. Augusta Expoland. I-64, exit 91. (434) 846-7452.

www.heritagepromotions.net

FLOYD, VA

Blue Ridge Restaurant, Inc.E. Main St., Floyd, VA (540) 745-2147. For good home-style cooking try our daily specials. We are open early with gravy biscuits, hot cakes, country ham, and eggs every day.

Chantilly Farm Campground. 2697 Franklin Pike SE. RV sites: electric, water, sewer, tent camping w/ amenities. WiFi, ice, ATM. chantillyfarm.com. 540-808 -4984

Floyd County Tourism109 East Main St. Floyd, VA 24091 Mountain town with unique music, arts, outdoor fun! info@visitfloydva.com. www.VisitFloydVA.com

540-239-8509

Floyd Country Store: Famous venue for Heritage Appalachian music every weekend. Store and cafe open all week. www.floydcountrystore.com

Floyd Lodging Association

A community of local lodging facilities working together to accommodate your unique needs.

www.floydvirginialodging.com

Floyd Visitors Center

109 E. Main St., Floyd, VA 24091 Mountain town with unique music, arts, outdoor fun! 540-745-4407

www.VisitFloydVA.com

Hotel Floyd - 120 Wilson St, Floyd, VA. (540) 745-6080.

www.hotelFloyd.com. Unique lodging off MP165 with themed rooms and located downtown Floyd. Don’t miss visiting this unique town and hotel!

Mountain Lodging Food Fun

GALAX, VA

Cool Breeze Campground

2330 Edmonds Rd.Galax,VA

MP215 off BRP, Full Hookups

Bathhouse,Laundry,Big Rig Friendly,Free WIFI,Rally Center,276-236-0300

www.coolbreezecampground.com

GROTTOES, VA

Grand Caverns - 5 Grand Caverns Dr, Grottoes, VA, America’s oldest continuously operated show cave. Nature’s handiwork & gifts. 888-430CAVE. www.grandcaverns.com

HARRISONBURG, VA

The Village Inn - 1 mile south of I-81, Exit 243, on US 11. American Automobile Association Three Diamond Award. (540) 434-7355, toll free reservations-1-800-736-7355. www.shenandoah.org/villageinn

LOVE, VA.

Royal Oaks - Cabins, chalets, store, gifts, deli, weddings. Near MP16 on parkway. Upscale lodging, hot tubs, fireplaces, equipped kit, bedding/linens. Beautiful views atop the BR Mtns. www.vacabins.com. 540-943-7625.

LURAY, VA.

Allstar Lodging - Unique Cabins and Vacation rentals. Pools, Hot tubs, frplc, kitch, riverfront/mountains, hiking, canoeing, fishing in Shenandoah Valley. 866-780-7827.

www.allstarlodging.com

MEADOWS OF DAN, VA

Primland Resort - 2000 Busted Rock Road. Resort Lodge, Fairway Cottages, Mountain Homes. Spectacular views. Golf. Spa. Dining, Outdoor activities. 276.222.3800

www.primland.com

MONTEBELLO, VA

Montebello Resort – Exit Milepost 27, Rt 56E, 3 miles. Cabins, Campground, Country Store & Trout Ponds. 540-377-2650 www.MontebelloVA.com

NATURAL BRIDGE, VA

Natural Bridge Zoo –5784 S. Lee Hwy I-81 exit 180A Natural Bridge 24578. 540-291-2420, naturalbridgezoo.com. Largest collection of birds and animals in Virginia. Elephant rides, giraffe, tigers, bears, monkeys, birds and more! Petting zoo, gift shop, picnic area. Open mid March to November.

RADFORD, VA

Radford Visitor’s Center-Rt 8 to I-81 Exit 109 “Find It in Radford”-surrounded on 3 sides by the New River & overflowing with history 540-267-3153 www.visitradford.com.

ROANOKE, VA

Virginia’s Blue Ridge. Take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Shop at the markets and boutiques in Downtown Roanoke and Salem. Hike on a trail in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Discover wildlife while kayaking on the Upper James River Water Trail. Dine at a local restaurant and enjoy fresh, amazingly prepared ingredients. Watch the sunset aboard a cruise at Smith Mountain Lake. All these things to do and more can be part of your Blue Ridge Day.No matter what you decide to do, every day in the Roanoke Valley in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains is filled with friendship and old-fashioned hospitality. Discover what makes visiting Virginia’s Blue Ridge unique! (800) 635-5535. visitvablueridge.com

SALEM, VA

Come and visit Salem, Virginia that is only twenty minutes from the parkway. Take the walking tour of our historic downtown featuring quaint antique shops and restaurants. Stay for a while in one of our hotels or B&B’s and attend one of our many athletic events including NCAA National Championships in football, basketball and softball. Salem is also the home of the Salem Red Sox, advanced Class “A” affiliate of the Boston Red Sox playing their games in spacious and comfy Lewis Gale Field.

WAYNESBORO, VA

Cabin Creekwood- 2 miles from Parkway MP 13.6. Year-round, quiet, secluded.Fully furnished affordable mtn cabins (888) 942-2246. www.cabincreekwood.com.

About the Blue Ridge Parkway

The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway connects Shenandoah National Park to the north with Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the south. The route travels the crests, ridges, and valleys of five major mountain ranges, encompassing several geographic and vegetative zones ranging from 600 to more than 6,000 feet above sea level. It provides visitors with many varied vistas of scenic Appalachian landscapes ranging from forested ridgetops

and mountain slopes to rural farm lands and urban areas. The parkway offers a “ride-a-while, stop-a-while” experience that includes scenic pullouts, recreation areas, historic sites, and visitor contact stations. It is known nationally and internationally for its designed landscape as a scenic motorway.

Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival and Guitar Competition | June

On the third Saturday of every June at Grayson Highlands State Park in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, the Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival and Guitar Competition features some of the region’s best traditional musicians. From time to time, they have shared the stage with bluegrass bands from Europe.

The event takes its name from National Heritage Award recipient Wayne C. Henderson, a musician and instrument maker who lives in nearby Rugby, Virginia. Henderson’s top-notch finger-picking is a source of great pleasure and pride to his friends, family, and neighbors in Grayson County, Virginia. His guitar

From The Rugged Outdoors To Five-Star Luxury Experience

There Are Many Reasons For Plan Your Next Adventure To Patrick County

With an abundance of lakes and rivers in the area, Patrick County, VA has several opportunities for first class fishing.

Make your way along the Dan River, flowing from the Blue Ridge Mountains, as you chase brook, rainbow and brown trout. The many landscapes of the river offer a variety of fishing opportunities, including access via small motorboats, handcarried boats and wade fishing. You will also find bass, sunfish, walleye and more on this unique river. The Kibler Valley section is a Category A put and take trout stream.

Right off the Blue Ridge Parkway, you will find Rock Castle Creek. This cold and rocky stream is great for fishing wild trout in addition to pickerel and sunfish.

15, 2019

playing has also been enjoyed at Carnegie Hall, in three national tours of Masters of the Steel-String Guitar and in seven nations of Europe, Asia and Africa.

Wayne and many of his musical friends are featured performers at the festival, with bluegrass and old-time music dominating the program. The Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival and Guitar Competition was established in 1995 to express appreciation for this living legend. A portion of the proceeds from the festival are placed into a scholarship fund to aid local young musicians in continuing their educations. More info: www.waynehenderson.org

As the northeastern part of the county, Philpott Lake offers an undeveloped backdrop for a day on the water. This lake is popular for its largemouth and small-mouth bass, crappie, and catfish. It is also one of Virginia’s premier destinations for walleye. Several boat ramps, campgrounds and hiking trails are scattered around the 2880acre lake, making this an ideal destination for a weekend getaway.

Adjacent to the lake, Fairy Stone State Park offers fun for the whole family. Rent a boat for the day to cast your line on Fairy Stone Lake for bass, bluegill and crappie. Hike, bike or ride a horse through the 10 miles of multiuse trails or hunt for fairy stones, Staurolite crystals only found in a few places around the world.

Visit Primland resort for a variety of activities, including sport shooting, archery and tomahawk throwing. Sit down for local dishes at Elements, drinks at 19th Pub, and southern cuisine at Stables Saloon. Stick around until it turns dark for stargazing at the Observatory Dome. Check out the Virginia Motorsports Museum and Hall of Fame and the Wood Brothers Racing Museum for a deep dive into NASCAR history and the oldest continuously operating team.

At the end of the day, chow down on pizza from Elizabeth’s Pizza or Crooked Road Cafe. Get your fill of seafood, burgers and homemade potato chips from the Stuart Family Restaurant and wake up in the morning to a cup of coffee from Honduras Coffee Company. Visit the Stanburn Winery or Villa Appalaccia Winery for locally harvested wines and stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band To Headline

Sevierville’s 15Th Annual Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass Festival

All-Stars of Bluegrass are on stage at 4pm and 7pm. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band closes out the festival at 8pm.

“This is one of our most exciting festival line-ups yet,” says festival coordinator Amanda Marr. “Our goal is to provide a showcase of quality bluegrass and Americana music in the heart of Sevierville. This year’s festival is going to be fantastic.”

In addition to great music, Sevierville’s Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass festival also features 40 of the nation’s top BBQ cook teams, artists and crafters, kids’ games, a vocal competition honoring the songwriting of Dolly Parton, a late-night Bluegrass Jam, and a People’s Choice BBQ Tasting event.

The iconic and profoundly influential Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, often cited as a catalyst for an entire movement in Country Rock and American Roots Music, will headline Sevierville’s 15th Annual Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass festival.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will take the stage at Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass on Saturday, May 18, 2019 beginning at 8pm.

The Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass festival, which runs from 5pm until 10pm on Friday, May 17, 2019 and from 9am until 10pm on Saturday, May 18, 2019 features a full lineup of bluegrass entertainment on the main stage.

Friday’s musical entertainment begins at 5pm with a live performance from Priscilla & Little RicKee featuring special guest and multi-awardwinning songwriter Louisa Branscomb. At 6pm Jimbo Whaley & Greenbrier take the stage followed by 11-time IBMA fiddle player of the year Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper at 7pm. Two-time IBMA Entertainer of the Year Balsam Range headlines Friday evening’s performances beginning at 8pm. Since forming in 2007, Balsam Range has garnered 13 IBMA awards, released 8 criticallyacclaimed albums, and headlined major festivals coast-to-coast. Their current album, Aeonic, is available now.

Saturday’s main stage line up begins at 2pm as five-time IBMA female vocalist of the year Dale

Ann Bradley takes the stage for the first of two sets (at 2pm and 5pm). Love Canon performs their acoustic take on electronic-tinged pop hits of the ‘80s and ‘90s live at 3pm and 6pm. Phil Leadbetter and the

Admission to Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass and the concerts are free thanks to great sponsors, including the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce which encourages you to stay in Sevierville while visiting Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass. For great lodging and more information about Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass, call (888) 889-7415 or visit us online at www.BloominBBQ.com.

photo credit Brent Moore

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park

Chimney Rock is known for its spectacular 75-mile views overlooking Lake Lure and the Hickory Nut Gorge, six unique hiking trails with varying levels of difficulty, a 404-foot waterfall, wildlife programs and guided rock climbing opportunities.

The 535-million-year-old monolith, Chimney Rock, is the centerpiece of the Park, and is accessible by taking a 26-story elevator ride inside the mountain in just 32 seconds or by climbing the 494-step Outcroppings trail affectionately coined the “Ultimate Stairmaster.”

Bird lovers will converge on the Park for Flock to the Rock, the region’s

premier fall migration birding event on Saturday, Sept. 14. Guests can take an expert-led bird walk and see live Birds of Prey programs

From mid-October to early November, visitors can savor our legendary fall color display as well as sign up for a special guided night hike in October and one about the history and wildlife of Chimney Rock in November. If you’re looking for a whole new perspective, book a rock climbing lesson in advance with Fox Mountain Guides. No experience is necessary, and all the equipment you’ll need will be supplied.

After a visit to the Park, grab a salad, sandwich or scratch-made dessert at the Old Rock Café,

located right next to the Park’s entrance gate overlooking the Rocky Broad River and the Rocky Broad RiverWalk in Chimney Rock Village

Discover the Grooviest town around!

As the temperatures heat up, so do the events and festivals in Wytheville. In honor of the Virginia Tourism slogan “Virginia is for Lovers” turning 50 in 2019 many destinations across Virginia prepare to celebrate and Wytheville is no exception. This far out fun will harken back to 1969 and Wytheville’s Summer of LOVE is guaranteed to be packed with flower power.

Big Walker Lookout hosts Mountain Top music each Saturday & Sunday (May-October) and be sure to grab a picture at their LOVEwork with a “peaceful” new addition. Chautauqua’s Brews & Bands rocks out in Withers Park on May 18th with nearly a dozen craft breweries represented and local bands competing to be the opening act for a Chautauqua Festival headliner.

Tie dye clad bicyclists hit the streets of Wytheville on June 15th for the annual Big Pencil to Big Walker Century Ride. This epic ride which has become known as The Fast and the Fiorini, begins is downtown Wytheville, in the shadow of the Big

Pencil hanging over Main Street at Wytheville Office Supply. The metric century ride offers three climbs of Big Walker Mountain.

Beagle Ridge Herb Farm’s ever popular Lavender Thyme Festival returns on June 15th & 16th and offers an all lavender weekend. Lavender enthusiasts can pick their own lavender bundles, take tours of the gardens, learn wreath making and enjoy a lavender inspired lunch. Demonstrations offered include, planting, growing and harvesting as well as cooking with and distilling lavender. Can you dig it?

As a highlight of Wytheville’s Summer of LOVE celebration, the annual Chautauqua Festival celebrates bringing art, music and LOVE to folks throughout the region for 35 years. The hot air balloon glow, the prelude to the 8-day festival, lights up the night on June 14th. This out of sight festival continues until June 22nd bringing family fun and entertainment absolutely free.

Hang loose at a myriad of ongoing events including West Wind Farm Vineyard and Winery’s Summer concert series (First Saturday, June – September), Wine Down Wednesdays in the courtyard at the Bolling Wilson Hotel, entertainment 7 days a week at Wytheville’s newest watering hole, 7 Dogs Brew Pub and Downtown Wytheville’s annual July 4th celebration.

All you need is LOVE and a reservation to catch the latest production at Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre. The 2019 season includes Back to the 50s (March 7 – April 28), Annie (May 2 – June 30), A Country Gospel (July 5 – September 1), Ring of Fire (September 5 – October 27).

Come feel the Virginia vibes as we celebrate the Summer of LOVE in Wytheville… There’s Only One!

There are many things to see and do in the region of beautiful North Carolina Blue Ridge, particularly during the spring and summer months. The communities are a short distance from the Blue Ridge Parkway, which actually runs through the seasonal colony of Little Switzerland.

Get to know these communities by attending one of our seasonal events or festivals. Of course, hiking, biking, fishing, and shopping are year-round activities! Find local events, lodging properties, attractions, and more when you visit our website or call to receive free information.

April 20th – 4th Annual Carolina Donut Festival in Marion, NC

April 27th – Pioneer Day Festival at Mountain Gateway Museum, Old Fort, NC

June 1st – Liver Mush Festival in Marion, NC Official NC Gold Festival in Old Fort, NC Pisgah Enduro Race in Old Fort, NC

July 27th – Jerdon Mountain Challenge in Old Fort, NC

July 28th – Off Road Assault on Mt. Mitchell in Old Fort, NC www.blueridgetravelers.com

(For more information, contact the Wytheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, toll free at 1-877-347-8307, or visit www.VisitWytheville.com. Wytheville… There’s Only One!)

Indulge in Hendersonville’s finest at Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend

Hendersonville has long been known as apple country. Leading the state in apple production and consistently ranking within the top 10 in the country, Hendersonville apples are a point of pride for locals and a tasty treat for visitors.

It’s fitting that Hendersonville celebrates apple blossom season and the hope for a bountiful harvest with a weekend full of locally made spirits, fresh food and fun. Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend returns for a second year, April 25-28. Cideries, wineries and tasting rooms throughout Henderson County host special tastings, tours, dinners, label releases, festivals and live music.

New this year is a ticketed opening gala at The Horse Shoe Farm on Thursday evening. Small plates are paired with local ciders, wines and meads. The upscale farm is located on 85 rolling acres along the French Broad River.

With the abundant supply of fresh apples, Hendersonville has become a hotspot for the growing hard cider industry. Bold Rock Hard Cider, the largest craft cidery in the country, hosts live music, a food truck festival and a low country boil at its Mills River taproom. Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cider offers tastings of its Normandy-style ciders, a breakfast complete with orchard tours, and live music throughout the weekend. Hendersonville is now home to three wineries. Get down with a twist and shout dance party at Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards. Burntshirt

Vineyards serves an extensive lineup of dry and sweet wines. Sip a glass of apple wine and enjoy live music or a tour of the winery and barrel room. Hendersonville’s newest winery, Point Lookout Vineyards, hosts a Highlands Festival at its mountaintop location.

Additional weekend participants include Burntshirt Vineyards Chimney Rock, Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards Flat Rock, and Wine Sage & Gourmet.

Swallowtails, Frittilary and Dianas and many more will pose for your cameras or come light on your shoulder while you enjoy a butterfly program in their habitat. Located on the grounds of Beagle Ridge, classes are available as well as host plants so you too can attract butterflies to your gardens. Discounts available for tours and school groups, email ellen

For a complete schedule of Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend events, go to www. VisitHendersonvilleNC.org/ Cider-Wine-Dine-Weekend or call (800) 828-4244.

Along The Blue Ridge Parkway, You’ll Discover Peaks of Otter

This gateway to mountain adventures is a hub for lounging and exploring.

MATTHEWS LIVING HISTORY FARM MUSEUM

CREATE:

Majestic scenery abounds in Peaks of Otter, a historic landmark and haven of natural beauty. Three towering mountain peaks and the serene Abbott Lake are the cradle of this gorgeous Blue Ridge destination — offering 360 degrees of breathtaking wilderness. And here, sheltered among the ancient peaks and cooled by mountain streams, you’ll discover Peaks of Otter Lodge.

This long-beloved lodge is much more than a simple hotel. It’s a place where adventurers, families, couples and large groups can explore by day, and recharge at night.

STAY:

With more than 60 rooms, meeting facilities, wedding facilities, a full-service restaurant, a lounge, and a gift shop, Peaks of Otter Lodge is a perfect basecamp for exploring the mountains, lake and surrounding forests. No matter the season, guests can explore the Blue Ridge Parkway’s splendor, then enjoy warm hospitality at Peaks of Otter Lodge.

EXPLORE:

From here, you can hike majestic Sharp Top Mountain, “leaf peep” along Blue Ridge Parkway, cruise a shuttle to nearby wineries, and encounter rare wildlife. Enjoy a springtime getaway or a long winter weekend in the perfect setting for year-round adventure and relaxation.

If you’re planning an event, Peaks of Otter Lodge has meeting space and the event staff to handle your every need. Whether it’s a corporate retreat or the wedding of your dreams, Peaks of Otter Lodge can help you create an unforgettable gathering for groups of any size.

Matthews Living History Farm Museum is a 21 acre working farm, circa 1900. The activities demonstrated at the farm represent common practices in Grayson County around 1900. Key survival skills required for self-sufficiency in that era have become today’s art forms. From gardening to blacksmithing, wood carving to food preservation, quilting to chair caning, soap making to quilting, driving a team of horses or oxen to spinning a fine thread – these are a few of the dying arts of the region that they seek to preserve. A timeless and enduring aspect of the culture is the unique, unforgettable music of the region, which they attempt to incorporate into every event.

2019 Spring Schedule

June 13 –Kick Back the Rug, Old Time Community Social – 5pm-8:30pm

June 21 thru the 23rd, Oxen Workshop

To start planning your getaway or for more information on packages and deals, visit PeaksOfOtter.com or call 888.454.7711

476 White Pine Rd, Galax, VA

Historic Arts & Crafts Destination in Asheville to Offer History Tours

Wednesday - Saturday at 1pm During April - November

Tucked away amid towering pine trees adjacent to The Omni Grove Park Inn is one of Asheville’s hidden gems. Known today as Grovewood Village, this site - listed on the National Register of Historic Places - once housed the weaving and woodworking operations of Biltmore Industries, a force in American craft that was originally backed by Edith Vanderbilt.

At the height of its success in the late 1920s, under the direction of Fred Loring Seely (Edwin Grove’s

son-in-law), Biltmore Industries had a total of 40 looms in steady operation, producing bolts of some of the finest handwoven wool fabric in the country. Orders were shipped as far as China and Uruguay, and customers included the likes of Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Helen Keller, and several U.S. presidents and first ladies - some

even had fabrics named for them, like Coolidge Red and Hoover Gray. Visitors to Grovewood Village will have the opportunity to learn the story of Biltmore Industries on a guided history tour, offered Wednesday - Saturday at 1pm during April – November. Your tour will include a visit to Biltmore Industries’ production facility (aka Dye House), where you’ll peek into the past and view the original looms, carding machines, spinning mule and dye vats used to make the famed Biltmore Handwoven Homespun. Tours last approximately 45 minutes and operate on a first-come,

first-served basis, open to 25 people. There is no charge to take the tour, but donations are appreciated. Tours begin at the Homespun Museum in Grovewood Village, where a docent will give a brief overview of Biltmore Industries’ historic importance before leading guests into the 100-year-old Dye House (usually closed to the public).

Private group tours for 10 or more are also offered for a fee and should be scheduled at least one week in advance. For more information, call (828) 253-7651 of visit grovewood.com.

About Grovewood Village

Grovewood Village is a privately owned historic Asheville destination located adjacent to The Omni Grove Park Inn. This site once housed the weaving and woodworking operations of Biltmore Industries, an Arts and Crafts enterprise that played a significant role in the Appalachian Craft Revival during the early 20th century. Today, the 11-acre property is home to Grovewood Gallery, working artist studios, the Biltmore Industries Homespun Museum, Golden Fleece restaurant, and Asheville’s only antique car museum.

For more information on Grovewood Village, visit www.grovewood.com or call (828) 253-7651.

Archival photograph of the Biltmore Industries’ Dye House.

Walk to Freedom:

The Mary Draper Ingles Story

Join us in making history, as one of Virginia’s heroines, Mary Draper Ingles, tells her story of strength and determination that reunited her with her family after being captured by Native Americans in 1755. “The Long Way Home” was designated as the official historical outdoor drama of the Commonwealth, and was held annually in Radford, VA from 1971-1999. The play told the story of Mary’s capture, life among the Native Americans, and her eventual escape and journey of hundreds of miles to return to her home in the New River Valley. The story is now being retold as a historical outdoor drama at the Riverside, Lot FF on the Radford University campus.

Tickets are now on sale via a link on www.MaryDraperInglesTrail. com. General admission tickets are $15 and guests are asked to bring a chair or blanket. Preferred seating is $20 stage front with rental chair included. Children 12 and under are free but will require a chair rental fee $5 in the preferred seating area.

Performance dates are:

July 14

July 27 & 28

August 4

5 Insider Tips

For Visiting Staunton This Spring

Take a free guided architectural walking tour

Historic Staunton Foundation offers FREE walking tours every Saturday at 10 am from May through October. Visitors wind their way through four of Staunton’s six historic districts as a local guide describes Staunton’s development and architecture.

See a show

Staunton is home to the American Shakespeare Center and the Blackfriars Playhouse, the world’s only re-creation of Shakespeare’s indoor theatre. The spring season includes Macbeth,

Taming of the Shrew, Sense and Sensibility (by Jane Austen) and Equivocation (by Bill Cain).

Sample your way through a Saturday farmer’s market

At this producers-only market, you can enjoy live music and meet local farmers and food artisans. This event runs every Saturday from 7 am to 12 pm in the Wharf District.

Spend a day at a museum

Explore the Shenandoah Valley’s pioneering history at the Frontier Culture Museum, with living snapshots of what frontier from the 1600s through the mid-1800s in this area. Jumping ahead to the 20th century, take a closer look at our 28th president at theWoodrow Wilson Presidential Museum as you take a self-guided tour through seven galleries that explore Wilson’s life and legacy.

Tap into the latest local brews

If you haven’t visited yet, now is the perfect time to make your first trip. Staunton frequently tops many “best” lists - and for good reason. The city’s architecture, performing arts, local charm, and buzz-worthy dining scene make it an ideal getaway, especially in the spring. More info: visitstaunton.com

Beer is in, and Staunton is at the center of a booming beer scene. What better place to try out a flight on the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail than Redbeard Brewing, which was recently tapped in a story by the Washington Post for best barrel-aged beers.

Enjoy a summer of Sound at the Blue Ridge Music Center

The Blue Ridge Music Center is hosting an exceptional lineup of performers for the annual Roots of American Music summer concert series with shows in the outdoor amphitheater almost every Saturday from Memorial Day through Labor Day at milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Galax, Virginia.

The 2019 series will highlight master mountain musicians, rising stars of the acoustic folk and Americana music scene, plus some of the best young roots-influenced bands from the Blue Ridge Mountains. The season kicks off with The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys

on May 25. This series continues with Mandolin Orange and the Winston-Salem Symphony, Bill Monroe’s Sons of Bluegrass (special Friday show), Kruger Brothers, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, the Virginia Luthiers, The Steel Wheels, and many more bluegrass, folk, Americana, and country performers.

Visitors are also invited to learn about the region’s rich musical heritage at the Roots of American Music Museum, sit and enjoy Midday Mountain Music sessions with local musicians, and explore the on-campus hiking trails.

Come explore Patrick County, Virginia. Picnics at a covered bridge or along the Blue Ridge Parkway, canoe rides, traditional mountain music, artisan studios, local wineries, bed and breakfasts, camping, hiking, mountain biking, and fishing are just a few of the attractions awaiting you. From the rugged outdoors to 5-star luxury, there is so much to discover in Patrick County. www.visitpatrickcounty.org

Hendersonville’s Main Street is in Full Bloom for Garden Jubilee

Downtown Hendersonville transforms into a botanical oasis when Garden Jubilee comes to town for Memorial Day weekend, May 25-26. The Southeast Tourism Society has named Garden Jubilee a Top 20 Event in the Southeast for May 2019.

Hendersonville’s curvilinear Main Street, lined with trees, flowering brick planters and hanging baskets, creates a natural setting for the 260 vendors.

Local and regional nurseries sell thousands of annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, and rare and native plants. Landscaping elements, lawn furniture, yard art, and garden-themed crafts and jewelry are also available.

Now in its 26th year, Garden Jubilee offers a smooth, enjoyable shopping experience. Two hospitality tents, one on each end of Main Street, provide a place to leave purchases as visitors continue to shop.

Throughout the day Saturday and Sunday, local garden experts present on a variety of topics on the Visitor Center stage. Topics include native plants and pollinators, how to care for fescue lawns, composting 101, starting a vegetable garden, and more.

To go along with the gardenthemed weekend, The Gallery at Flat Rock presents the fourth annual Art in Bloom exhibition. The gallery pairs professional floral designers with artists. The designers study a work on canvas or a sculpture, and then interpret that piece of art with an accompanying floral display.

Nicknamed “art with an expiration date,” Art in Bloom lasts only for Memorial Day weekend. It is free and open to the public.

For more information about Garden Jubilee and all the festivities happening that weekend, go to www.

VisitHendersonvilleNC.org/GardenJubilee or call (800) 828-4244.