Autumn Times 2026 by Mountain Times Publications

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4 • AUTUMN TIMES • 2026

WELCOME TO THE 2026 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY

Hello and welcome to another beautiful fall in the High Country! There’s no better time to be in these mountains — the air turns crisp, football and the ridgelines light up in waves of crimson, burnt orange and gold from late September through October. Our Autumn Times guide is your comprehensive companion to the season. Available in both print and digital formats at www. highcountrync.com, this thoughtfully curated publication inspires and provides practical information for your autumn adventures. Whether it’s a leaf-peeping drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, a sweater-weather hike to a favorite overlook, an afternoon at an apple orchard or pumpkin patch, taking in a football game or a warm meal as the evenings turn cool, autumn here has a way of slowing things down in the best possible way. We hope you find something in these pages that makes your visit a little richer. Make sure to also check out High Country Host, the regional visitor center, while you are here. They can help answer any

questions you have. Visit them in person at 6370 U.S. 321 S in Blowing Rock, online at highcountryhost.com or call (828) 2641299 Thanks for visiting the High Country this fall, and enjoy every last leaf. Looking for more special publications related to the High Country? Check out our other publications at issuu.com/ mtimes. Want to keep up to date with what’s happening locally? Visit our news websites at www.wataugademocrat.com, www. ashepostandtimes.com and www.averyjournal.com. Mountain Times Publications comprises four weekly newspapers serving Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties, plus an online publication and many special publications in between. The staff includes four reporters, two editors and one executive editor covering nearly 1,000 square miles of mountain communities. The main newsroom is based in Boone. – Mountain Times Publications Executive Editor Moss Brennan

2026 • AUTUMN TIMES • 5

WHAT’S INSIDE

2026 Autumn Times Staff PUBLISHER Gene Fowler EXECUTIVE EDITOR Moss Brennan ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Mark Mitchell REGIONAL DIGITAL DIRECTOR Trey Fowler CIRCULATION MANAGER Jeff Winebarger EDITORS Jamie Shell, Nathan Ham

WRITERS Jesse Campbell Zach Colburn Hope Davis Shannon DeRosas Shweta Mishra Lorelei Roberts DESIGN Darla Allen Rebecca Portis SALES William Becker Savannah Beal Mitchell Fowler Teresa Laws Landon Reed Owen Storie

COVER PHOTO PHOTO BY LESLIE RESTIVO | GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION

Grandfather Mountain comes alive with color every fall, making it a great place to visit to take in the views.

WELCOME TO THE HIGH COUNTRY................................. PAGE 8 FALL COLOR GUIDE................................. ........................ PAGE 10 BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY................................................... PAGE 12 HIGH COUNTRY TOWNS.................................................. PAGE 18 VALLE COUNTRY FAIR.................................................... PAGE 36 WOOLLY WORM FEST..................................................... PAGE 39 APP STATE FOOTBALL.................................................... PAGE 40 TAILGATING..................................................................... PAGE 42 HIKING GUIDE................................................................. PAGE 44 FESTIVAL OF FRESCOES................................................. PAGE 46 SCENIC DRIVES............................................................... PAGE 48 GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN............................................ PAGE 50 CORN MAZES................................................................... PAGE 52 HALLOWEEN EVENTS..................................................... PAGE 53 TOP THINGS TO DO......................................................... PAGE 54 APPALACHIAN ARTS SERIES........................................ PAGE 56 ART GALLERIES............................................................... PAGE 58 HIGH COUNTRY THEATERS............................................. PAGE 60 CAMPING......................................................................... PAGE 66 ROCK CLIMBING.............................................................. PAGE 67 HUNTING......................................................................... PAGE 70 FISHING............................................................................ PAGE 72 FALL IN PHOTOS.............................................................. PAGE 73 STARGAZING................................................................... PAGE 76 STATE PARKS................................................................... PAGE 80 OKTOBERFESTS............................................................... PAGE 83 UPCOMING EVENTS........................................................ PAGE 86 CHRISTMAS TREES......................................................... PAGE 89 MOTORCYCLING.............................................................. PAGE 94 ROAD CYCLING................................................................ PAGE 96 MOUNTAIN BIKING........................................................ PAGE 100 HOWARD KNOB.............................................................. PAGE 102 ZIPLINING....................................................................... PAGE 104 FAMILY FUN................................................................... PAGE 106 GENERAL STORES.......................................................... PAGE 107 APPLE PICKING.............................................................. PAGE 108 RAIN DAY FUN ............................................................... PAGE 110 AREA MUSEUMS............................................................ PAGE 112 FARMERS MARKETS...................................................... PAGE 114 ANTIQUING...................................................................... PAGE 117 CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.......................................... PAGE 118 GOLFING......................................................................... PAGE 120 PARKING......................................................................... PAGE 124 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION............................................ PAGE 126 GENERAL STORES.......................................................... PAGE 128 HIGH COUNTRY SIPS..................................................... PAGE 127 HIKING SAFETY.............................................................. PAGE 131 EATING/DRINKING GUIDE............................................. PAGE 133 NUMBERS OF NOTE....................................................... PAGE 143 ADVERTISER’S INDEX.................................................... PAGE 145

6 • AUTUMN TIMES • 2026

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8 • AUTUMN TIMES • 2026

WELCOME TO FALL IN NORTH CAROLINA’S

High Country O

n behalf of the High Country Host Regional Visitor Center and our mountain communities, it is my pleasure to welcome you to one of the most beautiful places in America to experience autumn. Whether this is your first visit or an annual tradition, we are honored you have chosen to spend part of your autumn with us. Here are some exciting updates on what you can experience this fall: • CATCH AN AMAZING VIEW: Visit the renovated Howard Knob County Park. The new skybridge is fully accessible and offers a panoramic view of Boone from an elevation of 4,396 feet- and is only a 5 minute drive from downtown Boone. • HIKE AN ICONIC TRAIL: The Grandfather Mountain State Park Parking Lot and Profile Trail have reopened after many months of Hurricane Helene repairs! The trail is known for the views of the iconic “Grandfather Profile” rock formation. • TAKE A SCENIC FALL DRIVE: America’s Favorite Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway, is expected to reopen one of the most popular sections this fall, the drive from Moses Cone Manor and across the Linn Cove Viaduct. This is the final phase of work on a $100M+ project, spanning 75 miles of the parkway.

• EMBRACE LOCAL DINING: Have dinner at a new local restaurant such as Blowing Rock’s Feral BBQ, housed where the iconic Woodlands

FILE PHOTO

Stop by the High Country Regional Welcome Center to plan your trip to the small mountain towns off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

BBQ was located for over 40 years. Grab lunch at the newest lunch spot, WJ Sundries, located in the historic 1917 West Jefferson Hotel. • HAVE A GOOD NIGHT: Reserve an overnight at one of the areas newest hotels, Courtyard by Marriott

events at HighCountryCalendar.com Sugar Mountain Banner Elk. The Holiday Inn Express Blowing Rock is and view our “everything fall” guide at also now welcoming guests. NCHighCountryFall.com We can’t wait to welcome you to Sincerely, the High Country and help you create unforgettable memories. If you can’t CANDICE COOK make it in, you can call us at 828-264High Country Host Regional 1299, find a list of regional tourism Visitor Center

2026 • AUTUMN TIMES • 9

10 • AUTUMN TIMES • 2026

Meet the ‘Fall Color Guy’ the High Country’s guide to peak leaf season

BY LORELEI ROBERTS

dean who turned out to be a forestry ecologist. very fall, visitors from all over the “I didn’t know you could do that in United States flock to the High New Jersey, and he really intrigued Country to see the vibrant foliage my interests, and so I switched my of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and at least 27,000 people know where to go junior year from math to forestry,” Neufeld said. “I missed working with for the best views. living things.” With 125 species of trees, the He earned his bachelor’s in forestry region is coated in bright reds, from Rutgers University, his master’s oranges and yellows from midin forestry from the Yale School of September, building up in October Forestry and Environmental Science and ending in November. Howard in 1977, and a Ph.D. in botany from Neufeld, Boone’s “Fall Color Guy” and a retired App State biology the University of Georgia in 1984. professor, said the vast and colorful It was at Georgia, while flipping landscape draws in thousands of through pressed plant specimens in tourists every season. the herbarium, that Neufeld stumbled “Fall color season is the busiest on a puzzle that continues to shape tourist season in the mountains, his career. Two sheets, both labeled generating close to $1.8 billion for the cypress, showed trees that looked region,” Neufeld said. nothing alike. After some research, he found they were two different kinds: The man behind the guide spent bald cypress, which grows along rivers, 39 years teaching plant ecology at and pond cypress, which grows in the Appalachian State University before elliptical depressions of the Carolina retiring — but he hasn’t retired from Bays. Botanist Roland Harper noted watching the leaves. the differences in 1902, but no one Neufeld didn’t grow up wanting had asked why their physiology to study trees. He wanted to be Ned diverged. Brainard, the character played by “Physiologically, I’m thinking, Fred MacMurray in Disney’s “The well, they both grow in swamps; Absent-Minded Professor” — a man why should they look different? with a picket-fence house, a smallWhy wouldn’t they all look the town college job and a lab where he could tinker with whatever caught his same if they’re growing in similar interest. Neufeld was 14 when he saw environments?” Neufeld said. “That got me thinking, maybe there’s the movie, growing up in Frederick, something different about where they Maryland, a town he describes as so small it didn’t get a McDonald’s until grow.” he went to college. That curiosity for how environmental factors shape the Not knowing what kind of way plants grow, change and adapt professor he wanted to be, Neufeld has carried through his nearly 40started off as a math major. That year career. Neufeld worked with a changed after a conversation with a

PHOTO COURTESY OF HOWARD NEUFELD

The mountains come alive with color in the fall.

decade-long federal research initiative studying acid rain’s effects on forests in the Great Smoky Mountains, and he began studying the plant galax, whose leaves turn red only in the winter sun. Nicole Hughes, a graduate student he mentored, built on that research with a study of anthocyanin pigments—the plant pigments that give leaves their red, purple, and blue colors. Hughes’ study found that anthocyanins possibly act as a sunscreen for the top of the leaf, protecting it from generating too much energy during the season transition. “Plants capturing light energy doesn’t depend on temperature, whether in the summer or the winter, it’s very fast but the enzymes processing that energy slow down in the winter. This can cause the plant to generate too much energy, damaging the leaves,” Neufeld said. Watching Hughes’ career grow deepened his own interest in the

science of fall color. Neufeld had already been studying the red pigment of leaves in the area when Visit NC offered him the role of “fall color guide.” He took over after Dan Patillo, a professor of plant ecology at Western Carolina University, stepped down for retirement. “I began watching the trees and learning from Dan about the timing of fall leaf colors, which trees turned early or late, and what contributed to making a good fall color season versus conditions that led to drab colors,” Neufeld said. At first, the job amounted to short status updates on the mountains’ colors — work that meant a lot of driving up and down the Blue Ridge Parkway at the height of tourist season. But Neufeld, ever the professor, wanted to do more than report what the trees were doing. He wanted to explain why. “I wanted to let people know more about why trees turned color, how climate change might affect this

2026 • AUTUMN TIMES • 11

PHOTO COURTESY OF HOWARD NEUFELD

A guide to peak colors this year.

process, and how important it was to the tourist industry in our part of the state,” Neufeld said. He started with a Facebook page, Fall Color Guy, and began adding his observations along with photos he took from the various overlooks, trails and pull-off spots on the Parkway. That page has grown to 27,000 followers and pushed Neufeld to create a Fall Color Guy website, with the help of his daughter. “When it comes close to fall leaf color time, I just get in the car and drive to get out, look, take pictures, and then post what I see,” Neufeld said. “I want to help people decide when they should come up, where they should go, things like that.” Neufeld recommends visiting on weekdays and early mornings for the best lighting and view of the mountains’ colors. “I tell people to go during the middle of the week and in the morning; most people want to sleep late and wait for the weekend, so if you go on a Tuesday, there’s nobody out there,” Neufeld said. “The colors are also better in the morning, when the sun is at a low angle; you have

better color saturation if you take pictures, but at noon, you get a lot of refraction, and the colors are duller.” Some of his favorite viewing spots are Ridge trails, Elk Knob, Craggy Gardens and Waterrock Knob. Later in the season, Neufeld enjoys viewing the colorful landscape from lower elevations at places like Chimney Rock, Pilot Mountain and Stone Mountain State Park. The overlooks and trails throughout Doughton Park, part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, also offer stunning views — spots like Grandview Overlook, Thunder Hill Overlook, Flat Top Mountain, and Boone Fork Trail. Even in retirement, Neufeld plans to keep updating his fall color guide, climbing into his car, camera in hand, and heading for the overlooks and pull-offs along the Parkway. It’s not so different from the small-town professor with the tinkering lab he set out to become as a 14-year-old watching Fred MacMurray on screen. He just traded the lab for the leaves. Neufeld posts fall color reports and updates on his Facebook page, facebook.com/FallColorGuy, and website, fallcolorguy.org.

12 • AUTUMN TIMES • 2026

Chasing color on the Blue Ridge Parkway BY JAMIE SHELL

substantial investment in road improvements in its nearly 100-year utumn is when the Blue Ridge history now in its final phase. The Parkway earns its nickname. As work represents the final phase of the southern Appalachians turn a more than $100 million project from green to fire — reds, golds and ambers cascading down the ridgelines spanning 75 miles of the Parkway, funded through the Great American — “America’s Favorite Drive” draws Outdoors Act’s Legacy Restoration leaf-lookers by the thousands to Fund, and includes repaving and its overlooks and switchbacks. The rehabilitation along the mainline iconic route extends 469 miles motor road, as well as repairs to road along the mountains, winding drainage structures, curbs, walks, through changing landscapes and shoulders, guardrails, overlooks and communities, connecting the past signage. with the present and preserving the The final phase began in midregion’s rich culture. March 2026 and covers sections The Parkway is owned and managed near Blowing Rock and the by the National Park Service. Unlike Grandfather Mountain corridor, traditional national parks, it is an from milepost 291.8 at US 321/221 “elongated park” protecting a long to milepost 305.1 near Beacon stretch of landscape from Virginia to Heights. Visitors this fall should North Carolina. Rather than having still expect intermittent closures in distinct boundaries, the Parkway staggered sections, though Cone is designed to protect and present Memorial Park, Price Lake, Rough the surrounding area beyond the Ridge parking, and the Linn Cove shoulders of the road. trailhead will have uninterrupted The northern entrance begins access from either the north or south in Shenandoah National Park throughout all phases of the project. near Waynesboro, Virginia, and The full rehabilitation is expected to meanders south toward Great be complete by fall 2026 — meaning Smoky Mountains National Park in much of this leaf season may unfold southwestern North Carolina — the on fresh pavement. Parkway’s original intention was to Before any visit, check current connect both national parks. road status at www.nps.gov/blri/ Driving along the Parkway, visitors planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm. will enjoy numerous overlooks, picnic The National Park Service also areas, hiking trails and campgrounds. plans to remove hazardous, stormSome of the most popular attractions generated tree debris from six areas in the High Country include the with elevated wildfire risk along Linn Cove Viaduct, Linville Falls, and the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Moses Cone Manor. Carolina and Virginia. A ROAD RENEWED The project aims to reduce wildfire This is a significant year for the danger while preserving the visual Blue Ridge Parkway, with the most character of the Parkway by removing

BY LESLIE RESTIVO | GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION

The rain and fog have a way of making fall color shine unexpectedly as seen from the Blue Ridge Parkway near Doughton Park.

burnable organic materials—often referred to as fuels—to protect public safety and natural resources. Scheduled to begin in late summer, the NPS will remove downed vegetation from just under 3,000 acres of park land in North Carolina and Virginia. According to the NPS, this debris from Hurricane Helene has accumulated in volumes and locations that present a clear wildfire risk to communities, homes and other resources. It also creates safety hazards for emergency responders, staff, visitors and adjacent landowners. Areas identified as having elevated risk and where removal work will take place, include: Galax and Hillsville: 292 acres between mileposts 205–215 Laurel Springs: 129 acres between mileposts 249–267 Boone: 769 acres between mileposts 280–300 Linville Falls: 527 acres between mileposts 310–319 Little Switzerland: 325 acres between mileposts 324–341 Asheville: 829 acres between mileposts 374–396 As work takes place in these areas, park visitors and neighbors can expect intermittent traffic delays due to

one-lane closures. The park aims to complete initial fuel removal work by spring 2027. Once work begins, the park will use heavy equipment to reduce fuels and remove debris. The park will then target specific areas for revegetation to support forest restoration and natural ecosystem recovery. Parkway leadership, in coordination with Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Appalachian Piedmont Coastal Zone Fire Management staff, the U.S. Forest Service, the NPS Washington Support Office and consultants, has conducted fire risk modeling and field assessments to evaluate debris levels that could lead to unpredictable fire behavior. Visit parkplanning.nps.gov/ BLRIFuelReduction for further information.

THE PARKWAY’S HISTORY

The Parkway was built under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal initiative, with construction beginning in 1935. By 1966, the majority of the Parkway was complete, except for a 7.5-mile section at Grandfather Mountain. That final stretch presented extraordinary engineering challenges, as the rugged SEE PARKWAY ON PAGE 16 u

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t PARKWAY FROM PAGE 12 terrain required a solution that would protect the mountain’s delicate ecosystem. After years of negotiating among conservationists, landowner Hugh Morton, and federal engineers, they arrived at a one-of-a-kind design: a viaduct that flows in unity with the landscape rather than cutting through it. The Linn Cove Viaduct was completed in 1983, and the full Parkway section opened to through traffic in 1987 — nearly 52 years after construction began.

A TOUR OF THE HIGH COUNTRY

Starting at milepost 217.3 in Alleghany County all the way to milepost 330.9 in Mitchell County, the Parkway offers visitors a grand tour of the High Country. Beginning north and traveling south, here are the most popular and notable attractions along the way. At milepost 258.7 in Ashe County is the Northwest Trading Post, a historic building in Glendale Springs built in the 1950s to provide travelers with information on the mountains of North Carolina and sell local merchandise. The shop offers regional arts and crafts, souvenir items, and food and drink — a great rest stop, especially welcome on a crisp fall morning. About 10 miles south, the Lump overlook rises prominently above the Parkway. For a short walk, visitors can hike up to the top for outstanding views of Yadkin Valley — a vista that turns especially spectacular as the valley below fills with autumn color. A sign there commemorates the tragic story of Tom Dooley, the subject of a famous murder ballad played by folk musicians for decades. Continuing south, the exit to Deep Gap and Highway 421 leads toward Boone, home to Appalachian State University and plenty of opportunities

PHOTO BY LESLIE RESTIVO | GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION

Golds, oranges and fiery reds line the Blue Ridge Parkway with their most vibrant colors during the fall.

for shopping, dining and more. The next major exit at Highway 221 takes visitors north toward Boone or south toward Blowing Rock, a smaller and quieter mountain destination popular with those who want to experience High Country life. Just a few miles from Blowing Rock at milepost 294 is Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, a historic estate preserving the legacy of Moses Cone — a textile entrepreneur, conservationist and philanthropist of the Gilded Age. The mansion, known as Flat Top Manor, was built in 1901 as a summer retreat for Cone and his wife, Bertha. The bright white 23-room mansion sits atop a hill overlooking Bass Lake and downtown Blowing Rock, and its surrounding carriage trails are a favorite for fall foliage walks. The family’s estate was donated to the National Park Service after Bertha Cone’s death in 1947, and the park is free and open to the public, offering 25 miles of hiking and carriage trails. The next notable stop is Julian Price Memorial Park at milepost 297. The park’s 4,200 acres were purchased by insurance executive Julian Price as a recreational retreat for his employees. When Price died in 1946, his heirs

donated the land to the National Park Service. Price Lake is the central attraction — where the mirror-still water framed by turning trees is one of the Parkway’s most photographed autumn scenes. Visitors can canoe, fish, or hike the 2.7-mile loop trail around its shoreline. There is also a campground, the largest on the entire Parkway. Continuing south, visitors drive along the eastern side of Grandfather Mountain, home to the Linn Cove Viaduct at milepost 304.4. At 1,243 feet long, the concrete segmental bridge curves around the mountain’s face in an engineering marvel recognized internationally for its beauty and environmental sensitivity — and its graceful curve through fall color is one of the most iconic images in the Southern Appalachians. A visitor center and hiking trails are located at the south end of the viaduct. Past Grandfather Mountain, the exit to U.S. 221 leads toward Linville and the entrance to the Grandfather Mountain attraction, where visitors can experience the famous mile-high swinging bridge. There is a fee to enter; visit grandfather.com for more information.

Staying on the Parkway, the Linville Falls area at milepost 316 includes a visitor center, hiking trails, a campground and a picnic area. Hikes here venture into and above Linville Gorge, known as the “Grand Canyon of the East” for its dramatic and unique landscape. At milepost 331 near Spruce Pine, the Museum of North Carolina Minerals is open to visitors yearround. Here visitors can learn about the history of mining in Mitchell County — the gem and mineral capital of North Carolina — and explore hundreds of minerals and gems on display. The Parkway continues for another 140 miles south, where overlooks, hiking, picnic spots and camping remain abundant throughout. Cruising the Blue Ridge Parkway is truly a one-of-a-kind experience — and with a major investment in its future now underway, the road ahead has never looked better. This fall, with fresh pavement laid and the long work of renewal nearing completion, there has never been a better time to take the long way on the Blue Ridge Parkway and watch the mountains turn.

2026 • AUTUMN TIMES • 17

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A High Country fall Exploring the communities of Ashe, Avery and Watauga

COMPILED BY MOSS BRENNAN

mountain communities. The university’s presence ensures year-round activity he High Country of North and provides educational, cultural and Carolina, nestled in the depths athletic programs that benefit the entire of the Blue Ridge Mountains, region. encompasses three distinctive Downtown Boone features a counties—Ashe, Avery and Watauga— distinctive collection of locally owned each offering unique communities that boutiques and businesses that reflect the blend rich Appalachian heritage with community’s commitment to supporting modern mountain living. entrepreneurship and maintaining In the fall, the High Country is one authentic character. Anna Bananas of the prettiest places to be—evidenced on King Street specializes in unique by the vibrant colors and the thousands second-hand clothing. At the same of tourists that flock to the area as time, The Shoppes at Farmers, a familysoon as the first leaves start to fall. owned business operating since 1924, Many of the businesses in each of these offers everything from jewelry and art to communities rely on fall for a significant toys and mountain crafts. portion of their revenue each year, The local craft brewing scene has filling festival grounds, general stores, become a significant attraction, with breweries and back roads from late establishments like Appalachian September into November. Mountain Brewery, Booneshine and Whether visiting for the first time or Lost Province Brewing Company as a seasoned tourist, these mountain providing gathering places for communities provide something special residents and visitors. These breweries for everyone. Make sure to support local regularly host live music events and businesses while you’re here. community activities, contributing to Boone’s reputation as an entertainment WATAUGA COUNTY destination. Boone The Jones House, a historic home As the county seat of Watauga converted into a cultural center, hosts County, Boone proudly bears the title live music performances spanning jazz, “The Heart of the High Country.” This bluegrass and contemporary genres. This designation reflects both its geographic venue plays a key role in the Boonerang centrality and its role as the region’s Music Festival held each summer, primary economic, educational and which attracts thousands of people to cultural hub. downtown Boone for a weekend-long celebration of music, art, food and Appalachian State University serves as Boone’s defining institution, ranking local culture. The festival’s success has established it as an annual tradition. as one of the largest schools in North Carolina’s public university system Boone’s connection to bluegrass with more than 20,000 students. This music tradition is commemorated by the substantial student population creates Doc Watson “Man of the People” statue a unique blend of academic energy, on King Street. Watson, a local guitar youthful vitality and cultural diversity virtuoso and bluegrass legend, earned seven Grammy awards and a Grammy that distinguishes Boone from other

PHOTO COURTESY OF DOWNTOWN BOONE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

Boone is a popular place during the fall between the colors and App State football .

Lifetime Achievement award during his career. Though he passed away in 2012, his musical legacy remains an important part of Boone’s cultural identity.

cultural education, helping visitors understand the deep connections between the landscape and the people who have called these mountains home for thousands of years. Blowing Rock The portion of the Blue Ridge Small in footprint, big in charm— despite covering only three square miles, Parkway within Blowing Rock’s limits includes some of the region’s most Blowing Rock maximizes its natural beauty and recreational opportunities to spectacular hiking opportunities and offer a destination that feels much larger scenic views. Moses Cone Manor and Julian Price Park offer well-maintained than its physical boundaries suggest. trails and interpretive programs, while The town’s name originates from the unusual wind patterns around the rocky off-Parkway destinations like Bass Lake Trail and Broyhill Park provide cliff overlooking Johns River Gorge, additional outdoor recreation options. where updrafts can cause light objects to float back up rather than fall, creating The Blowing Rock Art and History a boomerang-like effect. Museum, known locally as BRAHM, operates year-round, presenting Visitors can experience this natural exhibitions and programs that celebrate phenomenon while learning about the area’s indigenous history at the Blowing Appalachian culture, history and artistic traditions. The museum’s location near Rock attraction on Rock Road. This site provides both natural wonder and downtown makes it easily accessible to

2026 • AUTUMN TIMES • 19

visitors exploring the town’s shops and restaurants. Blowing Rock’s downtown district features a pedestrian-friendly environment with numerous shops, restaurants and hotels lining picturesque sidewalks. Options range from casual mountain fare to upscale dining, with accommodations spanning from cozy bed-and-breakfasts to luxury resort properties.

Valle Crucis

Located just off N.C. 105 south of Boone, Valle Crucis offers a pastoral riverside setting that embodies mountain tranquility and simplicity. The valley contains archaeological evidence of the only known Native American village in the immediate area, while also serving as the site where Samuel Hicks, Watauga County’s first European settler, built a fort during the American Revolution. An Episcopal bishop entered the community in 1842 and provided its Latin name, which translates to “Vale of the Cross,” reflecting the religious influence that helped shape the community’s development. The Episcopal Church continues to play an important role in Valle Crucis through ongoing programs, fundraising efforts and services. The Valle Crucis Conference Center, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, maintains busy schedules hosting retreats for various groups throughout the year. The center’s proximity to Crab Orchard Falls provides easy access to one of the area’s most beautiful natural attractions, requiring only a short hike from the conference facilities. The original Mast General Store, operating since 1883, serves as the community’s central gathering place and commercial anchor. This historic establishment continues the tradition of providing local goods and services while welcoming visitors seeking authentic mountain shopping experiences. The Mast Store Annex, opened

approximately 25 years after the original store, expands shopping opportunities while maintaining the same commitment to quality and service. Valle Crucis Park, accessible via a gravel road behind the Mast Store Annex, provides comprehensive recreational facilities including walking paths, riverfront access, picnic areas, sports fields and summer live music performances. This community amenity ensures that residents and visitors have convenient access to outdoor recreation and entertainment.

Foscoe

Nestled between Boone and Banner Elk, the unincorporated community of Foscoe proves that small size doesn’t limit opportunities for shopping, dining and exploration. Despite its compact footprint, Foscoe, which exists along the primary highway artery connecting Watauga and Avery counties, offers diverse experiences that attract visitors seeking unique mountain adventures and authentic local products. Shopping opportunities span from antiques at Front Porch Antique Market to specialty items like golf apparel and clubs from Peanuts Club Pro Shop. Maggie Black Pottery showcases ceramics and porcelain created by local artisans, while Winkler Knives produces custom blades for collectors and outdoor enthusiasts. These businesses reflect the community’s commitment to traditional craftsmanship and local entrepreneurship. Outdoor recreation options include Foscoe Fishing Company for angling enthusiasts and Greater Foscoe Mining Company for families interested in gold panning experiences. These activities provide hands-on opportunities to engage with the region’s natural resources and historical mining heritage. Dining establishments like The Dog House Cafe offer soups, sandwiches and sweets in a casual mountain atmosphere, while Country Retreat Family Billiards combines food service with entertainment, providing burgers

PHOTO COURTESY BLOWING ROCK TDA

Blowing Rock has plenty of fun fall events.

and pool tables for social gatherings. Foscoe’s location provides some of the High Country’s most spectacular mountain scenery, including famous profile views of Grandfather Mountain. This natural beauty serves as a constant backdrop for community life and provides countless photography opportunities for visitors documenting their mountain experiences.

Mountain, Seven Devils offers easy access to major recreational destinations while providing its own outdoor adventures. The Otter Falls Trail represents one of the area’s most accessible hiking experiences, featuring a 0.6-mile hike to the falls for a total round-trip distance of 1.2 miles. The trail welcomes dogs, making it an ideal family outing for those traveling with pets. Seven Devils Seven Devils continues to grow Strategically positioned between and develop new amenities while Banner Elk and Boone, Seven Devils maintaining its community focus. provides convenient access to multiple Plans for a new community center and High Country destinations while expanded trail system demonstrate maintaining its own unique character the town’s commitment to enhancing and attractions. The town’s distinctive recreational opportunities. Connections name reflects both geographical features linking existing routes, including and marketing creativity, as the founders Otter Falls and Peak Mountain Trail, noted seven prominent rocky peaks while extending to the Seven Devils surrounding Valley Creek and decided Resort Club, offer additional outdoor to embrace the “devilish” theme for its exploration potential. attention-getting potential. Established in the 1960s, Seven Surrounded by Sugar Mountain, SEE FALL ON PAGE 22 u Grandfather Mountain and Beech

20 • AUTUMN TIMES • 2026 1

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t FALL FROM PAGE 19 Devils has successfully balanced growth with community values, adapting to changing needs while preserving the small-town atmosphere that attracts residents and visitors seeking an authentic mountain experience.

ASHE COUNTY West Jefferson

If Ashe County has a downtown that hums, it’s West Jefferson. The bustling heart of Ashe County’s cultural and economic activity, West Jefferson draws visitors from across the region with its vibrant downtown district. This community of approximately 1,300 residents has transformed itself into one of the county’s premier destinations, featuring an impressive array of shops, art galleries and locally owned restaurants that reflect the area’s commitment to supporting homegrown businesses. Incorporated in 1909, West Jefferson’s growth was significantly influenced by the Virginia Creeper Railroad, which brought commerce and connectivity to the mountain community. Today, the town serves as headquarters for several important organizations, including the Ashe County Arts Council, which promotes local cultural activities, and the New River Conservancy, dedicated to protecting the region’s pristine waterways. The community is consistently active with engaging events throughout every season. Spring and summer bring regular concerts to the downtown area, while the unique Christmas in July festival and the September Ole Time Antiques Fair rank among Ashe County’s largest annual celebrations, drawing thousands of visitors to experience the town’s welcoming atmosphere and mountain hospitality.

Jefferson

Just up the road from its busier neighbor, Jefferson anchors Ashe County’s civic life. As the county seat

of Ashe County, Jefferson stands as a cornerstone of local government and community life. Home to approximately 1,600 residents, this historic town was founded in 1799 and named after Thomas Jefferson, who was serving as Vice President at the time. Originally called “Jeffersonton,” the community has grown from its modest 50-acre beginnings into a thriving municipal center. The town’s civic importance is evident in its landmarks, including the Ashe County Courthouse, Ashe County Park and the Law Enforcement Center. History enthusiasts can explore the restored 1904 Courthouse, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and housing the Museum of Ashe County History. This architectural gem sits adjacent to the Jefferson Police Department, creating a unique blend of past and present in the town’s governmental district.

Glendale Springs

World-famous art in an unassuming mountain church—that’s the draw at Glendale Springs. Strategically located near the Blue Ridge Parkway, Glendale Springs offers visitors easy access to one of America’s most scenic driving routes while providing its unique attractions. The community is renowned for the stunning fresco painting housed within Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, a remarkable work of religious art from artist Ben Long that draws visitors from around the region and nation. The historic Glendale Springs Inn & Restaurant adds to the area’s appeal, having once hosted President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore during the duo’s 1998 visit to Ashe County. This establishment, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, continues to welcome guests seeking fine dining and historic accommodations in the heart of the mountains. Beyond its historical and cultural attractions, Glendale Springs serves as an excellent base for outdoor recreation,

PHOTO COURTESY VISIT WEST JEFFERSON

Storefronts get into the fall season in West Jefferson.

offering proximity to both the Blue Ridge Parkway and the New River, where visitors can enjoy hiking, scenic drives, water activities and the peaceful beauty of the Appalachian landscape.

and community gathering place, selling local provisions and merchandise while maintaining the social fabric that binds small communities together. The New River remains Todd’s primary attraction, offering some of the Todd finest recreational opportunities in the Where the South Fork New River region. As one of the few rivers in the bends through the hills, you’ll find one United States to flow north, it provides of the region’s most scenic settings. unique geographical interest along with This small community, shared between excellent fishing, kayaking and tubing. Watauga and Ashe counties, nestles in Several professional outfitters, including a picturesque bend of the South Fork New River. Todd’s history stretches back RiverGirl and Wahoo’s, operate in the area to help visitors safely enjoy these nearly 6,000 years, with archaeological water activities. evidence indicating extensive Native American activity in the area long Green Valley Community Park serves before European settlement. as Todd’s recreational headquarters, The Todd General Store held the featuring playground equipment, sports distinction of being Ashe County’s fields, a paved walking track, picnic oldest functional business before a facilities, restrooms, canoe access, devastating fire destroyed it in 2021. The store served as both a commercial center SEE FALL ON PAGE 28 u

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t FALL FROM PAGE 22 hiking trails and direct river access. This comprehensive facility makes Todd an ideal destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts seeking diverse recreation options in a compact, accessible location.

Lansing

Small in size but rich in history, Lansing represents a living testament to the region’s railroad heritage. The smallest of Ashe County’s incorporated towns, with approximately 130 residents, this community was incorporated in 1928 and served as a crucial stop along the Virginia Creeper railroad route, connecting it to West Jefferson, Todd and the community of White Oak. Lansing’s historical significance extends far beyond its small size, boasting five locations listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the Old Lansing School, PerryShepherd Farm, Miller Homestead, Clark-Miller Mill and the Lansing Historical District. These preserved sites offer glimpses into the daily life and economic activities that sustained mountain communities throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The town’s population has declined since the railroad era ended, dropping from 278 residents in 1960 to 126 in the 2020 census. However, this smaller scale has helped preserve Lansing’s intimate, close-knit community character, making it a prime spot for those seeking authentic mountain town experiences.

Fleetwood

For those chasing the water, Fleetwood is the gateway. Positioned between West Jefferson and Deep Gap, Fleetwood serves as a gateway to some of the region’s best water recreation opportunities. The community’s location provides excellent access to the New River, where outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy kayaking, canoeing and floating adventures along one of North America’s oldest rivers.

The areas between Fleetwood and Todd, particularly along Railroad Grade Road, have become popular launching points for river activities, offering various access points for different skill levels and trip lengths. Fleetwood is an unincorporated community whose proximity to nature and outdoor activities encourages a strong sense of community and additionally boasts a dog-friendly atmosphere.

Grassy Creek

Straddling the North CarolinaVirginia border, Grassy Creek represents the unique character of communities that exist at the intersection of states and cultures. The area is home to The Old Store, a local landmark that serves both practical and social functions for residents and visitors exploring the border region. The Grassy Creek Historic District, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, preserves important examples of rural Appalachian architecture and land use patterns. Visitors traveling through the area will notice the extensive Christmas tree farms that have become a signature industry for this border community, contributing to the regional economy while maintaining the area’s agricultural character.

PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN GARDNER

Fall festivities fill Banner Elk every year.

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students from more than 20 states and countries, bringing youthful energy and diverse perspectives to the Warrensville mountain community. The campus Warrensville is another of the many features historic stone buildings, which unincorporated towns within Ashe have recently been renovated, creating County. The town was originally known photogenic settings that attract visitors as Buffalo Creek and has roughly 1,400 and provide ideal backdrops for special residents. The town is home to two county schools, Blue Ridge Elementary events. The town maintains an active and Ashe County Middle School, calendar of cultural and recreational and a pair of popular small businesses activities throughout the year. Summer including Warrensville Drug Store and brings theater programs produced by Jim’s Corner Furniture. Creston Lees-McRae College, while various art AVERY COUNTY festivals showcase the work of regional Located in Ashe County’s northwest galleries and artisans. The annual Banner Elk corner, Creston is a community that Woolly Worm Festival, held on the offers visitors a glimpse into the region’s When the woolly worms come out, third weekend of October, represents religious and cultural heritage. Worth’s you know fall has arrived in Banner Banner Elk’s largest community Chapel, constructed in the early 1900s Elk. Situated between two major ski celebration, attracting nearly 20,000 and listed on the National Register destinations, Banner Elk has evolved visitors who come to participate in the of Historic Places in 1976, stands as from a small mountain hamlet into a quirky tradition of woolly worm racing a testament to the faith communities year-round resort community offering and enjoy mountain music, crafts and that helped shape the region’s mountain comprehensive amenities for visitors society. and residents. The town’s transformation food. The college also welcomes alumni reflects the emergence of the region into back to the mountains for Homecoming The township’s location near the weekend each autumn. Tennessee state line provides easy access a four-season recreational destination. to multi-state exploration opportunities. Lees-McRae College, a small private The town also boasts a thriving art The Riverview Community Center liberal arts institution affiliated with scene, including the Historic Banner serves as the heart of local social life, the Presbyterian Church U.S.A., Elk School in the heart of downtown, hosting numerous community events serves as Banner Elk’s educational which hosts Ensemble Stage, a company throughout the year and maintaining and cultural anchor. Founded in 1900, the tradition of regular fish fries that the college enrolls more than 800 SEE FALL ON PAGE 32 u

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t FALL FROM PAGE28 that performs live shows from spring through the holiday season. Banner Elk’s location provides easy access to numerous outdoor activities and natural attractions. The town sits among Sugar Mountain, Beech Mountain and Grandfather Mountain, offering residents and visitors quick access to skiing, hiking, scenic drives, wineries and waterfalls. The downtown area features shops, restaurants and the peaceful Mill Pond, where visitors can relax and enjoy the mountain atmosphere. Although affected significantly by Hurricane Helene, Banner Elk continues to demonstrate and exemplify its mountain resolve, bouncing back through various projects to enhance its infrastructure and outdoor amenities.

Beech Mountain

For the best seat in the house come leaf season, head up—all the way up. At 5,506 feet above sea level, Beech Mountain holds the distinction of being the highest incorporated town in Eastern North America. This elevation provides significant advantages for both summer and winter recreation, creating a unique four-season resort environment that attracts visitors year-round. The mountain’s height ensures comfortable summer temperatures even on the hottest days, making it an ideal escape from lower-elevation heat. During the autumn months, the elevation offers breathtaking views of the fall foliage and a kaleidoscope of colors, serving as a harbinger of the coming winter season, which offers excellent snow conditions for skiing and snowboarding. The ski resort transforms during warmer months into a mountain bike park, offering downhill trails and scenic chairlift rides that provide spectacular views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Beech Mountain accommodates visitors with more than 5,000 beds in various lodging options, from

rustic mountain cabins to luxury condominiums. This range ensures options for different budgets and group sizes. Dining options are equally diverse, spanning from casual deli sandwiches and pizza to upscale gourmet restaurants offering candlelit dinners with mountain views. Recreation opportunities extend beyond the ski slopes to include golf, horseback riding, tennis, swimming and extensive hiking trail networks. The town’s proximity to some of the East Coast’s finest whitewater rafting and canoeing adds to its outdoor appeal. Evening entertainment venues cater to various musical tastes, ensuring that nightlife options complement the daytime activities. Much of Beech Mountain remains in its natural state, with rich forests and rolling farmland preserving the area’s ecological integrity. This balance between development and conservation creates an environment where visitors can easily transition between resort amenities and natural wilderness experiences.

Sugar Mountain

Golf with a mountain view, music under the stars and some of the best fall vistas in the county—the Village of Sugar Mountain specializes in outdoor recreation and mountain adventure, offering visitors comprehensive fourseason activities at an elevation of 5,300 feet. This high altitude ensures cool summer breezes and spectacular mountain views, creating ideal conditions for various recreational pursuits. The village-owned golf and tennis club serves as a local favorite and regional destination. The 18-hole golf course, voted the No. 2 short course in the USA, features meticulously maintained greens and stunning mountain vistas. Green fees start at just $15, making quality golf accessible to a wide range of players. The Caddyshack Café provides dining options that round out the golf experience.

Tennis enthusiasts enjoy six courts surfaced with fast-dry Har-Tru clay, maintained to professional standards. Daily “friendly” matches accommodate men’s, women’s and mixed play, creating a welcoming environment for players of all skill levels. Professional instruction is available for those seeking to improve their games. The annual “Grillin’ & Chillin’” summer music series takes place every Wednesday evening on the golf club’s outdoor deck, combining live entertainment with spectacular sunset views over the Blue Ridge Mountains. These free concerts, accompanied by food service from the Caddyshack Café, have become a beloved community tradition. Sugar Mountain Resort transforms its ski slopes into mountain biking terrain during summer months, offering downhill trails and scenic chairlift rides most weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Riders can experience a 1,200-foot elevation drop from summit to lodge, while those preferring a more relaxed experience can enjoy round-trip scenic rides for panoramic views. Special events throughout the year include Fourth of July fireworks viewable from the chairlift and the challenging Summit Crawl. The Fine Art & Master Crafts Festival, typically held on two summer weekends, showcases regional artistic talent and traditional mountain crafts. Sugar Mountain’s location adjacent to Grandfather Mountain and within Pisgah National Forest provides access to additional activities, including alpine coaster rides, gem mining, whitewater rafting, homemade fudge and ice cream, and extensive hiking trail networks. Twenty-five restaurants within five miles offer diverse dining options, while local galleries and boutiques provide shopping opportunities that reflect regional culture and craftsmanship.

Linville

Golf, gorges and grand mountain

scenery define Linville, one of the region’s earliest planned communities. Founded in 1883 and designed by Samuel T. Kelsey of Kansas, the town was named to honor William and John Linville, who were reportedly killed by the Cherokee in 1766, reflecting the complex and often tragic history of European settlement in the mountains. The East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad served Linville from 1916 until 1940, when major flooding washed away the tracks and effectively ended the railroad era. The former rail route was later converted into N.C. 105 in 1956, maintaining the transportation corridor while adapting to automobile travel. Linville supports three country clubs—Eseeola, Grandfather Golf and Country Club, and Linville Ridge—all operating from late spring through early fall to take advantage of the area’s ideal summer climate and spectacular mountain scenery. These facilities attract golfers from across the region and serve as important economic anchors for the community. The area surrounding Linville shares the community’s name and includes several major tourist attractions. Linville Falls offers spectacular views and hiking opportunities, while Linville Caverns provides underground exploration adventures. The Linville Gorge wilderness area attracts serious hikers and rock climbers seeking challenging outdoor experiences in a pristine natural setting. Linville Land Harbor provides residential options for those considering full-time or part-time mountain living. This community features its own golf course, tennis and pickleball courts and various amenities designed to support year-round or seasonal residents who want to enjoy the area’s four-season beauty. Each second weekend in July, the area of Linville and Grandfather Mountain swells to approximately 50,000 people as the Grandfather Mountain

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Highland Games take place over four days. The event showcases professional competitions, clan and ancestral Scottish pride and celebrates “America’s Braemar.”

Newland

At the crossroads of Avery County sits its governmental and commercial heart. As the highest county seat east of the Mississippi River at 3,589 feet, Newland holds a unique distinction while serving as the governmental and commercial center of Avery County. Incorporated in 1913 when Avery County was formed, the town was originally known as “Old Fields of Toe” due to its location in a broad valley at the headwaters of the Toe River. The name “Toe” derives from “Estatoe,” honoring a Native American chief ’s daughter who, according to legend, drowned herself in the river when forbidden to marry a brave from another tribe. This story reflects the deep indigenous history that preceded European settlement in the region. Newland’s Civil War history includes its use as a mustering place for troops, highlighting its strategic importance even in its early years. The town succeeded over three competing locations to become the county seat, a central location within the newly formed county. The renovated courthouse, originally constructed in 1913, overlooks Avery Square and is surrounded by shops, churches and a memorial honoring Avery County veterans. The adjacent original jail has been converted into the Avery County Historical Museum, where visitors can explore preserved jail cells along with exhibits detailing local history. Newland hosts a regular farmers’ market, providing a venue for local growers to sell fresh produce and handmade goods. Waterfalls Park, which was recently purchased through the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, preserves a pristine location that offers picnicking and

hiking opportunities just outside town. Make sure to stop by Sweetwater Ranch and Vineyard, which is dedicated to wildlife conservation and sustainable agriculture in North Carolina’s stunning mountains. Its mission is to build a robust elk herd for eventual reintroduction into the wild, aiming to enhance local biodiversity. It is located at 126 Sweetwater Branch Road.

Crossnore

Some mountain towns are defined by their scenery; Crossnore is defined by its story. Steeped in educational and medical history, Crossnore represents one of the most significant success stories in Appalachian community development. The town’s transformation centers around the work of doctors Eustace and Mary Martin Sloop, who arrived in the early 20th century to bring medicine and education to isolated mountain communities. The Sloops traveled treacherous mountain trails to provide medical care while simultaneously working to establish educational opportunities for children whose families had limited access to formal schooling. Their efforts led to the creation of a comprehensive complex including a school, hospital, dental clinic and boarding facilities designed to break cycles of poverty and limited opportunity that had previously constrained many mountain families. Mary Martin Sloop documented these experiences in her autobiography “Miracle in the Hills,” which became the foundation for a summer drama production that continues to be performed in present-day Crossnore. This ongoing theatrical presentation helps preserve and share the remarkable story of community transformation that occurred in the mountains. Today, Marjorie Williams Academy continues the educational mission established by the Sloops, serving both local Crossnore residents and area students whose educational needs are best met in the academy’s specialized environment. The school operates

PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN GARDNER

The mountains that surround Newland come alive with colors in the fall.

Miracle Grounds Coffee Cafe & Creamery, which functions both as a community gathering place and a vocational training facility for students. Crossnore’s community spirit shines during its famous Independence Day celebration, featuring a parade and festivities that draw participants from throughout the region. The town’s Meeting House hosts the Crossnore Jam, a series of monthly musical gatherings featuring local musicians on each first Friday during summer and fall.

Elk Park

Step off the main road in Elk Park and you step back in time. Located on the Tennessee border, Elk Park offers visitors an authentic step back into simpler times. The town’s old-fashioned atmosphere centers around Brinkley’s Hardware Store and the Lower Street antique district, where visitors can browse unique finds while admiring classic mural art that decorates building walls. Lower Street represents Elk Park’s original commercial thoroughfare, dating to the era when the town served as a depot for the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad, affectionately known as “Tweetsie.” This railroad connection brought prosperity and growth that sustained the community even after train service

ended. Modern Elk Park continues to honor its heritage while embracing new opportunities. The 2013 opening of the new town hall facility adjacent to Lucille Winters Town Park demonstrates the community’s commitment to providing quality municipal services and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. Trosly Farm represents the town’s agricultural and culinary offerings. Owners Amos and Kaci Nidiffer received recognition as 2020 North Carolina Small Farmers of the Year by N.C. A&T State University Cooperative Extension, highlighting the continued importance of agriculture in the local economy and the innovation occurring in mountain farming operations, while multiple Christmas tree farms dot the community landscape, welcoming visitors to make memories by purchasing a tree around the holiday season. The towns and communities of North Carolina’s High Country are an unparalleled blend of Appalachian heritage, natural beauty and contemporary mountain living. From bustling college towns to quiet historic hamlets, each community contributes its own character to the region’s identity while sharing common values of hospitality, outdoor recreation and preservation of mountain traditions.

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Where Autumn comes alive Valle Country Fair celebrates 47 years of community, crafts and charity

BY KEITH MARTIN

per vehicle. The festivities stretch across a he colors, flavors, sights and sounds of harvest season in the Blue Ridge picturesque meadow between a classic red barn and a field of sorghum. Mountains come together at the Tents from more than 150 juried craft Valle Country Fair in scenic Valle exhibitors line pathways winding Crucis, North Carolina, on Saturday, throughout the grounds, showcasing Oct. 17. What began as a small church bazaar some of the region’s finest handmade artwork, pottery, jewelry, textiles, has grown into one of the region’s woodwork and other artisan creations. premier fall celebrations, attracting Hay bales placed throughout the thousands of visitors each year and fairgrounds provide inviting places for raising more than $80,000 for High visitors to rest as they decide which Country charities in 2025. booths to explore next. Tracey Heiss and Julie Gates are Requirements for exhibiting at VCF serving as co-chairs of the 2026 fair. are that all crafts are original to the “For 47 years,” Heiss said, “the Valle artist and that every item is handmade. Country Fair has lived its mission The juried selection process ensures of ‘neighbors helping neighbors’ by supporting local nonprofit organizations both exceptional craftsmanship and a wide variety of unique items, making and providing assistance to families the fair an ideal destination for early facing hardships such as medical bills, Christmas shopping. heating costs and rent.” Participating exhibitors donate at Since its founding in 1979, the Valle Country Fair has raised more than $1.4 least 10% of their sales to support the fair’s charitable mission. million, distributing 100 percent of its Live entertainment fills the day on proceeds through grants to 127 High Country charitable organizations while two stages. The main stage, located also providing direct financial assistance near the dining tent, features some of to thousands of individuals and families the High Country’s best traditional throughout the region. Following mountain music, while the youth stage the most successful fair in its history showcases cloggers and other young last year, organizers are preparing to performers. Families can also enjoy the welcome another large crowd in 2026. Children’s Activity Area, featuring live alpacas, old-fashioned carnival games, “Fall is the perfect time to enjoy the arts and crafts, and other hands-on beauty of the High Country,” Gates said. “Bring your family and friends and activities. feel good knowing your dollars stay in Visitors can pig out on the fair’s the community, helping others.” famous food offerings knowing that Always held on the third Saturday in nearly all concessions are operated by October, this year’s fair takes place Oct. Holy Cross Episcopal Church or other nonprofit organizations, with 100% of 17 on the grounds of the Valle Crucis proceeds benefiting local charities. A Conference Center along N.C. 194 large dining tent near the main stage between Valle Crucis and Banner Elk. Admission is free, and ample parking is offers seating where guests can enjoy available in the adjoining field for $10 both the food and the music.

PHOTO BY SHERRY PAYLOR

The Valle Country Fair is great for all ages.

The fair’s homespun roots are perhaps most evident in its food booths. Tables in the Baked Goods Tent overflow with homemade cakes, pies, breads, rolls, crackers and cheese straws. Many of the cakes and pies become prizes in raffles held throughout the day, giving lucky winners a delicious taste of the community’s baking traditions. Nearby, shelves are lined with jars of homemade jams, jellies, pickles, relishes and chutneys prepared by church members and Valle residents. Summer canning sessions produce favorites such

as Christmas Jam and Pittsburg Relish, all eagerly anticipated by returning fairgoers. Holding on to traditions, the congregation continues to operate booths that have been in production since the Fair began. Visitors gather around a cider press that has been in operation for more than 100 years as volunteers put their backs into squeezing sweet cider from Winesap and Jonagold apples. “Once pressed, it takes two to dump the heavy basket of shredded apples into

2026 • AUTUMN TIMES • 37

a trailer provided by a local farmer,” said apple presser John Goodrich. “When the kids ask what we do with the peels, I tell them they’re used to make pies in the booth nearby. In truth, the farmer takes them and feeds them to his livestock and deer.” Just a few steps away, the beloved Apple Butter Boys stir copper kettles full of steaming applesauce, cooked over open fires for hours to slowly transform apples, sugar and cinnamon into the fair’s signature apple butter. Always eager to share stories and recipes with visitors, they keep alive a tradition that has become one of the event’s most cherished attractions. The rich, flavorful apple butter remains the fair’s signature souvenir and a favorite addition to biscuits, roasts and countless family meals. Food offerings include Brunswick stew, barbecue, chili, roasted corn, hamburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs,

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sausage with onions, funnel cakes, ice cream, baked goods, jams and jellies, freshly pressed apple cider and apple butter cooked on the grounds. Media sponsors for the 2026 Valle Country Fair are Curtis Media Group and Mountain Times Publications. The Watauga Arts Council and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, also support the fair. Holy Cross Episcopal Church hosts the Valle Country Fair in cooperation with the Valle Crucis Conference Center. Proceeds provide emergency assistance to local families in need and support numerous charitable organizations throughout the High Country. For more information, contact Holy Cross Episcopal Church at (828) 963-4609 or visit the official website at www.vallecountryfair.org.

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Woolly Worm Festival steeped in High Country fall folklore, fun

BY JAMIE SHELL

t’s hard to fathom that Jim Morton, son of Grandfather Mountain founder Hugh Morton, ever dreamed some five decades ago that his fascination with woolly worms and stories surrounding them would turn into the Woolly Worm Festival that we know of today. The Woolly Worm festival has remained a part of Avery County’s history and culture since its inception. The first festival took place in 1978 and it was a small affair. A far cry from the 20,000-plus people who have attended the event over the past few years. In the inaugural year there were only 63 people who entered the races and three to four vendors at the festival. Morton came up with the idea for the autumn festival after he attended a meeting and mentioned that Banner Elk would benefit from having some type of annual event. Morton envisioned something along the lines of The Highland Games and Singing on the Mountain, mixed with Avery County’s own weather forecaster, like Groundhog Day. Similar to lore behind the Groundhog, woolly worms are said to predict the weather. The races started as a way to pick which woolly worm would predict the severity of the winter weather. Since woolly worms are different from one worm to the next and have different color patterns, it is extremely difficult to determine which worm has the right predicted outcome for the upcoming winter. Therefore, Morton came up with the races as a solution to which woolly worm they would use to get a definitive forecast. The first Woolly Worm Festival was held at the former Banner Elk

FILE PHOTO

The annual Woolly Worm Festival has been a staple event in downtown Banner Elk for more than four and a half decades.

Elementary School, where it is still held today. From the first year of the festival, popularity grew so much that it garnered national attention from the media. WCYB-TV had a camera cover the first festival and footage was shared nationwide. C.J. Underwood from WBTV in Charlotte participated as the Master of Ceremonies the following year. Attendance was anywhere between 300 to 400 people. For six years, the Woolly Worm Festival Association, made up of vendors and merchants, sponsored the event. The Avery/Banner Elk Area Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club were over the operations of the event in its seventh year of being held. Prior to his passing in 2017, Morton noted that the Woolly Worm Festival

had expanded to a size greater than anyone originally thought possible, alluding to changes from the vendors and the traffic, all the way to the people attending. Morton also recognized that it takes an army to accomplish and coordinate everything at the festival. The only thing that has stayed the same, Morton once stated, would be the string that the worms race on, and he hoped that the woolly worm might one day get to the same level of notoriety and recognition as Punxsutawney Phil on Groundhog Day. The Woolly Worm Festival is a great opportunity for kids and adults alike to enjoy themselves in a family friendly atmosphere. People can bring their own worms, so long as they meet the standards that they are a caterpillar

of the Isabella Tiger Moth. Once arriving at the event, attendees can purchase a caterpillar at the festival. On Saturday, the winning worm will be used to forecast the weather for the upcoming winter, with the worm’s owner pocketing a cool $1,000. The winning worm owner on Sunday doesn’t go home empty handed, taking home a not-too-shabby $500 prize. This year’s Woolly Worm Festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18, at the historic Banner Elk School in downtown Banner Elk. The races start at 10 a.m. and registration is limited, so it is recommended to get to the event early to enter.

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ne of the biggest heralds of fall is the return of football. As autumn settles over the High Country and the hills around Kidd Brewer Stadium blaze into color, the App State football team is looking for a season that turns as sharply as the leaves. A year removed from an unexpected bowl appearance, the Mountaineers enter Dowell Loggains’ second season as head coach hungry to reverse two straight five-win campaigns and climb back into Sun Belt Conference contention. App State is working toward bowl eligibility for the ninth time in program history and another Sun Belt Conference championship. The Mountaineers, who are picked to finish sixth in the seven-team SBCEast standings, are looking to bounce back from consecutive five-win seasons

after a 5-8 campaign in 2025 and 2-6 in the league. After last season, App State lost 73 players from its roster, including 21 starters, and added 73 newcomers for fans to get acquainted with. The Mountaineers are guaranteed six home games in 2026 (and potentially a seventh with the SBC championship game), including several highly anticipated matchups. Maine, UNC-Charlotte, Old Dominion, James Madison, Georgia State and Louisiana-Monroe will make visits to The Rock this season. Two of its six home opponents were invited to bowl games in 2025, with James Madison making the Football Bowl Subdivision playoffs. In addition, the Mountaineers have nonconference road tilts at East Carolina and N.C. State. “We don’t leave the state of North

2026 • AUTUMN TIMES • 41

PHOTO BY ANDY MCLEAN COURTESY APP STATE ATHLETICS

The crowd at Kidd Brewer Stadium during an App State football game.

Carolina for the first four weeks of the season, which is awesome because it helps with recruiting as well,” said Loggains. “It is easier travel, and I think those games are a lot of fun to play. They’re highly competitive.” The season kicked off on Sept. 5 with a visit from Football Championship Subdivision member Maine. The Black Bears and Mountaineers are meeting for the first time since the 2011 FCS playoffs. App State makes a trip to the coast the following week to the Pirates on Sept. 12 before returning home on Sept. 19 to host UNC-Charlotte. The Mountaineers wrap up the nonconference slate on Sept. 26 with a visit to the state capital to face the N.C. State Wolfpack. App State will kick off Sun Belt play after a bye week with an unusual schedule, which begins on Oct. 10 at home against Old Dominion. The game with the Monarchs marks a span of three games — all league contests — in 12 days. Following a Friday primetime contest at Coastal Carolina on Oct. 16, the Mountaineers will return home on Oct. 22 for a Thursday primetime tilt with James Madison. Nine days later, App State travels to Georgia Southern for the third meeting

with the Eagles since Oct. 2025. “The challenge for us logistically is, so you go through a bye, and then you’ve got a Saturday game, and then a Friday game, and a Thursday game. The Friday game is on the road, and it’s a lot of travel — it is hard, but that’s what you’ve got to get used to,” said Loggains. November brings a more normal schedule for the Mountaineers, starting with a home contest with Georgia State on Nov. 7 and then travel to Marshall on Nov. 14. App State closes out the home regular season schedule with LouisianaMonroe — the Redhawks’ first trip to Boone since 2021. The Mountaineers hit the road to South Alabama on Black Friday, Nov. 27, to close out the regular season. The Sun Belt Championship game is slated for Friday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. Kickoff times have been set for the regular season games with Maine (3:30 p.m.), East Carolina (Noon), UNCCharlotte (6 p.m.), Coastal Carolina (8 p.m.), James Madison (7 p.m.) and South Alabama (3 p.m.) Others have not been finalized yet. Once they are known, they will be posted on appstatesports.com/sports/ football, where you can find more information.

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App State tailgating A fall tradition unlike any other BY ZACH COLBURN

tailgating around the App State campus, including the Greenwood Lot on hether it’s for a nonconference Bodenheimer Drive for Yosef Club contest in the sweltering heat of late August/early September or a members and students with a permit (assigned spaces); the Raley/Duncan/ pivotal Sun Belt Conference tilt in the Music lots; and the Stadium and Justice cold of late November, tailgating is an lots, which are open for Yosef Club absolute fixture at App State football members with appropriate tags. games. According to App State athletics, And fans come out in droves to other tailgating locations/parking lots gorgeous backdrops of the Blue where possessions and consumption of Mountains mere hours before the alcoholic beverages is permitted (unless Mountaineers kick off inside Kidd otherwise stipulated by the University Brewer Stadium for food, fun and Administration) are, Broyhill Music fellowship. Building Lot, Chemistry and Physics Along with music and the aroma of (CAP) Lot, Duck Pond Field, Durham grilling food, attendees open the back Park, Farthing Auditorium Lot, Holmes of their vehicles and celebrate the day in Center Lot, John Thomas Hall Lot, parking lots and streets. Justice/Coltrane Halls Lots, Katharine Whether it’s the standard tailgate Harper Hall Lot, Rivers Street Parking cuisine of hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, Deck, South Lot, Stadium Lot, Legends and potato salad or the local flavors Lot, Student Recreation Center Lot of pimento cheese and barbecue pork, and University Drive Parking Spaces. there’s something for every fan. In addition, the university offers an Lawn activities such as cornhole, beer alcohol-free tailgate section — the pong (for those of age), ladder golf, Family Fun Zone. or listening to pregame broadcasts or Alcoholic beverages (malt beverages watching other games on their phones and unfortified wine) may be consumed tend to excite fans and get them in the in certain designated parking lots by spirit for the upcoming App State game. fans of legal drinking age (but they According to the Office of Campus are not allowed to bring beverages Activities, it reserves areas near Sanford inside the stadium). Those looking to Mall for Clubs and Organizations participate must be able to present a to reserve space to tailgate for home valid driver’s license or photo ID to football games. reflect their age upon request. There is also a Tailgate Request Liquors, spirits, kegs, common Process, which includes a tailgate containers, and glass containers are not request. More on that can be found permitted in any location. https://campusactivities.appstate.edu/ Yosef Club parking lots will open to clubs-organizations/tailgating SEE TAILGATING ON PAGE 45 u Multiple locations are open for

• Cardiology

• Obstetrics

• Chemotherapy

• Ophthalmology

• Endoscopy • Express Care Clinic (Mountain Family Care)

• Orthopaedics • Otolaryngology

• Geriatrics

• Pediatrics

• Gynecology

• Primary Care

• Hematology and Oncology • Rehabilitation Services • Hospitalist Program • Imaging Services • Internal Medicine • Mountain Hearts Wellness Center

• Respiratory Services • Surgical Services • Urology • Women’s Health

200 Hospital Avenue, Jefferson NC 336-846-7101 • ashememorial.org

2026 • AUTUMN TIMES • 43

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Fall hiking in the High Country Finding renewal on mountain trails

BY JESSE CAMPBELL

igh Country hiking is as much about the destination as it is about reaching a higher plane of fitness and the reinvigorating mountain air. The ritual of mapping and exploring new hiking spots before mini-splurging on gear and hiking boots rivals only the woozy high of sprinting up a straight stretch of mountain trail toward the peak. Hiking in the fall is also immersive and atmospherically edifying, with nature’s ingratiations unfolding beneath your feet, with cascading canopies of brilliant yellow, gold, crimson, burntapple red, and soldering oranges flashing a final glimpse of summer before decaying and enriching the fertile Appalachian soils. Although unrelenting summer heat deters most hikers from the trail from late morning to early evening, autumn trailblazing begins with contemplative, crisp, cool mornings that unfold into mild and meditative early afternoons under prevailing blue skies, as the mountain’s trees shed their final flush of growth and renewal before going dormant. While most High Country hiking spots aren’t too far off the beaten path, exploring the mountains’ backcountry and panoramic Parkway escapes evokes a rustic pioneering spirit with the consoling convenience of GPS and an impassioned playlist that doesn’t betray the juxtaposed bucolic scenery on the way to your next favorite destination. Hikers should always stay on marked trails, wear sturdy footwear, and layer clothing for the mountains’ notorious changing and deteriorating weather patterns. They should also be courteous and mindful of other hikers, yielding

to narrow paths to families with small children and service dogs. Day trekkers should also apprise friends and families of their day’s plans while periodically checking in lest their hikes end in an all-out search party complete with paramedics and rangers unflattering attention for those seeking the perfect selfies with a spacious mountain gorge background. Commuting to trails in reliable transportation, with all-wheel-drive options for more rugged backroading, is as important as picking the right hiking boot to keep your day and headspace from breaking down before the journey begins. Hikers should also stay away from posted property and unkempt trails, some of which remain in disrepair following Hurricane Helene. Avoiding trailways during busier High Country weekends, including App State home football games, midto late-October peak leaf-peeping, and other seasonal festivals, can also help prevent flustered, frayed nerves. However, a breath of fresh air can quickly calm tense muscles with deep breathing and awe-inspiring scenery. Although doggos are welcome on most trails, hikers should keep their exploring companions leashed and cognizant of other passing pooches.

Exploring the tame with unhindered wanderlust

Many mountain hiking trails are located along the N.C. 105 corridor, including the Profile Trail at Grandfather Mountain, and Crab Orchards Fall and Otter Falls trails in Seven Devils. Most southbound hiking trails from Boone toward Avery County and Banner Elk are within a 20-minute drive from King Street before the road unfurls other trailheads into Beech

PHOTO BY JESSE CAMPBELL

Many High Country hiking trails attest to the passage of time and the region’s commitment to maintaining suitable pathways.

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Mountain and Newland. Further south into Avery County, Beech Mountain offers 27 miles of hiking trails, along with trailheads at Buckeye Recreation Center. Linville Falls Trail and Waterfall offers a dramatic 90-foot multi-tiered waterfall, scenic gorge overlooks, and diverse hiking paths right off the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 316.4) in North Carolina, according to the National Park Service. In Blowing Rock, Glen Burney Trail, located at 243 Laurel Lane, offers an approximate two-mile loop with intersecting and flanking waterfalls. The trail also passes remnants such as the stone and concrete ruins of a former town sewer plant, along a historic path reputedly used by Native Americans. Between Deep Gap and Glendale Springs in Ashe County, hikers can meander a gentle, graveled trailway to a spiritually engrossing waterfall at the Cascades without getting wet, other than a gentle misting spray, or breaking a sweat at milepost 271.9 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Reversing the course to the north, hikers can explore the expanding Northern Peak Trail System at Paddy Mountain Park, located at 849 Ridge Ave. in West Jefferson. The NPTS will eventually connect disparate peaks from Boone and Meat Camp to the Jefferson. Mt. Jefferson State Natural Area at 1481 Mt. Jefferson State Park Road has five miles of trails that circumscribe the mountain slopes, with scenic overlooks along the road, culminating in the parking area below the fire

t TAILGATING FROM PAGE 42

pass holders for tailgating at 8 a.m. for games with 2:30 or 3:30 p.m. start times (subject to change). Fans without a Yosef Club parking pass can park for free at Levine College of Health Sciences (75 firstcome, first-served spaces) and take the AppalCART route to campus. Other game-day parking options are available at appstatesports.com. Per App State’s football tailgating policy, propane and

PHOTO BY JESSE CAMPBELL

The Mountains-to-Sea Trail, which runs parallel to the Blue Ridge Parkway, offers hundreds of miles of hiking.

tower. New River State Park, with entrances on U.S. 221 in Crumpler and N.C. 88 near Laurel Springs, offers several miles of manicured trails along the New River, ideal for either hiking or walking. Along the Blue Ridge Parkway, hikers and motorists can pause to leaf-look for enthralling yet controlled side quests on the Mountainto-Sea Trailway between Mileposts 217.3 near Cumberland Knob in Alleghany County and 305.1 near Linville Falls and Grandfather Mountain in Avery County.

charcoal grills are the only allowable sources of heat for cooking. The university states that burned coals and/ or cooking residue cannot contact paved surfaces or the parking lot. Hot coals must be extinguished completely with water before leaving the tailgating site. Open flame fires are also prohibited. The university recommends that fans use their vehicles to power any audio or video equipment. While generators and portable heaters are not prohibited, they are not

recommended for use due to potential safety hazards. Fans can use restrooms available in Trivette Hall, the Plemmons Student Union and the Central Dining Hall; portable bathrooms are located in the parking lots and tailgate locations throughout the campus. Tailgating attendees are asked to dispose of trash in nearby dumpsters that are placed in high-traffic areas. To make trash collection easier on game days, dumpsters have been placed in high-traffic

PHOTO BY JESSE CAMPBELL

High Country hiking trails offer various grades, challenging experienced hikers while offering easier treks for novices.

tailgate areas for easy disposal of garbage after tailgating. Representatives from a number of agencies will be passing out trash bags in various parking lots throughout the day. Please look for the “Clean Up After Yosef ” signage around campus and don’t forget to drop your trash in one of those containers on your way to the stadium. Fans will have six opportunities to tailgate before home games this season. Subject to change, gates will also open two hours early for fans (and two and a half hours

early for Student Yosef Club members) for home games. In addition to tailgating, fans at Kidd Brewer Stadium line the path, giving the App State football team one final pat on the back during Mountaineer Walk, about three-and-a-half hours before kickoff on home game days. Tickets can be purchased at appstatesports.evenue.net or by calling (828) 262-7733 (press 0 for a ticket representative) on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

46 • AUTUMN TIMES • 2026

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Holy Trinity Church, Glendale School Road, Glendale Springs.

A High Country fall tradition in

Glendale Springs STAFF REPORT

hen the mountains around Glendale Springs trade their green for gold and crimson, the Episcopal Parish of the Holy Communion opens its doors for one of the High Country’s most enduring fall traditions: the Festival of the Frescoes, set this year for Saturday, Oct. 10. This long-running yearly fall festival is anchored by the ever-popular Granny’s Attic, a grand rummage sale where everything and anything is likely to be found - including the proverbial kitchen sink. The jumble of items for sale occupies the entire ground floor of the Mission House and spreads out onto the walkway and lawn surrounding the entrance. Donated items for sale include furniture, housewares, small appliances, china & pottery, glassware, decorative and holiday collectables, children’s toys and clothing, books, artwork, jewelry, outdoor equipment

and tools and more. In addition to Granny’s Attic, the festival will also host a multitude of tents and booths arrayed around the expansive Mission House grounds. These booths will feature crafts and artwork created by artists from Ashe and surrounding counties. Baked goods and locally grown produce will also be available. Anyone wishing to host a booth should contact the parish office. “We never know exactly what will be available until all the donated items and vendor applications for booth space have been received,” says festival cochair, Vicki Duckworth. “This festival has been held every year since the early 1990’s and it just seems to grow and evolve every year. The doors to Granny’s Attic open at nine o’clock. The line to get in will invariably start forming at least an hour ahead of time. To my knowledge, we have not yet had anyone

2026 • AUTUMN TIMES • 47

PHOTO SUBMITTED

St Mary’s Church, Beaver Creek School Road, West Jefferson.

camp out in a sleeping bag and tent to get in at the head of the line, but it would not surprise me,” she adds. The Holy Trinity Church in Glendale Springs is one of two “Church of the Frescoes” in Ashe County. The other is Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church located on Beaver Creek School Road in West Jefferson, NC. Both churches are relatively small unassuming white clapboard structures featuring the simple Carpenter Gothic architecture common to the rural western North Carolina mountains in the early 20th century. Holy Trinity was built in 1901. St. Mary’s was built in 1905. The interior walls of both churches, however, are adorned with striking lifesized frescoes painted by world-famous artist, Benjamin F. Long. St. Mary’s church has three frescoes. The largest, a mural entitled the Mystery of Faith, covers the entire back wall of the church. It depicts a battered Jesus nailed to the cross with an image of him rising to the heavenly clouds in the background. To the left side of the altar is Mary Great with Child, a standalone painting of the pregnant mother of Jesus close to term. A full-length painting of a ragged John the Baptist is mounted to the right of the alter. All three were completed between 1975 and 1977. A single large fresco stretches across the entire wall behind the altar at Holy Trinity Church in Glendale Springs. It portrays a casual scene of The Last Supper just as it was ending. It was

completed in 1980 while the church was undergoing extensive renovation. The art of fresco painting is estimated to be at least 3,000 years old. It is an extremely detailed process of infusing the paint into wet plaster involving many steps and many hands. Ben Long and twenty-three students spent many sleepless nights creating these enduring masterpieces. Ashe County’s “Fresco” churches have received regional and national acclaim. The Ashe County Chamber of Commerce lists the frescoes as a “Must See” attraction and estimates that they bring over 60,000 visitors to the area annually. The Rector of The Episcopal Parish of the Holy Communion is T. Perry Hildreth. He lives in West Jefferson, NC with his wife, Barbara. Hildreth credits the Episcopal Parish of the Holy Communion Festival of the Frescoes with greatly extending the parish’s outreach into the community. “The festival is an all-hands-on deck event for our congregation. It gives us an opportunity to connect our church to our larger community. It is a fun day for everyone, and the funds that we raise allow us to contribute to many helping agencies in Ashe County and beyond.” For more information or to inquire about renting booth space at the upcoming festival, contact the parish office at (336) 982-3076 or visit the parish website: www. holycommunionashe.org.

48 • AUTUMN TIMES • 2026

National Park in North Spectacular sights make N.C. Scenic Byways a Mountains Carolina.

‘can’t miss’ adventure

BY JAMIE SHELL

he state of North Carolina is home to 62 scenic byways, stretches of highway that accentuate the natural beauty and wonder that makes the Tar Heel State so unique and breathtaking to see. The byways allow motorists to experience a bit of the state’s history, geography and scenery while also raising awareness for the protection and preservation of these treasures. The N.C. Department of Transportation carefully selects the byway routes as safe and interesting alternatives to the faster pace and commercial areas found along major highways and interstates. Travelers get to know North Carolina’s people and communities and see the diverse beauty the Tar Heel state has to offer – from the high peaks of the Appalachian Mountains to the fertile hills of the Piedmont to the marshes, sounds and beaches of the Coastal Plain. In the High Country, several byways offer peak viewing opportunities, whether it is the greenery, lush vegetation, and historic sites during the summer months, or a return trip in the fall to see the kaleidoscope of autumn colors and leaves on a leisurely drive in the backcountry. In some cases, byways traverse major thoroughfares in rural communities, while others take travelers down roads less traveled. Following the byways, motorists will see some of North Carolina’s most breathtaking scenery, from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the fertile plains of the Piedmont to the crystal blue shores of the coast. The routes are clearly marked with N.C.

Mission Crossing

Mission Crossing byway guides motorists through Avery and Watauga counties along NC 194 through North Carolina’s ski country and along the northern range of the Roan Mountains in Pisgah National Forest before Scenic Byways signs, and motorists are descending into the Watauga River encouraged to follow maps and route Valley, the name of which is derived descriptions carefully. from the Native American word for “beautiful water,” and ending in the NC Department of Transportation community of Vilas. Before leaving the notes that portions of some routes are valley, be sure to visit the Mast Farm Inn not suitable for certain types of vehicles and Mast General Store, an authentic and that a few routes may be briefly general store that opened in 1882. The interrupted by commercial or municipal farm, established in 1812, is one of the areas. In such cases, the scenic byway best preserved 19th-century farms in may temporarily end, but directions are available to help drivers resume the route. Western North Carolina and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. N.C. Scenic Byways vary in length After leaving Valle Crucis, notice the from 1.5 to 170 miles and in character unusual barn on the right while climbing from curvy mountain roads to ferry out of the valley. The Baird Barn, built rides across coastal sounds. If following in the late 19th to early 20th century, is the byways in reverse order from the an excellent example of a transverse crib descriptions given, please keep in mind that the directions will be used in reverse barn. order as well. Little Parkway The following are several NC Scenic Little Parkway byway begins at the Byways that traverse through the High intersection of US 221 and NC 105 in Country of Avery, Ashe and Watauga Linville. Follow US 221 (Blowing Rock counties. Hwy.) for 18.5 miles to the intersection with US 321 Bus (Main Street) in Blue Ridge Parkway Blowing Rock, where the byway ends. The Blue Ridge Parkway is often Little Parkway traverses through referred to as the original “scenic byway.” Avery, Watauga and Caldwell counties. The parkway’s 252 miles in North Built in 1889 by men and mules as a Carolina are recognized as an “All toll road, Little Parkway, also known as American Road” by the Federal Highway Yonahlossee Trail (one of many privatelyAdministration. The route provides owned roads in the state), winds its spectacular mountain and valley vistas, way along the side of Grandfather quiet pastoral scenes, sparkling waterfalls, Mountain and served as the link between and colorful displays of flowers and Blowing Rock and Linville before the foliage. Construction began in 1935 completion of the Blue Ridge Parkway under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s in 1987. Linville, established in 1883 and New Deal program. During President Ronald Reagan’s administration, the last designed by Samuel T. Kelsey of Kansas, mile was completed around Grandfather is located on the Linville River. South of Linville are Linville Falls and Linville Mountain. An effort spanning 52 years, Gorge. All were named for William and nine presidents, and $130 million John Linville, who were killed below the resulted in the 469 miles of trail falls by Native Americans in 1766. The connecting the Shenandoah National upper and lower falls, accessed from the Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky

Blue Ridge Parkway, are 12 feet and 90 feet tall, respectively. Linville Gorge is among the nation’s largest gorges and is located in one of the wildest uninhabited areas in the Eastern United States. While traveling from Linville to Blowing Rock, watch for signs marking the Eastern Continental Divide. This invisible line separates the waters flowing to the Atlantic Ocean from those flowing to the Gulf of Mexico.

New River Valley Byway

New River Valley Byway begins at the intersection of US 421/US 221 and NC 194 in Boone. Follow NC 194 north for 17.8 miles to the intersection of NC 194 and US 221 in the Baldwin community, where the byway temporarily ends. Turn left onto US 221 and follow for 3.5 miles to the West Jefferson town limits. Continue on US 221 for another 4.5 miles through West Jefferson and Jefferson to the intersection of US 221 and NC 16/NC 88. Follow NC 16/NC 88 straight for another 3.1 miles to the intersection of NC 16 and NC 88. (This section is not part of the designated scenic byway.) Continue straight on NC 88 for 10.1 miles to continue the designated byway to the intersection of NC 88 and NC 18 in Laurel Springs, where the byway ends. Venturing through Watauga and Ashe, the New River Valley Byway allows motorists to experience some of the most beautiful mountain scenery and the largest concentration of Christmas tree farms in the state. The route travels north from Boone to Laurel Springs through the Stone Mountains, which form a common boundary between North Carolina and Tennessee. The byway bends and turns as it crosses mountains and passes over rivers and streams through the New River Valley. As you travel on NC 194 along what was once called the “Old Buffalo Trail,” imagine buffalo herds using this route as a migration path like they once did. The route provides access to areas that are popular for hiking, whitewater rafting, and canoeing.

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Get away from it all. Get

Folks come to Grandfather Mountain for all sorts of reasons — to get close to nature or simply get away from it all. But after a day on the mountain, and in the interactive Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, everyone leaves inspired.

Inspired.

GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN

g ra n d fa t h e r. co m NEW

GFM_AutumnTimes_Sept2026_9.375x9.25.indd 1

Wonders Never Cease

Yonni’s Clubhouse — for young explorers NOW OPEN

6/24/2026 10:58:42 AM

50 • AUTUMN TIMES • 2026

Grandfather’s green summer days ripen to gold

BY SHWETA MISHRA

to travel efficiently, and broad-winged hawks can pass through in “kettles” of y late September, high-elevation hundreds or even thousands, typically shrubs on Grandfather Mountain peaking in the second or third week — blueberry, huckleberry, azalea of the month. The count isn’t just a — trail-blaze the changing of colors. spectacle. Grandfather is one of more Then, early October ushers in the first than 300 official Hawk Watch sites summit color, then the main event: recognized by the Hawk Migration oak, birch, poplar and maple joined Association of North America. Its by sourwood, black gum, sassafras and yearly census feeds long-term migration cherry, species Grandfather’s naturalists single out for particularly vivid color. By research. Twilight programming continues with Grandfather by Night, late October and into November, the mountain’s leaves are largely gone, but its extending diurnal interest to all things crepuscular, maybe even owls. elevation becomes the perfect perch for October is a bustling time. On Oct. leaf-lookers to track the color creeping 1, forest-canopy scientist Margaret toward the Piedmont. The lower slopes color around mid-month and the valleys Lowman — known widely as “CanopyMeg” for her career studying by late October, though this fluctuates treetops around the world — headlines with the weather’s whim. a Grandfather Presents talk. The The staggered display hosts a mosaic of ecological complexity. In under 4,000 next evening, Sunset at the Swinging Bridge offers a rare after-hours look acres of varied elevations and their at the mountain’s most photographed equally varied ecological bubbles, the landmark, a 228-foot span sitting 5,280 preserve hosts 16 natural communities feet above sea level and crossing an 80and habitats for 73 rare or endangered foot chasm. species, according to the Grandfather From Oct. 3-11, the daily Fall Color Mountain Stewardship Foundation, Ramble gives visitors a short, guided which operates the mountain’s ticketed attraction. Fraser fir and red spruce forest walk at 1 p.m., included with regular admission, focused on tree identification and high-elevation heath bald prefer and the mountain’s biodiversity. Guides conditions high up; cove forest and northern hardwoods reign below. A drive notice nuances most hikers would gloss from the entrance to the summit crosses over — pumpkin-colored beech, bloodred sourwood, rusty oak — and if rain several of those communities, reflecting why the mountain’s fall color has its own strays over, the walk shifts to the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. On Oct. calendar rather than sharing one with 17, Grandfather’s Starry Skies program the valley floor. offers adults a five-hour field course September is for feathered flight. during one of the mountain’s stargazing Hawk Watch runs Sept. 1-30, with windows, when summer’s constellations naturalists and volunteers counting shine fully in the cool, clear October air. migrating raptors from Linville Peak The program intentionally overlaps with and Half Moon Overlook. Grandfather the Orionid meteor shower. sits along the eastern edge of the Weather at elevation commands Appalachians, where rocky terrain generates thermal uplift that raptors use respect and demands vigilance, i.e.,

PHOTO BY SKIP SICKLER | GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION

The Grandfather Mountain peaks from Half Moon Overlook are tinged with orange in October.

observing the venue’s dress code. Guests should layer up and wear wind protection. In October 2024, the mountain’s weather station logged an average high of 56.2 degrees and an average low of 44.65 degrees, with one gust on Oct. 14 reaching 72.4 mph. The all-time October low sits at 12 degrees, recorded in 1962. So remember that a mild forecast down in Banner Elk or Linville means nothing about the summit’s mood. The mountain has two faces besides its endless rocky ones: The ticketed Grandfather Mountain attraction — home to the Swinging Bridge, wildlife habitats and the Wilson Center — is run by the nonprofit Stewardship Foundation. On the other hand, Grandfather Mountain State Park is a separate, free-to-enter property next door, built around rugged hiking and primitive backcountry camping. The state park is still working through Hurricane Helene recovery: the upper Profile Trail, its campsite and parking area have reopened, but not the lower streamside section. The rest of the trail system is listed as fully open. The state

park runs its own fall calendar — a Fall Color Walk on Sept. 30, Haunted High Country on Oct. 28 and Campfire Baking on Nov. 10 — ranger-led programs distinct from the attraction’s naturalist events next door. By November, crowds dwindle like the mountain’s own leaves, but the bare view still encourages long-range color-gazing. In other words, Grandfather offers a full fall season, from hawks overhead in September, forests ablaze in October, crisp starry nights with storms out of the blue, and, through it all, an endless view of autumn still painting her feelings across the valleys below. Recommendations for visitors weighing the two options: the attraction is for concrete plans—the Swinging Bridge, wildlife habitats, and naturalist programs —with paid parking and set hours. The state park is for lingering on a longer hike and a backcountry night under the stars, with no admission fee but more effort needed to prepare properly. Either way, arriving early during peak weekends in October is the simplest way to beat the crowds and parking lines that build by midmorning.

2026 • AUTUMN TIMES • 51

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52 • AUTUMN TIMES • 2026

Pickin’ and Grinnin Pumpkin patches, corn mazes have something for everyone

BY ZACH COLBURN

tradition in both the High Country and Northwest North Carolina during the fall months, local corn mazes and pumpkin patches have become a staple of the season, especially on the weekends. Local farmers often find ways to utilize their fields of corn stalks by creating corn mazes that guests can walk through and attempt to navigate. Other area corn mazes offer other non-corn options, such as photographs, a playground for the children and possibly a pumpkin cannon. Several corn mazes dot the landscape of the region that includes Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties, where individuals and families can enjoy a day of outdoor fun and activities.

The following are some of the region’s best corn maze destinations.

Harvest Farm LLC

Address: 3287 NC 194, Valle Crucis Harvest Farm LLC in Valle Crucis has a 7-acre corn maze, and if you can navigate your way through the maze, you win a free pumpkin (One pumpkin per group while supplies last). You can pick pumpkins, take a hayride or bring your own picnic to enjoy at the farm. Guests can also take a piece of the farm home with them with U-Pick fresh flowers from the field. Harvest Farm’s corn maze and pumpkin patch opening day is Sept. 13. Learn more at www.harvestfarmwnc. com/.

C&J Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze

Address: 3490 NC Highway 194 N,

PHOTO COURTESY TIM CYPHERS

Corn mazes are a great way to repurpose farmland to generate community interest and family fun.

Boone In its fifth year of business,C&J Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze is located in Boone and has a five-acre corn maze, as well as a pumpkin patch, hayrides, jump castles, a mini corn maze and various other games. If you just need a break from all of the activities, grab some food. They have BBQ, hot dogs, cotton candy, snacks and drinks. The purchase of an admission ticket includes access to all activities. Visit their Facebook page @ CandJPumpkinPatchandCornMaze for more information, including an announcement on when opening day is.

Ashe County Corn Maze

PHOTO BY ZACH COLBURN

Corn Mazes and Pumpkin patches have become a great fellowship opportunity for families during the fall months.

Address: 1332 NC Highway 16 S, Jefferson The Ashe County Corn Maze, which has become a perfect activity for the whole family to enjoy, is open Saturday and Sunday and offers a variety of activities for all ages. The four-acre can take as little as 30 minutes to complete or an hour. While no official opening

date has been posted, it was opened in 2025 in late September and goes until late October. For more information, visit https://ashecornmaze.com/ or their Facebook page at Ashe County Corn Maze and Pumpkin Festival.

Lantern Farm

Address: 221 Doe Meadows Dr, West Jefferson, Another Ashe County corn maze resides at Lantern Farm, located at Doe Meadows Drive in West Jefferson. From mid-September to late October, the farm hosts Halloweentime with a pumpkin patch; this year, they’ve also added a fiveacre corn maze. There will also be tractor hay rides on Saturdays and Sundays only, starting on Oct. 4. Their website also noted that due to the Blue Ridge Parkway Scenic Easement, all cars must be parked in the designated Lantern Farm Parking area. Pumpkins purchased in the pumpkin patch will be set aside and may be picked up and loaded by car. More information can be found at lanternfarm.com/halloweentime.

2026 • AUTUMN TIMES • 53

Enjoy the spooky fun of Halloween in the High Country BY NATHAN HAM

alloween is a fun time for the young and young at heart, and the High Country has several events.

Blowing Rock Halloween Festival

DJ Taco will begin at 7 p.m. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, visit blowingrock.com/ halloween or call (828) 295-5222.

Boone Boo!

Downtown Boone is the place to be on Halloween for the annual Boone Always held on the Saturday closest to Boo! Beginning at 5 p.m. and continuing Halloween, this year the Blowing Rock through 7:30 p.m., the Town of Boone Halloween Festival falls on Halloween, invites all the goblins and ghouls to King Oct. 31. The festival, presented by Street for an evening of family-friendly Blowing Rock Parks and Recreation, trick-or-treating, Halloween music, takes place at Memorial Park on Main inflatables lining the sidewalks and much Street in downtown. The free event more. Before the event starts, be sure to features the Monster March at 5:45 p.m., stop by the Watauga Library between where everyone is invited to walk down 4-5 p.m. for Halloween crafts and Main Street in their costume. Attendees goodies. Visit the Jones House for some are asked to line up at 5:30 p.m. at the spooky fun, travel to Howard Street for American Legion. The Monster March coffee, popcorn, and treats at The Hope starts on Park Avenue and continues to Center, and finally stop by Boone First Ginny Stevens Lane near the Blowing Baptist Church for their annual Trunk or Rock Art and History Museum. Downtown trick-or-treating follows at 6 Treat event. For more information, check p.m. A costume contest and music from out www.joneshouse.org/booneboo.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Monster March is part of the Halloween activities hosted each year by the Town of Blowing Rock.

Ghost Train at Tweetsie

FILE PHOTO

The annual Boone Boo! will be held on King Street on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Tweetsie Railroad transforms into a haunting adventure with the annual Ghost Train hitting the rails on Sept. 25 and continuing through Oct. 31 on every Friday and Saturday night. Attractions for all ages include the Main Street Dance Party, the Creepy Cardinal, Trick-or-Treat on Main Street and the Tweetsie Palace Spooktacular, a musical blacklight puppet show. Other attractions recommended for those ages 8 and older include the Ghost Train, Haunted House and the Freaky Forest

located in the Boneyard. Tickets are $65 for adults, $45 for children ages 3-12 and free for toddlers under the age of 2. To purchase tickets or learn more, visit https://tweetsie.com/special-events/ ghost-train.

Beech Mountain Halloween Party

Buckeye Recreation Center in Beech Mountain is hosting the Beech Mountain Halloween Party on Oct. 31. Be sure to load up on candy at the Trail or Treat and then head out on the haunted trail.

54 • AUTUMN TIMES • 2026

Fall in the High Country

Ways to celebrate the season BY MOSS BRENNAN

here’s no season the High Country wears better than fall as the mountains trade summer green for red, orange and gold and crisp mornings. The season features calendar packed with events make autumn one of the most anticipated times of year for locals and visitors alike Here are some of the best things to do in the High Country during the fall season:

Festivals

Fall weekends bring a steady stream of festivals and events that draw visitors to the High Country. The Valle Country Fair (Oct. 17) transforms the quiet community of Valle Crucis into a market of handmade crafts, home-cooked food and live bluegrass. On the same weekend, Banner Elk’s Woolly Worm Festival (Oct. 17–18) draws thousands for live music, street food and the famous worm races. Celebrating the spooky season, Blowing Rock’s Monster March costume parade and downtown trick-ortreating (Oct. 31) bring a family-friendly Halloween flair to the season. Also check out Boone Boo! in downtown Boone as King Street gets shut down for a safe, family-friendly trick-or-treating event. The event is from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 31.

Oktoberfest

The High Country embraces Oktoberfest season with enthusiasm, combining the region’s craft beer culture with mountain hospitality. Beginning in September, breweries and towns host events that range from lively gatherings to family-friendly afternoons. Favorites include Appalachian Mountain Brewery’s seasonal festivities,

Boonetoberfest in downtown Boone, Booneshine Brewery’s fall events and the annual Oktoberfest at Sugar Mountain Resort, where live music and Germaninspired food create a festive atmosphere.

App State football

Nothing says fall in the High Country quite like an Appalachian State University football game. The roar of the crowd, the backdrop of autumn leaves on the surrounding mountains and the tradition of college football make home games a must-see event. Game schedules and tickets are available online, and early planning is recommended.

Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes

Local farms make autumn a hands-on experience for families with pumpkin patches and corn mazes. Visitors can explore the seven-acre maze at Harvest Farm in Valle Crucis, ride hay wagons at New River Corn Maze in Deep Gap or enjoy games and a haunted maze at C&J Corn Maze in Boone. West Jefferson’s Ashe County Corn Maze offers activities from bounce houses to marshmallow roasting, while Lantern Farm near the Blue Ridge Parkway features both corn and hay mazes along with a pumpkin patch.

Scenic Chairlift

For a bird’s-eye view of autumn’s colors, Beech Mountain Resort and Sugar Mountain Resort offer scenic chairlift rides during the fall season. These rides provide sweeping views of the surrounding peaks and valleys at the height of leaf color. Dates and hours vary by resort, so checking event schedules in advance is recommended.

Bird Watching

The Blue Ridge Mountains are home

PHOTO COURTESY BLOWING ROCK TDA

During the fall, corn mazes, like the one at Harvest Farm in Valle Crucis, are a popular attraction in the High Country.

to roughly 160 breeding bird species, with more than 250 species regularly passing through during migration seasons. September is one of the best months to witness fall migrations in the High Country. Popular birdwatching locations include Valle Crucis

Community Park, the Boone Greenway, Moses H. Cone Memorial Park and Grandfather Mountain, where visitors can spot warblers, hawks and other seasonal travelers. Early mornings offer the best opportunities to see migratory birds.

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Season of wonder Inside Appalachian Arts’ 2026-27 lineup

STAFF REPORT

Mountain Stage to the illusion-filled movement of MOMIX, the Grammyppalachian Arts at Appalachian State University has announced its winning artistry of Chris Botti, and 2026-27 season, a lineup spanning the electrifying soul of St. Paul & The Broken Bones. music, movement and imagination “This season really showcases — from the beloved live radio show

that variety,” said Allison West, director of marketing at the Office of Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources, citing the range from Mountain Stage’s storytelling to the imaginative world of MOMIX, the thrills of Cirque Mechanics

and the musicianship of the North Carolina Symphony. “Following such an exciting and successful summer festival, we’re thrilled to keep that momentum going and share this terrific lineup with audiences throughout the region.”

PHOTO COURTESY APPALACHIAN ARTS

MOMIX Botanica is a lush, surreal journey through nature’s ever-changing imagery, following the rhythms of the seasons and the passing of a day.

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PHOTO BY KIRK MARSH COURTESY APPALACHIAN ARTS

This electrifying Cirque Mechanics production is a high-flying journey through the magic, thrills, and neonsoaked nostalgia of America’s iconic 1980s amusement parks.

All performances take place at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are available online at TheSchaeferCenter.org, at the box office (733 Rivers Street), or by calling (828) 262-4046. Mountain Stage with host Kathy Mattea — Friday, Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m. Since 1983, Mountain Stage has been one of public radio’s most beloved programs, hosted since 2021 by Grammy-winning country and bluegrass star Kathy Mattea. This performance features Grammywinning singer-songwriter Sarah Jarosz, indie-folk singer Jill Andrews, and string band Missy Raines & Allegheny, among others. $45 Tier 1, $35 Tier 2; $20 children/students. MOMIX: Botanica — Thursday, Nov. 12, 7:30 p.m. A lush, surreal journey through nature’s everchanging imagery, fusing world-class athleticism with an eclectic score ranging from birdsong to Vivaldi, plus gravity-defying props, cinematic projections and whimsical puppetry. $45 Tier 1, $35 Tier 2, $25 Tier 3; $10 children/students. Chris Botti — Saturday, Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m. The Grammy-winning trumpeter has been one of the world’s most popular instrumentalists for nearly three decades, collaborating with artists from Sting and Barbra Streisand to Tony Bennett and Yo-Yo Ma. He tours in celebration of his

recent album “Vol. 1.” $65 Tier 1, $55 Tier 2, $45 Tier 3; $25 App State students. Cirque Mechanics: Tilt! — Friday, March 19, 7:30 p.m. An electrifying, neon-soaked homage to America’s 1980s amusement parks, blending circus arts, storytelling and humanpowered engineering around an awe-inspiring giant Ferris wheel. $45 Tier 1, $35 Tier 2, $25 Tier 3; $10 children/students. St. Paul & The Broken Bones — Thursday, April 8, 7:30 p.m. A powerhouse soul ensemble from Birmingham, Alabama, known for electrifying live shows and impassioned vocals. Their self-titled sixth album, recorded at the legendary FAME Studios, marks a creative renewal. $65 Tier 1, $55 Tier 2, $45 Tier 3; $25 App State students. North Carolina Symphony: Classical Favorites — Thursday, April 15, 7:30 p.m. Under conductor Sophie Mok, the symphony joins App State’s Appalachian Symphony Orchestra for a side-by-side performance of orchestral masterworks. Free, but registration required. The season also includes the return of APPlause! K–12 Performing Arts, now in its 14th season, presenting six weekday morning performances for students, teachers and homeschool families.

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In the High Country, fall color hangs on gallery walls too BY MOSS BRENNAN

s the leaves turn across the High Country, the region’s galleries and studios offer a different kind of fall color — one fired in kilns, blown in glass and brushed onto canvas by the artists who call these mountains home. Check out these High Country art galleries.

Anvil Arts Sculpture Garden and Gallery 9600 Linville Falls Hwy, Newland (828) 765-6226 www.studiosculpture.com Anvil Arts Studio Sculpture is a unique arts destination featuring the works of Founder Bill Brown as well as a rotating group of regional sculptors working in various styles and mediums. Visitors and collectors can experience a wide range of outdoor sculpture, as well as sculpture and art for interiors, displayed across the grounds, sculpture garden, and indoor gallery space. Visitors can view and purchase 3-D works in metal, glass, clay, stone, as well as 2-D paintings and drawings. Walk-ins at the Linville Falls location are welcome, as are private appointments. It is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from March through October and Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November through February. The Art Cellar 920 Shawneehaw Lane, Banner Elk (828) 898-5175 www.artcellaronline.com Established in 1993 in the Western North Carolina Mountain community of Banner Elk, The Art Cellar Gallery has continued to offer the artwork of the area’s most beloved artists, reaching throughout the Southeast and nationally to present an exciting variety of works in a broad range of styles and mediums. From primitive to realistic, impressionistic to abstract, the gallery features fine-quality artwork by both established and emerging artists, unlike anywhere else in the Southeast. The Art Cellar Gallery provides its clients with a relaxed and comfortable exhibition space in which to select art that becomes treasured additions to their collections, large or small. The House Frame Shop offers museum-quality conservation framing services, consultations, and other specialty custom framing services. It is open

Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment. Ashe County Arts Council 303 School Ave., West Jefferson (336) 846-2787 www.ashecountyarts.org The Arts Council offers leadership, collaboration & growth through the arts. The ACAC operates two facilities in Ashe County. A historic WPA building, the Ashe Arts Center, in downtown West Jefferson, houses the offices for the Arts Council, The Gallery, & Gallery Shop. The Ashe Civic Center, a 282-seat theatre space, also serves as the home of the Ashe County Little Theatre. These two facilities offer numerous options for arts programming. In addition to offering yearround art experiences in these spaces, Ashe County Arts Council offers programming at other sites such as the public school systems, the Ashe Park, the West Jefferson Farmers Market, and other community spaces. It is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. BE Artists Gallery 185 Azalea Circle, Banner Elk (828) 898-6767 www.beartistsgallery.com The BE Artists Gallery is a cooperative art gallery operating in the Cultural Arts Center at the Historic Banner Elk School in downtown Banner Elk. Members offer their fine arts and crafts for sale, and work together to operate the gallery. It also represents the work of local consignment artists. The BE Artists Gallery and Historic Banner Elk School is one of the newest stops on the Blue Ridge Craft Trails, a major initiative of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. The gallery is by appointment only from January to mid-April. Blowing Rock Art & History Museum 159 Ginny Stevens Lane, Blowing Rock (828) 295-9099 www.blowingrockmuseum. org BRAHM is a hub of artistry and creativity in the heart of the High Country. The Museum is rooted in the creative cultures of Appalachia and seeks to cultivate a community that extends beyond its walls and region, positioning Western North Carolina as a leader in the arts through educational programs, exhibitions, activities and permanent collections. Visitors can

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visit the gallery’s website and follow @ brmuseum on social media to view various videos, artist interviews, behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, art lessons geared toward youth and more. For more information, visit www. blowingrockmuseum.org. The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and till 7 p.m. on Thursdays. The Museum is open on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., May through October. It is closed on Mondays. Blowing Rock Frameworks & Gallery 7539 Valley Blvd., Blowing Rock (828) 295-0041 www.blowingrockgalleries. com Since its founding in 1994, Blowing Rock Frameworks & Gallery, LTD. has become a premier destination for fine art and regional landscapes in the Southeast. Starting with established local artists, the gallery has grown into a core of internationally recognized talents, featuring over twenty-five of the most accomplished artists in the region. A stroll through our gallery is as pleasing to the first-time visitor as it is to our seasoned collectors. They provide fine art for individual and corporate collectors. Blowing Rock Frameworks & Gallery also proudly represents a select number of local artists who specialize in local landscape and wildlife art. It is open Tuesday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bolick and Traditions Pottery 1155 Main St., Blowing Rock (828) 295-6128 www. bolickandtraditionspottery.com Established in 1992 after training and inspiration from Janet’s parents (Glenn & Lula Owens Bolick), Traditions Pottery produces a wide range of tableware, drinkware, sculpted face jugs, and seasonal items. All wares are made with clay dug right from the ground and then processed through an old brick mill. All glazes are self-developed and food-safe. Call or email us with any questions. It is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m. Carlton Gallery 10360 Hwy 105 South, Banner Elk, NC 28604 (828) 963-4288 www.carltongallery.com Carlton Gallery is one of the most established fine art galleries in Western North Carolina. The gallery exhibits Paintings, Glass, Wood, Clay, Sculpture, Wearable Fiber, and Jewelry from many local and regional artisans. Painting Workshops, Receptions, and Art Dashes are held during the Spring through

Autumn. Carlton Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, or by appointment. Crossnore Fine Arts Gallery 205 Johnson Ln., Crossnore (828) 733-3144 www.crossnore.org Crossnore Fine Arts Gallery represents regional painters, sculptors, and fine craft persons who want to take part in benefiting the children of Crossnore Communities for Children. The gallery specifically supports Crossnore’s Youth Independent Living program, which transitions students from foster care to successful independent living, and the Avery campus Student Work Program. The gallery is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Crown Gallery 1153 Main St., Blowing Rock (828) 818-0008 crowngalleryusa.com Crown Gallery features exceptional paintings from nationally recognized and emerging artists. Discover works that inspire in an inviting and elegant setting. The gallery has been designed with a relaxed atmosphere to comfortably view the ever-changing collection. The gallery is open 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday-Saturday and from 12 to 4 p.m. on Sunday. It is closed on Tuesday. Doe Ridge Pottery 125 Graybeal Ave. West Jefferson (828) 264-1127 www.doeridgepottery.com Doe Ridge Pottery started in the home of Bob Meier in 1978. In the 1980s, Bob moved his business to King Street in Boone, sharing a parking lot with Daniel Boone Inn. Bob’s work is well known in the High Country and can often be found in local homes, churches and businesses. Mountain scenes, pine trees, and nature-inspired artwork adorn this functional stoneware, including dinnerware, mugs, vases, baking dishes, lamps, and more. In 2001 Nathan Fields, known to all as Nate, started an apprenticeship with Meier while pursuing a degree in Recreation Management at Appalachian State University. Nate had experimented with clay in high school in Wisconsin and then Florida, but his love for the art form grew exponentially during his time at Doe Ridge with Bob. Nathan and Ashley Fields, who have called Ashe County home for the past 21 years, purchased Doe Ridge and moved it to Ashe County. It is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on MondayFriday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

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From schoolhouse to marquee Community theater across the High Country

COMPILED BY ZACH COLBURN, SHWETA MISHRA, LORELEI ROBERTS AND JESSE CAMPBELL

rom a converted 1939 schoolhouse in Banner Elk to the Art Deco marquee on Boone’s West King Street, the High Country’s community theaters are heading into fall 2026 with full seasons — proof that in these mountains, the stars performing on stage are often your neighbors.

The Appalachian Theatre of the High Country

Built in 1938, the Appalachian Theatre is one of the oldest Art Deco buildings in Watauga County and a crown jewel of West King Street. The theatre is one of the first sights to welcome visitors into downtown Boone. For decades it operated as a “dollar theater,” known for showing mainstream films at reduced prices.

PHOTO BY ZACH COLBURN

Cast members who were recently a part of The Spongebob Musical, marched in Boone’s 4th of July Parade.

Info & �x at (828) 414-1844

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“We’re getting phone calls from acts that want to play the theater, which evolved to an Americana series for the fall,” App Theatre Executive Director Suzanne Livesay said. After community members banded together to create Appalachian Theatre of the High Country Inc., the nonprofit raised $10 million over nearly a decade to restore the building to its original Art Deco brilliance. The renovation included recreated carpet patterns, restored wall sconces and a reconstructed neon marquee before the theatre reopened in 2019. “The theatre and town of Boone are good at collaborating and seeing how the theatre fits in with the town’s events,” Livesay said. “At last year’s Boone Boo, we had a photo spot set up for people to come in, kids could get candy, people could buy popcorn or grab a drink and get their photo taken with Jack Skellington and Sally.” The theatre has grown to host music

festivals, stand-up comedians and free historic tours. Guests walk through the theatre and backstage areas while hearing about its history before watching a 15-minute documentary about the evolution of the space. “People love it. It’s a fun way to learn more about our theatre and why it is a staple in the High Country,” Livesay said. App Theatre’s fall 2026 lineup features a variety of talent. A few of the performances slated for the coming months — with many more each week — include: • Steep Canyon Rangers: The Rangers perform their 15th studio album “Next Act” on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 7:30 p.m. Adult seats are $45, student seats $37. • Jake Shimabukuro: The worldrenowned ukulele virtuoso performs a blend of jazz, rock, classical, blues, folk SEE THEATER ON PAGE 64 u

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“The Hound of the Baskervilles” runs Sept. 11-20, with performances and traditional Hawaiian music on Friday through Sunday across two Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m. Adult seats weekends plus a Tuesday show, are $27.15, student seats $15. according to the theater’s playbill. The • Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder production is a comic take on Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes Christmas: Skaggs and his backing mystery — the lighter of the two fall band perform Christmas songs on offerings. Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. Adult seats are $55, student seats $45. “Hitchcock Radio Hour” follows Oct. 23-24, staged as an old-fashioned For a full schedule and tickets, radio drama and promoted as a way to visit apptheatre.org. The Appalachian kick off Halloween season a few days Theatre is located at 559 West King early. Given the company’s history Street in downtown Boone. with live radio theater, the format Ensemble Stage carries weight beyond the seasonal Grandfather Mountain gets the gimmick. daytime crowds this time of year, but Looking past autumn, “A Banner after the light fades, Banner Elk has its Elk Christmas” opens Dec. 4 and runs own answer for what to do next: walk through Dec. 19, a holiday musical into a 1939 stone schoolhouse and variety show. watch professional theater performed a Tickets and showtimes are handled few feet away. directly through the theater at 185 Ensemble Stage has operated out of Azalea Circle SE; the box office can the Historic Banner Elk School since be reached at (828) 414-1844. Because 2017, when the nonprofit relocated the auditorium seats fewer than 100 from nearby Blowing Rock. The people, popular dates can sell out well WPA-era stone building at 185 Azalea before opening night — particularly Circle SE now serves as the town’s the weekend closest to the Woolly cultural-arts hub and also houses the Worm Festival, when Banner Elk’s Banner Elk Artists Gallery. Inside, lodging and restaurants also fill with the company performs in the 99-seat festival visitors. Hahn Auditorium, designed so no seat Ashe County Little Theatre sits far from the stage. The High Country is star-adjacent. Founded in 2009, Ensemble Stage Theater patrons here have a front-row bills itself as a professional theater seat and an innate connection to the rather than a community-theater performers on stage — acquaintances, group, bringing in actors from around friends and neighbors whose lines you the country while maintaining a may silently recite from your seat. working relationship with Appalachian The Ashe County Little Theatre State University’s Theatre and Dance program. Its mission, according to the in West Jefferson is community theater in its truest form, serving company, is to inspire and challenge casual theatergoers and demanding High Country audiences of all ages critics alike. Its actors balance family through live performance and theater and work obligations with their time education at accessible prices. The company’s roots trace to its 2009 on stage at the Ashe County Civic Center, and there’s no prescribed debut, a staged version of “War of the hierarchy: stagehands, set artists, actors Worlds” broadcast live over WASU and producers collaborate without as the first live radio-play broadcast delegation. in High Country history — a detail For 50 years, the ACLT has staged that matters for fall 2026, because productions marked by camaraderie, Ensemble Stage is returning to the simplicity and originality. format.

t THEATER FROM PAGE 61

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PHOTO COURTESY OF APP THEATRE

Skaggs and his backing band perform Christmas songs on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. at the App Theatre.

This year’s marquee show is “Elf the Musical.” “Elf the Musical is a heartwarming and hilarious holiday adventure that brings the magic of the North Pole to life,” according to ashecountylittletheatre.org. “Follow Buddy, a lovable elf raised at the North Pole, as he journeys to New York City in search of his real family, spreading cheer and laughter along the way.” “Elf the Musical” will be presented Dec. 3, 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m., with a final matinee Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. Single and season tickets are available at ashecountylittletheatre.org.

a year that, according to its website, showcase the diversity, talent and heart of the region. BeanStalk embraces a neurodiversity philosophy, meaning it welcomes all performers regardless of background, ability or experience level. Each production runs three shows — two evening performances and one matinee — and each tends to fall into a similar genre year over year. All are performed before a live audience inside the Appalachian Theatre. The spring play, usually staged around the middle of March, features an adult cast and is typically a comedy. The summer show is normally a highBeanStalk energy musical in late July featuring Community Theatre all ages, merging children, teens and As the summer season comes to a adults, often inspired by the works of close, BeanStalk Community Theatre Disney, DreamWorks Animation and wraps up a successful 2025-26 season other children’s films. The fall play is producing entertainment for the High a family-friendly show staged in late Country. October or early November. Formerly known as the Blue Ridge Auditions for each production Youth Players, BeanStalk Community typically take place three to four Theatre was started in 2012 by Amy months before the show, with Beane and Andrea McDonough with rehearsals beginning about two months one vision — to create inclusive theatre out. experiences for the High Country. For more information on BeanStalk Over the past decade-plus, Community Theatre, including BeanStalk has evolved into a local upcoming shows and auditions, visit mainstay, putting on three productions beanstalknc.com.

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Camping in the fall

BY NATHAN HAM

Campground. With plenty of hiking trails around the area, campers can he chill might be in the air during enjoy a stroll through the woods to the autumn months, but it is still enjoy some great mountain views. a great time to get out and enjoy The campground has RV hookups, a weekend of camping in the High tent campsites and cabins available to Country. complete your stay. This campsite is also Camping in state parks and along the open year-round. For more information, Blue Ridge Parkway offers some of the visit www.grandfatherrv.com. best views and sites in the area. Buck Hill Campground has a long Julian Price Park currently offers 75 history of serving campers in Avery reservation campsites. Normally, the County and has been in business for campground also has 115 first-come, over five decades. The campground first-served campsites; however, those currently has 10 cabins available sites are not available during 2026. for rent and close to 70 RV sites. Amenities include restrooms, picnic Amenities include kayaking, tubing, areas, dump sites and a water station. and fishing on the North Toe River. The campground is pet-friendly. You There is also a catch-and-release pond, can make reservations for camping spots playground, basketball court, pickleball online by visiting www.recreation.gov/ court, and game room. Propane filling camping/campgrounds/234037. stations and firewood bundles are New River State Park, along the available during your stay. To learn county line of Ashe and Alleghany more about Buck Hill Campground counties, is another popular camping or to make a reservation, visit www. site that lets you enjoy the beauty of buckhillrvcampground.com. the New River. Fishing, swimming, Well off the beaten path, you will kayaking and tubing are just a few of find Blue Bear Mountain Camp near the added amenities you will find at the unincorporated town of Todd along New River State Park. Several campsites the Ashe and Watauga County line. are available, including primitive The campground features over 150 paddle-in sites accessible only by boat. acres of camping areas with tent sites, Campsites offer electric or non-electric RV sites, cabins and the ever-popular hookups and even primitive campsites Stargazer Domes. Blue Bear Mountain that accommodate up to 40 people. For Camp amenities include restrooms, hot more information, call (336) 982-2587 showers, onsite garbage disposal and a or visit www.ncparks.gov/new-riverlaundry room to wash your clothes. The state-park. campground is not far from the New River which offers additional watersport Located at Milepost 316 just off opportunities with canoes, kayaks and the Blue Ridge Parkway, you will more. If you want to do some relaxing find Linville Falls Campground. The fishing, there is a trout pond onsite campground features campsites for at the campground. Pets are allowed; tents, RVs, cabins and hammock however, they must remain on a leash. camping. Linville Falls Campground To make a reservation and learn more is also pet-friendly. For online reservations, visit linvillAnother popular about Blue Bear Mountain Camp, visit camping area near Linville, located near www.bluebearmountain.com. Boone KOA campground is located Grandfather State Park, is Grandfather

PHOTO COURTESY RACCOON HOLLER CAMPGROUND

Raccoon Holler Campground in Ashe County has several amenities and fun for the whole family, including a can’t-miss golf cart parade on the Fourth of July.

15 minutes from downtown Boone and is the highest KOA campground east of the Mississippi River. Tent sites, RV sites and cabins are all available. Lots of fun activities are available at KOA, including mini golf, a pool, arcade games, hiking and fishing. For more information, call (828) 264-7250 or visit www.koa.com/campgrounds/boone/. Flintlock Campground is a familyowned camping area that has remained in business for over 55 years. Onsite amenities include a bathhouse, Wi-Fi connectivity, electricity and water, laundry services and a play area. Flintlock Campground is located about 10 minutes from downtown Boone. For more information, call (828) 963-5325 or visit www.flintlockcampground.com. In Ashe County, Raccoon Holler Campground, located between Jefferson

and Glendale Springs, is just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The campground has bathhouses, laundry sites, and plenty of fun activities that include pickleball, disc golf, fishing, walking trails, and bike riding. Pets are allowed; however, they must be on leashes at all times. For more information, visit raccoonholler. com/. Also in Ashe County, you will find Twin Rivers Campground in Crumpler. The campground has full hookup sites, water/electric and tent sites. Being on the river allows you to explore the New River. If you don’t have your own kayak, canoe or tube, you can rent them onsite. Pets are allowed but must be on a leash. For information on camping rates and reservations, visit www. twinriversfamilycampground.com/ index.html.

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Chasing fall color from the High Country’s rock faces BY MOSS BRENNAN

s autumn settles over the High Country, the mountains trade their summer green for sweeping color, and the same peaks that drew crowds all summer take on a new kind of pull. For many, there’s no better way to take it in than from the rock itself — up close, high above the turning trees. Something unique about climbing is that there’s no wrong age to start. It’s an activity young people can be introduced to in a safe, guided environment. Recently, after a 30-year effort, the Blue Ridge Conservancy purchased 74 acres on Howard Knob, securing the property for hiking, rock climbing, and

SEE CLIMBING ON PAGE 68 u

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t CLIMBING FROM PAGE 67 other public recreation, and protecting it from future development. Stay tuned for more information on when this area will become available for recreation at www.wataugademocrat. com. Here are some local climbing spots in the area. As with everything since Hurricane Helene, do your research before heading out to climb.

Holloway Mountain

Holloway Mountain is just minutes away from Boone down NC 105 in the Foscoe area. It’s also a great spot for new climbers as it offers a variety of routes at different levels. Due to its proximity to town, it can be crowded at times, but with 10 routes that range from easy to difficult, it’s guaranteed to be a fun trip. To get there from Boone, take NC 105 to Foscoe and take a left

on Church Road. Drive a short distance and then take another left on Holloway Mountain Road before turning left onto Holloway Mountain Road, which turns from a paved to an unpaved road. A small cut out for parking will be on the right.

Buckeye Knob and Barn Boulders

Buckeye Knob is one of the relatively new areas for rock climbers. The area comprises the upper Buckeye Knob boulders and the lower Barn boulders. According to Carolina Climbers, Buckeye Knob is more of a back country experience, with a long (30 minutes) approach and a solitary feel. The Barn boulders are close to the road and concentrated in a small, circuit-friendly area. Put 839 Laurel Branch Rd. Vilas, NC 28692 in your GPS to get you to the vicinity. Visit carolinaclimbers.org/climbingareas/buckeyeknob.html for more

information on the area.

The Chimneys of Linville Gorge

The Linville Gorge was formed by the Linville River, which now meanders some 2,000 feet below the gorge’s rim. This wilderness area is part of Pisgah National Forest. The gorge offers breathtaking views, a variety of climbing options, exciting rappels, and for a unique recreational experience, an exhilarating Tyrolean Traverse, which involves crossing across a chasm between two high points connected by rope. Primitive camping suitable for groups is available about a quarter mile from the parking lot and picnic area. In the summer, the Linville Gorge is a nice break from the heat and humidity of the Piedmont. Meanwhile, Fall brings an array of colors to the forest, in addition to perfect camping weather. In Spring, the rhododendrons

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Wilson Creek Area

Wilson Creek begins its journey from the top of Grandfather Mountain and flows into the Johns River 23.3 miles downstream. Surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest, the creek makes its way through some of the oldest rocks in the southern Appalachians. The climbing is scenic and exposed, with views of Grandfather and Grandmother Mountains. Primitive camping is available along the forest service roads near the climbing access.

Pilot Mountain State Park

Pilot Mountain rises 1,400 feet above the surrounding Piedmont area near Winston-Salem, with an elevation SEE CLIMBING ON PAGE 70 u

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Deer, rabbit seasons among those that open this fall

BY NATHAN HAM

unting in the fall is one of the most traditional outdoor pastimes for North Carolina residents. Hunting seasons for more than 10 different animals begin at some point during the autumn season. The most popular hunting season in the High Country is deer season. Archery season begins on Sept. 12 and concludes on Nov. 6. Blackpowder season follows after that, beginning on Nov. 7 and ending on Nov. 20. Gun season begins on Nov. 21 and continues through the end of 2026. As the number of bears has continued to grow across Western NC, so too has the length of bear season. The season is broken into two periods, beginning on Oct. 3 and ending on Nov. 21. The season will begin again on Dec. 12 and continue through Jan. 1, 2027. Several small game seasons also open this fall. Gray squirrel and red squirrel season begins on Oct. 12 and ends on Feb. 27, 2027. Rabbit and grouse seasons kick off on Oct. 12 and continue through Feb. 28. Quail and Pheasant seasons begin on Nov. 21 and will last

t CLIMBING

FROM PAGE 68

of 2421 feet. Pilot Mountain’s Big Pinnacle is a highly visible knob, seen standing solid as a mountain of rock that has withstood the elements that eroded the foothills around it. The mountain, which was recognized as a National Natural Landmark in 1976, is a part of the ancient Sauratown Mountain Range. Climbing sites are located on

until Feb. 28.

Hunting safety

Protecting yourself and others out in the field during hunting season is of the utmost importance. Firearm safety, tree stand safety and wearing proper high-visibility clothing are just three of the many safety guidelines hunters should follow as they venture into the wilderness. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission offers the following safety tips for the upcoming hunting season.

Firearm safety

• Treat every gun as if it is loaded and never assume it is empty. • Point the muzzle in a safe direction at all times. • Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. PHOTO COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION Follow proper hunting safety guidelines while out in the wilderness. • Positively identify your target and check what is in front of and behind it. feet leave the ground. • Wear the required blaze orange • Use binoculars, not a rifle scope, to (hunter orange) during open firearm • Maintain three points of contact look at targets. when climbing up or down. seasons for deer. Tree stand safety • Never carry items while climbing. • Make sure your hat and outer • Wear a full-body harness and connect to the tree tether before your

the Little Pinnacle. There are fairly primitive group campsites available for $1 per person and a family campground with more modern facilities for $12 per site. Both campsites contain a table and grill and fire pit area. Call the park for reservations and information.

Rocky Face Park

Rocky Face Recreational Area is an Alexander County park located in Hiddenite,

Visibility and clothing

NC. Formerly a rock quarry in the early 1900s, the mountain offers a south-facing rock face with climbing opportunities for various levels of ability. In May 2012, the recreational area opened to the public as a county park, and climbing became a major activity. Rock Dimensions facilitates rock climbing programs at the park during the annual Spring RockyFest and the Fall Rock Climbing Festival and

clothing are clearly visible to others.

with Scout troops and other groups throughout the year. The best seasons for climbing are Fall, Winter, and Spring. For Scouts and other groups wishing to camp, an easy backcountry site has been established, with reservations required. For your next rocky adventures, visit rockdimensions.com or call (828) 265-3544. Additional Local

Climbing Companies Center 45, Boone NC (Indoor Climbing) 828-386-1550 center45.com Edge of the World, Banner Elk NC (828) 898-9550 edgeoworld.com/summer Rock Dimensions, Boone NC (828) 265-3544 www.rockdimensions.com/

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Reel in the season on the High Country BY MOSS BRENNAN

becomes a deeply satisfying craft. Fall is prime time for trout. As water here’s no better time to grab temperatures slide back into the 50s, your gear and head for the water. feeding activity picks up. As autumn sweeps across the mountains, the High Country’s rivers Fly rods differ from standard rods: and streams run cool and clear, framed they’re longer, thinner, and built by the vivid reds, oranges and golds of for precision and flexibility, ideal the season — making each cast as much for working a fly across the surface. about the scenery as the catch. Beginners can start with a dependable, affordable aluminum reel, while Fishing remains one of the High seasoned anglers often prefer carbon Country’s most beloved outdoor fiber or machined aluminum for added pursuits, drawing anglers of every durability. Selecting the right fly age. Fly fishing, in particular, offers a distinctive challenge and reward. Unlike matters just as much, with a wide range of sizes, styles, and materials to match conventional fishing, which sends bait the conditions and the fish’s appetite. below the surface, fly fishing relies on small, lightweight lures called “flies” For newcomers, a guided trip is that ride along the top, mimicking often the best way to learn the ropes. the insects that tempt hungry trout. Local outfitters — including Mountain Patience and practice are essential, but Troutfitters in Linville, Deep South once the rhythm clicks, the technique Co Outfitters in Elk Park, Foscoe

Fly Fishing, Elk Creek Outfitters, High Country Guide Outfitters, Mountains to Coast Fly Fishing Guide Service, and Speckled Trout Outfitters in Blowing Rock — offer expert instruction and local knowledge to help anglers of any skill level find success on the water.

Before you cast

Anyone 16 or older must have a valid fishing license to fish North Carolina’s public waters, whether inland, coastal, or joint. Youth under 16 are exempt from both the fishing license and the trout privilege license. Licenses can be purchased through the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Go Outdoors North Carolina portal at ncwildlife.gov. Many popular High Country streams fall under the state’s Delayed Harvest program, which shifts to catch-and-

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release rules for the fall and winter. From Oct. 1 until one-half hour after sunset on the Friday before the first Saturday in June, no trout may be harvested or possessed, only artificial lures with a single hook may be used, and it is unlawful to possess natural bait while fishing. The waters then close entirely until 6 a.m. that Saturday, when they reopen to harvest — youth under 16 fish first until noon, after which all anglers may keep up to seven trout per day with no bait or size restrictions through Sept. 30. Delayed Harvest streams are marked with diamond-shaped, black-andwhite signs and are stocked heavily to boost anglers’ chances. For maps, classifications and any storm-related stream closures, visit ncwildlife.gov/ trout.

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High Country Fall Colors

PHOTO BY LESLIE RESTIVO | GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION PHOTO BY LESLIE RESTIVO | GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION

Fall color seen from the Grandview Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

PHOTO BY LESLIE RESTIVO | GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION

Warm shades of fall color sweep through the High Country during the fall.

Lower elevations come alive with the brilliant hues in the fall, as seen from Beacon Heights in Avery County during the glow of sunrise.

PHOTO BY LESLIE RESTIVO | GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION

The Chimneys in Linville Gorge glow with fall color.

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The High Country and its absence of urban light pollution affords stargazers a prime canvas to view stars, planets, constellations and more.

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he High Country has become a renowned area for stargazing, offering quiet spots to peer into infinity. While the closer the spot to town will result in more light pollution obscuring deep-sky observation, the mountains surrounding the region provide a quick escape to clear skies. A clear mountain landscape provides distinct darkened horizons and constellations for contemplative gazing into the pitch-black night, lit up by millions of twinkling lights. Clear, low-humidity nights make the best evenings to explore the cosmos. Although a full moon could wash out the stars, a new moon phase creates the perfect celestial scene. Zodiac constellations like Aquarius, Aries and Pisces along with the Little and Big Dipper are prominent in the night sky. For visitors and locals looking to trade porch lights for starlight, the High Country delivers no shortage of options,

from roadside overlooks to a working astronomical observatory. Overlooks scatter the Blue Ridge Parkway and are available for unguided stargazing. Grandfather Mountain has been a renowned spot for stargazers, with minimal light pollution and far away from the sound of their bustling towns. Linville Gorge offers the darkest skies and quietest scenes for those looking to escape civilization. Camping is also permitted throughout the Gorge, creating a perfect spot for a sleep over with the stars. Just across the Watauga County line in Purlear, Wilkes County is Appalachian State University’s Dark Sky Observatory. The observatory hosts monthly public nights for galaxy and stargazing with upcoming events being announced on dso.appstate.edu in the “Upcoming Evening at DSO” announcement box at the bottom of the page. All events are ticketed with tickets and event information available at the DSO secure ticketing website.

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Ashe Dark Sky Coalition also hosts several monthly meetings to canvas the night sky and discuss its celestial bodies. Visit ashedarksky.org for more information. Stargazers hoping to catch meteor showers should look up to the night sky to see Orionids, peaking Oct. 21, and Southern Tarids, peaking Nov. 4. Though hiking, biking, kayaking and other outdoor activities require higher entry points with pricy equipment, stargazing has become a most affordable and accessible autumnal activity in the

High Country. Stargazers looking to expand their astronomical knowledge should search online for the Forsythe Astronomical Society, the Catawba Valley Astronomy Club and the Charlotte Amateur Astronomers’ Club. While an affordable Amazon or thrift store telescope enhances the stargazing experience, those just looking for a grounding exercise, an escape from everyday life or a natural experience only need a clear mind and cloudless sky to become lost in the universe.

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High Country state parks offer staggered variety for fall 2026

BY SHWETA MISHRA

n the High Country, autumn arrives from the top down. Color ignites above 5,500 feet in late September, then spills into the valleys through October and lingers into early November — giving leaf-lookers weeks, not days, to chase it across the region’s state parks. Each park offers a distinct version of autumn.

Grandfather Mountain State Park

Grandfather is the region’s most dramatic hike, with ladder-and-cable sections along exposed cliffs and roughly 13 miles of trail winding through some of the state’s richest biodiversity. It is separate from the privately run Grandfather Mountain attraction next door, which operates the Mile High Swinging Bridge. The park has scheduled three ranger programs this fall: a Fall Color Walk on Sept. 30 at The Park at Seven Devils, Haunted High Country on Oct. 28, featuring High Country ghost stories and pumpkin carving, and Campfire Baking on Nov. 10. Get a status update on trail closures before you head out. The Profile Trail is still only partially reopened following Hurricane Helene recovery work. The upper trail, its campsite and the parking area are open, but the lower streamside section is still closed. Other trails in the park are listed as fully open, though conditions can shift, so checking the state’s online alerts before heading out is worth the two minutes it takes. Camping here means getting back to nature: no vehicles are allowed at campsites. Thirteen primitive sites, including Hi-Balsam Shelter and Attic Window, require permits and self-

registration, and campers must haul in everything they need and haul out their trash. Campfires are allowed only at specific sites with stone fire rings; Hi-Balsam, Raven’s Roost, Cliffside, Calloway Gap, Alpine Meadow and Attic Window do not permit them.

Elk Knob State Park

Eleven miles north of Boone, Elk Knob protects the headwaters of the North Fork New River and tops out at 5,520 feet. No fall programs are currently scheduled, which only highlights the park’s appeal: a quiet 1.9mile summit trail, a 2-mile backcountry trail and primitive campsites tucked one to two miles into forested coves, reachable only on foot. Water at those sites has to be filtered or boiled for at least five minutes, and campfires are prohibited, though camp stoves are allowed. A portion of the Backcountry Trail remains closed from Helene damage, another reason to check current conditions before setting out.

Mt Jefferson State Natural Area

Mt. Jefferson is located between Jefferson and West Jefferson, off US 221, approximately 19 miles from the Deep Gap US 421 intersection where Ashe, Watauga, and Wilkes counties converge. Arriving from Boone, familiar brown state park signs direct motorists from US 221 in West Jefferson up the mountain and nature area. Prospective visitors drive up a graded two-lane road that hangs tightly to the side of the mountain, breaking for oblique switchbacks that pull peeling eyes glancing to the valleys before back to the road as they attentively and eagerly

FILE PHOTO

Bright fall colors can be seen far and wide from one of the Elk Knob trails.

climb to the park’s main gate - located about three-fourths up the mountain, or less than a mile from the intersection near Ashe County Civic Center. Guests should be mindful of the park’s 20 miles per hour speed limit, lest they plan a less-than-encouraging chat with vigilant park rangers before the evening’s scheduled nature tour. Drivers and guests will want to enjoy prominent overlooks before reaching the park’s main parking lot near the mountain’s peak, which banks into the three-mile trail system that circumvents near and far side summits. The Jefferson Overlook is about a quarter-mile from the park’s main gate and offers a panoramic view (bring your selfie stick for Instagram views from stay behind the wooden rail) of West Jefferson and Jefferson, bifurcated by US 221 which looks like a Hot Wheels track a thousand feet above the county seat, or approximately 4,000 ft total.

From this overlook, guests can see, depending on the fog and visibility, Bald Mountain, Three Top in northwest Ashe County, and, with keener eyes, the dark bluish-green silhouette of Grandfather Mountain to their southwest. While the first overlook will tempt explorers to settle in for the evening to watch the sleepy mountain communities hum to life below, two more equally captivating overlooks await before trekkers bust out the walking sticks to reach the summit. After continuing up the mountain road past the Jefferson Overlook, motorists will notice a gravel pull-off area at the Sunset Overlook to their right. This overlook gives parkgoers a gander at the county’s southern peaks and rolling plateau that blends with the Blue Ridge near the Wilkes County line. Although bicyclists, SEE PARKS ON PAGE 82 u

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t PARKS FROM PAGE 80 hikers, and nature photographers frequent the quiet mountain pass, the Sunset Overlook is ideal for guests craving quiet contemplation and early morning reading as the fog slowly lifts above the glistening dews of the chestnut trees with the rising morning sun. A moderate-exertion trailhead is located opposite the overlook across the two-lane road. This trail connects the Jefferson and Sunset Overlooks. Although the trail is rated green, or novice, in most areas, moderate inclines over rocky outcrops require sturdy hiking boots and sure footing. The last scenic entreat, the Sunset Overlook, is located a short distance up the mountain on the same road as the previous two overlooks. The Sunset Overlook, which features a large boulder, gives guests a hawk’s-eye view of the towns and the surrounding areas of Tennessee and Virginia.

New River State Park

New River State Park is located 35 miles northeast of Boone in Ashe and Alleghany counties at 358 New River State Park Road, Laurel Springs. The park is open daily from 7 am to 9 pm, with hours shifting to slower drawdowns and shorter days as the year progresses. Visitors traveling from Boone should take US 221 from the US 421 Deep Gap interchange, then drive through West Jefferson and Jefferson before continuing on NC 88 in East Jefferson. Alternatively, they can veer left at the Corner Market in Jefferson to access the Crumpler access point from NC 16 and Old 221 south.

Paddy Mountain State Park

Paddy Mountain State Park is one of the newest state parks in North Carolina, with the official ribbon cutting taking place in May 2025. The Park features 3.4 miles of sustainably built stacked loop trail, a parking area,

PHOTO COURTESY OF NEW RIVER CONSERVANCY

Part of the completed river restoration at Elk Shoals Access of the New River State Park.

a covered pavilion, restroom facilities, trail kiosks with maps, wayfinding signage along the trail, and a custommade park entrance sign. This work was completed by MBI Builders, Interface Environmental Consulting, LLC, and Nature Trails, LLC. “North Carolina’s parks are integral to our state’s quality of life and economy,” said Governor Josh Stein. “We are all grateful that so many organizations and agencies came together to open Paddy Mountain Park for future generations of North Carolinians to enjoy.” Carolina Timberworks designed and donated the entrance sign, the Ashe County Rotary Club funded the trail signage, and Keep Ashe Beautiful funded the bear-proof trash cans.

The Park, a conservation victory over a decade in the making, provides recreational opportunities for locals and tourists alike, and will serve as the West Jefferson trailhead of the Northern Peaks State Trail.

Planning Ahead

A few rules apply across the system. North Carolina limits camping to 14 nights within any 30 days, and reservations open six months in advance through the NC State Parks Reservation System. Dogs are welcome throughout the parks but must stay on a leash of 6 feet or less. Firewood gathering is generally discouraged; buying local or heat-treated wood helps stop the spread of invasive insects and disease. Weather deserves respect at these

elevations. A mild forecast in Boone or West Jefferson can mean wind, rain or an early frost at a summit a few thousand feet higher, so packing layers is not optional advice. There is also good news for hikers who range farther afield. In August, the U.S. Forest Service reopened 5.5 miles of the Appalachian Trail near Iron Mountain Gap on the North Carolina-Tennessee border, which had been closed since Hurricane Helene struck in September 2024. Hikers should expect some overgrowth on the newly reopened section while trail crews continue clearing it, and a nearby stretch remains detoured onto a dirt road while footpath repairs continue — evidence that recovery from the storm is still, two years later, an ongoing project across the region’s public lands.

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Raise a Stein

at Sugar Mountain Oktoberfest BY JESSE CAMPBELL

rab your lederhosen and dirndls (and beer stein if you’re 21 and older). Oktoberfest is returning to the Sugar Mountain Ski Lodge from 10 am to 5 pm on Oct. 10 - 11. While the High Country is better known for its celebration of its Scotch-Irish heritage, the Blue Ridge Mountains also participates in the world’s largest people’s festival and beer celebration. Sugar Mountain’s 36th annual festival offers free admission, parking, and shuttle services, according to oktoberfest.skisugar.com. Rather than passive leaf-peeping, sightseeing, and day-tripping

throughout the scenic High Country, the annual Oktoberfest celebration also offers guests an authentic and immersive Bavarian experience without adulterating the spirit of the timehonored celebration. The beer-infused festivities begin on Oct. 10 with Summit Express chairlift rides and arts-and-crafts activities in Lot C. Following opening ceremonies at 11 am, the Oktober Festival band, Harbor Towne, strikes a tune at high noon with authentic Bavarian music, including polkas, marches, and waltzas. The Kids Fun Center, which features inflatables, hay rides, cornhole, a water balloon toss, and pumpkin bowling, opens at 11 am on Oct 10 - 11 and

closes at 5 pm. Fun Center admission is $25, or $7 for hay rides only. Crowd responses will decide the winners of the festival’s costume contest, which is held at 4 pm on Oct. 10. Participation is free. Categories include Male 16 and under, Female 16 and under, Male 17 and older, Female 17 and older. The 2026 vendor lineup includes handmade jewelry, artisan crafts, woodworking, forged knives, candles, ceramics, crocheted accessories, alpaca products, Charcuterie boards, purses and handbags, kettlecorn, and more. The Sugar Mountain-hosted event features Bratwurst and Knockwurst, made by Geier’s Sausage Kitchen, German potato salad, Sauerkraut, Strudel, and soft pretzels, available starting at 10 am both Saturday & Sunday. The festival will also feature hamburgers, soda, kettle corn, and other festive foods, according to the festival’s website.

AMB Boone’s annual High Country Oktoberfest returns for a full day of festivities from noon until 10 p.m. on Sept. 26. Guests can enjoy a special Oktoberfest menu featuring pretzels, brats and veggie brats, potato salad, kraut and beer cheese, alongside AMB’s regular Farm-to-Flame pizza truck. Beer will be flowing throughout the event, with an outdoor beer trailer in addition to AMB’s regular beer and beverage service inside the brewery. Live music will be a major part of the celebration, with Redbud performing two sets from 1–3 p.m. and 4–6 p.m., followed by evening music to keep the festivities going throughout the night. At 3 p.m., AMB owner Chris will host the Steinholding competition, a traditional Oktoberfest-style challenge where participants compete to see who can hold a full stein at arm’s length the longest.

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A look at what’s happening in Avery, Ashe and Watauga this fall

heck out a list of events happening this fall in the High Country. Follow the Watauga Democrat, Avery Journal Times, and the Ashe Post and Times for up-to-date information. All times and dates are subject to change.

SEPTEMBER

Jefferson. Friday 1–8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. More than

60 vendors of antiques, primitives and collectibles fill Jefferson Avenue, with live music and food vendors. Free admission, rain or shine. (336) 9779165. (Ashe)

ANTLERS & ACORNS: The AUTUMN AT OZ — Sept. 11- Boone Songwriters Festival — 13, Sept. 18-20 and Sept. 25-27 on Sept. 23–26 in downtown Boone.

Beech Mountain. One of the world’s largest Wizard of Oz festivals returns to the former theme park atop Beech Mountain. (Avery)

WEST JEFFERSON OLDE TIME ANTIQUES FAIR — SEPT. 18–19, downtown West

Songwriters from across the country perform in venues throughout downtown. (Watauga)

GHOST TRAIN AT TWEETSIE RAILROAD — Friday and Saturday nights, Sept. 25–Oct. 31, Tweetsie Railroad,

Blowing Rock. Nighttime train rides and Halloween attractions. tweetsie. com. (Watauga)

OCTOBER BLOWING ROCK ART IN THE PARK — Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Park Avenue,

downtown Blowing Rock. The final juried art show of the season features more than 30 regional artisans. Free; shuttle available from Shoppes on the Parkway. blowingrock.com/ artinthepark. (Watauga)

APPALACHIAN AUTUMN MARKET AND FALL FESTIVAL — SATURDAY, OCT. 3, Hickory Ridge Living

History Museum, Boone. Apple butter making, pumpkin painting, corn shuck dolls, candle-dipping, hatchet throwing, weaving and spinning demonstrations, self-guided cabin tours and vendors. Free admission. (Watauga)

FALL COLOR RAMBLES AT GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN — daily, Oct. 3–11,

Grandfather Mountain, Linville. Short, guided nature walks highlighting the mountain’s fall color. grandfather.com. (Avery)

SUGAR MOUNTAIN RESORT OKTOBERFEST — Oct. 10–11, Sugar Mountain Resort,

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2026 • AUTUMN TIMES • 87

Sugar Mountain. Bavarian music, food and beer at the base of the slopes. Free admission. skisugar.com. (Avery)

WOOLLY WORM FESTIVAL — Oct. 17–18,

downtown Banner Elk. The High Country’s signature fall festival, where racing woolly worms predict the winter forecast. Hosted by the Avery County Chamber of Commerce. woollyworm.com. (Avery)

VALLE COUNTRY FAIR — Oct. 17 in Valle

Crucis. The Holy Cross Episcopal Church’s “overgrown church bazaar” features crafts, apple butter, live music and food in one of the state’s most picturesque valleys. (Watauga) SEE CALENDAR ON PAGE 88 u

PHOTO COURTESY LAND OF OZ

Autumn at Oz recreates Dorothy Gale’s journey to Oz in an immersive theatrical experience.

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t CALENDAR FROM PAGE 87 BOONE BOO! — Oct. 31 in

downtown Boone from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Family-friendly trick-or-treating with downtown merchants along King Street. (Watauga)

BLOWING ROCK HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL & MONSTER MARCH — Saturday, Oct. 31, 4 p.m.,

downtown Blowing Rock. Children’s Monster March down Main Street, trick-or-treating with merchants and family activities. (Watauga)

Ongoing in October C&J CORN MAZE —

weekends through fall, Boone. Corn maze, hayrides, jump castles, games, pumpkins and food, with a separate haunted maze starting at dark. (Watauga)

GALLERY CRAWL — second

Fridays through October, 5–8 p.m., downtown West Jefferson. Galleries and shops host open houses in the arts district. ashecountyarts.org. (Ashe)

NOVEMBER CHOOSE & CUT SEASON OPENS — From mid-November

through late December, tree farms across Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties. Farms across the region open for choose-and-cut Fraser firs, wreaths and garland; several offer refreshments and Santa visits. (All three counties)

WEST JEFFERSON HOLIDAY PARADE — Saturday, Nov. 14, 2 p.m.,

downtown West Jefferson. The annual holiday parade rolls through downtown — with a visit from Santa. (Ashe)

APPLE HILL FARM CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION —

Wednesdays–Sundays, Nov. 18– Jan. 2, Apple Hill Farm, Banner Elk.

Holiday farm tours every 30 minutes, 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Reservations online at applehillfarmnc.com. (Avery)

A HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS — Friday, Nov. 27, 5–8 p.m., downtown West Jefferson. Official lighting of the community Christmas tree at 5:30 p.m., with live music and antique firetruck rides. (Ashe)

BLOWING ROCK CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL & LIGHTING OF THE TOWN — Friday, Nov. 27, noon–6:30 p.m., Memorial Park, downtown

Blowing Rock. Santa noon–3 p.m., kids’ games 1:30–3:30 p.m., live music 2:30–6:30 p.m., lighting of the town around 5:30 p.m. (Watauga)

CHETOLA RESORT FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS — daily at dusk, beginning Nov. 27 through winter, Chetola Resort,

Blowing Rock. More than 50,000 lights around Chetola Lake. Free and open to the public. (Watauga)

BLOWING ROCK CHRISTMAS PARADE — Saturday, Nov. 28, 10 a.m., Main Street, Blowing Rock. One of the longest small-town parades in the state. (Watauga)

ASHE COUNTY HOLIDAY FARMERS MARKET — Saturday, Nov. 28, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Backstreet, West Jefferson.

Holiday arrangements, wreaths, ornaments, woodwork, pottery, baked goods and more from market vendors. (Ashe)

TWEETSIE CHRISTMAS — select days, Nov. 28–Dec. 30,

Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock. The park transforms into a winter wonderland with nighttime train rides. tweetsie.com. (Watauga)

2026 • AUTUMN TIMES • 89

Autumn and Christmas learn to share the calendar here

BY SHWETA MISHRA

he green summer days ripen to gold, the deciduous leaves fall, the stars circle the firmament. In North Carolina’s High Country, that seasonal turn also means something practical: Fraser fir country is gearing up for its busiest months, even while pumpkins are still warm from the September sun. Autumn officially begins Sept. 22, 2026, at 8:05 p.m. — the exact moment of the equinox, when day and night nearly match. School calendars disagree, kicking off “fall” in mid-August. And retailers disagree with everyone, rolling out Christmas displays before Halloween candy clears the shelves. Ask ten High Country residents when the Christmas season should start and expect even more different answers, from strict one-holiday-at-a-time traditionalists to neighbors who’ve had lights up since Labor Day to the deeply confused. In Watauga and Ashe counties, that seasonal tug-of-war only overjoys local farms, which grow both crops at once. Lantern Farm in West Jefferson combines a pick-your-own pumpkin patch with fields of future Christmas trees, right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. In Valle Crucis, Harvest Farm pairs a 7-acre corn maze and pumpkin patch with a family Christmas tree operation. Just outside Boone, the operation behind Mountain Man Farms NC moves from autumn pumpkins into winter trees without much of a pause between them. The sweet spot for a “double-harvest” outing is late October, when pumpkin patches are threatening to veer toward overripeness or even rot—but not there yet—and choose-and-cut tree farms open early tagging. Most High

FILE PHOTO

Employees of Frosty’s Choose-n-Cut, located in Ashe County, load customers’ Christmas trees into a baler.

Country pumpkin patches, including Lantern Farm’s, close for the season on Halloween, so the overlap window is real but finite. By then, the hardwood canopy has largely dropped its leaves into a gold carpet on the forest floor, and the deep-green, frost-tipped Fraser firs step forward to claim the horizon. Mother Earth is right here with us this time of year, decorating the trees “too early,” whether we like it or not. Moss becomes beds and couches, spilling over roots like someone’s unplanned floor plan. Vines twine around tree trunks long before tinsel and wire are in season. A Fraser fir standing wild in the woods might already be wearing its own ornament: hedge bindweed. This native perennial doubles as animal forage, old-time folk SEE TREES ON PAGE 90 u

PHOTO COURTESY OF FROSTY’S CHOOSE AND CUT

A mountain fog surrounds the rows of Christmas Trees on Sexton Farms.

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t TREES FROM PAGE 89 medicine and what botanists call a “dynamic accumulator” — a plant that pulls buried nutrients back up to the surface. Behind the agritourism, the actual harvest is heavy, physical work that starts ramping up in late October and runs hard through November and into December. Crews tag trees, then begin cutting and baling for wholesale shipment, while wreath and bough work runs alongside it. Charles Smith, who has worked High Country tree farms for more than four decades, described the wreath season bluntly. “You cut the tree down, you take the limbs off of it, and you cut the bowels,” Smith said, using the local term for the branches nearest the stump. “We mostly use chainsaws — why, because you don’t want to bend down like that for so long, and it would take you all day.”

The season runs about 45 days, from around Halloween through midDecember, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Smith said the work carries real risk around the pinching mechanisms used to bind wreaths, and that crews have shrunk in recent years even as customer expectations for finished wreaths have grown. That labor sits atop an industry with genuine historical and cultural weight. North Carolina Fraser firs have decorated the White House Blue Room 16 times, more than any other species, and Avery County’s tradition traces to 1971, when Kermit Johnson of Crossnore delivered the first Avery County tree to the Nixon White House. In 2024, the Cartner family of Newland — descendants of Sam Cartner, who helped found the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association in 1959 — sent an 18-and-a-half-foot Fraser fir from Spanish Oak Mountain to Washington.

PHOTO COURTESY CANNON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Charles A. Cannon, Jr. Memorial Hospital employees ushered in a previous holiday season by decorating the hospital’s massive 14-foot tree gracing the facility lobby.

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Ashe County calls itself the Christmas Tree Capital of the World, and the numbers back up the boast regionally: local farms support more than 700 jobs year-round and around 2,000 during harvest season, according to the Ashe County Christmas Tree Association. Statewide, the industry is worth an estimated $100 million to $150 million in annual crop value, climbing toward $250 million to $400 million once retail and agritourism are counted, with more than 91% of that value concentrated in the High Country and western mountain counties, according to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and N.C. State Extension. None of it happens without crews willing to work long days in cold, wet fields. North Carolina growers, like their counterparts in Oregon and Michigan, lean heavily on Latino labor alongside local hands — blond, redhead, brunet men and women who plant seedlings, shear trees for years and load trucks bound for lots across the country. So take the confusion of the season as a feature, not a bug. Cuddle a pumpkin in one arm this fall. Scout a Fraser fir with the other. In the High Country, the fields have room to grow more than one thing.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Sam Cartner, one of the owners of Cartner Christmas Tree Farm in Newland, delivered the 2024 White House Christmas Tree.

92 • AUTUMN TIMES • 2026

PHOTO COURTESY OF GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION | SKIP SICKLER

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A group rides a motorcycle down to Price Lake.

Riding the High Country Autumn’s perfect playground for motorcyclists

BY CHRISTIAN GARDNER

or those who live to ride, there’s nothing quite like hitting the open road in the High Country during fall. With crisp air, vibrant foliage, and winding mountain stretches, this region is a magnet for motorcycle enthusiasts seeking both challenge and beauty. The twisting routes here offer

views and experiences unlike anywhere else, and with each turn, you’re met with the raw charm of the Appalachian Mountains. “In the mountains, it’s totally different,” says Keith Honeycutt of the Peacemakers Club. “People talk about great rides in other parts of the state, but here, the scenery and the roads set

it apart.” One of the most sought-after routes remains the Blue Ridge Parkway, stretching 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Cherokee, NC. The Parkway delivers sweeping overlooks, endless curves, and a chance to ride through nature’s autumn showcase. Riders are encouraged to

explore it on weekdays if possible to avoid heavy weekend traffic. With leaves changing, vehicle counts rise, and more cars, trucks, and RVs can make the ride trickier. Watching for wildlife, gravel patches, and changing road conditions is essential, especially SEE MOTORCYCLING ON PAGE 98 u

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PHOTO BY C.GARDNER MEDIA

Cyclists ride down Snakes Den.

Cycling in the High Country a great way to see the views

BY CHRISTIAN GARDNER

ycling down a winding road of the High Country as orange trees hang overhead is an experience those in the High Country have the joy of encountering. For those looking for a leisurely bike ride through a park, a longer tranquil ride, or maybe a challenging course with uphill climbs,

the High Country has something for all cycling skill sets. Seasoned and rookie cyclists agree that the Greenway in Boone is a great place for cyclists of any ability. The Greenway offers multiple miles of flat paved or gravel trails for an easy ride. It is a fully accessible trail open for walkers, runners, and cyclists that

follows the South Fork of the New River. The Greenway entrance can be found at the Watauga County Recreation Complex near State Farm Road or adjacent to Clawson Burnley Park. For more information on the Greenway, visit www. exploreboone. com/outdoors/hiking/boone-greenway. For those looking for another

laid-back paced ride, “Railroad Grade Road” in Todd offers about 10 miles of paved road built on an old railroad grade. The road is open for walking pedestrians and cyclists. To get to Railroad Grade Road, take U.S. 221 South towards West Jefferson and turn SEE CYCLING ON PAGE 98 u

2026 • AUTUMN TIMES • 97

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Blowing Rock. For more information on the Blue Ridge Parkway, visit www. on N.C. 194 to go to Todd. For more blueridgeparkway.org. information on Railroad Grade Road, Cycling opportunities in the High visit www.traillink.com/trail/railroadCountry run the gamut from leisurely grade-road. strolls through parks in many of the Additionally, a route on Old U.S. local mountain towns to challenging 421 near the Cove Creek Elementary excursions that will lead cyclists down School offers a more gradual path for the mountains and out of the High cyclists to cruise the backroads of Cove Country altogether. Creek, Zionville, Mabel, and Sugar The Mountains to Coast Ride is Grove. One of the more favorable a seven-day bike ride across North spots for the more experienced cyclists Carolina. It begins in Lake Junaluska in the High Country is the Blue Ridge and goes through towns like Tryon, Parkway. The Parkway spans 465 miles Belmont, Albemarle, Laurinburg, and through Virginia and North Carolina Whiteville before finishing at Holden and offers scenic views of beautiful Beach. The event is not a race but a mountains with frequent overlook recreational trek across the state’s many stops. scenic backroads. The ride is scheduled However, ride with caution, as there to take place from Oct. 1 to 8. To learn are no bicycle lanes along the route. more, click on nesports.org/event/ Cyclists can travel onto the Parkway cyclenc_ mountainstocoast_ride. by turning onto it from U.S. 321 in Those looking to ride with a group

t CYCLING FROM PAGE 96

t MOTORCYCLING FROM PAGE 94 Allegheny, and Watauga counties in

North Carolina, stretching all the along tighter curves. way into Johnson City, Tennessee. For those looking for a slower, scenic The ride starts and ends in a big loop in downtown West Jefferson, a loop challenge, the climb to Grandfather featuring more than 167 curves that Mountain offers tight turns and a takes riders nearby to at least 30 steady elevation gain, topped off by restaurants and 40 lodging locations in panoramic views from the mile-high the area - if one should decide to stop suspension bridge. The ride along and grab a bite to eat or stay overnight. U.S. 221 between Blowing Rock and The Devil’s Stairs also takes riders Linville is another rider favorite, with through Laurel Springs and Scottsville Sunday drives through Shull’s Mill and Allegheny County, as well as into Road, Foscoe, and Blowing Rock Trade, Tenn. offering plenty of small-town charm. It also includes scenic routes in South of Avery County, a detour Boone, Todd and through Appalachian to Mount Mitchell, the highest peak State University’s campus and some east of the Mississippi, provides an scenic stretches of highway along the unforgettable ride and unmatched New River. mountain vistas. For riders looking to stretch their trip, crossing into Virginia Along with the Devil’s Stairs, via the Parkway or looping through another loop to consider is the rural Tennessee roads can add miles of 124-mile “Post Office Loop,” which scenic beauty to any fall weekend. makes stops at several townships in For some set rides, the Ashe County Ashe County that have post offices, Chamber of Commerce debuted including Lansing, Laurel Springs, the Devil’s Stairs in 2022, which Todd, Warrensville, Creston and covers 118 miles of highway in Ashe, Crumpler.

FILE PHOTO

Nothing is as exhilarating a brisk autumn ride on one of the High Country’s area roads.

can get involved with several cycling clubs and regular riding events throughout the summer and fall in Boone and Blowing Rock. One such

club is the Boone Area Cyclists, which can be reached by looking up booneareacyclists.org.

If these rides are not challenging enough, there are four other roads that will take you on a longer, adventurous drive where you will need an entire day to complete without consideration of stopping for an overnight stay along the routes. Skulls Gap covers 175 miles, and it will take riders from West Jefferson to Mouth of Wilson, Va., into Chilhowie and Saltville, Va., as well as going through Glade Spring and Damascus, Va., and on into Tennessee. Riders will travel through Butler and the Doe River Valley in Tennessee before returning to North Carolina and coming out, New, Sugar, Grove and Vilas. “The Crumpler” begins in West Jefferson and covers 309 total miles. This loop takes riders through Virginia into West Virginia. This route goes through Crumpler in Ashe County and into Crumpler, W. Va., a small town west of Princeton, W. Va. Not to leave out the cyclists, another route that many might like to take is called “Paint Bank,” which

covers around 346 miles. This ride takes travelers through Tazewell, Va., across West Virginia before crossing back into Virginia near Paint Bank and New Castle. It travels south to Roanoke, Floyd, and eventually returns to Hillsville and Galax, Va. “The Lansings” ride is considered the longest trip, covering 400 miles. The journey takes riders through Lansing in Ashe County and up through Southwest Virginia to Lansing, West Virginia. The loop circles back through Hillsville, Galax, and the Mouth of Wilson, Va., before circling back on into Ashe County. Motorcycle routes in the High Country vary from sweeping straightaways to hairpin curves, ensuring there’s something for every rider,whether you cruise on a touring bike, lean into the corners on a sport model, or roll a classic cruiser. As Honeycutt puts it, “There’s not another view in the world that will compare to what we have here.”

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Gear up

Autumn is prime time on the High Country’s trails BY ZACH COLBURN

s the leaves turn and the summer heat fades, the High Country transforms into a rider’s paradise — miles of forested singletrack, resort bike parks and technical descents offering something for every skill level, whether you’re chasing your first ride or your hardest one yet. The Boone Greenway Trail is an ideal starting point for true beginners. It offers a single-track trail as well as an assortment of smooth and leisurely paved riverside paths. However, it is a popular spot for people to picnic and

walk, so make sure to pay attention. For those looking to make the step up, Rocky Knob Parks is one of the most popular mountain biking destinations in the area. Located just a few miles from downtown Boone, right off U.S. 421, this park features more than eight miles of trails that wind through forested hills. The trails are well-maintained and offer a variety of difficulty levels, ranging from beginner-friendly to challenging for even the most experienced riders. Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park

PHOTO BY ZACH COLBURN

A young bike rider works on his jumps while at the Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park’s paved pump track.

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has five main trails: The 1.6-mile Rocky Branch Trail loop, the 1-mile Middle Earth Trail, the nearly 4-mile Boat Rock Loop, the downhill PBJ Trail, Ol’ Hoss, plus more than a dozen side trails and connectors and four separate skills areas. Rocky Knob also offers a state-ofthe-art paved pump track near the parking lot with several different types of ramps and small hills, making it ideal for getting some air and trying out different bike tricks. It’s also a good introduction for new riders, both young and old, to get acclimated to what they could see on the trails. Other options offering a similar difficulty level are Beech Mountain Resort’s “Emerald Outback” trail system and a course at nearby Sugar Mountain Resort. Both resorts feature chairlifts to take riders to the top of their bike parks, and each location has specific operating hours. Check skisugar.com and beechmountainresort.com/summer

for more information. For those looking for a more challenging experience, trails in Pisgah National Forest near the Wilsons Creek Wild & Scenic River Area offer some of the region’s most technical and difficult mountain biking terrain. The steep climbs and rocky descents will test even the most experienced riders. Some others near Ashe County include the Virginia Creeper Trail: Green Cover to North Carolina Border. Several local outfitters also offer guided tours and lessons for those looking to improve their mountain biking skills. These tours are a great way to explore the area and learn from experienced riders who know the trails well. Local businesses to check out include Headquarters Bike and Outdoor (Sugar Mountain), Boone Bike and Touring (Boone), Action Cycle Sports (Boone), Hill River Cycles (Fleetwood), Rhoddie

PHOTO COURTESY BEECH MOUNTAIN RESORT

Mountain biking at Beech Mountain Resort has become a popular getaway during the spring, summer and fall months.

Bicycle Outfitters (Blowing Rock), Stamey’s Cycle Center (Boone) and Magic Cycles (Boone). In addition to experiencing mountain biking individually, the High Country is also home to the Watauga High and Watauga Middle School Bike Teams, which compete in the North Carolina

Interscholastic Cycling League. Lees-McRae College in nearby Banner Elk also fields a cycling team that competes in Division I mountain biking during the fall and spring seasons. The college has also hosted the Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships on its campus.

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Howard Knob Park

An upgraded view for fall colors BY MOSS BRENNAN

while preserving its integrity as a destination attraction.” here may be no better place Neeley said the overlook is the to watch the High Country most prominent and meaningful turn gold than the top of Howard Knob. This fall, that view upgrade people will notice. is open to everyone after a nearly “The ADA-accessible viewing $2.2 million upgrade, capped by platform is by far my favorite part a horseshoe-shaped overlook that of the upgrades,” Neeley said. brings panoramic views to visitors “No matter your age or ability, of all abilities for the first time. the panoramic, horseshoe-shaped overlook offers a safe and stunning The upgrade is capped by a viewpoint to take in the Boone horseshoe-shaped overlook that opens the peak’s panoramic views landscape and distant peaks, including Grandfather Mountain, to visitors of all abilities for the Hawksbill, and Table Rock.” first time. The project was a collaborative The upgrades include: effort initiated by the Watauga • A brand-new wheelchairCounty TDA and Watauga accessible overlook offering County, involving many partners. unobstructed, panoramic views Funding for the $2,177,248.64 of downtown Boone and the upgrade was from overnight surrounding mountains lodging by visitors in Watauga • Additional parking spaces to County and the Accessibility for accommodate more visitors with Parks (AFP) program grant from ease the N.C. Division of Parks and • ADA-accessible walking Recreation and the N.C Parks and paths leading to a refreshed picnic Recreation Trust Fund. shelter, with new picnic tables and Destination By Design, based camping grills in Boone, executed the design • New entrance signage and and engineering; Stitch Design branding Shop was the architect, Arete was the structural engineer, and MBI “Howard Knob Park is one of Builders LLC handled all aspects those special places that reminds of the construction. you why the NC High Country is unlike anywhere else,” said While the park is not open Explore Boone Director of year-round, it is open during Marketing and Public Relations some of the peak fall colors from Emily Neeley. “Generations of 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., May 1 to residents, Appalachian State Oct. 20. For more information on students, and visitors have made Howard Knob Park, visit www. memories on this peak, and we are exploreboone.com/listing/howardknob-county-park/2149/. proud to provide it with new life

PHOTO COURTESY EXPLORE BOONE

The overlook is the most noticeable upgrade to Howard Knob Park.

PHOTO COURTESY EXPLORE BOONE

The wheelchair-accessible overlook offers unobstructed, panoramic views of downtown Boone and the surrounding mountains.

2026 • AUTUMN TIMES • 103

Fall Into Smarter Savings. Cooler days can mean higher energy use—but it doesn’t have to. These simple tips will make your home more efficient and your bills more affordable all year long.

Cover drafty windows: install insulated drapes or shades. Take advantage of the sun’s heat and open them on sunny days.

Check that the dryer vent hose is tightly connected to the dryer and is not kinked or clogged.

When heating keep windows locked and caulk around gaps in windows and doors.

Unplug battery chargers and electronics when not needed.

Hire a qualified professional to inspect your furnace or boiler and replace your filters regularly through the season.

Use COLD water when doing laundry.

Switch your ceiling fan direction to rotate clockwise in winter to help circulate warm air downwards.

Replace damaged shingles and clean gutters making sure downspouts point away from the house.

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104 • AUTUMN TIMES • 2026

PHOTO COURTESY SKY VALLEY TOURS

A look at a zipline running through a kaleidoscope of colorful foliage.

Take a thrill ride with fall zipline adventures in the High Country

BY JAMIE SHELL

lying and defying gravity in the High Country has never been easier than sailing down a zipline, taking in the fall foliage and nature’s beauty. The region offers several picturesque locations for regulars and visitors alike to feel the thrill of a suspended-in-air trek amongst the mountains. Here’s a selection of locations where you can clip in and enjoy the ride.

Hawksnest Zipline

(Seven Devils) (828) 963-6561 hawksnestadventures.com Perched high atop the resort town of Seven Devils, North Carolina, Hawksnest Zipline stands as one of the premier and most expansive aerial adventures in the High Country. Located right off Highway 105

between Boone and Banner Elk, this mountaintop attraction provides thrill-seekers with front-row seats to the region’s world-renowned autumn foliage. Spanning over four miles of cable, the facility offers guests expansive, panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains bathed in rich fall hues. Hawksnest delivers its massive 20-zipline inventory through a flexible, multi-tiered structure that spans

across deep valleys, rushing creeks, and dense forest canopies. For families and beginners looking to transition smoothly into the treetops, the 1.5-mile Hawk Tour offers 11 cables, two scenic swinging bridges, and two distinct 1,500-foot lines that cut a tunnel directly through the colorful leaf canopy at speeds reaching 35 miles per hour. Adrenaline purists can step up to the advanced, three-mile Eagle Tour,

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which demands an appetite for extreme heights and raw speed. This heartpumping circuit utilizes 9 massive cables—including two spectacular “mega zips” stretching over 2,000 feet long—where riders soar more than 200 feet above the valley floor at a blistering 50 miles per hour. True enthusiasts can choose the Do-It-All Tour, a complete package chaining all 20 lines together for the ultimate day of high-altitude flight. After a two-hour flight, adventurers can decompress on the massive observation deck outside Hawksnest’s mountaintop lodge, soaking in the crisp mountain air and sweeping valley scenery. As late autumn transitions into winter, the park uniquely pivots into one of the largest snow tubing operations on the East Coast, cementing its status as a premier year-round mountain destination.

Sky Valley Zip Tours

(Blowing Rock) (828) 264-0002 www.skyvalleyziptours.com Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains just outside Blowing Rock, North Carolina, Sky Valley Zip Tours offers a premier high-altitude adventure that comes alive during the fall foliage

season. Operating from spring through late autumn, this premier outdoor attraction allows visitors to experience the High Country’s dramatic seasonal transition directly from the tree canopy. The signature experience begins with an off-road ATV ride up the mountain terrain to the launch platform. From there, participants navigate a course consisting of 10 distinct zip lines, a cliffside swinging bridge, and a thrilling 20-foot plunge. The canopy tour layout is intentionally designed to showcase panoramic views of the surrounding valleys, making it an exceptional vantage point for viewing the region’s famous autumn colors. The grand finale of the course is “Big Momma”—a massive line spanning 1,600 feet and soaring 300 feet above the valley floor. Sky Valley accommodates families through a tiered course structure. While the main canopy tour caters to older thrill-seekers, the “WhistlePig” course provides a dedicated, lowerstakes zip line experience for children aged 4 to 10. The facility operates daily except Tuesdays, with advanced online reservations strongly recommended during the peak autumn leaf-peeping window.

PHOTO COURTESY SKY VALLEY TOURS

A look at a zipline running through a kaleidoscope of colorful foliage.

PHOTO COURTESY SKY VALLEY TOURS

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains just outside Blowing Rock, North Carolina, Sky Valley Zip Tours offers a premier high-altitude adventure.

High Gravity Adventures

(Blowing Rock) (828) 201-2680 Highgravityadventures.com Another thrill-seeking adventure awaits at High Gravity Adventures. This adventure park is jam-packed with opportunities for fun in the air. The park officially opened in 2015, and the Aerial Adventure Park was completed. In 2017, the High Altitude Zip Line Tour was added. The park currently offers four adventures to choose from: zip, climb, swing, or combine them all for the ultimate adventure. The 2-hour zipline tour travels across five cables with one 70-foot freefall. This adventure starts slow and builds in speed as you go. If speed is not on your agenda, no worries. High Gravity has a slow-moving rappel option for those who want it. Purchasing the zip tour also gives participants access to the ground-level Ninja Course. Participants must be 7 years or older and weigh at least 75 pounds. The maximum weight for this course is 265 pounds. The Aerial Adventure Park has two options: Foothill Park and Zipline and Blue Ridge Park. Both parks also give participants access to the Ninja course. The Foothills Park is ideal for young adventurers. The park features 13

aerial obstacles and three kid-friendly zip lines. The ticket includes two hours of adventure time. This park is open to children ages 4 and older. All participants must have a minimum reach height of 5’3” or be accompanied by a guest who does. The Blue Ridge Park goes the extra mile with 64 obstacles and four rappels. For three hours of fun, guests can traverse swinging logs, sky bridges, spiderwebs and more. Participants must be 7 years old or older and have a reach height of 6’1” or be accompanied by a guest who does. The final attraction is the threeperson giant swing, which is exactly what it sounds like. At four stories tall, three people are harnessed into the giant swing for a wild ride. Each ticket includes two swings, and participants must be at least 48 inches tall. If you can’t pick just one adventure, don’t fret. High Gravity offers the Ultimate Adventure package that bundles it all together for a chance to zip, climb and swing. Age and weight restrictions apply and vary by attraction. As with all outdoor activities, visitors are advised to wear comfortable and weather-appropriate clothing and are often required to wear closed-toed shoes. The mountain weather can be unpredictable and change on a dime. Be prepared for anything and bring layers or rain gear, depending on the forecast.

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Fall fun for the whole family in the High Country

BY GEORGIA DIXON

all is one of the best times to get outside in the High Country, and families don’t have to look far for somewhere to spend the day. Local mom Lara Jones, who has three sons under 6, recommends several familyfriendly destinations across the region. She described Tweetsie Railroad as an ideal day trip for children of all ages. “I got to see my boys grow up at Tweetsie,” Jones said. “It’s one of those places that you can almost never outgrow. It just really grows with your family.” Jones also enjoys taking her sons to Valle Crucis Community Park, one of her favorites. “It’s a beautiful setting to be able to take your family, have a picnic and spend the day,” she said. Her sons like riding their bikes on the park’s loop. The park also offers walking paths, playgrounds, picnic areas, an open field and access to the Watauga River. Howard Knob Park is another spot Jones recently visited, and one she expects to be popular this fall. “You can see all of Boone and enjoy being outside with friends and family,” Jones said. She often takes her sons to Bass Lake, a place she visited while growing up. The lake features a loop trail where visitors can walk, push a stroller and watch ducks and geese. Families can round out a Blowing Rock trip at Memorial Park downtown, with a stop for ice cream at Blue Deer on Main. “Being outside with boys and letting them run around is important because they have so much energy,” Jones said.

PHOTO BY SKIP SICKLER | GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION

Historic Cone Manor rests above Bass Lake in nearby Blowing Rock, as fall color beams from the shoreline and hillsides.

Play at Memorial Park in Blowing Rock

Located in downtown Blowing Rock, Memorial Park offers picnic tables and shelters, playground equipment, a climbing wall, and basketball, tennis and volleyball courts, plus horseshoe pits.

Explore Tweetsie Railroad

Tweetsie Railroad offers a familyfriendly Wild West adventure with a historic steam locomotive, live entertainment and amusement rides for all ages. Attractions include a carousel, a chairlift to Miner’s Mountain, a Ferris wheel, a Tilt-A-Whirl and more. Tweetsie also hosts special events throughout the season. Upcoming 2026 events include Railroad Heritage Weekend and Ghost Train. Most rides have height and size restrictions, so visitors should check the Tweetsie Railroad website before heading out.

Adventure at Valle Crucis Community Park

Valle Crucis Community Park offers a 1-mile paved path for walking, biking, running and skating, along with playgrounds, an open field, picnic tables and shelters. The park’s two shelters are first-come, first-served unless reserved in advance. The Watauga River runs alongside the park, with steps down to the water where visitors can fly-fish or wade.

Enjoy scenic views at Howard Knob Park

Howard Knob County Park sits atop Howard Knob at 4,396 feet above sea level, offering panoramic views of downtown Boone, the surrounding mountains and Appalachian State University’s campus. The park includes an overlook, gardens, portable restrooms and picnic areas, and is accessible for visitors with disabilities.

PHOTO COURTESY TWEETSIE RAILROAD

Tweetsie Railroad as an ideal day trip for children of all ages.

Stroll around Bass Lake

Located just outside Blowing Rock, Bass Lake features a 0.9-mile loop perfect for a walk or an easy outing with a stroller.

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Fall into tradition at the High Country’s

general stores

BY JAMIE SHELL

as Taylor and Mast General Store. Mast here’s no better season than autumn purchased the remaining half in 1913, forming the first Mast General Store. to wander into a High Country Since then, the chain has expanded well general store—when the mountain air turns crisp, the leaves blaze overhead, beyond Watauga County, with locations and a warm woodstove and a jar of local in Asheville, Winston-Salem, Columbia, honey are waiting inside. Though general S.C., Greenville, S.C., Roanoke, Va., and Knoxville, Tenn. stores aren’t as common as they once On Beech Mountain, Fred’s General were, the High Country is still home to Mercantile remains one of the most several that keep the tradition alive. popular stops in the High Country. Throughout history, general stores Sitting at an elevation of 5,506 feet served as the hub of rural mountain — billed as America’s highest general communities, offering food, clothing, tools and household goods all under one store — Fred’s has been owned and operated by Fred Pfohl since it opened roof at a time when large retail chains in February 1979. The store carries and grocery stores were few and far everything from groceries and hardware between. to clothing and ski gear, and it stays The most recognized general store in the region remains Mast General Store. open 365 days a year. Ashe County is home to several The original location in Valle Crucis, the general stores. The Vintage Farmhouse, nearby Mast Store Annex and a store in a historic home in West Jefferson, on King Street in downtown Boone all offers baked goods, coffee, ice cream, keep that small-town feel while selling home décor and men’s and women’s modern-day goods. The store traces its apparel spread across three floors. roots to the 1850s, when it opened as the Taylor & Moore General Store. In Grassy Creek, right at the Virginia W.W. Mast bought half interest in state line, the Old Store first opened 1897, and the business became known more than 120 years ago and reopened

PHOTO SUBMITTED

The Vintage Farmhouse General Store is located just outside of downtown West Jefferson.

FILE PHOTO

The original Mast General Store and Annex in Valle Crucis, about eight miles away from downtown Boone. The Mast General Store and Annex opened in 1883 and has remained the community’s one-stop destination for all types of shopping.

under new ownership in 2022 after a full renovation. Owners John and Kathy Chefas, who also run Hart-T-Tree Farms, and daughter Carrie McClain offer home décor, food, crafts, toys, clothing and a small venue for local musicians. Visitors can pick their own blueberries in June, July and August, and each November and December they can choose a pre-cut Christmas tree from Hart-T-Tree Farms. The Old Orchard Creek General Store, on Highway 194 in Lansing, was refurbished in 2020 and stocks local jams, honey and other food items, along with Hatchet Coffee and desserts from Stick Boy Bakers, both based in Boone. The store also draws visitors to its nearby blueberry farm on Swansie Shepherd Road, a popular stop in the spring and summer months. A few other High Country general stores round out the list. The Todd

General Store, which sits along the South Fork New River near the Ashe-Watauga line, dates to 1914 and is counted among only a handful of authentic general stores remaining in North Carolina, according to Preservation North Carolina. Just across the street, the Todd Mercantile focuses on locally sourced goods and has become another community gathering spot. In western Watauga County, the Cove Creek Store in Sugar Grove has served the community for more than 50 years, doubling as a gas station and gathering place. One other name still comes up in conversation: Phipps General Store in Lansing. The store itself closed years ago, but its Friday night jam sessions carry on the tradition of the old country store as a community gathering place, drawing musicians and listeners from across the region.

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Explore the High Country’s best

apple orchards BY SHANNON DEROSAS

s summer winds down in the High Country and transitions to the fall, few experiences capture the essence of the North Carolina mountains like a trip to an apple orchard. Enjoying the crisp air, picturesque views, and freshly picked fruit offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy local agriculture while taking part in one of autumn’s best traditions. Whether spending the afternoon picking apples, trying a variety of homemade treats or listening to live music, there are several orchards throughout the High Country that provide memorable stops perfect for exploring Western North Carolina. One of the area’s most well known destinations is the Orchard at Altapass, located along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Run as a nonprofit organization, the orchard is open May through October, with heirloom apple picking available from August through October, Wednesday through Sunday. Visitors can purchase a bag at the Apple Shed then join a guided U-pick experience through the orchard. Those who may prefer to not pick their own fruit can also buy freshly bagged apples from the Apple Shed. The Orchard at Altapass also offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the region’s nature and history. Altapass has a monarch and honeybee habitat and a working model train exhibit to help guests explore how the Clinchfield Railroad established the orchard. On Saturdays and Sundays from June through October, free live music fills their pavilion, creating a fun atmosphere where visitors can dance, enjoy the mountain scenery and relax. No visit is complete without getting

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Each fall, apple trees around the High Country are rife with ripened apples to enjoy off the tree or as ingredients in numerous food recipes.

one of the orchard’s signature treats, including apple pie, apple blossom served with ice cream or fresh picked apple slices drizzled generously with caramel. Families looking for a full day of activities may enjoy Perry Low Orchard in Moravian Falls. Spanning across more than 100 acres in the foothills, the orchard offers 26 apple varieties and offers hayrides to its fields for guests to pick apples throughout the harvest season. After filling their baskets with fresh apples, visitors can return to the barn and enjoy apple cider slushies, fresh apple cider donuts and browse the variety of handmade products the orchard offers, including dried

apples and jams. For guests looking for something more unique, they can try the orchard’s popular “apple cannon”, adding an exciting element to the family-friendly experience. Another destination worth visiting is Apple Hill Orchard and Cider Mill in Morganton, a family farm whose history spans back to 1930. The orchard grows 22 apple varieties, including Gala, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious and Cameo, but also offers peaches during some portions of the growing season. In addition to apple picking, visitors can also stroll through their flower fields, either taking photos of the blooms or cutting their own customized bouquets. The Farmhouse Bakery serves

homemade doughnuts, cakes, pies and other baked goods, while their Farm Market has fresh apples, cider, local honey and gifts that make it easy to bring a taste of the High Country home with the visit. Whether visitors are looking for freshly picked apples, homemade goods or just a relaxing afternoon in the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains, the High Country’s orchards provide a classic and unskippable fall experience. With opportunities to support local farms while simultaneously enjoying family fun or a nice date, these destinations continue to be a seasonal favorite for both tourists and residents alike.

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What to do when the

rain starts to fall BY NATHAN HAM

ometimes the weather gets in the way of an outdoor itinerary. Finding ways to make the most of your day when rain and thunder try to steal the show can be a challenge at times, but thankfully the High Country has plenty of things to do in a dry setting. Visiting one of the local museums is an educational yet fun way to spend some time. The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum has rotating exhibits throughout the year and is free to attend. The museum also hosts special events, tours and more. To learn more about BRAHM, visit www. blowingrockmuseum.org or call (828) 295-9099.

In Ashe County, the Museum of Ashe County History has several exhibits on display and hosts multiple musical performances and special celebrations year-round. A few exhibits include the Virginia Creeper Railroad, the Veterans Hall of Honor, Music and Moonshine, and Education in Ashe County. Visit ashehistory.org to learn about special events and exhibits on display or call (336) 846-846-1904. If you are looking for some hands-on activities to do on a rainy day, making a stop at Mystery Hill is a must. Located off of US Highway 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock, Mystery Hill has several different attractions all inside one building. Attractions include an arcade, Prospector Hill Gem Mine,

PHOTO SUBMITTED

The Museum of Ashe County History is located at 301 East Main Street in Jefferson.

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a Native American artifact museum, the Hall of Mystery, and the bull ride challenge. To purchase tickets, click to mysteryhill.com. Shopping is another way to be indoors and away from Mother Nature. Ashe, Watauga and Avery counties all have premier shopping locations and stores that feature everything from art and antiques to clothing, vintage accessories, furniture, outdoor gear and equipment, outlet stores and more. If you want to let your fun and competitive spirit take hold, taking in a few games of bowling at High Country Lanes in Boone is worth a stop. The bowling alley is a onestop location for food, drinks and fun. Guests can reserve birthday packages, team-building time, and graduation celebrations, among other group adventures. High Country Lanes is open late throughout the week and has special events including College Night and Service Industry Night. Visit highcountrylanes.com for more information. Indoor entertainment venues are also a great place to spend the day. Regal Boone and Parkway Theatre in downtown West Jefferson feature the latest movies with drinks, popcorn and snacks to complete the experience. The Appalachian Theatre in Boone, the Schaefer Center for the Performing AVERYCHAMBERNC Arts in Boone, the AsheWWW.AVERYCOUNTY.COM Civic Center in West Jefferson, and AVERYCHAMBERNC WWW.AVERYCOUNTY.COM AVERYCHAMBERNC WWW.AVERYCOUNTY.COM the Ashe Arts Center in West Jefferson all offer live musical PHOTO COURTESY HIGH COUNTRY LANES performances, guest speakers, and other programming. Bowling is always a fun thing to do when the weather isn’t cooperating outside. AVERYCHAMBERNC AVERYCHAMBERNC AVERYCHAMBERNC

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As the leaves turn, the High Country’s museums look back COMPILED BY MOSS BRENNAN

As the Blue Ridge trades summer green for October’s rust and gold, the High Country’s museums offer a different kind of leaf-peeping — a chance to trace the roots of mountain life once the crowds thin and the air turns crisp. Across the High Country, a handful of museums are working to preserve Appalachian heritage — each with its own approach, but a shared conviction that mountain history deserves to be told on its own terms. In Jefferson, the Museum of Ashe County History makes its home in the county’s 1904 former courthouse, a building that once offered as much

entertainment as justice. On court day, the benches and balcony reportedly served up more gossip and theatrics than any picture show. Today the museum presents rotating exhibits drawn from its archives, curating relics donated by local families that illuminate often-misunderstood facets of mountain life — moonshining, the Virginia Creeper Railroad that hauled out the region’s timber, war memorabilia and other chapters of the county’s hardscrabble past. Restored using original building materials, the museum bills itself as a clearinghouse for all things Ashe County and an ambassador of fact over crude mountain stereotypes. Its

PHOTO BY MOSS BRENNAN

The Dougherty House in its current condition, which is where the Watauga County Museum will be located.

open floor plan lets visitors wander the restored building as the original hardwood floors creak underfoot. The courthouse also carries a haunted reputation — staff and visitors have reported hearing a gavel-swinging judge and bickering lawyers, and a paranormal team once investigated the site. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily;

visit ashehistory.org for more. On Beech Mountain — the highest incorporated town east of the Rockies at 5,506 feet — the volunteer-run Beech Mountain Historical Society operates a museum that has earned back-to-back spots on USA Today’s 10 Best Small-Town Museums list in 2025 and 2026. Open seasonally from

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mid-June through mid-October and select winter holidays, its exhibits trace early Cherokee presence, the logging and narrow-gauge railroad boom, the mid-century Carolina Caribbean Corporation development and the rise of Ski Beech. Local Connor Jarrett, who is kin to Appalachian storyteller Ray Hicks, urges visitors to note a distinction locals feel keenly: many of the museum’s photos and stories come from “old Beech,” the rural community surrounding the resort area. “The history of the countryside and the people from old Beech are a big part of what makes this area what it is,” he said. Admission and membership are free, and the society hosts programs and community events year-round—from restoring cemeteries and marking a 1920s logging railroad along Upper Pond Creek Trail to painting “traveling rocks” hidden around town. A recent program featured historian Bob Plott,

recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, presenting “Southern Appalachian Folkways,” his January 2026 book documenting the region’s living traditions through profiles of local artisans. The museum is at 503 Beech Mountain Parkway. In Banner Elk, the Banner House Museum offers a window into 19thcentury High Country life inside the circa-1870 home of Samuel Henry Banner, one of the town’s early settlers, his wife Jane Hyder Banner and their seven children. Furnished with period heirlooms donated and loaned by area residents, the house tells the story of Banner Elk from the 1870s through the early 1900s, while an exhibition room spotlights local history. In 2025, the museum launched an oral history recording program, inviting Avery County neighbors to share personal reminiscences — including memories of Tropical Storm Helene and the recovery that followed — to

be archived for future research. Guided tours run Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at $5 per adult. The museum is at 7990 Hickory Nut Gap Road; visit bannerhousemuseum.org. In Blowing Rock, the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum has grown into a Main Street cultural anchor with roughly 24,000 annual visitors. Plein air painting has deep roots here: artist Elliott Daingerfield settled in town in 1889, building Edgewood Cottage — which still stands in front of the museum — and teaching students to capture landscapes in the open air until he died in 1932. BRAHM traces its own founding to a 1995 remark by collector Lamont Hudson, who lamented the town lacked an art museum to house his Daingerfield collection. Co-founder Ginny Stevens took up the idea. Today the free-admission museum runs rotating exhibitions and community programs as it works toward full

accreditation. “We are a light in the High Country for people to come and experience and explore,” Executive Director Stephen Dragisic said. The museum is at 159 Ginny Stevens Lane; visit blowingrockmuseum.org. Finally, as America turns 250, Watauga County is getting its own heritage museum. The Watauga County Heritage Museum will open a temporary home in the historic Dougherty House at Mystery Hill, built in 1903 on what is now the Appalachian State University campus and moved to its current site in 1989. The organization recently hired its first executive director, Olivia Phillips, a Beech Creek native completing a dissertation on traditional Beech Mountain music. A dedicated room will host rotating exhibits meant to represent the whole county. As Phillips put it, representing “their corner of Watauga County does matter to us.” Learn more at wataugacountyheritagemuseum.org

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Going to Market

A Guide to High Country Farmers Markets BY ZACH COLBURN

offer ready-to-eat goodies, allowing armer’s markets have become a staple patrons to have a hot breakfast or pastry and a cup of coffee or smoothie while of the High Country for both social shopping. and non-social necessities. A new way to get to the market was The weekly gatherings allow residents introduced in August. AppalCART’s and visitors to converse with local food fare-free Gray Route will connect growers and small business owners, while Appalachian State University’s campus, leaving with food and merchandise— the State Farm parking lot and Daniel whether it’s on their list or not. Boone Park, giving residents, students, Markets across the area offer a variety visitors and families a new way to reach of goods as diverse as the communities the Farmers’ Market. they serve. Some draw heavy crowds “Saturday public transportation access daily, while others are more heavily visited on the weekends. Others tend to to the Farmers’ Market has always been a vision of ours, and we’re thrilled to be one of their community’s best-kept see it become a reality through this secrets. partnership with AppalCART,” said But each carries the same warm local support and is a welcome stop for those Watauga County Farmers’ Market Director Michelle Dineen Smith. who might just be passing through. “Access to the Market means access to Whether it’s stocking up for a week fresh local food and nutrition programs, getaway at one of the area’s mountain connection to our farmers, the land, and cabins or just a simple Saturday morning our shared culture, and a greater sense of with family and friends, there’s a High community belonging.” Country market with something for Every Saturday from April 4 to everyone. Nov. 28, the Watauga County Farmers Watauga County Farmers Market Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon With a mission of encouraging and and is located at Daniel Boone Park, promoting local agriculture, horticulture, 591 Horn in the West Drive, Boone. value-added, and craft industries, the For more information, including Watauga County Farmers’ Market has a full list of vendors, visit www. long been a staple of Boone’s Town wataugacountyfarmersmarket.org. Square since 1974. With over 60 King Street Farmers Market vendors, the market offers an impressive range of goods. Fresh-baked bread, Located at 126 Poplar Grove Road, farm-fresh eggs, locally raised meats, and outside the Watauga County Social seasonal produce are sure to make your Services building, the King Street stomach growl. Farmers Market hosts over a dozen vendors. It is powered by Blue Ridge Aside from meat and produce, local Women in Agriculture, a women-led entrepreneurs are on hand to showcase organization that promotes sustainability and sell paintings and crafts made from and accessibility in the High Country’s wood, metal, leather, wool, jewels, and food system. Open from May to October other materials. Entertainment comes on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. (and in the form of children’s events and live on Saturdays from December to March, music each week. Two food trucks are indoors and outdoors), this market always on-site, and many other vendors

PHOTO COURTESY OF ASHE COUNTY FARMERS MARKET

The market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays in Ashe County.

connects working-class families with fresh, local food. They offer a variety of local goods, including produce, meats, flowers, bread, eggs, and crafts, to name a few. For more information, visit www. brwia.org/ksm.html or call (828) 3861537.

High Country Food Hub

Operated by the Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, the High Country Food Hub is a year-round online farmer’s market that offers fresh produce, meat, dairy and bread as well as artisan foods, cut flowers, body care products and plants. Orders are placed Thursday through Monday, and those interested choose their pickup location and shop thousands of local products. Pickups, some free and some requiring a $5 fee, can be arranged in Boone, West Jefferson, Deep Gap or Todd on Wednesdays. You can arrange

pickups in Blowing Rock, Banner Elk and Newland on Thursdays. For more information, including pickup times, visit highcountryfoodhub.org or call (828) 412-0834.

Blowing Rock Thursday Market

Open from May 14 to Sept. 24, the newly renamed Blowing Rock Thursday Market operates every Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. and is located on the lawn of the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce at 132 Park Ave. The market offers an array of vendors from florists and pottery makers to pasta makers and bakers, as well as several types of produce. To learn more about BR Thursday Market, visit https:// blowingrock.com/farmersmarket/ Beech Mountain Farmers Market SEE FARMER’S MARKET ON PAGE 116 u

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t FARMER’S MARKET FROM PAGE 114 Hosted on the first Friday of the month, June to October, from 2 to 6 p.m., the Beech Mountain Farmers Market is located at 105 Bark Park Way in Beech Mountain. Expect a DJ, giveaways and a beautiful view. Fresh organic produce, honey, baked goods, plants, microgreens, gourmet dog treats, and farm-raised beef are among the goods sold. The market, which has two final dates on Sept. 4 and Oct. 2, is located in the parking lot across from Fred’s General Mercantile. For more information, visit beechmtn.com/visit/ farmers-market/.

Avery County Farmers Market

The Avery County Farmers Market prides itself on serving local farmers, promoting ethical standards and teaching the public how awesome local food can be. Expect to see all sorts of local fresh fruits, vegetables and meat. The market is open on Thursdays from 3 to 6 p.m. until the Wooly Warm Festival. It is located at 185 Azalea Circle, beside the Historic Banner Elk Elementary School, and behind the Banner Elk Volunteer Fire & Rescue. For more information, visit www. averycountyfarmersmarket.net/ or call (828) 733-8270.

PHOTOS BY MARK FILE

The Avery County Farmers Market is held each Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m.

Ashe County Farmers Market

In its 27th year of operation, the Ashe County Farmers Market is open Saturdays from April until Oct. 31 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the heart of downtown West Jefferson. Around 50 vendors offer fresh, locally grown produce, handcrafted juried goods, and a vibrant community atmosphere, and it is located near several conveniently located restaurants and shopping on West Jefferson’s backstreet. For more information, including an interactive market map, visit ashefarmersmarket. com.

Lansing Farmers Market

Located at the Lansing Creeper Trail Park, the Lansing Park Farmers

PHOTO BY BARB HOLDCROFT

The Beech Mountain Farmers Market is held on the first Friday of the month, from June through October.

Market operates on Saturdays from May 2 through Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The market hosts a wide

array of agricultural vendors that produce vegetables, meats, processed goods, baked goods, bedding plants

and ornamentals. In addition to the small-town market, the park is located alongside Big Horse Creek.

Fall frolicking

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for antique treasures

BY NATHAN HAM

of space, customers can find a little bit of everything during their shopping unting for a special piece of experience. The mall can be found at history, decorations from decades 631 West King Street in downtown ago or even the perfect piece of Boone. To learn more, call (828) 268antique furniture missing from your living room can easily be discovered in 9988 or find them on Facebook by searching Appalachian Antique Mall many of the unique stores and events Ltd. in the High Country. Not far from the antique mall, The largest of the events is the you will find the High Country annual West Jefferson Olde Time Emporium at 199 Howard Street Antiques Fair held in Ashe County also in downtown Boone. The each fall. This year the fair will be emporium offers 6,000 square feet held Sept. 18 and 19 in downtown of art, antiques, furniture, vintage West Jefferson. You will be able to clothes, coins, collectibles, jewelry and find a lot of antique items including other items. You can find out more furniture, toys, figurines, collectibles, about High Country Emporium by woodworking, business signs and following them on Instagram or giving much more. The fair, which is them a call at (828) 262-1957. organized each year by Keith and Denise Woodie, the owners of If battling downtown traffic is not Antiques on Main, has continued to high on your list of things to do, stop grow each year since its first year in by Front Porch Antique Market on 2012. NC Highway 105 South in Boone. The market includes antiques and In Jefferson, you can find Not Just collectibles from more than 40 Old Antiques at 676 South Main vendors. To learn more about Front Street. The store has more than 50 booths that offer handcrafted work, Porch Antique Market, visit https:// collectibles, furniture and other www.frontporchantiquemarket.com/ antique items. For more information, or call (828) 963-7450. call (336) 846-1220. Sunset Drive in Blowing Rock has The Squirrel and Nut in Lansing a pair of locations to visit during your rebuilt and reopened after Hurricane antiquing adventure. Antiques on Helene and continues to offer vintage Sunset is located at 379 Sunset Drive items, work from local artists and and is open seasonally. The store has local products from Ashe County and lots of antiques from different parts of North Carolina. The Squirrel and Nut the world as well as other decorative is located at 9288 NC Highway 194 in items. Call (828) 372-9500 for hours Lansing. For more information, visit of operation. Blowing Rock Estate www.thesquirrelandnut.com/. Jewelry & Antiques at 167 Sunset In Boone, the Appalachian Antique Drive has a large selection of estate jewelry and antique jewelry. The store Mall is one of the largest and most has been family-owned since 1988. To visited malls in the High Country. learn more, call (828) 295-4500. With greater than 15,000 square feet

In Avery County, a visit to Gilded Age Antiques will leave you with plenty of treasures to browse through. The store, which is located at 10890 NC Highway 105 in Foscoe, has several vintage and antique items including clothing, furniture, art, home décor and more. Visit www. gildedageantiques.com or call (828) 963-8633 to learn more. Additional hotspots for antique collectibles include Hidden Treasures Antiques in Elk Park, as well as The Find Vintage Warehouse in Newland.

PHOTO COURTESY GILDED AGE ANTIQUES

Just a few of the items you will find at Gilded Age Antiques in Foscoe.

It’s everything a general store used to be...and more!

Grocery · Deli with Patio Dining

Ski & Snowboard Rentals · Clothing · Hardware Open from 7:30am to 10:00pm Everyday (828) 387 4838

501 Beech Mountain Parkway · Beech Mountain, NC · www.fredsgeneral.com

Come visit us at Eastern America’s Highest Town

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Area Chambers support local businesses

BY MOSS BRENNAN

also recently one of only three finalists in its size category, selected s the leaves turn and the High from a field representing more Country slips into its most than 1,600 organizations. Named celebrated season, the High Country draws leaf-lookers, weekend by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, the finalist travelers and returning friends by distinction is among the most the tens of thousands. As part of its mission, area chambers in Ashe, Avery significant in the chamber industry. It required meeting performance and Watauga counties strive to serve all individuals and businesses who find thresholds in membership retention and financial health, completing a their way to this corner of the state. comprehensive written application From “After Hours” business scored by peer executives, and events to annual dinners recognizing advancing through a finalist interview excellence from individuals and panel. member businesses, area chambers of BLOWING ROCK commerce are threads that connect people and foster cooperation and CHAMBER OF COMMERCE companionship across a wide range of Address: 132 Park Ave., Blowing the region. As autumn festivals fill the Rock, NC 28605 calendar and Main Streets bustle with Phone: (828) 295-7851 fall visitors, the chambers remain a Online: www.blowingrockchamber. steady resource. com The following are chambers of Blowing Rock is considered one of commerce that serve High Country the crown jewels of the Blue Ridge, counties. and never more so than in autumn, BOONE AREA CHAMBER when the surrounding ridges blaze with color and the town’s shops and OF COMMERCE Address: 579 Greenway Road Suite eateries hum with fall visitors. Its chamber of commerce knows this 101, Boone, NC 28607 tight-knit community as no one else, Phone: (828) 264-2225 and its representatives are always Online: www.boonechamber.com willing to share this knowledge. The Boone Area Chamber of Aside from general information, lists Commerce is one of the High of camping and fishing sites, and Country’s most active, with both a brochures, the chamber also has a dedicated membership and an overall generous stock of menus from the commitment to the betterment of the town’s many eateries. Robin Miller, area as both a vacation destination IOM, CEO of the Blowing Rock and business hub. As App State Chamber of Commerce, was chosen football weekends and fall visitors by the The Institute for Organization bring energy to town, the chamber is Management, the professional an ideal place to stop for information development program of the U.S. on area activities, brochures and maps Chamber of Commerce, to serve of the community. as a Class Advisor at Institute for Organization Management The Boone Area Chamber was

PHOTO COURTESY OF BOONE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The staff of the Boone Chamber of Commerce work to support local businesses and the community.

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ASHE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Address: 01 N. Jefferson Ave., Suite C, West Jefferson, NC 28694 Phone: (336) 846-9550 Online: www.ashechamber.com Ashe County, home to both the towns of Jefferson and West Jefferson, is just about as far as you can go in the High Country before entering Southwestern Virginia. In fall, the county’s Christmas tree farms take center stage as the season builds toward harvest, and its rugged ridgelines put on one of the region’s earliest and most vivid leaf displays. The chamber can direct travelers through this scenic and sparsely populated landscape, while offering a wide selection of brochures and maps.

AVERY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Address: 4501 Tynecastle Highway, Unit No. 2, Banner Elk, NC 28604 Phone: (828) 898-5605 Online: www.averycounty.com The Avery County Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center is conveniently located in the Shoppes at Tynecastle at the intersection of N.C. 105 and N.C. 184. The center offers information on lodging, dining, attractions, shopping and other businesses in Avery County — including the beloved Banner Elk Woolly Worm Festival, a signature autumn tradition the chamber helps sponsor each October.

PHOTO COURTESY AVERY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Avery Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Victoria Bowman addresses the audience at Grandfather Winery during the Empower HER event.

BANNER ELK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Address: 100 W. Main St., Banner Elk, NC 28604 Phone: (828) 898-8395 Online: www.bannerelk.org Located in the heart of town, the Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce in Avery County promotes the area as a unique place to live, work, and visit. As the fall color rolls in and festival season peaks, information on area lodging, dining, shopping and more is available Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and all the time by visiting www.bannerelk.org.

BEECH MOUNTAIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Address: 403-A Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC 28604 Phone: (828) 387-9283 Online: www.beechchamber.com Whether you’re chasing peak leaf season at the region’s highest elevations or just want a few days to relax and breathe the crisp mountain air, Beech Mountain, at an elevation of 5,506 feet, will give your soul something to smile about. Beech Mountain, which straddles both Avery and Watauga counties, turns early in the fall thanks to its altitude, offering plenty of activities and attractions for the whole family alongside plenty of peace and quiet for a relaxing and rejuvenating time.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Ashe County Chamber of Commerce staff members April Colvard, Natalie Lea, Ashley Geercken and Kitty Honeycutt.

120 • AUTUMN TIMES • 2026

Tee off with golfing options across the region

BY SHANNON DEROSAS AND ZACH COLBURN

s the Blue Ridge Mountains trade summer green for autumn’s reds and golds, the High Country’s golf and disc golf courses offer a colorful way to spend a fall afternoon outdoors. From traditional layouts built for every skill level to disc golf courses winding through the trees, locals and visitors alike can take in the season’s scenery while getting in a round. Between Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties, there’s certainly no shortage of options when it comes to teeing off in the High Country, regardless of skill level. Ashe County is home to a pair of golf courses — one public course and one semi-private club. Mountain Aire Golf Club in West Jefferson is a public course and the thirdoldest in the High Country. When it opened in 1949, it was originally called West Jefferson Golf Club. Carl Hagel purchased the course in 1971, and it has remained in the family ever since. Mark Hagel expanded the course to 18 holes in 1985, and his son-in-law, Philip Shepherd, handled all the day-today management of the course and the playing surface. In addition to hosting numerous community golf tournaments during the year, it is also the home course for the Ashe County High School golf teams. To book a tee time, contact Mountain Aire at (336) 877-4716. For more info about the course and housing community, visit www.mountainaire.com. Jefferson Landing, located in Jefferson, is a semi-private club off Highway 16, surrounded by mountain views, luxurious homes and condominiums. The course was designed by Professional Golfers Association Hall

PHOTO COURTESY OF BEECH MOUNTAIN RESORT

Disc golf is a growing sport across the county.

of Famer Larry Nelson and opened in 1991. At 7,110 yards, it is said to be the longest course in the High Country. It regularly hosts golf tournaments throughout the spring, summer and fall, and it hosted the North Carolina Amateur Golf Championship in the summer of 2023. For tee times and more information, call the Jefferson Landing pro shop at (336) 982-7767 or visit www. visitjeffersonlanding.com/Golf.

Watauga County is home to a quintet of golf courses, including the Boone Golf Club, which is typically open from April to November. It was designed by Ellis Maples — a protégé of well-known course designer Donald Ross. Opened to the public in 1959, it is also the home course of both the boys’ and girls’ golf teams at Watauga High School. With a total distance of 6,686 yards (and 6,018 from the regular tees), Boone Golf Club sits at an elevation of

3,346 feet above sea level and features a mixture of tees, with par 3s averaging 199 yards. Call the pro shop at (828) 264-8760 to set up a tee time. For more information on the course, including a hole-by-hole overview, visit www.boonegolfclub.com. Nearby Vilas is home to the Willow Creek Golf Course, which Tom Jackson designed in the 1970s. Known to some as “the little green SEE GOLF ON PAGE 122 u

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year. A brand-new clubhouse opened in June 1975. Since then, the club community as a whole has monster,” Willow Creek has par-3 holes ranging from continued to grow and change as one of the most elite 137 to 221 yards, leading to small putting greens. It is private organizations in the Southeast. open from April 1 to Oct. 31 (weather permitting). To learn more about Blowing Rock Country Club, According to its website, www.willowvalley-resort. including memberships, visit blowingrockcountryclub. com/willow-creek-golf-course, there are no reserved tee com/Golf or call (828) 295-3171. times, meaning play is first-come, first-served. Hound Ears Club, located in Boone, was the third For prices and additional information on Willow course in Watauga County to open — behind Blowing Creek Golf Course, visit the website or call (828) 963- Rock and Boone Golf Club — when it debuted in 6865. 1964. George Cobb designed the 18-hole course. Operating from May through October, the Blowing The course, off N.C. Highway 105 near Shulls Mill, Rock Country Club opened for its first round in 1915 plays at 6,307 yards and 6,145 yards from the regular and was recently redesigned for an even better playing tees. It offers a variety of par 3, par 4 and par 5 holes experience. and is well known for having several longer par 4s. The course is the only one in North Carolina Like many courses, Hound Ears sustained severe designed by Seth Raynor, who created around 85 damage from Hurricane Helene, and the full course courses from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. didn’t reopen until late summer after renovations and repairs. The club purchased the golf course — previously named the Green Park Norwood Golf Course — More information about Hound Ears Club and the added nine new holes and renovated the original nine golf course can be found at www.houndears.com/Golf. in 1973. Beech Mountain Golf Club has the unique and That same year, renovations were made to the rare distinction of offering views of North Carolina, clubhouse, which was destroyed by a fire the following Tennessee and Virginia during a round.

t GOLF FROM PAGE 120

The course, which opened in 1969 with the first nine holes, was designed by Willard Byrd and recently redesigned to extend play to 6,250 yards. It sits at an elevation of around 4,500 feet. More about the course, which is open from May through October, can be found at beechmtn.club/thecourse. Beech Mountain, Hound Ears and Blowing Rock are all private clubs. Another private club, this one in Avery County, is Linville Ridge Golf Course, which, at 4,949 feet, is the highest-elevation course east of the Mississippi River. The elevation also makes for one of the most comfortable rounds of golf around, as summer and early-fall temperatures aren’t nearly as high. Originally designed by George Cobb, Linville Ridge has the distinction of being the final course he designed. It underwent a redesign in 2007, with Bobby Weed brought in to introduce additional challenges for players. Linville Ridge plays to 6,813 yards from the back tees and 6,210 from the regular tees. For more information on the club and the course, visit www.linvilleridge.com/golf-pages/golf. Avery County also offers public courses, including

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Numerous public and private golf courses dot the High Country landscape, with additional options locally for disc golf aficionados.

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Sugar Mountain Golf Club, which opened in 1974. Owned and operated by the town and celebrating its 50th season, Sugar Mountain features nine par 3s, eight par 4s and one par 5 across its 18-hole layout. The course measures 4,443 yards overall and 4,071 from the regular tees. At more than 4,000 feet of elevation, Sugar Mountain plays to a par of 64. Tee times can be reserved online at seesugar.com/golf or by calling (828) 898-6464. Over in Newland, Mountain Glen Golf Club opened in 1964 with nine holes and added another nine the following year. The public course, home to Avery County High School’s golf teams, was designed by George Cobb, the architect also known for designing Quail Hollow in Charlotte and the Augusta National Par 3 Course. Mountain Glen plays at 5,968 yards from the regular tees and a challenging 6,523 yards from the back tees. To set up a tee time, call Mountain Glen at (828) 733-5804. Land Harbor Golf Club in Linville originally opened as a nine-hole course. But after a collaboration between Tom Jackson and local golfer Ernie Hayes, a second

nine was created out of 23 acres of rugged property that many had thought unusable. The first nine holes measure 2,950 yards, with the back nine at 1,927 yards, combining for a par of 69. According to linvillelandharbor.com/golf, the club operates as a semi-private facility and offers several options to accommodate both the occasional player and the passionate golfer. Land Harbor residents can play unlimited golf for one low yearly fee. Tee times can be made through the website or by phone at (828) 733-8325. Disc golf enthusiasts or those looking to try something new this fall can also find several highly regarded courses throughout the High Country. High Country Disc Golf at Ashe County Park in Jefferson features 18 holes designed by INNOVA and is free to play. Since its opening in 2006, the course has become known for its dramatic elevation changes and challenging basket placements. Visitors can easily make a day of the trip, as Ashe County Park also offers fishing, hiking trails, playgrounds, picnic shelters and athletic courts. Further east, Rolling Pines Disc Golf Course in

North Wilkesboro consistently ranks among North Carolina’s top disc golf courses. The par-56 course encompasses more than 70 acres of terrain and features 18 baskets that challenge players with wooded fairways, elevation changes and strategic shot placement. Developed through a partnership between the Town of Wilkesboro and the Wilkes County Disc Golf Club, the course attracts players from across the region. Nearby, Fort Hamby Disc Golf Course combines recreation with local history. Located beside W. Kerr Scott Reservoir, the 18-hole course features gravel tee pads, steep elevation changes and water hazards that reward accuracy and strategy. Visitors can pair a round with swimming, boating, fishing or a picnic within the park, making it an ideal stop for families looking to enjoy several outdoor activities in one location.

Whether visitors want a traditional round of golf or are looking to try the fast-growing sport of disc golf, the High Country offers a variety of courses that display the region’s vast mountain landscapes while hosting memorable outdoor experiences during the fall travel season.

Hound Ears Club is a leading destination in the High Country for connection, tranquility, and recreation. For membership information, contact membership@houndears.com or call 828-963-2130.

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Where to park

when the leaves and the crowds arrive BY MOSS BRENNAN

the road. Drive carefully and keep your eyes on the road when driving on the Parkway, even when the fall uring peak leaf season, in mid to late October, colors are competing for your attention. thousands flock to the High Country to view the Many spots in the High Country are very color these mountains produce. pedestrian-friendly, so you may not need to park close With those people comes traffic, and for a place to everything. However, the busiest areas, such as King with traffic problems already, you need patience and Street in downtown Boone, Main Street in Blowing a plan to get through your day. Typically, especially in Rock, and the downtown areas of West Jefferson and Boone and Blowing Rock, a normal weekend causes Banner Elk, offer public parking where you can leave traffic headaches. your car while you explore. Throw in leaf-peepers, an App State football game, In Boone, parking includes 200 smart meters, 150 or one of the many great fall festivals, and you arrive at pre-pay spaces, and 220 permitted spaces. Two fulla traffic nightmare at times. The key is to be patient. time and four part-time enforcement officers enforce the spaces. Parking is enforced Monday through If you head out on the Blue Ridge Parkway during Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking meters accept peak leaf season, be prepared for traffic that isn’t coins, credit cards, and debit cards, and the cost is normally there and for people to park on the side $1.50 an hour. There are also multi-hour lots where of the road. Often, because parking lots at popular you can pay at the entrance and exit if you plan to overlooks fill up quickly, people park on the side of stay in downtown Boone and make a full day of it. All parking is free on Sundays and on town-observed holidays. To avoid the traffic altogether, check out

AppalCART — the free public transportation service that can take you nearly anywhere in Boone. For more information on parking in Boone, visit www. townofboone.net/337/Parking. Blowing Rock offers free parking along Main Street, and has other public lots available, including at the American Legion, the Rotary Pavilion, Davant Field and a large parking deck at the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum. In downtown West Jefferson in Ashe County, two clearly marked public parking areas are just a few steps from dining and shopping options: one just off Backstreet and the other near Main Street and School Avenue. Angled parking spots are also available in front of shops and stores along South Jefferson Avenue. Those spots can be tough to get on a busy Friday or Saturday during the spring, summer, and fall. Most areas in Avery County, including downtown Banner Elk and Newland, offer free street parking. In Banner Elk, parking is also available at Tate-Evans Town Park and the Historic Banner Elk School.

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PHOTO COURTESY DOWNTOWN BOONE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

Parking on King Street can be one of the hardest things to do in the High Country. Just be patient.

2026 • AUTUMN TIMES • 125

Explore. Experience. Enjoy.

Nestled in the mountains of Jefferson, NC, rests an upscale resort community ideal for weekend getaways, special events and everyday living. Jefferson Landing is a gorgeous, gated development featuring luxurious finedining diningand andaffordable affordablemembership membershipoptions optionstotoour ourgolf golfand andsocial socialclubs. clubs. luxuriousaccommodations, accomodations, fine Book experience and and enjoy enjoy all all that that Jefferson Jefferson Landing Landing has has to to offer. offer. Book your your adventure adventure today today to to explore, explor, experience

126 • AUTUMN TIMES • 2026

Leaf season without the parking hassle

A High Country transit guide BY MOSS BRENNAN

s fall color draws visitors to the mountains and App State’s home-game weekends pack Boone’s streets, the High Country’s public transit systems offer a convenient, affordable — and sometimes free — way to move through the season without the parking headache. Whether you’re a first-time leaflooker or a longtime local discovering a new way to get around, there’s a route for you. Typically, affordable or even free public transit ensures that people from various socioeconomic backgrounds can travel without transportation being a barrier to mobility. From the elderly and low-income individuals to students, public transportation can be vital in completing daily tasks. In Watauga County, AppalCART, short for Appalachian Regional Comprehensive Transit, is the

primary provider of public transportation, serving Boone and the county — and it hits its busiest stride each fall as students, football crowds and autumn visitors converge on town. With in-town bus services, the community can enjoy fare-free rides to locations along the fixed routes. For those who want to access the bus service but live or are staying outside the town limits, making AppalCART’s Rural services part of the commute will help keep you connected to Boone. AppalCART also provides Paratransit Services for individuals with disabilities. The buses also have bike racks, making it convenient for passengers to combine cycling with public transit — handy for a crisp fall morning ride into town. AppalCART also has North Carolina’s first double-decker public transit bus, bringing added capacity and a bold new look to Boone’s transit system, according to AppalCART officials. The new vehicle, an Alexander Dennis Enviro500, was officially introduced in July 2025 and offers a higher vantage point for taking in the season’s color along its route. The 42.5-foot, 13.5-foot-tall bus seats 88 passengers, more than double the 32 seats on a

standard 40-foot bus, and can accommodate more than 100 riders when including those standing. AppalCART also has an electric bus, with plans to continue adding to the fleet to help reduce emissions. In Ashe County, the Ashe County Transit System serves the community by offering both fixed-route van services and demand-response transportation. The fixed routes run on weekdays and connect key areas like West Jefferson and Jefferson, serving destinations such as schools, medical facilities, and shopping areas — a reliable option as the county’s Christmas tree season and fall festivals bring extra activity downtown. Demand-response transportation requires passengers to schedule their trips in advance by calling the Ashe County Transit System. Avery County Transportation, also known as ACT, has been serving the community since 1981. It offers demand-response transit services both within the county and to nearby areas. ACT requires passengers to schedule their rides in advance by contacting the transportation office. This service helps residents access essential destinations such as medical appointments, shopping centers, and other important services.

Stronger Together

www.ymcaavery.com

FILE PHOTO

The first electric bus that AppalCart unveiled.

2026 • AUTUMN TIMES • 127

Take in the fall colors with a drink BY MOSS BRENNAN

ew things pair better with crisp mountain air and peak leaf color than a cold craft beer or a glass of locally grown wine. The High Country is home to a thriving scene of breweries and wineries, each with its own personality — cozy fireside lodge vibes, downtown taprooms, hilltop vineyard views, and everything in between. Pull up a seat, order something local, and let the afternoon take care of itself while the mountains put on their best show of the year. From West Jefferson to Boone to Banner Elk, here’s your guide to the breweries and wineries worth a stop on your next fall drive.

BEER

Appalachian Mountain Brewery and Cidery www.amb.beer/ 163 Boone Creek Drive, Boone

Appalachian Mountain Brewery and Cidery was founded in 2011 by cousins Nathan Kelischek and Chris Zieber. AMB is one of the first breweries in Boone and quickly garnered a name for itself. They are known for their award-winning beers, ciders, and delicious wood-fired pizzas. You can find their canned beers and ciders in many stores and restaurants in the area. They also have a location in Mills River, North Carolina.

Beech Mountain Brewing Company

www.beechmountainbrewingco.com/ 1007 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain Beech Mountain Brewing Company is located in the village of Beech Mountain Resort and is open to the general public. It has a cozy ski resort atmosphere with a large fireplace — made for chilly October evenings — and is a social hub perfect for winding down after a day on the

mountain. Recently, they introduced the Red Baron Room, a 1914 speakeasy-style bar serving cocktails.

Blowing Rock Brewing Co. www.blowingrockbrewing.com/ 152 Sunset Drive, Blowing Rock Blowing Rock Brewing Co. opened in historic Blowing Rock in 2013. Today, their brews are sold in retailers and restaurants statewide. They have won gold, silver, and bronze awards for excellence in the Carolina Championships of Beer Awards.

Boondocks Brewing boondockstaproom.com/ 108 S Jefferson Ave, West Jefferson SEE DRINK ON PAGE 128 u Locally Owned and Operated for 20+ Years

Patricia Combs Broker/Owner 828-260-6932

trishpmre@gmail.com

My Reputation is on the SOLD Sign!

PHOTO COURTESY OF GRANDFATHER VINEYARD AND WINERY

Grandfather Vineyard and Winery offers gorgeous views of fall colors.

Visit my website today

128 • AUTUMN TIMES • 2026

t DRINK FROM PAGE 127 Founded in 2012 in downtown West Jefferson, Boondocks Brewing was the first licensed craft beer brewery in Ashe County. Starting off as a restaurant with its brewing equipment in the same building, Boondocks has since grown to two locations with the restaurant and beer garden just up the street from the Boondocks Brew Haus, which serves as the home to the beer making and an event venue with a music stage and rooftop bar.

Booneshine

www.booneshine.beer/ 465 Industrial Park Dr., Boone Booneshine is a restaurant and beer garden in Boone. Since 2015, the business has been brewing its iconic beers and ciders. Partnering with local businesses and farmers, it provides fresh and quality-tasting experiences.

Goofy Foot Taproom and Brewery

goofyfoottaproom.com/ 523 West King Street, Boone One of the newest spots in the High Country, Goofy Foot Taproom and Brewery is located in downtown Boone and combines a taproom with a small-batch brewery. It typically features their own beers along with other local and regional breweries.

Kettell Beerworks

PHOTO COURTESY OF APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN BREWERY AND CIDERY

Appalachian Mountain Brewery and Cidery offers a variety of beers and ciders available.

Lost Province www.lostprovince.com 130 North Depot Street, Boone Lost Province Brewing Company has a brewpub in downtown Boone as well as a taproom at Hardin Creek just off of U.S. 421 in East Boone, which serves as the primary production facility for the business. They also have a taproom at Coyote Kitchen — a popular allergy-friendly restaurant in Boone. Lost Province was at the forefront of expanding the beer scene in the Boone area.

kettellbeerworks.com/ 567 Main St E, Banner Elk Kettell Beerworks was founded in 2010 and was recently bought by Joe and Susan Royall. This familyowned brewery prides itself on being one of the only breweries in Avery County and offers a wide array of beer, pizza, pretzels, and a game room. Molly Chomper Cidery Combining a family-owned brewery www.molleychomper.com/ with the community that surrounds 165 Piney Creek Rd, Lansing it to create an atmosphere where everyone who steps through the door While it is a bit off the beaten path and sips the beer feels like they are in Lansing, a visit to Molly Chomper a part of the Kettell Beerworks family. Cidery is well worth the drive for

a little something different — and nothing says fall quite like cider. Their ciders are infused with many different fruit flavors.

New River Brewing

newriverbrewing.beer/ 833 US Highway 221 Business West Jefferson NRB has two locations in West Jefferson. Their restaurant features a full beer and food menu, while their tasting room, located roughly a mile away, is a place to hang out and enjoy a beer and a smaller food menu, or bring your own food to snack on.

Parallel Brewing Co.

www.parallelbeer.com/ 114 Clement St Boone Located within walking distance of App State’s campus, Parallel

Brewing Company is one of the newer breweries in Boone. They brew a variety of unique IPA’s to meet anyone’s preferences. You can visit their recently opened tasting room to try out their continually rotating lineup of beers.

South End Brewing Co.

southendbrewing.com/ 747 W King St., Boone Another of the newer breweries in Boone is South End Brewing Co. The flagship South End brewery opened in Greensboro in 2019, and in 2023, South End Brewing Co. was brought to Boone, where it all began. South End Brewing Co.’s journey began when Aram Kevorkian took a brew class at Appalachian State University and he shared his passion for brewing

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with his family. The two locations are home to craft beer, a liquor bar and a full restaurant.

WINE

Banner Elk Winery https://www.bannerelkwinery.com/ 135 Deer Run Ln, Banner Elk Banner Elk Winery opened in 2006 and, according to its website, is the most acclaimed winery in the High Country, having won numerous international and local awards. You can purchase their wine by the bottle on their website or visit in person for a luxury tasting experience. It is also the first commercial winery built in Avery and Watauga counties.

Eagles Nest Winery

eaglesnestwinery.net/ 1965 Old Beech Mountain Road, Elk Park Eagles Nest Winery is a great place to enjoy world-class wine beside an outdoor fireplace while enjoying stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains in full autumn color. Eagles Nest offers annual memberships and day passes, which provide access to wine tastings, chefprepared meals and live music.

Grandfather Vineyard and Winery

grandfathervineyard.com/ 225 Vineyard Ln, Banner Elk Owned and operated by the Tatum family, Grandfather Vineyard and Winery sits on 10+ acres, five of which are the vineyards where French-American hybrid grapes grow. Since its inception in 2011, the business has worked with growers from coast to coast to bring its patrons a wide selection of wines.

Linville Falls Winery

www.linvillefallswinery.com/ 9557 Linville Falls Hwy, Newland Located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Newland — prime leaf-peeping territory — Linville

Falls Winery opened for business in 2012. Vineyards planted on the property years before provide a nice supply for the wines made at the property. Linville Falls Winery features around 20 different types of wine and has a calendar full of special events throughout the year, including live music, artisan markets and food trucks.

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Mill Camp Wines and Ciders

www.millcampboone.com/ 1584 Tom Jackson Rd, Boone As one of the newest drinking spots in the High Country, Mill Camp Wines and Ciders opened in 2025. Inspired by the region’s heritage and by the beauty and simplicity of the friendly mountain community, the family planted a vineyard and orchard and began crafting wines and ciders that capture the spirit of the Appalachians.

Old Barn Winery and Vineyards

oldbarnwinery.com/ 2152 Beaver Creek School Rd, West Jefferson At Old Barn Winery and Vineyards, grapevines grow alongside Christmas trees. The land these vines grow on has been passed down for four generations. Old Barn Winery offers a wide variety of red, white, and rose wines. Experience downtown West Jefferson via the Old Barn Winery trolley at no cost. The trolley makes stops at Ashe County Cheese and Old Barn Winery.

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Thistle Meadow Winery

www.thistlemeadowwinery.com 102 Thistle Meadow, Laurel Springs As one of the oldest operating wineries in the area, Thistle Meadow Winery offers around 20 different wines to sample, as well as a full event calendar featuring live music, food trucks and their own fall wine festival.

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Staying safe while hiking in the High Country BY WATAUGA COUNTY RESCUE SQUAD

he High Country is filled with a multitude of beautiful hikes that make the region a wonderful place to explore. Trails like Moses Cone, Hebron Falls, Boone Fork, Otter Falls, and many others offer breathtaking views and outdoor experiences, especially in the fall. As you explore, it’s important to stay safe and be prepared. Here are some helpful safety tips to keep in mind. Have a plan before you head out. Ask yourself who you’re with. Constantly check in with the people you’re hiking alongside, and make sure to go at your own pace while being mindful of those who are slower. Know what trail you’re on, including its difficulty level, and take time to research it ahead of time. Understand your own physical limitations, and make sure to bring extra water and snacks just in

case. Think about when you’re starting your hike. It’s best to enter the trail with enough daylight to complete your hike before dark. It’s important to be aware of daylight hours, especially since the forest can become darker sooner than expected. Know where you are. Be familiar with the trailhead, your route, and where the exit is. Stay on official trails and watch where you step. Snakes and other wildlife may be nearby. Leave wildlife alone and respect the environment, including any hikers who came before you. If you become lost, stay where you are. The best advice is to “hug a tree.” This means remaining in one spot so that rescuers can find you more easily. Moving around can make it harder for responders to locate you. “Call 911 as they can plot your location and

give us GPS coordinates for your location, or an approximation of your location, allowing us to better find you. Stay put!” WCRS Chief Nate McCoy said. If you can’t call, you can also utilize text-to-911 to make contact with emergency services. Remember, when texting for assistance, stay at your location until assistance arrives since responders will be directed to that last known location. It’s also wise to carry a backup paper map in case your phone dies or loses service. “We always want our visitors and locals to be safe on the trails,” McCoy said. “Following these tips will help keep you safe while hiking and enjoying the fall colors.” By staying aware and prepared, you can safely enjoy all that the High Country has to offer.

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Country FamilyBilliards Billiards Country Retreat Retreat Family & & Grill is conveniently located in Grill is conveniently located in Foscoe Foscoe - 8 miles south of Boone - 8 miles southRock of Boone and Blowing and Blowing off highway 105 (next to highway the Dollar 1.8 Rock off 105 General), (next to theand Dollar miles north of Banner Elk and Linville. General), and 8 miles north of Banner Elk This summer Family Billiards is and Linville. This Billiards celebrating 29 summer years Family in operation 29 years in operation asonly the asis celebrating the High Country’s pool room, featuring professionHigh Country’s only pool 10 room, featuring al10 pool tables. Family BilliardsFamily is a professional pool tables. family friendly, non-alcohol Billiards is a family friendlyasnon-alcohol recreational destination well as recreational destination as well & as a grill. full a full service restaurant They host weekly service restaurant & grill. Theyhandicapped host weekly pool tournaments for the formore handicapped pool tournaments the dedicated pool players of all more dedicated players of to all levels, levels, as well pool as catering recreas well as catering to recreational and first ational and first time pool players.The grill operates from 11am - from 8pm time pool players. The grill operates Monday through Saturday. The 11 am - 8 pm Monday through Saturday. The dining area includes a covered dining porch area includes coveredwishing front porch front for athose to foroutside. those wishing eat outside. Family eat FamilytoBilliards is closed on Sundays. Billiards is closed on Sundays. Family room and and FamilyBilliards Billiards&&Grill’s Grill’s pool pool room

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At The Pasta Joint, we are a from scratch kitchen, we make fresh pasta by hand every day — honest ingredients, bold flavors, and a relaxed atmosphere you’ll want to settle into. Our pasta is prepared with the kind of attention that turns a meal into a moment. No shortcuts, no compromises – just satisfying flavors and a welcoming atmosphere inviting you to settle in and savor the moment. Specialty entrees including braised beef short ribs, fish of the day and daily specials! Chef’s tasting every month! Stop by to have a delicious cocktail!

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THE OFFICE 627 W King Street Drink Specials, Seasonal Cocktails, and More!

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numbers OF NOTE

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ALL EMERGENCIES: Call 911

Banner Elk Police Department

Watauga County Sheriff’s Office

Elk Park Police Department

Boone Police Department

Newland Police Department

Blowing Rock Police Department

Seven Devils Police Department

Appalachian Regional Healthcare System Police

Sugar Mountain Police Department

Appalachian State University Police

Beech Mountain Police Department

Watauga Medical Center

Cannon Memorial Hospital (Linville)

FastMed Urgent Care (Boone)

Avery County Humane Society

Mercy Urgent Care (Boone)

ASHE COUNTY

Blowing Rock Medical Park

(336) 846-5600

WATAUGA COUNTY

(828) 898-4300

(828) 264-3761

(828) 733-9573

(828) 268-6900

(828) 733-2023

(828) 295-5210

(828) 963-6760

(828) 262-4168

(828) 898-4349

(828) 262-8000

(828) 387-2342

(828) 262-4100

(828) 737-7000

(828) 265-7146

(828) 398-3573 (828) 295-3116

Watauga County Animal Control (828) 262-1672

Watauga Humane Society (828) 264-7865

Animal Emergency Clinic of the High Country (828) 268-2833

AVERY COUNTY

Avery County Sheriff’s Office (828) 733-2071

(828) 733-9265

Ashe County Sheriff’s Office Jefferson Police Department (336) 846-5529

West Jefferson Police Department (336) 246-9410

Ashe Memorial Hospital (Jefferson)

(336) 846-7101

Ashe County Animal Control (336) 982-4060

Carolina QuickCare (West Jefferson) (743) 393-0210

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ADVERTISER INDEX ABBEY CARPET & FLOOR......................................................92 ANNA BANANA’S....................................................................20 ANTIQUES ON MAIN, KEITH WOODIE..................................90 APPALACHIAN ANTIQUES MALL..........................................20 APPALACHIAN FURNITURE..................................................86 APPALACHIAN THEATRE.......................................................20 AQUA B BOUTIQUE................................................................46 ASHE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.......................................... 17 ASHE COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL.............................................. 17 ASHE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.................................................42 AVERY COUNTY CHAMBER- WOOLLY WORM..................... 111 AVERY COUNTY HABITAT RESTORE................................... 123 BANNER ELK WINERY...........................................................24 BERNHARDT FURNITURE OUTLET..........................................3 BISTRO ROCA.......................................................................142 BLACK BEAR WEAR & SPIRITS.............................................29 BLACK BEAR WINE & SPIRITS..............................................43 BLACKBERRY CREEK MATTRESS COMPANY................. 23, 71 BLOWING ROCK ART/HISTORY MUSEUM............................ 31 BLOWING ROCK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.......................115 BLOWING ROCK FRAMEWORKS & GALLERY.......................47 BLOWING ROCK FURNITURE GALLERY......................... 84, 85 BLUE FLOWERS CANNABIS BOUTIQUE................................92 BLUE RIDGE ELECTRIC........................................................103 BLUE RIDGE PROPANE, INC.................................................. 61 BOONE BAGELRY.................................................................140 BOONESHINE........................................................................138 BRAND JEWELRY..................................................................113 BRUSHY MOUNTAIN POWERSPORTS...................................97 BULL’S WESTERN STORE.....................................................100 CABIN FEVER.........................................................................30 CALDWELL BUILDERS GROUP............................................6, 7 CAPONES..............................................................................136 CARLTON GALLERY......................................................... 58, 59 CASA RUSTICA OF BOONE INC............................................140 CHETOLA RESORT AT BLOWING ROCK.................................64 CHILDRENS PLAYHOUSE THE...............................................20 CLASSIC STONE WORKS........................................................ 81 COBO.....................................................................................142

COFFEY FURNITURE.............................................................. 41 COMBS PROPERTIES............................................................ 127 CORNERSTONE BOOKSTORE.................................................20 CROSSNORE COMMUNITIES FOR CHILDREN.......................93 DIANNE DAVANT................................................................2, 23 DOCS ROCK’S GEM MINE.......................................................89 DOE MOUNTAIN RECREATION AUTHORITY.................. 29, 99 DOODLY SCOTTS.....................................................................72 DRIP COFFEE BAR..................................................................20 ECLECTIC NEST & CLOSET.....................................................60 ELEVATION 3333...................................................................141 ENSEMBLE STAGE..................................................................60 FAMILY BILLIARDS.............................................................. 137 FOGGY MOUNTAIN GEM MINE.............................................112 FOSCOE COMPANIES, LLC..................................14, 15, 23, 146 FOSCOE REALTY RENTALS.................................................. 147 FREDS GENERAL MERCANTILE............................................117 FUNKY TULIP.........................................................................30 GAINES KIKER........................................................................35 GAMEKEEPER RESTAURANT, THE.............................. 134, 135 GET REAL STONE.......................................................... 1, 9, 144 GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF NWNC.....................................131 GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN...................................................49 GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND........................67 GRAYSTONE LODGE..............................................................121 GREGORY ALAN’S...................................................................30 GROUNDED WORKS............................................................... 31 HELLBENDER........................................................................142 HEMLOCK HOME....................................................................38 HEMLOCK INN/SUMMERS FAMILY COMPANY LLC...... 30, 35 HOLIDAY EXPRESS BLOWING ROCK SOUTH........................30 HOUND EARS CLUB.............................................................. 124 JEFFERSON LANDING.......................................................... 125 JIM’S CORNER FURNITURE....................................................40 JONES HOUSE, THE................................................................87 KAYE’S BY THE RIVER..........................................................138 KING STREET FLOWERS........................................................20 LIBBY & LIBBY ENTERPRISES, LLC.......................................76 LOCAL’S DELI..........................................................................29

MAST GENERAL STORE.......................................................148 MCCOY MINERALS............................................................... 132 MILES PARTNERSHIP/WATAUGA TDA..................................34 MINK CRAFTS.........................................................................29 MO’S SWEETS.......................................................................138 MORGAN-KEEFE BUILDERS..................................................95 MOUNTAIN HOME AND HEARTH INC...................................65 MOUNTAIN OUTFITTERS.......................................................67 MOUNTAIN VIEW NURSERY......................................... 29, 110 MUSEUM OF ASHE COUNTY HISTORY.................................. 17 MY BEST FRIENDS BARKERY................................................25 NEW LIFESTYLES CARPET ONE............................................25 PARAMOUNT MOTORS..........................................................69 PARKER TIE CO. INC............................................................... 17 PRECISION CABINETS............................................................83 PUERTO NUEVO....................................................................138 QUALITY FURNITURE............................................................29 RAM’S RACK........................................................................... 21 REGENCY TWO LLC..........................................................74, 75 REMAX REALTY GROUP..........................................................11 ROAN MOUNTAIN PHARMACY.............................................. 51 SCHAEFER CENTER................................................................57 SKYLAND FURNITURE AND MATTRESS............................... 13 SKYLINE TELEPHONE CORP.................................................101 SOCIAL ON MAIN.................................................................140 SORRENTOS BISTRO..............................................................26 SOUTH FORK DESIGN BUILD...............................................100 STITCH DESIGN SHOP............................................................ 91 STONEWALL’S.............................................................25, 78, 79 SUNSET TEE’S & HATTERY.....................................................30 SUPERIOR SPAS.....................................................................37 TATUM GALLERIES.........................................................23, 109 TAZMARAZ.............................................................................30 THE DRAWING CENTER.................................................23, 122 THE HAPPY PLACE.................................................................20 THE OFFICE RESTAURANT & BAR.......................................142 THE PASTA JOINT.................................................................139 THE SHAKE-N-DOG.............................................................. 137 THE VILLAGE OF BANNER ELK.............................................27

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Leaving a legacy begins with owning one. Legacy Ridge - 2, 3, and 4 Bedroom Maintenance-Free, Luxury Condos in Boone, NC

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