Things to do / Travel Guide
February
The Smoky Mountain Storytelling Festival mixes performances and workshops, all dedicated to the vanishing art of storytelling. Southern Appalachia has always been richer on account of the stories told about it, and emanating from it. Listen for yourself. It takes place in Pigeon Forge, on the Tennessee side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the second week of the month.
March
The third weekend in the month, smack your lips at the West Virginia Maple Syrup Festival. It all happens in Pickens, west of U.S. Highway 219, east of Holly River State Park. Stroll an authentic maple syrup camp and a wood-chopping exhibition. There's also some entertainment, and a crafts fair.
April
Taking place in the last third of the month, the North Carolina Gold Festival takes as its mission to educate about and highlight the gold and gem heritage of the area. It's based in Marion, just east of Asheville. You can learn all about how to pan for gold (yes, there were a few relatively profitable mines in the early decades of the 19th century in the foothills of the Smokies), and try your hand at it - finder's keepers. There are jewelry-making workshops, and vendors selling jewelry, as well as food and musical entertainment. Take part in the treasure hunt!
Based in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, but taking place mostly throughout the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage is a huge event taking place for a week in the second half of the month. You can choose from a variety of natural history walks, art classes, photo tours, and other activities. This event is where you can learn all about the park's different ferns, wildflowers, and ecosystem.
May
If you're of Scottish ancestry, you like things Scottish, or you're middle name is Scott, then venture down in good kilter to the Gatlinburg Scottish Festival and Games, for a dose of Scottish fun. There's dance and bagpipes, a whiskey tasting, and even caber tossing. (A caber is a wooden pole resembling a telephone pole.) The form of the throw is rated, not necessarily the distance. Eat a haggis, or other Scottish foods. It takes place midmonth, in Gatlinburg, on the Tennessee side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
June
Who doesn't like barbeque? Who wouldn't like a barbeque festival? The Blue Ridge BBQ Festival, which takes place in the second week of the month, is dedicated to grilled meats, but also to plenty of other Southern specialties like pork rinds, kettle corn, and lemonade, as well as fun of all kinds: There's lots of music and entertainment, a craft fair, and much, much more. The Blue Ridge BBQ Festival happens at Harmon Field, in Tryon, North Carolina.
July
The Ash Lawn Opera Festival takes place at Ash Lawn, James Monroe's home, throughout July and August. What's good about it? It's all professional, of course, but additionally, all the operas are in English, so no need to refer back to 9th grade Italian to understand. Many are especially for children, like Goldilocks and the Three Bears; others can be good for the whole family, such as the Sound of Music.
If you like Civil War reenactments, or if you just have a passing interest, then one of the mothers of all reenactments is waiting for you in Belington, West Virginia. The Battle of Laurel Hill is reenacted between July 20-22, for several thousand onlookers. The original battle took place in 1861, between U.S. General George McLellan and Confederate General Robert Garnett, and it's considered the first land battle in the Civil War. Who's gonna win this year? Check your history books.
August
The first weekend of the month, in Bristol, Tennessee, there's a festival commemorating the release of the Carter Family's first musical hits. The music is pure wholesome country and bluegrass, and the scene is that of a celebration of music and Appalachian culture.
The Old Fiddler's Convention takes place the first weekend of the month in Galax, Virginia. There are competitions, concerts, dances - all in a down-home and really friendly atmosphere. If the competitions are good, the camping area where the musicians practice is just as good if not better.
August is just the time of year where all music lovers come out of their lairs and congregate for a good time in the town square. Travel to Clifftop, West Virginia, east a few miles before I-64 meets up with I-77, for - get ready - the Appalachian String Band Music Festival. For five days at the month's beginning, you're going to love the festival's jams, hymn-sing-alongs, and concerts.
September
The second Saturday of the month, the Country Cabin, in Norton, Virginia, hosts the Dock Boggs Memorial Festival. It's in honor of Dock Boggs, the legendary banjoist, and Kate O'Neill Peters Sturgill, a singer and lyricist. Everything mountain is showcased, from the music and the dancing to the food and the art for sale.
October
Late this month, ride high in a hot air balloon or chill with a cool glass of wine, at the Shenandoah Valley Hot Air Balloon & Wine Festival. It takes place at Historic Long Branch, a mansion just northeast of Front Royal, Virginia. The mansion dates to the early 19th century; so the ambience of the Jeffersonian mansion, the beautiful balloons at dusk, and the quality Virginia wine, makes the festival one of the best of what's around.
November
Don't miss one of the seminal events in the region - the Asheville Film Festival. Showings are all across the city, the second week of the month. Entries usually have something to do with the surroundings, like history or culture, and they can be either documentaries or stories. Also featured are workshops and seminars. Celebrity directors like Ron Howard and David Lynch are likely to show up, and the awards ceremony can be a treat.
The Gatlinburg Winterfest, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, has been cause for celebration ever since its 1990inception. Keep warm with the chili fest, with 20 stalls of various chili dishes presented at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. Two million lights light up the not-so-big city, and it all culminates with the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade, with a marching band, giant balloons, and luminous floats. The Winterfest takes place with events throughout November, and Santa comes to town the first Saturday of December.
|
|
|