Summer Activities in the High Country

Summer and the 4^th of July holiday go together perfectly in the mountains of North Carolina. There are plenty of summer time activities to keep you busy and with July 4^th coming up there are lots of extras as well.

Something's to look forward to are listed on Boone Lodging. They have each month covered in High Country and some of the enjoyable summer fun that are advertising are as follows:

FOR JUNE

Art in the Park - This is held one Saturday a month from May until October with the attractions being handmade crafts, and art. There are 120 exhibitors at each show.

Horn in the West - Is an evening outdoor drama that shows life in the mountains of North Carolina during the Revolutionary War. This show runs every night but Mondays from the middle of June through the middle of August.

Singing on the Mountain - Is held in Linville on the 4^th Saturday of June each year and allows visitors to hear Gospel music all day. Also you can attend dinner on the grounds of Grandfather Mountain.

FOR JULY

Appalachian Summer Festival - This event has been named in the "Top Ten Events in the Southeast" by the South Eastern Tourism Society and runs the entire month of July on and around the grounds of Appalachian State University.

Grandfather Highland Games - Celebrate Celtic Culture and enjoy the largest Scottish Clan meeting in the world on the 2^nd weekend of July each year. This event is also held on the grounds of Grandfather Mountain.

Arts and Master Crafts Show - This event is held on the 3^rd weekend of July and 3^rd weekend in August. You can view art work and crafts from some of the best artist in the Southeast.

One of the biggest summer draws happens in July with the High Country coming alive with bursts of colors from fireworks and Independence Day celebrations.

In Blowing Rock, North Carolina you can enjoy a massive July 4^th Fireworks show that is put on at Tweetsie Railroad. Depending on the year and the weather the event could be changed to a weekend. So you should call Tweetsie at 800-526-5740 to check exact dates. You would also need to arrive early to get a perfect spot to view this show. You can see it for miles but the best effect comes from the side of Highway 321. Trust me when I say that there will be cars on both sides of the road for miles and miles and you can guarantee that the parking lot will be full hours ahead of time.

In Boone, North Carolina 4^th of July would not be complete without what Boone-NC.org says which is "Experience small town America at its finest with a procession down King Street. Complete with floats, local celebrities, beauty queens, and fire engines. Afterwards, enjoy the merchant crawl and fireworks."

According to the Mountain Times on July 1^st you can enjoy Blowing Rock's Independence Day Parade at 2pm. Also in Blowing Rock on July 1^st you can enjoy a fireworks display at Blowing Rock Country Club. On July 3^rd Blowing Rock is holding Farmhouse Live at Broyhill Park Gazebo on the lake, if it happens to rain they have named the American Legion building as an alternative.

If you are interested in further information on these and many other events through the summer or for the July 4^th festivities in the area check out some of these websites:

www.mountaintimes.com Look for the Mountain Times Summer Times toward the bottom of the page.
www.southeasttourism.org
www.tweetsie.com Look for information to other exciting happenings at Tweetsie on this site.
www.boonelodging.com Click on Calendar of Events to reach a years worth of information