Date: May 11 2019
Time: 10:00 AM

Location:

New River Escape Barn & Guest House
181 River Run Bridge Road
Fleetwood, NC 28626

Come be crafty with Mom Mother’s Day Weekend…create a piece of art that the two of you can cherish forever. This Barn Square Workshop is designed for two people to work together to create

ONE block in a day. The 4×4’ block will be primed and designs drawn for you upon arrival Saturday. Designs to choose from will be fairly basic – see above. Exterior primary paints (you will mix colors), brushes & design supplies will be provided. Please bring your own blow dryer to help speed up paint drying.

Cost is $160/2 people (extra person per group – $20/person) Lunch , Drinks and Snacks included

Instruction, tips and guidance on making a gorgeous Quilt Block will be given by Ginny Schaum, Chair of Schoharie County Quilt Barn Trail, NY. She has created/installed 100+ quilt blocks.

Click here for more information.

Click here to get directions from Nation’s Inn to the Ashe Arts Center

Date: May 3 2019
Time: 7:30 PM

Location:

Ashe Civic Center
962 Mt Jefferson Rd
West Jefferson, NC 28694

Legendary performer (as chronicled in Jimmy Buffett’s 1999 hit “I Will Play for Gumbo”) Bill “Sauce Boss” Wharton brings his Florida slide guitar blues, his gumbo, and his own hot sauce to every multi-sensory performance. His show includes a culinary demonstration with audience stirring and sampling the gumbo. Sauce Boss is a powerhouse of energy with his one-man band.

Florida swamp-funk slide guitarist, Bill Wharton has been a musician for over a half a century. On his 1989 New Years Eve gig, Sauce Boss splashed a bottle of his Liquid Summer Hot Sauce into a huge pot of simmering gumbo, feeding the entire audience. The rest is history. 200,000 bowls later, he’s still feeding the masses for free at his shows. The Sauce Boss show is a soul shouting picnic of bluesy, rock and roll brotherhood.

Tickets are $22 adults and $5 students and may be purchased at the Ashe Arts Center or by calling 336-846-2787.

Click here for more information.

Click here to get directions from Nation’s Inn to the Ashe Civic Center

Stomp and Brew is a craft beer and wine tasting festival on Saturday, May 4th, 2019 in downtown West Jefferson in the parking lot across from the Ashe Arts Council from 12pm-4pm with VIP entry at 11am. This festival will celebrate talented brewers and vintners of craft beer and wine as well as providing education on the art and science of craft brewing. All proceeds from the event will be donated to Shoes for Kids – a local charity that provides new shoes for kids in need.

Stomp and Brew also incorporates downtown West Jefferson businesses and will include discounts at local shops and restaurants.

Transportation to and from local hotels and designated parking areas will be provided by High Country Tours for a small fee.

**This event will be held rain or shine! We hope for sunshine but bring a raincoat just in case!**

**This is a 21 and over event!! This will be strictly enforced! ID’s will be check upon entry. Persons underage or without proper ID will denied entry without refund.**

Stomp & Brew
Downtown West Jefferson

FLT is our annual outdoor expo with 100s of demonstrations, hands-on workshops, vending, live music, and fun for all ages! Proceeds benefit a scholarship for summer youth camp.

Turtle Island Preserve
2683 Little Laurel Road
Boone, North Carolina 28697

Click here to get directions from Nation’s Inn to Turtle Island Preserve.

MerleFest, presented by Window World and considered one of the premier music festivals in the country, serves as an annual homecoming for musicians and music fans. Held on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of the late Eddy Merle Watson, son of American music legend Doc Watson. MerleFest is a celebration of ‘traditional plus’ music, a unique mix of music based on the traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including bluegrass and old-time music, and expanded to include Americana, country, blues, rock and many other styles. The festival hosts numerous artists, performing on 13 stages during the course of the four-day event. The annual event has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Endowment Corporation, funding scholarships, capital projects and other educational needs.

Special Promotion: We have a limited offer for Merlefest rooms, click the Book Now button and pick the dates of Merlefest you need and enter the Promotional Code: Merlefest. There is a 2 night minimum but you’ll save an extra 10%, however you have to book this before April 12th.

Merlefest
1328 S Collegiate Dr
Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28697

Click here to get directions from Nation’s Inn to Merlefest.

Mount Jefferson State Natural Area

(336) 246-9653

Early Morning Bird Hike

Meet the High Country Audubon Society Birder at the office for a bird walk. We will be identifying and learning about some of the amazing birds that travel through these peaceful mountains. You are welcome bring your bird books and binoculars. Wear sturdy shoes for mountain hiking.

Date of Event: Sat, 04/20/2019 – 8:30am
Start Location: Park Office

Climate Tower Hike

Meet the ranger for a ½ mile hike to the NC Climate tower. We will discuss some of the equipment that is being used to measure weather and see how climate changes Mt. Jefferson.

Date of Event: Sat, 04/20/2019 – 2:00pm
Start Location: Picnic Area

Nature Hike

Meet the ranger for a refreshing one-mile nature hike. We will be looking at nature for signs that spring has started. We hope to see birds and perhaps some green leaves growing in the valleys.

Date of Event: Sun, 04/21/2019 – 2:00pm
Start Location: Picnic Area

Naturalist Readings on The Trail

Hike on the mountain and be inspired. During this hike we will take time to time ponder just a few brief words from famous naturalists such as Muir, Leopold, Thoreau and others. Bring your outdoor shoes and get ready to be inspired! This is a one-mile hike to Luther Rock.

Date of Event: Sat, 04/27/2019 – 2:00pm
Start Location: Picnic Area

Painting in the Park

As spring begins come up and relax on your mountain. We will provide free canvases and tempera paints. You provide the creativity. This a free outdoor painting program for all ages. All supplies are free while they last.

Date of Event: Sun, 04/28/2019 – 2:00pm
Start Location: Picnic Area

Spring Nature Hike

Meet the ranger for a Spring hike along a short easy section of the park’s newest trail. As we hike we will watch for signs of spring and then turn-around at an amphibolite/quarts rock outcrop. This will be a 1/2 mile hike total distance. Bring a jacket and closed-toe shoes.

Date of Event: Sat, 05/04/2019 – 2:00pm
Start Location: 2nd Overlook (Sunrise Overlook)

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Elk Knob State Park

828-297-7261

Elk Knob State Park offers a variety of learning opportunities for all ages. Typically led by park rangers, these interpretive programs allow the public to gain perspective into what makes North Carolina state parks naturally wonderful. ​

Most of the events are free, though some require pre-registration. All give park visitors deeper insight into the natural world. Call the park office for more information.

Natural Pigments Workshop

Explore the nature of natural pigments. Discover the art of paint making, create your own paint from objects in nature, and alter pigments to create more colors with various substances. Event will be moved indoors in case of inclement weather. Meet at the outdoor amphitheater just off the trailhead parking lot.

Date of Event: Sat, 04/20/2019 – 1:00pm
Start Location: Park Amphitheater

Skins & Skulls

Drop in and check out the skins and skulls of animals that are found in this area. A ranger will be on hand to answer questions from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Date of Event: Sun, 04/28/2019 – 2:00pm
Start Location: Park Office

Wildflower Identification

This ID class will focus on the basics of wildflower ID with a short venture into advanced techniques. A brief powerpoint will be followed by a easy meander down the Beech Tree Trail where ID skills will be put into practice.

Date of Event: Sat, 05/04/2019 – 1:00pm
Start Location: Park Office

Elk Knob State Park

New River State Park

Frontier Day – May 4, 2019

Come spend the day and step back in time to another era, where cowboys roamed the streets and settlers relied on extensive knowledge and artisanal skills for survival. Learn from the experts and see lost arts in action, while also enjoying food truck fare, live music, and more!

11:00am – Outlaws Rob the Saloon
11:30am – Guns of the Old West presentation
12:15pm – Jail Breakout
1:00pm – The Plains Wars History presentation
2:00pm – Drunken Cowboys Shoot Up the Town
2:30pm – Life on the Frontier presentation
3:30pm – General Store Robbery
4:30pm – Significant Events in Frontier History presentation
5:30pm – Music on the Frontier performances

Adults age 13+ $20
Kids 12 & under free

Click here for more details