Volunteer for Grandfather Mountain National Trails Day

June 5, Grandfather Mountain, US Hwy 221, Linville North Carolina. Grandfather Mountain will celebrate the 32nd Anniversary of its organized trail program. Volunteers are invited to help with trail maintenance in the Mountain’s backcountry. The backcountry became a North Carolina State Park this past year and volunteer efforts on the trails will be led by Rangers from the North Carolina State Park Service as well as rangers from the Grandfather Mountain travel attraction. 

Blue Ridge Parkway 75 Event: Swannanoa Shindig

June 4   SWANNANOA  North Carolina.    Swannanoa Shindig  Live traditional Appalachian music and square dance caller; craft booths, children’s games, jamming sessions, and other activities honor the heritage of the original Old Farmers’ Ball near Warren Wilson College. Blue Ridge 75 Event, Milepost 377

Kids up to 15 get Free Chimney Rock Park Admission June 5

June 5,  Chimney Rock Park, Chimney Rock North Carolina    National Trails Day  We can’t think of a better reason to celebrate! Join us for complimentary guided hikes with Park specialists every hour from 11AM to 3 PM.

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park has been selected as a site for TRACK Trail programming by Kids in Parks, an initiative to increase the physical activity of children and their families, improve nutritional choices and connect kids to the Blue Ridge Parkway and beyond. On Saturday, June 5 at 11am, TRACK programming for Chimney Rock will be unveiled. The opening ceremony is being held in conjunction with National Trails Day. In celebration of this special day, kids (up to age 15) will receive free admission to Chimney Rock all day

John Mason's Dulcimer Music today and tomorrow at Chimney Rock

May 30 - 31   Chimney Rock Park, Chimney Rock North Carolina.   Hammered Dulcimer Music with John Mason   Chimney Rock's featured entertainer, John Mason, plays the hammered dulcimer. Learn more about this unique instrument and listen to John's beautiful music and funny stories.

Carl Sandburg Folk Music Festival

May 31, Carol Sanburg Home, 81 Carl Sandburg Lane, Flat Rock North Carolina. Carl Sandburg Folk Music Festival - A free annual event to honor Carl Sandburg's contribution to America's written history through his collection of folk music found in The American Songbag. The festival features folk musicians from around the country. Held at the park's amphitheater.

10am - Amy Burritt - blues and folk on acoustic guitar
11am - Pat Corn - acoustic finger style guitar
12pm - Jon Shain - Piedmont blues on acoustic guitar
1pm - Buddy Davis Band - Sandburg's Songbag on guitar, bass and mandolin
2pm - Boogertown Gap Band - old time mountain music on guitar, fiddle and banjo
11am - 3pm - Steve Smith, hammered dulcimer at the barn

Blue Ridge Parkway 75 Event: Fading Voices

May 29, 11AM - 3PM, Snowbird Community, Little Snowbird Church Playground, Robbinsville North Carolina.  A celebration of traditional ways of the Snowbird Cherokees.  Activities include The Sacred Mountain Ceremony, Cherokee Hymn Singing, games i.e. stickball, fish game, and traditional dancing, story telling and Cherokee Language.  Demonstrations include beadwork, pottery, quilting, wood carving, coffin building, shingle making, flute making.  Crafts include baskets, beadwork, wood carved items.  Handmade craft items and traditional Cherokee food dishes available for sale. 828-479-8201   info@grahamcountytravel.com   http://www.grahamcountytravel.com

Girl Scout Day at Chimney Rock Park

May 22    CHIMNEY ROCK  North Carolina.   Spring Girl Scout Day with Optional Camping   Chimney Rock’s Spring Girl Scout Day is open to Girl Scouts of all ages. Girls will enjoy hands-on programs that encourage safe interaction with nature. Participants will receive their very own Chimney Rock badge and troops have the option to spend the night beneath the towering Chimney and twinkling stars.

Hammered Dulcimer Music this Weekend at Chimney Rock Park

May 21-23   Chimney Rock   Hammered Dulcimer Music with John Mason   Chimney Rock's featured entertainer, John Mason, plays the hammered dulcimer. Learn more about this unique instrument and listen to John's beautiful music and funny stories.

Naturalist's Weekend at Grandfather Mountain

May 16   Linville North Carolina.   Naturalist's Weekend at Grandfather Mountain   A fascinating collection of programs and guided walks offered to help guests discover more about the diversity of life at Grandfather Mountain. All programs and guided walks offered as part of the Naturalist's Weekend are included in the price of admission.

Mother's Day in the Mountains: Chimney Rock Park Celebrates Moms

May 8-9,Chimney Rock Park Mother's Day Special - Bring mom to the Park Mother's Day weekend and her ticket is on us! Buy one regularly-priced adult ticket and receive the same for free. Click here to download this special coupon. Coupon must be presented to the Ticket Plaza at the time of purchase. Valid May 8 and 9, 2010.

Up close and Personal NEW PROGRAMS at Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain, US 221 & Blue Ridge Parkway, Linville North Carolina. The general public now has  the opportunity to go behind the scenes of Grandfather Mountain’s Animal Habitats. Two exciting new programs are being offered in the wildlife habitats: Behind the Scenes habitat tours and Keeper for a Day programs.

Behind the Scenes habitat tours give the public an opportunity to see where the animals sleep, to learn about what it takes to care for the animals year-round, to observe a training session, and to learn why the animals call Grandfather Mountain their home. The Mountain’s knowledgeable and experienced keepers will gladly answer questions as they guide participants on their tour. Read more here...

Bark in the Park this weekend

April 24   Chimney Rock Park, Chimney Rock North Carolina.   5th Annual Bark in the Park at Chimney Rock  Your pup (and you!) is in for a tail-wagging good time as our Meadows transforms into a doggie dream park. This day of canine adventure features agility demonstrations, contests, info booths and lots more. Don’t forget the leash.

Earth Day Celebration at Chimney Rock

April 17,  Chimney Rock Park, Chimney Rock North Carolina   40th Anniversary Celebration of Earth Day at Chimney Rock  Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day at Chimney Rock Park. Get  inspired to care for our valuable natural resources with a fun-filled day in the beautiful setting of Hickory Nut Gorge. Learn about sustainable practices and how to implement environmental stewardship into daily routines through demonstrations and presentations.

Acclaimed Dulcimer Musian at Chimney Rock Park

April 16 - 18, Chimney Rock State Park, Highway 64/74A , Chimney Rock  North Carolina.  Hammered Dulcimer Music with John Mason Chimney Rock's featured entertainer, John Mason, plays the hammered dulcimer. Learn more about this unique instrument and listen to John's beautiful music and funny stories. John Mason is a North Carolina Native and self-taught musician. John currently has 7 CDs for sale, and is continually working on new projects with a new Christmas CD now available. His music has been used in various independent films and he has been featured in many different publications.

Annual Easter Sunrise Service in Chminey Rock Park

April 4   Chimney Rock North Carolina.   55th Annual Easter Sunrise Service   Chimney Rock Park - Celebrate the glory of Easter as our guest at this inter-denominational community worship. This special service will be filled with song, scripture, special music and spectacular sunrise views over beautiful Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge. John Mason, the Park’s featured hammered dulcimer player, will perform.

Grand Opening of the Birdhouse

March 27, 12:30 PM, Chimney Rock Park, Chimney Rock North Carolina. Celebrate the grand opening of the Park's  Birdhouse exhibit space. You’ll learn all about the variety of birds that are often sighted in the Park.  http://www.chimneyrockpark.com

Wilderness Survival

Dec 30, 9AM, Lake James State Park Nebo NC. Ever been lost in the woods? Join a Ranger to find out how to keep from getting lost and how to survive if you do. Well discuss survival kits, finding shelter, fire building and much more. We will meet in the campground parking lot at 9:00 A.M. and hike to the amphitheater together. http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/laja/main.php

December Dollar Days at Grandfather Mountain

Throughout December at Grtandfather Mountain each person who lives, works or goes to college in Mitchell, Avery, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, and Wilkes counties (plus guests traveling in their vehicle) are invited to visit during December for $1 or a donation of canned goods. “We are pleased to continue the Dollar Days tradition," said the Grandfather Mountain President Crae Morton. “Grandfather Mountain would not be what it is without the support of the local community, and we thank everyone for their generosity and good will.”  Due to a shortage of donations and an immediate need at food banks, Grandfather Mountain is adding an extra way for those who work and reside in the High Country to take advantage of Dollar Days. We are especially aware of how economic conditions have affected the ability of nonprofits to deliver the kinds of services that our communities need.”

The Mountain is open every day in December except Christmas Day, weather permitting. The hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with ticket sales ending at 4 p.m. For current weather conditions, phone the Entrance gate at 828-733-4337.  Website:  http://www.grandfather.com

Slide Show is for the birds

"Birds in a Changing Climate," on Oct. 24, 1PM at NEW RIVER STATE PARK. Although birds are more mobile than most other animals they will also be affected by climate change. Join us at New River State Park's Hwy. 221 visitor center for a slide program and discussion on the threats birds face in a changing climate. For more information or to sign up call 336-982-2587. Open to the public and free of charge.

Forest Festival Day in Pisgah Forest

News Event: Forest Festival Day and Intercollegiate Woodsman Meet
Time/Place: Oct 3, 9AM-5PM, The Cradle of Forestry, Brevard area. The chips fly this weekend when lumberjacks and jills from four colleges compete in events like "Team Log Roll," "Horizontal Speed Chop," "Pulpwood Toss" and "Pole Fell." In addition to the competitions over 50 traditional craftspeople, exhibitors and musicians who will be on hand to celebrate the heritage of our nation's forests. The music venue is old time and bluegrass music by some standout musicians, including the unforgettably-named "The Mason Jar Drinkers."
Contact: (828)877-3130
Website: http://www.cradleofforestry.com/events/ForestFestivalDay.asp