Weekly Village Update 10.4.18

Commerce Communications

Be "in the know" with Chamber news, local happenings & more!

Chamber Events & News

Candidates Round Table TONIGHT! October 4th at 7 pm You are invited to a round table discussion at the American Legion in Blowing Rock to learn the candidates' positions on issues that impact you and the Blowing Rock county district. This round table discussion and audience Q&A is sponsored by the Blowing Rock Civic Association.

First Friday Sip & Shop - LAST of the Season! October 5th, 3 pm until... Blowing Rock merchants invite you to join them for the LAST "happy hour" style stroll of this season where you can sip and shop in stores from 3 pm until... (many stores may be open late!) Stop by your favorite shops, or check out a new one, before heading over to Music on the Lawn! Free refreshments at participating locations! Facebook Event

Art in the Park - LAST of the Season! October 6th, 10 am - 5 pm Join us on Park Avenue for the LAST Art in the Park of the season! Don't miss your last chance to see some of the best local and regional artists and craftspeople showcasing their handcrafted jewelry, pottery, fiber, glass, photography, painting and more at this show. Free parking downtown on the street and in the parking decks. Free trolley from Tanger Outlets and Food Lion, all day, looping every 20 minutes. Thank you, Modern Toyota and Subaru, Boone for sponsoring our 2018 season! Learn More

Concert in the Park - LAST of the Season! October 7th, 4 - 6 pm Bring a lawn chair or blanket to Memorial Park for the LAST Concert in the Park of the season! Family-friendly, casual and free! We are wrapping up the season with traditional swing music by The Starlighters. Thank you, Premier Sotheby's International Realty, Blowing Rock for sponsoring our 2018 season! Learn More

Business After Hours October 11th, 5 - 7 pm Please join us along with our friends from the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce at Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts for a fun evening of networking, nibbles, ticket giveaways, backstage tours and music by Todd Wright & Friends. RSVP by October 10th. Learn More & RSVP

Candidates Forum October 23rd at 5:30 pm The annual Watauga County Meet the Candidates Forum will be held at the Watauga County Courthouse. The event is co-hosted by the Blowing Rock and Boone Area Chambers of Commerce. A live simulcast can be heard in its entirety on WATA (1450 AM / 96,5 FM). Learn More

Entrepreneurship Committee Building Pipeline of Local Business Leaders The Chamber's Entrepreneurship Committee, led by Board members Ben Powell and Zak Ammar, has partnered with Blowing Rock School Principal Patrick Sukow to bring together the school and business communities. By providing a weekly "Intro to Entrepreneurship" class for 25 eighth graders, the Committee hopes to encourage local youth to pursue entrepreneurship in the High Country. Read More

Be a Morning Host! We are looking for members to host Business BEFORE Hours in 2019. This morning networking event is a twist on Business After Hours... instead of cocktails and appetizers, it's coffee and donuts before heading to work. Interested? Contact Loni at 828.295.7851 or loni@blowingrock.com for details and to sign-up.

Save the Dates Mark your calendars for these upcoming events: October 27th: Halloween Festivities November 24th: Christmas Parade December 7th: Holiday Stroll (shops open late!) December 11th: Chamber Christmas Party at Crestwood

Time is Running out to Vote Blowing Rock South's Best Voting is open through October 9th for Southern Living's South's Best awards 2019. We all know Blowing Rock is the best of the best, but let's vote and make sure readers of Southern Living Magazine know as well! (Helpful hint: When voting online and you're asked "What states have you visited", if you select "None of the Above", you'll have NC cities and towns in your voting selections.) Vote Now

Member Events & News

Fundraising Yard Sale October 6th, 8 am - 1 pm The Blowing Rock Women's Club is holding a yard sale at 144 Green Street. All profits will go towards their scholarship fund for local students. Items include Christmas & holiday decor, kitchen items, home decor, and much more! For more information, email: brwomensclub@aol.com. Facebook Event

Rumple Youth Fundraising Yard Sale October 6th, 8:30 am - 2:30 pm Please help the youth at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church, Blowing Rock in their efforts to raise money for their mission trip to Puerto Rico! There will be something for everyone at this sale; all proceeds will go towards their trip. Facebook Event

Open Doors on South Main October 6th, 10 am - 4 pm Visitors will enjoy free admission to Blowing Rock Art and History Museum as well as the open, historic sanctuaries of Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church built in 1912, and St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church (1918). In addition, Rumple House (circa 1886) will be open as will the Artists in Residence at Edgewood Cottage sponsored by the Blowing Rock Historical Society.

3 Generations of Music - Old and New October 6th at 7:30 pm Enjoy a concert by Dori Freeman, her dad Scott Freeman, granddad Willard Gayheart, and family friend David Johnson at Harvest House, Boone. Freeman's music blurs the finer lines of Americana and shines new light on the legacy of traditional music. Learn More

The Blowing Rock Music Festival October 7th at Noon Head over to The Blowing Rock Attraction for The Blowing Rock Music Festival! Gates open at 8:30 am, entertainment from noon until sunset. Call 828.295.7111 for more information or tickets. Learn More

Alexander Arts Lecture: Lady Rebels October 7th at 4 pm The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) is proud to welcome Erin R. Corrales-Diaz, Assistant Curator of American Art at the Worcester Art Museum for its annual Alexander Arts Lecture. This year's talk is titled Lady Rebels: Southern Women Artists and Art Education during America’s Gilded Age.  Learn More

28th Annual Oktoberfest October 13th & 14th, 10 am - 5 pm Grab your beer stein, put on your lederhosen or your dirndl, and head to Sugar Mountain Resort! Valle Crucis Middle School Band highlights the two-day festival. In addition, enjoy German and American food, children's fun center, Bavarian costume contest, arts & crafts vendors, and much more! Admission, parking, and shuttle service are free of charge. Learn More

Social Security Seminar October 23rd at 6 pm Join Billy Chick, Edward Jones Financial Advisor at the American Legion in Blowing Rock to discuss how important Social Security claiming strategies could be to your overall retirement goals. Space may be limited. Call 828.295.6167 to RSVP by October 16th. Light refreshments will be served. Learn More

Ongoing Entertainment Nightly: Music at Woodlands BBQ Sundays: Music on the Veranda at Green Park Inn Mondays: Trivia Night at The Ridgeline Thursdays: Tunes at The Trout at The Speckled Trout Thursday-Saturday: Live Entertainment at Chetola Fridays: Music on the Lawn at Inn at Ragged Gardens, Live Music at Town Tavern, and Welter Entertainment Karaoke in Banner Elk Fridays & Saturdays: Charlie Ellis at Green Park Inn Saturdays: Karaoke at Town Tavern

Chamber Information and Meetings

Blowing Rock Farmers Market: Thursdays, 4-6 pm, Park Avenue Candidates Round Table: Thursday, October 4th at 7 pm, American Legion First Friday Sip & Shop: Friday, October 5th, 3 pm until...?, Participating Blowing Rock Merchants Art in the Park: Saturday, October 6th, 10 am - 5 pm, Park Avenue, Downtown Blowing Rock Concert in the Park: Sunday, October 7th, 4 - 6 pm, Memorial Park, Downtown Blowing Rock Business After Hours: Thursday, October 11th, 5 - 7 pm, The Schaefer Center Ribbon Cutting: Thursday, October 18th at 4 pm, Fireflies Executive Board Meeting: Tuesday, October 23rd at 8 am Candidates Forum: Tuesday, October 23rd at 5:30 pm, Watauga County Courthouse Halloween Festival: Saturday, October 27th, 2 pm - 9 pm, Downtown Blowing Rock Board of Directors Retreat: Thursday, November 15th, 9 am - 3 pm, BRMC Clubhouse and Grill Christmas Parade: Saturday, November 24th at 2 pm, Downtown Blowing Rock All meetings are held in the Chamber Boardroom unless otherwise noted.

Chamber Partners