Weekly Village Update 1.24.19

Commerce Communications WinterFest Edition

Celebrate the fun side of winter during Blowing Rock WinterFest, January 24-27, 2019

Chamber Events

www.BlowingRockWinterFest.com

WinterFest Kicks Off Today! The 21st Annual Blowing Rock WinterFest begins today and runs through Sunday, January 27th. Blowing Rock will be transformed into a winter wonderland full of fun activities for the entire family! Don't Hibernate - Celebrate! Printable Schedule of Events

WinterFeast (SOLD OUT) January 24th, 5:30 - 10 pm Culinary delights abound at Chetola Resort when the best restaurants of the High Country gather for WinterFeast, a restaurant crawl in the dead of winter all located under one roof! Enjoy small plate selections prepared by the area's best chefs, cash bar and an after party. Learn More

WinterFashion Show January 25th at 10:30 am Blowing Rock retailers join forces to bring you the latest fashions and accessories for women and men in the Evergreen Ballroom at Chetola Resort. The newest winter and spring apparel will be featured from the area’s top retail stores. Be there when the doors open for passed hors d’oeuvres, mimosas and spritzers until 11:30 am when the runway opens. Enjoy a cash bar, intermission entertainment, giveaways, gift bags and coupons for shopping! Tickets: $35 advance (until noon Jan. 24th) / $40 at the door. Learn More

Polar Plunge January 26th at 10 am The Polar Plunge in Chetola Lake is one of the highlights at WinterFest. Agonize with your favorite “Plunger”, most in costume, while enjoying the antics and one liners of Emcee John Carter, WBTV news anchor! Judges will award the famous “Golden Plunger” award to the best costume. Day-of registration and check-in at 8 am in the Chetola Lodge 2nd floor foyer. Participants begin jumping at 10 am, but get there early for good viewing! Warm drinks will be available for purchase. Proceeds will benefit local charities. Spectators: free / Plungers: $40 registration. Learn More

Rotary Charity Chili Cook-Off January 26th, 11:30 am - 2 pm Taste chili from local non-profit organizations and “vote” for your favorites with your dollars in their tip jars! Proceeds go directly to the charities, many of which have partnered with local restaurants to prepare their chili. This year's event will take place at the Blowing Rock School gym. Tickets sold at the door only. $8 adults / $5 kids (ages 5-11), free for kids under 5. Learn More

Winter Beer Garden January 26th at 1 pm The 3rd Annual Winter Beer Garden is sponsored by The Speckled Trout Restaurant and Bottle Shop. Local and regional breweries and distilleries will be sampling their beverages outside the American Legion building while attendees view the exciting K-9 Keg Pull races taking place in the front lot. Live music by Handlebar Betty and spirit tastings will be accessible only to Beer Garden patrons on the back deck of the Legion. Guests can also visit the Silent Auction & Raffle inside the building. Food will be available for purchase from The Speckled Trout and Betty’s Biscuits. Tickets: $30 advance (until 5pm Jan. 25th) / $35 at the door. Learn More

Wine Tasting & Auction January 26th at 3 pm Join Green Park Inn for an exceptional selection of international and NC wines! The tasting begins at 3 pm; auction immediately follows at 5 pm. Register for the auction as wine will be only one of the many types of items on the bidding block, including a Savor Blowing Rock ticket package and lots more! Starting bids for some items are amazingly low! Tickets: $30 advance (until 5pm Jan. 25th) / $35 at the door.  Learn More

Hands-On Ice Carving January 25th, 4 - 6 pm & January 26th, 12 - 4 pm Help carver Cathleen Gallagher create an ice sculpture in Memorial Park! Children and adults will be able to assist Cathleen as she creates a polar bear from a block of ice. Hand chisels and safety goggles will be provided. Learn More

Hot Chocolate from the Winter Warmer Project January 25th, 4 - 8 pm & January 26th, 11 am - 5 pm The Winter Warmer Project, organized by the BSG bike ride committee, will be stationed on the Chamber lawn serving hot chocolate and collecting warm winter items for those needing them in the High Country. The most needed items are blankets, wool blend socks, gloves, coats and shoes/boots. The organization will also accept donations by cash, check or credit card. Learn More

Ice Stroll January 25th, 5 - 7 pm Stroll through Blowing Rock and see all the gorgeous ice sculptures! Artisan Ice Sculptures is one of only five Master Ice Carvers in the United States. Creativity abounds with the ice sculptures on display in front of businesses in town. Spend some time in the shops and businesses while you enjoy the stroll. Stroll Map

Hay Rides January 26th, 10 am - 4 pm Hayrides depart from the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce. A crowd favorite, don’t miss this adventurous mode of transportation during Blowing Rock WinterFest! Learn More

Snow Making Demonstration January 26th at 11 am Join Brad Panovich, Chief Meteorologist at NBC Charlotte, for a snow making demonstration in Memorial Park. He’ll explain the science behind snow making and create a pile of snow for all to enjoy! Learn More

Ice Carving Demonstration January 26th, 12 - 4 pm Artisan Ice Sculptures has again joined forces with Blowing Rock WinterFest to bring you the best ice carving event you’ve seen in quite a while – at least since last year! Come by Memorial Park to see what the Artisan Ice team is creating including a bench made of ice for the perfect WinterFest photo opp! Learn More

K-9 Keg Pull January 26th at 1 pm Dogs of all sizes/abilities are matched up with empty beer kegs that are mounted on sleds/snowboards.The course will be located in the parking lot in front of the American Legion building with the WinterFest Beer Garden and Silent Auction & Raffle taking place right along with it! Registration is available online prior to the event as well as in person from 11:30 am -12:30 pm the day of the event. Proceeds benefit PARTNERS! Canines. Learn More

Arctic Art January 26th at 1 pm Join Blowing Rock Art & History Museum for crafts for the young (and young at heART) during WinterFest. Learn More

Member Events

Doodlebug Club January 24th at 10:30 am Preschool age children and a parent/guardian are invited to Blowing Rock Art & History Museum for a fun educational art program focused on basic art skills. Story time after clean-up! Free for Museum members / $5 non-members. Space is limited; call 828.295.9099. Learn More

Sip & Stroll January 25th at 4 pm Stroll Downtown Blowing Rock stopping in at the shops along the way. Various businesses will stay open late and offer snacks and drinks to encourage you to sip, shop and stroll. Learn More

Wine Seminar January 25th at 4 pm Danny Sanford will present a seminar on “Grapes That You’ve Never Heard Of” at Sunset & Vine. Cost: $15  Learn More

WinterCraft: An Outdoor Handmade Market January 25th, 5 - 8 pm Held in the courtyard next to The Mountain Thread Company, WinterCraft is the High Country's only outdoor handmade winter market! The event features local and regional makers and high-quality artisan crafts rolled into a memorable outdoor setup in the heart of downtown Blowing Rock. Learn More

Jazz at WinterFest January 25th & 26th, 6:30 - 9:30 pm Join Green Park Inn for their 4th annual Jazz at WinterFest event! Treat your ears to the Todd Wright Jazz Quartet and enjoy a special menu. Reservations required; please call 828.414.9230. Learn More

Bonfire, S'mores & Entertainment January 25th & 26th, 7 - 10 pm Chetola Resort will host an evening of outdoor winter fun at their firepit beside Chetola Lake. Keep warm by the fire while enjoying a cash bar with winter drink specials, gourmet s’mores packets and entertainment for the whole family. Learn More

Silent Auction & Raffle January 26th, 10 am - 4 pm Come to the American Legion and bid on items donated by area retailers and businesses. Items include lodging at area hotels and inns, spa day packages, massage and wellness certificates, outdoor adventures, art work by local artists, gift certificates to area restaurants and much more! In addition, buy raffle tickets for baskets of goodies from your favorite shopping stops. Proceeds benefit Mountain Alliance. Learn More

WinterPaws Dog Show January 27th at 1 pm Show off your four-legged best friend or just come to see the cutest dogs around in the WinterPaws Dog Show at the Blowing Rock School gym! Come as a participant with your dog or come and watch all the excitement. Proceeds benefit Watauga Humane Society. Spectators: $5 adult / children free. Participants: $5 entry fee per category. Learn More

Additional Food Options at WinterFest Our restaurants will be busy serving WinterFest visitors all weekend. There are a few options scheduled to handle some of the overflow. On Saturday in front of the American Legion, Betty's Biscuit Truck will be serving all day starting at 9 am. The Speckled Trout will be serving from a tent in front of the Legion during the Beer Garden from 1 - 4:30 pm. And Friday and Saturday from 12 - 2 pm (or while supplies last), the Chick-Fil-A of Boone truck will be serving lunch in the courtyard at Tanger Outlets.

Information on all things WinterFest can be found at BlowingRockWinterFest.com. Events go on rain, snow and shine. No refunds. Any unforeseen changes to Chamber events will be posted on the Blowing Rock WinterFest Facebook page. Come on out and celebrate the fun side of winter! It's going to be a fantastic, fun-filled weekend!

Tuesday, February 5 11:30am – 1:00pm Highland Avenue Restaurant at Hollar Mill 883 Highland Avenue SE Hickory, NC 28602 Register now

Registration is open for the Spectrum Reach Marketing Strategies & Tactics Seminar! Melissa Harmston has spent the last 11 years as a leader in the advertising industry. She has served as Vice President of Sales and Brand Integration for the Design Network – an Over-the-Top channel available on platforms such as Apple TV and Roku. Melissa has extensive experience in developing effective digital strategies for various industries, businesses and agencies across the Carolinas. She is currently the Senior Manager of Advanced Advertising for Spectrum Reach. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to listen, engage, and ask Melissa questions specific to your business objectives within this rapidly-evolving media environment.

Chamber Information and Meetings

High Country Economic Kickoff Breakfast: Thursday, January 24th at 7:30 am, Appalachian Ski Mtn Blowing Rock WinterFest: January 24th - 27th, various locations around Blowing Rock Annual Chamber Awards Luncheon: Tuesday, February 12th at 11:30 am, Meadowbrook Inn Business After Hours: Tuesday, February 19th at 5:30 pm, Reid's Catering, Linville Board of Directors Meeting: Wednesday, March 6th at 8 am All meetings are held in the Chamber Boardroom unless otherwise noted.