Annual festivals include Merlefest, in Wilkesboro, and the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in the Boone area. Merlefest is an annual bluegrass festival which meets on the campus of Wilkes Community College during the springtime. It is usually a long weekend (Friday-Sunday) and brings bluegrass artists from all over to perform for the crowds. The festival, sponsored by Doc Watson, features many contests and activities including musical competitions of all sorts, raffles, silent auctions, and shopping exhibits from local craftsmakers. Prices and packages vary, so buy your tickets to Merlefest in advance to make sure you get a seat!

The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games also take place annually in the High Country and are a celebration of the Scottish heritage unique to this area of North Carolina. The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games are held each year during the month of July. Their mission statement is, “To carry on and promote the annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and gathering of Scottish Clans, to foster and restore interest in traditional dancing, piping, drumming, athletic achievement, music and Gaelic culture, and to establish scholarship funds to assist students from Avery County High School to study at American colleges and universities.” Activities include (but are not limited to) track and field, traditional dancing, a parade of tartans, a marathon, sheep herding, piping and drumming, and much more. The Grandfather Highland Game Weekend is one of the most popular weekends of the year for visitors in the Boone area, so make arrangements for parking and attending well in advance.

Merlefest PO Box 120 | Wilkesboro, NC, 28697-120 800-343-7857 or 336-838-6267

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games PO Box 1095 | Linville, NC 28646 828-733-1333

Summer entertainment events include the Horn in the West outdoor drama, the Blowing Rock Stage Company’s summer season, ASU’s Appalachian Summer Festival, and Lees-McRae Summer Theatre. The “Horn in the West” is a dramatic interpretation, written by Dr. Kermit Hunter of the life of Daniel Boone and the story of the Revolutionary War. The “Horn in the West” has been one of the longest running outdoor dramas in history and has been playing in Boone since 1952. The outdoor amphitheatre was designed explicitly for the Horn in the West drama by students at North Carolina State University’s School of Design and was created to blend in to the scenery surrounding it. In addition to the drama, the Hickory Ridge Homestead, a “living history museum” also makes its home at this location. The museum remains to teach visitors about mountain life, especially during the time of the Revolution. The museum offers educational opportunities for individuals and groups. Contact Horn in the West for more information.

Another venue for entertainment is the Blowing Rock Stage Company at the Hayes Center for the Performing Arts. The Blowing Rock Stage Company, directed by Kenneth Kay, is the High Country’s only professional stage company with shows running through the summer season and another set of shows through the leaf season. The Blowing Rock Stage Company made its home in the Blowing Rock Elementary School for years until the opening of the Miriam Hayes Center for the Performing Arts, a multi-million dollar facility, opened its doors in May of 2007. The stage company has now merged with the Hayes Center and brings in professional actors as well as interns and local artists for its productions. Buy tickets in advance or purchase them at the box office. Show times and prices may vary. Contact the Blowing Rock Stage Company for more details.

Appalachian State University’s Appalachian Summer Festival is a summer-long event lasting usually for the months of June and July, which showcases innovation in the fine arts featuring music, dance, theatre, and the visual arts in the Southeast. The festival, which attracts over 25,000 fans each year, began in 1984 and was recently named one of the “Top 20 events in the Southeast” by the Southeast Tourism Society. No matter when you make your summertime visit to the Blue Ridge Mountains, be sure to drop in on one of the Appalachian Summer Festival events. Contact the Appalachian State University Office of Arts and Cultural Programs for schedules and prices.

An additional summertime entertainment venue is the Lees-McRae Summer Theatre. Lees-McRae is a private, liberal arts college located in beautiful Banner Elk North Carolina. They have been recognized as one of the great collegiate theatre education locations in the southeast, and each summer brings a new experience in theatre. The summer season at Lees-McRae takes place during July and August each year and brings dramas as well as music and other performances to the area. Performances take place at the Hummingbird Theatre and in the Pinnacle Room, and feature both students and visiting artists. For more information, contact Lees-McRae’s Box Office.
Additionally, year round arts and entertainment can be found at the following locations: The Mountain Music Jamboree in Glendale Springs, the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts in Boone (part of Appalachian State University), events through the Watauga Arts Council, and the Crossnore Weavers and Gallery.

Horn in the West 828-264-2120	Hayes Center Box Office 828-295-9627	Lees-McRae Box Office 828-898-8709 or 828-898-8721
Crossnore Weavers PO Box 249 Crossnore, NC 28616 828-733-4660	Blowing Rock Stage Company 152 Jamie Fort Rd Blowing Rock, NC 28605 828-295-9168	Mountain Music Jamboree 9331 Hwy 16 Glendale Springs, NC 28629 800-803-4079 or 336-384-4079
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts 423 West King Street Boone, NC 28608 828-262-3017	Watauga Arts Council 604 West King Street Boone, NC 28607 828-264-1789	ASU Office of Arts & Cultural Programs 800-841-ARTS (2787) 828-262-4046

Click on the links below for more information on things to do in the High Country.

Arts and Entertainment	Attractions	Boone Amusement	Hiking Trails	NC Blue Ridge Parkway
NC Fly Fishing	North Carolina Golf Vacation	NC Horseback Riding	North Carolina Mountain Biking	NC Rock Climbing
North Carolina Ski Vacations	North Carolina Waterfalls	NC Whitewater Rafting	NC Wineries	Shopping