A Glimpse of WinterFest

The town of Blowing Rock is about to be winterized.

Now in its 14th year, the annual WinterFest returns to the High Country Jan. 26 to 29, offering residents and visitors alike the opportunity to explore “the fun side of winter.”

Here’s a glimpse of upcoming events, along with a WinterFest calendar to help plan your visit. Check next week’s issue of The Mountain Times for a detailed schedule of events and more on the 14th annual WinterFest.


The Best of the Best

One of the hardest things for a WinterFest visitor to do is sample all of the great restaurants in the Blowing Rock area in three or four days.

Not a problem!

Winterfest’s popular WinterFeast dinner offers a solution to this dilemma. Winterfeast will be held at Chetola Resort’s Evergreen Room on Thursday, Jan. 26. Seatings will be at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.
WinterFeast features a buffet-style service where diners can visit with local restaurateurs and sample their wares.

Participating restaurants at WinterFeast 2012 are Timberlake’s at Chetola Resort (formerly The Manor House), Rowland’s Restaurant at Westglow Resort & Spa, the Table at Crestwood, the Gamekeeper, Six Pence Pub, the Meadowbrook Inn, Foggy Rock Eatery and Pub, Kojay’s, Bistro Roca, the Laurel Room at the Green Park Inn, The Best Cellar and Ooh La La Cupcakes.

In a new twist to WinterFeast this year, diners are invited to come to Foggy Rock Eatery & Pub (8180 Valley Blvd.) after dinner for the first ever Winter Ales Craft Beer Tastings.

Following each WinterFeast seating, Foggy Rock has dessert on tap, namely an assortment of regional beers to sample, including selections from Catawba Valley Brewing and Olde Hickory Brewery, all paired with the eatery’s eclectic cuisine and for an affordable price.

Admission for WinterFeast is $25 in advance and $30 at the door if available. Winterfeast admission does not include the Winter Ales tasting. For reservation, call the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce at (828) 295-7851.


The WinterFest Blues

The Hayes Performing Arts Center hopes to heat things up this January, as it welcomes an acclaimed bluegrass star and two blues bands to WinterFest, Blowing Rock’s annual winter festival.

Blowing Rock begins to buzz on Friday, Jan. 27, at 7:30 p.m., as Boone’s own The King Bees return to the Hayes Center for the Winter Blues Festival, aslo featuring Atlanta blues legend Beverly “Guitar” Watkins.

Tickets cost $20 and are on sale at http://www.hayescenter.org.

John Cowan, a pioneer in the “newgrass” and “jamband” musical genres and a fixture at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and MerleFest, will headline Winterfest on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 7:30 p.m.
Cowan first burst onto the music scene as part of the legendary New Grass Revival (with Sam Bush, Bela Fleck and Pat Flynn) and has since gone on to work with musical greats like The Doobie Brothers, Steve Earle, Wynonna and Garth Brooks.

Tickets for The John Cowan Band cost $26 and are on sale at http://www.hayescenter.org.

The Hayes Performing Arts Center is located at 152 Jamie Fort Road, just off U.S. 321 in Blowing Rock. For more information, visit http://www.hayescenter.org.


WinterFest Calendar

Thursday, Jan. 26
WinterFeast at Chetola Resort: 5:30, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m.
Winter Ale Beer Tasting event at Foggy Rock Eatery and Pub to be held after each seating of WinterFeast

Friday, Jan. 27
WinterFest Spaghetti and Bingo: 5 to 8 p.m. at Blowing Rock Elementary School Cafeteria and Gym
WinterFest Family Ski Night at Appalachian Ski Mountain: 5 p.m.
Winter Blues Concert at the Hayes Center featuring Beverly “Guitar” Watkins and the King Bees: 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 28
Polar Plunge at Chetola Lake: 10 a.m.
WinterFest Silent Auction at Blowing Rock School Cafeteria: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Chili Challenge Cook-Off at Blowing Rock School Gymnasium: 11 a.m.
Ice Carving Competition in Memorial Park: 12 p.m.
WinterFest Wine Tasting and Auction at the Green Park Inn: 2 p.m.
WinterFest Game Show at Blowing Rock School Auditorium: 3 p.m.
John Cowan Band at the Hayes Center: 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 29
WinterFest Pancake Breakfast at Blowing Rock School Cafeteria: 8 a.m.
Ice Carving Demonstrations: 1 p.m.
Winter Paws Pet Show at Blowing Rock School Gymnasium: 1:30 p.m.

For more information on WinterFest, including a detailed schedule of events, visit http://www.blowingrockwinterfest.com and pick up a copy of next week’s The Mountain Times.