Festivals and Events
Listed below is a calendar of many of the events happening in the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area in February, compiled from tourism websites of the 25 mountain counties and the Qualla Boundary that comprise the BRNHA. If you would like to add an event, please contact Beth Coleman, beth@blueridgeheritage.com or 828-298-5330, ext. 312.
On-Going Events
Winter: Free Youth Sledding Hill, Beech Mountain, daily 9 am - 5 pm, depending on snow coverage. 800-468-5506.
Jam Session every Thursday evening, the Andy Griffith Playhouse from 7-10 pm. Mount Airy.
Jam Session every Saturday morning, Downtown Cinema Theatre from 9-11 am. Mount Airy.
Old Fort Mountain Music: Every Friday evening, 7 pm, Rockett Building, Main Street, downtown Old Fort. 888-233-6111.
Jam Session every Friday night, Ashe County Phipps Store, Silas Creek Community. fiddlesilas@hotmail.com.
Bluegrass Music Jam every Thursday night, Marion Depot, Marion. Music begins at 7 pm.
Bluegrass and old time bands play live every Saturday night, Mountain Music Jamboree (9331 NC Hwy. 16), 7 pm, Glendale Springs. 336-384-4079.
Live music every Saturday night at Saluda Mountain Jamboree. There is a huge dance floor, with food and drink available. Visit or call 828-749-3676 for more details and list of performers.
Davidson's Fort Historic Park, Old Fort. Open to the public each Saturday from 10:00-4:00. A replica is being constructed of the original Revolutionary War-era fort built there in 1776.
Jan. 1-Dec. 31: Blue Ridge Parkway 75th Anniversary. This yearlong celebration will include events all along the 469-miles of the parkway. Check the website often as new events are added.
Late February & March 2010
Feb. 19: Foothills Community Theatre presents "Radio! - A Musical Review", McDowell Technical Community College in Marion.
Feb. 20: 3rd Annual Chocolate Cook-off, Bryson City Presbyterian Church. 2-4 pm. Area chocolatiers compete for prizes and you get to sample these delectable goodies!
Feb. 20: Cajun Cook-Off, Highlands Community Center. Warm-up with a competition of some Louisiana favorites. 828-526-2112.
Feb. 20: Punch Brothers Featuring Chris Thile, Diana Wortham Theatre, Asheville. 8 pm. Cost. This concert will feature mandolin virtuoso, Chris Thile. 828-257-4530.
Feb. 26-27: 7th Annual Tommy Jarrell Festival, The Andy Griffith Playhouse, Mount Airy. Bluegrass and Old-Time music, a Youth Talent Competition, along with a Traditional Dance Workshop. 336-786-7998.
Feb. 26-May 30: Photography of Tim Barnwell, NC Arboretum, Asheville.
Feb. 27: Bluegrass at the Rock featuring "IIIrd Tyme Out", Valdese. 7:30 pm at The Valdese Old Rock School. Cost. 828-879-2129.
Feb. 26-May 30: Photography of Tim Barnwell, NC Arboretum, Asheville. Visit www.ncarboretum.org for details.
March 1: Looking Back: Celebrating 60 Years of Collecting, Asheville Art Museum.
March 2: Smoketree Trail Guided Hike, Beech Mountain. 828-387-3003
March 12: Bela Fleck: The Africa Project, 7:00 pm at the Orange Peel, Asheville. A progressive bluegrass band, Bela Fleck explores the African origins of the banjo.
March 13: March of the Leprechauns St. Patrick’s Day Festival and Parade, Historic Downtown Hendersonville on Main Street. Festival begins at 10:00 am and the parade will be at 11:00.
March 13: Basket Making with Ruby Lowery, Visual Arts Center, Rutherfordton. Learn to make a Williamsburg basket from a master basket weaver. Call 828-288-5009 to register.
March 14: Go Fly a Kite at FENCE (Foothills Equestrian Nature Center), Tryon. This wonderful event is for kids of all ages. Gather at Hawks Ridge, behind the FENCE Center for games and refreshments.
March 16 & 25: NC Elk Program at the WNC Nature Center, Asheville. 2:00-7:30 pm. This event is an exploration of elk in the Cataloochee Valley. 828-298-5600
March 20: 32ndAnnual Tryon Super Saturday. Bring the family to Downtown Tryon for the Tryon Little Theater’s annual Super Saturday Children’s Arts & Entertainment Festival. Wonderful, live, kid-centered entertainment will be hosted at four downtown venues. Call 828-859-8322 ext. 301 or visit
March 20: Voice of the Blue Ridge,Downtown Cinema Theatre, Mount Airy. The show starts at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $7; children 12 and under are free. 336-786-7998.
March 20: Coffee Night Talent Night, West Jefferson Methodist Church Hensley Hall. The Ashe County Arts Council sponsors an evening of fun & merriment for the whole family. Enjoy music, storytelling & more. 336-846-2787.
March 20: Empty Bowls at the John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown. Ticket purchase includes a handmade bowl by a local potter, soup, bread, salad & dessert. 828-837-2775.
March 25: Melange of the Mountains, The Gateway Club, Waynesville. The Greater Haywood County Chamber of Commerce invites you to sample the culinary talents of some of WNC’s most regarded restaurants & vendors. Event begins at 5:30 pm. 828-456-3021.
March 26-27: Inaugural Surry Old-Time Fiddlers Convention, Dobson, NC. Friday night events will include at Square Dance and Cake Walk. Competitions will be held on Saturday. Competitions include: Guitar, Mandolin, Dobro, Harmonica, Dulcimer, Bass, Autoharp, Fiddle, Banjo, Fiddler & Banjo Duet, and Band! 1-877-728-6798.
March 27: Ramp It Up! Festival, Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds, Cherokee. Feast on succulent trout and pungent wild onion/garlic-like ramps. Held during Cherokee’s trout season opening, this gathering includes music, senior games and craft exhibitions. 1-800-438-1601.
March 27: Guided Bird Walk, Chimney Rock Park. This will be an easy-to-moderate walk, beginning at 9:00 am. 828-625-9611.
March 27: David Holt & the Lightning Bolts, Diana Wortham Theatre, Asheville. 8:00 pm.
March 27-28: Bank of America US Open, Nantahala Outdoor Center, Bryson City. Watch world-class paddlers compete in both downriver and slalom competitions in the season’s first major competitive event.
March 27-28: Orchid Society Annual Show at The North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville.
