Alleghany County is situated on the border between North Carolina and Virginia, in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is home to 32 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which visitors can drive across in Western North Carolina. Along the way, they can visit the largest park in Alleghany County, adjacent to the Parkway, Doughton Park. Sparta is the county seat and hosts numerous musical and cultural events, featuring talent contributions from surrounding towns. Visitors to the area can expect to find music, dancing, and a sense of community as they travel, with natural beauty and craft artistry along the way.
Music Venues: Find Your Seat or Grab a Partner
Don’t be shy! Stop by the Alleghany Jubilee for a truly immersive musical and dance experience. The Alleghany Jubilee is more than an event or a place. It is a symbol of Alleghany’s traditions. In 1994, Agnes and Ernest Joines renovated the old Spartan movie theater into a community dance hall. It became a hub for old-time music, where local artists pick and strum their instruments for several hours each week, entertaining guests who come from all over Western North Carolina to flatfoot, clog, or square dance. The Jubilee has relocated from its original location, but the mountain music and dances continue in its new home, which remains in Sparta at 562 N Sparta Pkwy, Sparta, NC 28675.
Mondays: Line Dance Lessons from 6:00 to 7:30 pm ($4).
Tuesdays: Rise and Shine band. Doors open at 6:00 pm. Music and dancing from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. ($8 adults, Free for children 12 and under)
Saturdays: Local guest bands. Doors open at 6:00 pm. Music and dancing from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. ($10 adults, Free for children 12 and under)
One way or another, you will be tapping your toes! If you’re looking for a typical dinner and a show, check out Muddy Creek Music Hall for a variety of musical acts, including local favorites and touring artists. The music hall is open Wednesday through Sunday, serving standard pub food and dinner plates to keep you satiated while you listen to bluegrass, old-time, country, Americana, and more. Muddy Creek is located at 60 S Main St, Sparta, NC 28675.
Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Friday, 11:00 am to 9:00 pm.. Saturday, 11:00 am to 9:00 pm.. Sunday, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Weekly Happenings
Find a park or a downtown street anytime between Spring and Fall, and you’re bound to attend a free concert. Music on Main is held on the first Saturday of each month in downtown Sparta. Streets are closed, allowing attendees the freedom to wander through the town exploring shops and galleries. Live music can be heard from 5 to 9 pm, featuring one to two opening bands and a headliner, hosted by the Alleghany Arts Council.
Saturdays in the Park are held on the third Saturday of each summer month. Swing by Crouse Park to listen to music of all genres–from bluegrass to Latin jazz. On other days, you might catch the Crouse Park Pickers, an informal group of bluegrass and old-time musicians who frequent the park and hold open jams in the historic Crouse House.
The Continuation of Traditions
Held each July in Sparta at the Alleghany County Fairgrounds, the Alleghany Fiddler’s Convention focuses on old-time and bluegrass music. Musicians of all levels gather to perform, jam, learn, and commune across two days. Bands, dancers, and individuals are invited to enter multiple competitions across three categories: Youth, Junior, and Senior. Folks are encouraged to listen to the music and support vendors. Proceeds from the convention benefit the Sparta-Alleghany Volunteer Fire Department and the Alleghany Fairgrounds.
Many of the younger musicians at the convention are part of the local Junior Appalachian Musicians program, also known as JAM. The program was established in 2000 by Helen White, a local school guidance counselor dedicated to enriching the lives of children and connecting them to their communities through music and dance. Alleghany JAM has been so successful that areas within five Appalachian states have adopted the program. Keep an eye out for upcoming JAM events in Alleghany.
September is when the summer heat is still present, but the spirit of Fall starts to paint the landscape with gold and red colors. Alleghany decides to kick off fall each year with a bang. Agriculture plays a large part in rural Western North Carolina. Alleghany County is no exception. The Alleghany Agricultural Fair is an event not to be missed. The Alleghany County Cooperative Extension hosts it, and over several days, the Alleghany Fairgrounds are filled with rides, exhibits, livestock shows, truck and tractor pulls, and more.
The annual Mountain Heritage Fair is held on the third Saturday of September in Sparta. It is a time for the community to support one another and shine. Between regional handmade art, local food, and music & dance, the town comes alive with pride and appreciation for Blue Ridge Mountain life. 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Mountain Heritage Fair.
Looking for more? Visit the Alleghany Chamber of Commerce for more events, news, and updates.
Address: 58 South Main Street, Sparta, NC 28675
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and Saturdays, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Email: Larry VanHoose – Executive Director, director@alleghanycountychamber.com
Phone: 336-372-5473
Not To Be Missed
Blue Ridge Craft Trails – Sparta
The Blue Ridge Craft Trails gathers artists, galleries, shops, and happenings around Sparta and throughout Alleghany into one comprehensive itinerary.
Stone Mountain State Park
This state park features a National Natural Landmark (Stone Mountain), along with a historic homestead, hiking trails, flowing streams, waterfalls, and a campground, creating an ideal place to enjoy some of Alleghany’s cultural and natural wonders.
NC Christmas Tree Farms
North Carolina is one of the top Christmas tree producers in the United States, ranking second only to Oregon. Visit the NC Christmas Tree Association website to locate a pick-your-own tree farm and to learn more about this valuable branch of agriculture in Western North Carolina.
Blue Ridge Parkway – Doughton Park Recreation Area (Milepost 238-248)
This area includes trails, scenic views, a campground, the Bluffs picnic area, public restrooms, the Bluffs Restaurant, and the Brinegar Cabin. As with all locations along the Blue Ridge Parkway, check for road updates and closures via NPS.gov
Bluffs Restaurant
This historic restaurant originally opened in 1949. It was closed in 2010 due to the need for repairs. The restaurant reopened in 2020. (Milepost 241)
Blue Ridge Parkway – Brinegar Cabin (Milepost 238.5)
Martin and Caroline Brinegar built the cabin in the 1880s, and it was passed down through generations and lived in by the family until 1935.
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