Blue Ridge Country Recognizes Best Mountain Towns

Blue Ridge Country magazine readers have awarded the best mountain towns in the 2013 Best of the Mountains poll.

Asheville, N.C. was awarded platinum for best big city, followed by Roanoke, Va. winning the gold award. Readers voted Charlottesville, Va. as the platinum winner for best medium town, selecting Blacksburg, Va. as the gold winner. Platinum and gold winners for best small town were awarded to Boone, N.C. and Waynesville, N.C.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1337812#ixzz2ZnJwBwsu

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Sylva, NC: More than just a cool courthouse…

Welcome to Sylva… a progressive small town in Jackson County situated amidst the Great Smoky Mountains. Downtown, a Main Street community, has many restaurants and shops along its tree-lined streets.

Educational opportunities are virtually unlimited, with Western Carolina University only 7 miles away in Cullowhee, and Southwestern Community College in Sylva.

Recreational opportunities are numerous and diverse here. They have a state of the art playground designed by our children and built by the community.

The town owns a pristine tract of land, Pinnacle Park, that boasts hiking trails, waterfalls, and a town view from 5,000 feet.

The Tuckasegee River is known for its whitewater and trout populations.  And the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a 30 minute drive away.

For more, visit http://www.mountainlovers.com!

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Brevard, NC: Charming & Tranquil

Downtown Brevard is the crossroads between Pisgah National Forest, Dupont State Forest, Gorges State Park, and Bracken Mountain Nature Reserve. These are ideal for: hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, and climbing.

For 72 years Brevard has been home to the world-renowned Brevard Music Center. Downtown Brevard is also home to The Porter Center of Performing Arts (Brevard College) and the Transylvania Community Arts Council, which both bring diverse programs, concerts, and exhibits to our mountain community. The Heart of Brevard has teamed together with Transylvania Arts Promotion (TAP), in order to produce The Arts Directory of Transylvania County.

Four annual street festivals capture our hometown feeling: White Squirrel Festival, Fourth of July Celebration, Halloweenfest, and Twilight Tour. Other special events include: Annual Squirrel Box Derby, Old Time Music Competition, Valentine Get-Away Weekend, and Main Street Alive. They’re just a part of why people visit City of Brevard, Land of Waterfalls, Transylvania County.

For more info, visit: http://www.brevardnc.org

To learn more about the book, visit: InSearchofMayberry.com!

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Blowing Rock’s Winterfest

Blowing Rock’s 12th annual Winterfest is Jan. 28-31. This four-day celebration of everything winter is packed with activities and events for day-trippers and overnight guests alike.

Winterfest begins Thursday evening with “WinterFeast,” hosted by The Manor House Restaurant at Chetola Resort.

Culinary delights abound as the area’s fine restaurants come together for this once-a-year dining showcase.

There are seatings at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.

Friday and Saturday activities include “shop ’till you drop” at downtown shops and the Tanger Outlet Shoppes on the Parkway, a charity wine auction & tasting, afternoon hayrides and a bonfire at dusk.

There’s also a silent auction with items ranging from weekend stays at local hotels to clothing, dinners and jewelry.

The highlight of Winterfest is the Polar Plunge on Saturday morning. It features a contest of brave souls who jump into the icy waters of Chetola Lake while dressed in wacky costumes. Contestants vie for the coveted Golden Plunger Award, while spectators marvel at their lack of good sense.

Other Winterfest activities include: an ice carving competition, chili cookoff, live music, pancake breakfast and a pet show.

For more info, go to www.blowingrockwinterfest.com or call (877) 750-4636.

To learn more about the book, visit: InSearchofMayberry.com!  

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Old Fort, NC – Gateway to the Southern Blue Ridge

Since 1869 travelers through these mountains looked for the familiar sight of a tall water plume, a manmade geyser, and a resort hotel tucked away at the base of the Blue Ridge this signaled the start of the long climb to Asheville through some of the most scenic terrain in North Carolina.

When the train passes through this town again (plans call for passenger rail service to resume within 5 years), travelers will stop at the tall, hand-carved arrowhead next to the depot, signaling a stop in the historic town of Old Fort.

A town committed to preserving its heritage, and having some fun along the way. Originally a fort built by the colonial militia before the Declaration of Independence, the settlement served for many years as the western outpost of the early United States.

The fort is now being rebuilt by the non-profit corporation “Davidson’s Fort Historic Park, Inc.”

For more info, visit: http://www.oldfort.org

To learn more about the book, visit: InSearchofMayberry.com!  

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