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Avery County, North Carolina

July 10, 2008 through July 13, 2008
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games & Gathering of Scottish Clans
Grandfather Mountain

Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and Gathering of Scottish Clans brings the color of 160 tartan plaids and the clamor of half a dozen bagpipe bands to the North Carolina Highlands. The Highland Games begin Thursday afternoon, July 10, with a picnic, piping concert, sheep herding exhibition, the running of “The Bear” and the opening ceremonies. Prior to the torchlight ceremony, 800 runners will participate in a 5-mile footrace called “The Bear” that climbs 1,568 feet in elevation from the town of Linville to the summit of Grandfather Mountain. On Friday night, the Celtic Jam highlights traditional and contemporary Celtic music at MacRae Meadows and on Saturday night the Celtic Rock Concert serves up encore performances from some of the higher energy bands. Adult tickets are $10 Thursday, $15 Friday, $25 Saturday and $15 Sunday. Tickets are $5 each day for children ages 5-12 with children under five free. Tickets are available at the field on the day of the event.
828-733-1333

July 19, 2008 through July 20, 2008
Avery Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce
Banner Elk

Artists participating will have watercolors; sculptures in stone, clay, bronze and copper; exquisite pottery and jewelry; some magnificent hand-crafted furniture featuring wood, inlaid stone, or stained glass; hand-woven clothing; hand-crafted leather; clay figurines and much more for sale. The prices range from trinkets for under $20 to some items ranging into the thousands. All artists participating in the show are juried on the quality of their wares, and only the finest items are accepted.
800-972-2183

August 16, 2008 through August 16, 2008
Riverwalk Arts Festival
On the Riverwalk in Newland, NC

Avery Arts Council's annual On The Square Arts & Crafts Festival was relocated, renamed and reinvented last year! This year the Riverwalk Arts Festival is scheduled for August 16 along the Riverwalk in downtown Newland, North Carolina. The Friday Night Street Dance kicks-off the weekend's festivities. On Saturday the Arts & Craft Festival features over 50 artists & crafters; live, local entertainment; a variety of food vendors and a Children's Corner. In keeping with On The Square tradition, the Riverwalk Arts Festival incorporates a variety of fine art and folk arts and crafts, which means there is something for everyone.
828-898-4292

August 23, 2008 through August 24, 2008
Avery Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce
Banner Elk

Artists participating will have watercolors; sculptures in stone, clay, bronze and copper; exquisite pottery and jewelry; some magnificent hand-crafted furniture featuring wood, inlaid stone, or stained glass; hand-woven clothing; hand-crafted leather; clay figurines and much more for sale. The prices range from trinkets for under $20 to some items ranging into the thousands. All artists participating in the show are juried on the quality of their wares, and only the finest items are accepted.
800-972-2183

October 18, 2008 through October 19, 2008
Woolly Worm Festival
Banner Elk

10:00 am to 5:00 pm The Woolly Worm races begin around 10 a.m. Each heat consists of 20 worms and races continue all day until the grand final around 4 p.m. The winning worm on Saturday is declared the official winter forecasting agent. The Sunday worm races are for prestige, fun and small prizes. In addition to the Woolly Worm Races, the festival features crafts, food vendors, live entertainment and much more. Last year's festival attracted an estimated 20,000 fans, 140 vendors and around 1,000 race entrants.
828-387-9283