Avery County Fine Art & Master Crafts Festival
Summer is here, and so are the myriad events and gatherings we’ve long awaited! Please continue to check online resources for COVID-related guidelines, reservation requirements, and additional information as it relates to the establishments and events mentioned within the pages of CML Magazine.
Summer ‘21
Gravity Mountain Bike Camp Sugar Mountain
Regional Happenings & Featured Events AVERY COUNTY
Art and Stars in Downtown Banner Elk Looking for Independence Day fun? Head to downtown Banner Elk for the summertime Art on the Greene show, taking place July 3-4. This fine art show is one in a series of four shows taking place this year on the grounds of the Historic Banner Elk School. Additional shows will be held August 7-8 and September 4-5. Art on the Greene highlights works from local and regional artists representing a variety of media, such as ceramics, glass, metal, wood, watercolor, acrylics and oil. “The focus is on embracing our Appalachian heritage and really highlighting things in the hand-crafted Appalachian tradition,” says show director Kimberly Tufts. Shoppers can not only add to their art collections, but also support historic preservation. Booth rental proceeds are donated to the Town of Banner Elk to support the Historic Banner Elk School’s role as a center for visual and performing arts. The 1939 rock building was a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project during the Great Depression. The former elementary school is now home to BE Artists Gallery, Ensemble Stage professional theater, the Banner Elk Book Exchange, and the offices of CML Magazine, among other organizations. Art on the Greene hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, and there is no admission fee. For more information, visit www.BannerElk. com or call 828-387-0581. Also in downtown Banner Elk on Saturday, July 3, enjoy a Star Spangled Banner Elk Fourth. The Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce’s Saturday parade runs from 11 a.m until noon and features decorated vehicles, colorful characters and adorable
18 — Summer 2021 CAROLINA MOUNTAIN LIFE
animals parading down Main Street and ending in the Tate-Evans Town Park. From noon until 3 p.m. on Saturday, participate in the popular Duck Race and party at the park. Hundreds of rubber ducks race down Shawneehaw Creek to the finish line, and the park party includes old-fashioned games and food vendors. For more information, visit BannerElk.com. Summer is Sweet at Sugar Mountain Spinning chairlift bull wheels, mountain bikers lapping miles of downhill terrain, summer sunning, toe-tapping to small town bands with big-time talent, camping kids, fireworks, food trucks, and festivals are just some of the things you will find at Sugar Mountain Resort this summer. The bike park and the Summit Express and Easy Street chairlifts operate Friday through Sunday beginning July 2 until September 6. Mountain bike tours and lessons will be available each weekend. Magic Cycles, located in the snowsports school building, offers helmet, body armor, and bike rentals, bicycle repairs, and a selection of items to get bikers started and keep ‘em rolling. For outerwear, footwear and souvenirs, visit the Sugar Mountain Sports Shop, located in the base lodge. And for a boost of energy, the popular Caddyshack cafe, located at the Sugar Mountain Golf and Tennis clubhouse, is open seven days a week. The start whistle blows Sunday, July 4, at 9 a.m. to kick off the fifth annual Summit Crawl competition. The Sugar Mountain Resort Summit Crawl is a fun and competitive event via foot to Sugar Mountain’s 5,300’ peak by way of the Easy Street, Gunther’s Way, and Northridge
slopes. The Crawl covers a distance of approximately 6,500 ft., or 1.2 miles. Also that day from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The Rockabillys will liven up the airwaves with a classic country and rock & roll performance. Later from 6 until 9 p.m. the Typical Mountain Boys will bring to the stage a unique blend of bluegrass, old time mountain and contemporary music. Food and beverages will be available at the mountain’s base and summit. A bigger-and-better-than-ever mountaintop Fireworks Show, sponsored by the Village of Sugar Mountain Tourism Development Authority, will kick off around 9:15 p.m. Sugar’s Gravity Mountain Bike Camp for tweens and teens ages 11-16 will be held July 9-11. And the downhill action will continue July 31 and August 1 when racers from around the U.S. do battle on Sugar’s classic downhill tracks during the Downhill Southeast Mountain Bike Race Series finals. For all the details, visit www.skisugar. com or call 800-SUGAR-MT. Fine Art & Master Crafts Festival Rub shoulders with a diverse group of fine artists and master crafters during the Avery County Fine Art & Master Crafts Festival, July 16-18 and August 13-15, at Sugar Mountain Resort. The juried festivals feature an eclectic gathering of unique hand-crafted wares from select artists and crafters. Examples include photography, paintings, jewelry, sculpture, pottery, weaving, glass art, wood crafts, wood furniture, specialty candles, body care and soaps, and more. The Avery Fine Art & Master Crafts Festival benefits the Avery County Chamber of Commerce. Festival hours are Friday,
