UPCOMING EVENTS Plan ahead with fun happenings across Carter County Roan Mountain State Park

April 22, 2023

Culture & Coffee: Whodunnit? with Detective Ralph Mayercik — 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Meet at the Conference Center. Price is $0//person, $5/attendee + donation ($5). Register for the event. Detective Mayercik will present real-world cases, providing us with an in-depth insider’s view on the process of murder investigation. If you’ve ever wondered if you’ve got the mind for detective work, this will be an opportunity to learn about the level of thinking that solves cases.

Due to the graphic nature of this subject and the imagery, this program is not suitable for children. Parents should use caution when deciding whether to bring teenagers.

Culture & Coffee is a new speaker series at Roan Mountain State Park in 2023. Each engagement features a presentation from a subject matter expert on a different topic, and takes place at the Roan Mountain State Park Conference Center. Coffee and light refreshments are provided. The series is free, although donations are appreciated and will be used to fund refreshments.

Nocturnal Animology - 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Meet at the Conference Center. This FREE “Nocturnal” program will look at the animals adapted to finding and surviving during the night.Exhibits plan to include (but no guarantee):African Pygmy Hedgehog (Charlie), CA King Snake (Buddy), Straw-colored Fruit Bat (Billie), Raccoon (Bradley), Burmese Python (Mitch), and our Eurasian Eagle Owl (Elle).

Wildlife programs feature at least five live animal exhibits, subject to availability!

May 5

Spring Céilí at Roan Mountain State Park- 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Meet at the Conference Center. Price is $2 ages 17 and under, $5 Adults. Register for the event. An Irish céilí (or cèilidh if you’re Scottish!) is a traditional social gathering that often includes traditional dance, music, storytelling and all kinds of good fun. In honor of our region’s Scots-Irish heritage we’ll be hosting a Spring Céilí in the Roan Mountain State Park Conference Center. Highlights include:

• Ceili Dances: No previous dance experience is required! These dances are meant for regular people and anyone who can walk comfortable can enjoy learning them.

• Traditional Music: The Roan Mountain Céilí Band will play a variety of dance tunes to accompany the dances, and a few other tunes in between (traditional Scottish and Irish musicians are welcome to join us, contact Ranger O’Day for details).

• Light Refreshments: Coffee & light refreshmens will be provided.

Dress comfortably, in festive attire, with good shoes and come well-hydrated!

This is a ticketed event! Adults 18 and older $5 each, kids 17 and younger $2. Volunteers attend free (contact Ranger O’Day for volunteer opportunities).

May 6

Culture & Coffee: Tech N Nature w/Cory Franklin — 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Meet at the Conference Center. Price is free, $5/attendee + donation. Register for the event.

Today, most people are inseparable from their smart phones and other mobile devices. Opinions are divided on whether these technological advances enhance or detract from the enjoyment of outdoor experiences. Embrace this cultural change and learn how to use technology on a day-to-day basis in nature. We’ll examine easily-accessible resources and apps to explore geolocaion, plant identification, and more.

Culture & Coffee is a new speaker series at Roan Mountain State Park in 2023. Each engagement features a presentation from a subject matter expert on a different topic, and takes place at the Roan Mountain State Park Conference Center. Coffee and light refreshments are provided. The series is free, although donations are appreciated and will be used to fund refreshments.

May 13

Elks Lodge 2023 Youth Trout Tournament - Meet at Roan Mountain

State Park Amphitheater. Price is $0/Youth Fisherman, $10 /Attendee + $10 Park Donation, $20 /Attendee + $20 Park Donation. Register for the event.

Join Roan Mountain State Park and the Elizabethton Elks Lodge for the 40th annual Elks Lodge Youth Trout Tournament on Saturday, May 13th (Mother’s Day Weekend). This year’s trout tournament is strictly for youth ages 4-14 with youth competing in 3 age groups: 4-7, 8-11, and 12-14. Families interested in their youth participating must register their youth participants online on this page by May 13th. The event times and details are as follows:

Trout Tourney Schedule:

•7-9 a.m. – Mandatory Participant Check-in & Last Minute Registration @ Amphitheater

• 9 a.m.-noon – Trout Fishing Tournament within the boundaries of the Doe River (see rules)

• Noon-12:30 p.m. – Fish judging and prize preparations @ Amphitheater

•12:30PM-2:00PM – Prize Award Ceremony @ Amphitheater Tournament Rules

• Tournament is limited to 300 participating youth fishermen/women.

• Youth participants must provide their own fishing gear and bait/tackle.

• Family members may assist youth, but may not fish for them –remember, this is for the kids!

• Fishing laws are per TN State Law: 7 trout/day (all species) may be kept to present for turn-in for measurements. Keep your best 7!

• Youth ages 12+ must have a valid TN Fishing License and Trout Stamp to participate. Youth under the age of 12 may fish without license.

• Judging of fish is by total lengths and weights of all trout presented to the judging table.– A tie winner will be decided by total species caught.

• 1st-3rd place prizes will be awarded in each age category as well as door prizes awarded to participating youth.

• Park Rules and Laws - Rangers will be enforcing fishing regulations, state laws, and parking throughout the park grounds – remember, no parking on grass or sides of roads. You must park in a designated parking area.

• Food is welcome to be packed by families or participants can claim a lunch from the Elks Lodge Staff at the Amphitheater (drinks, chips, and sandwiches will be available).

June 2

Friday Night Concert Series: The Bog Blossoms. 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. Meet at the Amphitheater. Join us Friday night at the park amphitheater for an evening of Irish Traditional Fiddle Music with the Bog Blossoms. Amanda and Marcianne work here at the park, and both play fiddle with regional Irish band Sigean. They’ll be presenting an assortment of their favorite jigs & reels!

Artists who participate in our series are not paid by the park, and tips are appreciated. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be canceled and the artist will be rebooked for a future date.

Hayworth Tire Center owner and operator Kevin Hayworth (front center) and his crew at the Elizabethton location. Each member is a certified tire service technician, and are trained in alignment and brake services also.

Pictured with Hayworth are (second row) Zach Hayworth and Mike Reagan. Back row are Josh Holly, Jim Maine and DJ Helmick.