Issue 079 October the Destination Magazine™

the Issue 79 Local & Regional Events & Destinations

Spirits Are High...

Page 16

Laketoberfest Music & Brew

Fall Into A Palette Of Color In Burke County Feelin’ Fonzie?

Woolly Worm Festival Turns Forty

Ride The Roots & Rocks

Brews, Kilts & Spooky Knights

Four Must-Eat Restaurants In Hendersonville R&D, It’s Your Decision

We Tell You Where To Go! theDestinationMag.com

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Regional Events & Destinations

Go Gaston. Golf Gaston.

Gaston County native and PGA Tour member Harold Varner III

For the outdoor enthusiast in all of us, Gaston County offers amazing golf as well as a wide array of other activities.

Let us help you unplug this weekend and connect you with our County’s numerous natural assets. Stop by our Visitors Center or call us today for a FREE Visitors Guide.

620 N. Main St., Belmont, NC | 800-849-9994 | 704-825-4044 #gogaston | gogaston.org

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October 2017 Issue 79

the

W

e Tell you where to go!

Whether you are a long time resident or new to the area, you’ll find local & regional events and destinations in the Destination Magazine™ that will have you saying “I never knew that was there.”

The Destination Magazine™ is not a historical document, we will not write about spectacular events you’ve missed. If you are seeking new destinations to explore on your own, or ideas for things to do with friends and family you will find a new experience every month in the Destination Magazine™ .

We know we are on to something!

Lisa & Andy Jay Publishers Published by: Photodude.net Business Development: Lisa Jay Contributing Writers: Lisa Jay, Craig Distl, Kara McMillian, Amber Duckett, Project 543, RootsRated, Niki L. Young Contributing Photographers: Bill Russ, Andrew Zachary Digital Imagery, Olivia Binstead, Madison Hedrick, Ed Phillips, Ann Gibson, Todd Bush, Joseph Bradley

The list of events in this publication is compiled from various sources dates & times are tentative & subject to change. the Destination Magazine™ is published by Photodude.net LLC 369 Dovefield Drive Summerfield, NC 27358 (704) 706-2365 www.theDestinationMag. com ©2017 All rights reserved. Photodude.net LLC Publisher, Agents & Advertisers do not necessarily condone any activities or advertisement listed in this magazine. The Publisher and its officers, employees, agents, volunteers, and sponsors are not responsible for any loss or damage which might be associated with patronage of any party named in this publication, and is not responsible for any Act of God such as inclement weather, fire, flood, natural or man-made disaster, etc., that are out of the control of the Publisher, which affect the publishing of this magazine.

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Contents DayTrip Destinations

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Laketoberfest Music & Brew

15

Spirits Are High After Southern Star Takes Gold

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Fall Into A Palette Of Color In Burke County

18

Feelin’ Fonzie?

19

Woolly Worm Festival Turns Forty

21

Ride The Roots & Rocks

22

Brews, Kilts & Spooky Knights

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Four Must-Eat Restaurants In Hendersonville

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R&D, It’s Your Decision

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Regional Events & Destinations

OCTOBER 6 7 14 27 28 TH TH

TH

TH

TH

Join your friends on the Ridgeline Trolley and see the beautiful fall foliage of the Blue Ridge Mountains and foothills. See Linville Falls, North Carolina’s largest volume waterfall, The Brown Mountain Overlook and enjoy lunch at Famous Louise’s Rock House Restaurant.

Lunch is included in ticket price. Tours depart the Burke County Visitors Center. Tour cost is $55 and includes lunch.

GIVE US A CALL AT 888-462-29215 WWW.RIDGELINETROLLEY.COM

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Destinations

DayTrip Destinations Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze Fri-Sat-Sun thr u Nov 5th 4431 Neck Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078.

Get lost in our giant seven-acre cor n maze featuring over two miles of interconnecting paths.

One of the largest in the Southeast, our maze is sure to please! www.ruralhill.net

for royalty, and much much more. www.Carolina.RenFestInfo.com

Cashiers Valley 9th A nnual Leaf Festival Fri Oct 6th–Sun 8th Frank Allen Rd, Cashiers, NC 28717.

Visitors will find unique handcrafted wood, pottery, jewelry and much more on display and available for purchase throughout the weekend.

Chinese Lantern Festival Wed- www.visitcashiersvalley.com Sun until October 29th 5:30pm– 9:30pm 6500 S New Hope Rd, 31st Annual NC Seafood Festival Belmont, NC 28012. More than 800 Fri Oct 6th–Sun 8th 412 Evans Street handmade lanterns will fill more Morehead City, NC 28557. Free local than 12 acres. In addition, marvel and regional entertainment, 8K road at kung fu shows, savor Asian food race, sailing events, surf & pier fishand browse the marketplace that ing contests, Blessing of the Fleet on features authentic Chinese folk Sunday, SasSea’s Island playground art and crafts handmade onsite. for children, free Southern Outer www.dsbg.org Banks Boat Show, vendors of all kinds, fireworks, amusement rides Carolina Renaissance Festival and seafood, seafood, seafood!

We e k e n d s t h r o u g h N o v 1 9 t h www.ncseafoodfestival.org 9am–5:30pm 16445 Poplar Tent Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078, A 16th Flat Rock Playhouse presents centur y European style art and “Little Shop of Horrors” Fri Oct entertainment festival combining 6th–Sat 21st Flat Rock Playhouse, outdoor theater, circus entertain- 2661 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock, ment, arts and crafts marketplace, NC 28731. Don’t feed the plants!

UNIQUELY a jousting tournament,CRAFTED a feast fit O n e BEERS of the longest running

FALL FEST 12 1-7 Craft Beer Food & Fun SUNDAY NOVEMBER

cor neliusdrafthouse.com

Local Craft Beer, bounce houses, LIVE music and a great afternoon of family fun.

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Regional Events & Destinations

Destinations off-Broadway hits of all time makes its Flat Rock Playhouse debut in this hilarious musical comedy about a boy and his bloodthirsty plant. www.flatrockplayhouse.org Music on Main outdoor concert Fri Oct 6th 6:30pm–8pm Town Hall Lawn, 413 N Main St, Mooresville, NC 28115. Music by : 6 L egacy MoTown Review, No Charge–Bring your Chairs Food will be available for purchase. www.ci.mooresville.nc.us Mooresville Wiener Race Saturday Oct 7th 132 E Center Ave, Mooresville, NC 28115, All entrants are required to be classified as a Dachshund breed to be eligible to participate. Contests for “Cutest” and “Best Dressed” also award trophies. www.mooresvillewienerrace.com 9th Annual Scotland County Highland Games Sat Oct 7th 9 a m – 4 p m 1 3 0 4 0 X Wa y R d , Laurinburg, NC 28352. Watch our lads compete in traditional events, such as tossing the caber (a massive tapered pine pole) and the sheaf toss–throwing a 20-pound bale of straw straight up using a pitchfork!

Of course, what would the games be without the piping and drumming,

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LIVE MUSIC Wednesday Thru Sunday www.drinklivemusic.com

Trivia Trivia Every Every Tuesday Tuesday

Continued On Page 8

Royal Event Staffing delivers the people you need to make your event an elegant affair. www.RoyalEventStaffing.com

21314 CATAWBA AVE, CORNELIUS (980) 288-4418 www.oldtownpublic.house

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Destinations Continued From Page 7

dancing and Tartan glory associated with this unique culture. Beer and food vendors will be on site. www.carolina-highlandgames.com

live performances and fun for the family! Food, beverages, and more will be available at the Garden.

Performances by Carolina Keller Band, Head for the Hills, Stepside Mac ‘N’ Cheese Cookoff Sat Oct Deluxe and The Ragbirds, among 7th 11:30am–2pm Ada Jenkins others. www.DSBG.org Center, 212 Gamble St, Davidson, NC 28036. The competition will The North American Body paintfeature 8-10 local restaurants, bat- ing Championship Sat Oct 14th tling for first place in the following 2:30pm–Tue 31st 11:59pm Greenscategories: Cheesiest, Ultimate boro Coliseum Complex, 1921 W Seafood, Ultimate Meat-Lovers, Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC People’s Choice and Kid’s Choice. 27403. See Professional & Emerging The event will also feature craft beer artists work their magic right before from a local brewery and dessert your eyes in a fast-paced, intense

by Justin Burke-Samson of Kindred. race to the finish that feels more www.adajenkins.org like a sporting event than an art opening. Then watch as the artists 38th Annual Sonker Festival Sat give their presentations before an Oct 7th 1pm–5pm The EdwardsContinued On Page 10 Franklin House, 4132 Haystack “bath time should be fun for everyone” Rd, Mt Air y, NC 27030. Bring a lawn chair and/or blanket. Sonker is Surry County’s unique style of a deep-dish pie that dates back to the times of the early settlers. www.yadkinvalleync.com Lost Hollow Fall Music Fest Sat Oct 14th–Sun 15th Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S New Hope Rd, Belmont, NC 28012. Two days of

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704-799-2712 ~ www.SummitPlaceOfMooresville.com 128 Brawley School Road Mooresville, NC 28117

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Regional Events & Destinations

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Amazing Maize Maze Fri.-Sun. Sept. 9th - Nov. 5th

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Luxury & Performance at the Lake!

RANDYMARIONCADILLAC.COM Visit Randy Marion Cadillac for all your service, parts and accessory needs

220 W. Plaza Drive I-77, Exit 36, Hwy.150

Open 7:30 am - 8:00 pm Weekdays 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Saturday

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Destinations Continued From Page 8

international panel of celebrity for the Friday evening events but judges as the models display their Saturday is free to the public. amazing artistr y on the runway. www.mushmusicandmutts.com www.livingartamerica.com Havelock Chili Festival Fri Oct North Carolina Music Hall of 20th–Sat 21st 1 Governmental Ave, Fa m e I nd uc t i o n Ce r e m o n y Havelock, NC 28532. Chili “chefs” Thu Oct 19th 7pm–10:30pm 401 compete to prove who has the best L aureate Way, K annapolis, NC chicken wings, chili verde, red chili, 28081. Ceremony to commemorate and salsa. www.chilifestival.org those in the music industry who have made an impact on American Fayetteville Dogwood Fall FesMusic. The class of 2017 includes tival Fri Oct 20th–Sat 21st Festival Anthony Hamilton, Jim Lauderdale, Park, 335 Ray Ave, Fayetteville, NC Steep Canyon Rangers, Etta Baker, 28301. 2 days of festivities, to include Richard Lewis Spencer, Sensational historic hauntings, hayrides, a Nightingales and Bucky Covington. haunted house, bands, and brews. northcarolinamusichalloffame.org Concerts are free, but preferred front-row-seating tickets are availOfficial Fall Liver Mush Festival able to purchase. On Saturday of North Carolina Fri Oct 20th–Sat only, enjoy Fayetteville’s Food Truck 21st 200 S Lafayette St, Shelby, NC 28150. Liver Mush everything!

Liver Mush eating contest, recipe contest, Miss Liver Mush Pageant and of course Liver Mush vendors. Live music! The Foothills Farmers Market will have fresh locally grown produce, meats, and products. The whole event opens MAKE ANY PDFS INTERACTIVE on Friday night with the NC Craft IN 5 MINUTES OR LESS Brew Fest and Rotary Chili CookOff at 6pm. Tickets are required www.Docsmore.com

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REALTOR, BROKER, GRI, SRES

Cell/Text: 704-701-7599 Regional Events & Destinations

Destinations Festival. Visit the event website features handmade arts and crafts, f o r t h e c o m p l e t e d e s c r i p t i o n . locally-grown apples and apple www.faydogwoodfestival.com products for sale. In addition, the festival will feature food vendors Valle Country Fair Sat Oct 21st o f a l l t y p e s , e d u c a t i o n a l a n d Grounds of Valle Crucis Conference infor mation booths, authentic Center, 122 Skiles Way, Banner Elk, mountain music, and dance groups.

NC 28604. The tents of 150 juried www.haywoodchamber.com craft exhibitors line wide lanes that meander back and forth across Yadkin Valley Grape Festival t h e g r o u n d s . L o c a l m o u n t a i n Sat Oct 21st 205 S Jackson St, musicians per for m throughout Yadkinville, NC 27055. Come out and the day on the main stage while sample the wonderful wines of the s q u a r e d a n c e r s a n d c l o g g e r s Yadkin Valley. www.yvgf.com entertain on the youth stage. www.vallecountryfair.org Outer Banks Seafood Festival Sat Oct 21st 6800 S Croatan Hwy, Annual Apple Harvest Festival Nags Head, NC 27959. Join us as Sat Oct 21st S Main St, Waynesville, we celebrate our local fishermen NC 28786. The annual festival and seafood heritage. It’s all about Continued On Page 12

www.duckworths.com

Ballantyne Charlotte Mooresville Huntersville Uptown

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Destinations Continued From Page 11

fresh, local Outer Banks seafood! 4 0 t h A n nu a l Wo ol l y Wo r m www.outerbanksseafoodfestival.org Festival Sat Oct 21st–Sun 22nd 185 Azalea Cir SE, Banner Elk, NC 28604.

37th A nnual North Carolina This unique family festival will Oyster Festival Sat Oct 21st–Sun include delicious food, over 150 craft 22nd 8 E 2nd St, Ocean Isle Beach, vendors, great music all weekend, NC 28469. Local cuisine, arts and clog and dance teams, trampoline crafts, children’s activities, an oyster and inflatable rides. Shop for woolly eating contest, shag competition, worm memorabilia, souvenir shirts the oyster shucking contest, and to items crafted for family heirlooms. the delectable oyster stew cook-off. There will be something for everyEnjoy music, vendors, and entertain- one! www.woollyworm.com ment by live musicians all weekend. www.ncoysterfestival.com Tribute to the Troops Memorial Ride & Concert Sat Oct 21st–Sun Lake Lure Arts & Crafts Festival 22nd Tilley’s Harley-Davidson, 1226 Sat Oct 21st–Sun 22nd 119 Arcade Morland Dr, Statesville, NC 28677.

St, Lake Lure, NC 28746. This 2-day Ride both days or just one–to the spring festival celebrates the rich homes of these families to persontradition of hand-made, Appalachian ally convey our sympathy, to honor arts and crafts and features over 80 their hero & let them know that artisans and crafters who personally exhibit and sell their hand-made works to the public at this event.

Enjoy fun for the whole family!

Over 10 great food and beverage vendors, entertaining musicians all day, a creek-side picnic area and a large kids’ activity zone. www. lakelureartsandcraftsfestivals.com

Enjoy the savings & repeat! It’s that easy! www.thebogocard.net

Trick Or

TREAT Yourself 19905 W. Catawba Ave. Cornelius, NC 28031

704-439-0996 MaddysFattys.com 12

Regional Events & Destinations

Destinations their hero will never be forgotten.

Sat. 7pm Rockie Lynne will perform at the Statesville Civic Center www.tributetothetroops.org Lake Norman No Shave November Beard & Beer Bash Sat Oct 21st 5pm–10p D9 Brewing Company, 11138 Treynorth Dr, Cornelius, NC 28031. Come out and enjoy a family fun evening of beer, beards, live music and food trucks. www.patrickoneilgrooming.com 34th Annual Lexington Barbecue Festival Sat Oct 28th 13 E 1st Ave, Lexington, NC 27292. The festival will feature 6 stages of entertainment, artisans, arts and crafts, food vendors and of course, barbecue! www.visitlexingtonnc.com

Wine - Gifts Gourmet Snacks

Bootanical Sat Oct 28th–Sun 29th Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S New Hope Rd, Belmont, NC 28012. Live music will drift through the crisp fall air as attendees enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, gather around campfires to make s’mores, play fun games such as cornhole, watch some Punkin Chunkin’ and participate in some not-sofrightening fantastic fall activities www.DSBG.org Myra’s Customer Appreciation Day Sun Oct 29th 2pm–5pm Myra’s, 212 Main St W, Valdese, NC 28690. Customer Appreciation Day Food, Music & More! www.MyrasofValdese.com

TWO LOCATIONS

Craft Beer Cigars - RUSTIC -

ONE

The DESTINATION Cabin LAKE NORMAN ON THE WATER

200-400 North Harbor Place - Davidson NC 704.237.3629

www.LakeNormanCottage.com

Next to North Harbor Club on the water off of exit 30 I-77

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P L E N T Y TO E X P LO R E

IN THE ELKIN

OUTDOORS

14 Regional Events & Destinations V i s i t T h e Ya d k i n Va l l ey.c o m � W h a ts U p I n E l k i n N C.c o m

Laketoberfest Music & Brew

W

illkommen to the 5th Annual L aketober fest Music & Brew Festival!

Join the Cornelius PARC Department on Saturday, October 21, 2017, from 4pm. to 9pm. at Bailey Road Park,11536 Bailey Road, for one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations in Lake Norman. This annual familyfriendly event attracts thousands of guests each year. This year ’s Laketoberfest will feature a dozen

local craft breweries, food trucks, vendors, kid’s zone, and live music from the Jill Goodson Band, Bailey Hayes Band, and LayLo. Admission and parking are free.

A portion of the proceeds benefit Lake Norman Wildlife Conservationists.

For more information, visit www.cornelius.org/parc or call 704.892.6031.

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Spirits Are High After Southern Star Takes Gold

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ood business sense says that consumers will take an extra few steps for a superior product. For the lucky citizens of the Charlotte region and NC Foothills, the superior product has brought itself to you in a whiskey bottle wearing a “Southern Star” label. Statesville native Pete Barger and his wife Vienna have cultivated a selection of award winning bourbons and ryes that are available right off the Interstate 40 & 77 Interchange in Statesville. Six days a week, Southern Distilling Company welcomes whiskey enthusiasts to sip and savor in the tasting room that is indicative of an elegant, yet classic, saloon. The staff are absolute authorities in their discipline and it shows in the exceptionality of their creations as well as their command of Statesville’s rich history in distilling. They would be more than happy to tell you the stories as they pour each divine sample into your glass.

Southern Distilling Company currently (and rightfully) boasts five premium liquors available for taste and purchase. Each of the varieties being unique and inventive unto themselves, but all sharing the

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same level of quality. It’s worth the experience just to taste their White Whiskey- it’s matchless in its essence and individuality of any liquor I have personally tasted. I am giddy to make many return trips to sample the new creations that are planned for the near future, including craft apple brandy, flavored whiskeys and multiple liqueurs. If you are curious about their masterful chemistry, they will tell you all about it in detail on their “Behind the Scenes” tour at the top of every hour, Monday through Saturday 10-6pm.

While we’re on the topic of good business sense, let’s talk about good “family business” sense. Southern Distilling Company is family owned and operated, and it functions like a well-oiled machine. The Bargers dreamed of a business that didn’t just exist, but excelled. They know that Statesville and its visitors deserve the best and that’s what they created. The best distiller y.

Regional Events & Destinations

Using locally sourced corn, wheat and rye, and even using the spent grains from their whiskeys to feed cattle on neighboring farms.

Most importantly, Southern Distilling Company provides an excellent and educational experience to whiskeyloving visitors to the area. Statesville deserved superior whiskey, and now superior whiskey is found right here.

Cheers! – Kara McMillian karaelysew@gmail.com Critically acclaimed, award winning Southern Star Bourbons just earned two golds and a silver medal at the 2017 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition. Stop in and sample these fine bourbons at the 25,000 sq ft state of the art facility, one of the largest craft distilleries in the nation.

211 Jennings Rd Statesville, North Carolina, NC 28625 SouthernDistilling.com

Continued On Page 17

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Fall Into A Palette Of Color In Burke County

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aily fall foliage reports and Phillips, tourism director for Burke weekly video reports are just County. a click away this autumn thanks to the Burke County Tourism To a c c e s s t h e r e p o r t s a n d Development Authority. videos, go to: www.facebook.com/ BurkeCountyTourism. Or stop by the From Oct. 5 through the end of Burke County Visitors Center at 110 the fall color season, the Burke TDA East Meeting Street in Morganton to will release a color report every day get the daily color reports, they can of the week except Sunday, and also pick up a map of the best fall will release a 30-second fall foliage color drives in Burke County. video each Thursday. All reports will be posted on the Burke County TDA And for those who prefer to focus Facebook page. their attention solely on the leaves and not on the road, Burke County B u r k e i s a m o n g t h e m o s t Tourism has five leaf-looking trolley geographically diverse counties in tours available. Each tour departs Western North Carolina. The north- from the visitors center in Morganton ern portion is home to 4,000-foot and heads north to take in the fall elevations and such sights as the color in the higher elevations near Blue Ridge Parkway, Linville Falls, Linville Falls and along the Blue Linville Gorge, Wiseman’s View and Ridge Parkway.

Table Rock mountain. The southern half of the county sits at much lower Dates for the trolley tours are Oct. elevations and is punctuated by the 6, Oct. 7, Oct. 14, Oct. 27, and Oct. Catawba River Greenway, downtown 28. Each tour lasts from 11:30am. to Morganton, Lake James State Park 5pm. and includes lunch at Famous and South Mountains State Park.

Louise’s Rockhouse Restaurant. Cost for the tours, which typically sell out, “This will be our fourth year of is $55 per person. providing daily fall color reports online and in the visitors center, and For trolley tour info call it will be the first year we’ve posted 888-462-2921 or go to www.ridgelinetrolley.com weekly video reports,” says Ed

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Regional Events & Destinations

Feelin’ Fonzie?

C

ool weather, cool cars is what it’s all about here at Myra’s Ice Cream in Valdese, NC. Every Friday night from April to October, a free car show / Cruisin’ in that fills the street and takes you back in time to the era of sock hops, the Fonz, Elvis, & root beer floats.

Larry & Audrey Earp the owners of Myra’s for nearly 40 years love spending time with the community and giving back by hosting this event with a DJ that plays a variety of music from country, bluegrass, gospel and other nostalgic tunes that will get your toes tapping if not get you up and out of your chair in a down right boogie.

The last show of the season is Sunday, October 29th 2pm-5pm.

So bring the family out for one last nostalgic day at Myra’s. Larry will provide with free BBQ and a few surprises to make Customer Appreciation Day 2017 the best ever.!

Myra’s Ice Cream 212 Main St. West in Valdese, NC www.myrasofvaldese.com

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WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR SOMETHING SINCE 1903 YOU EXPECT IT TO BE GOOD.

Southern Star Single Barrel High-Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Southern Star 10-year Reserve High-Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Southern Star White Whiskey Distilled from Bourbon Mash

BOURBON TOURS & TASTINGS 20

MONDAY- SATURDAY 10 :00-6 :00

Regional Events & Destinations

211 Jennings Road, Statesville, NC 28625 – 704-978-7175 SouthernDistilling.com

Woolly Worm Festival Turns Forty photo: Todd Bush

T

he weather prognosticating skills of the woolly bear caterpillar take center stage Oct. 21-22 during the famous Woolly Worm Festival in downtown Banner Elk.

championship race takes place midafternoon. Attendees may bring their own worms, or purchase one for a nominal fee from school kids raising money for the local PTO.

The festival draws approximately 20,000 people from across the country. When they’re not racing worms, attendees enjoy live music, kids’ games, a superb collection of craft vendors, plus a variety of food options ranging from Amish According to legend, the 13 doughnuts to Carolina barbecue. fur bands of the worm foretell the weather for all 13 weeks of winter.

The resort town of Banner Elk Brown bands indicate mild weeks is the ideal location for the festival. and black bands indicate cold, The town is surrounded by the Blue snowy weeks.

Ridge Mountains and fall foliage is usually at its peak the third weekend “ Yo u h a v e c r a f t s , f o o d a n d of October. entertainment, but the unique aspect of the festival is that we race woolly Additionally, the town has an worms,” says event chairperson amazing culinary scene and plenty Mary Jo Brubaker. of lodging options, ranging from bed & breakfast inns to cozy cabins S a t u r d a y ’ s w i n n i n g w o r m to upscale vacation homes. receives $1,000 and provides the “official” NC High Country winter Festival admission is $6 for adults forecast for 2017-18. Races also take and $4 for children ages 6-12. Kids place on Sunday, with the champion five and under are admitted free. caterpillar pocketing $500.

The festival, now in its 40th year, holds a series of races to determine which woolly worm is bestowed the honor of forecasting weather conditions for the upcoming winter.

Races start both days shortly after gates open at 9am. Each day’s

For festival info, go to www.BannerElk.com or www.WoollyWorm.com.

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Ride The Roots & Rocks

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re roots and rocks your thing?

No worries, the mountain biking scene runs every bit as deep as the road-biking culture in Gaston County. Novices and families can start out on the Seven Oaks Preserve Trail or the South Fork Trail.

Both natural surface options offer a four to six mile out-and-back ride on relatively flat and non-technical trail through protected hardwood forest. For a full day of hiking and biking, Seven Oaks connects to the footpaths of Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.

For the adrenaline-motivated crowd, there’s no shortage of singletrack. Rocky Branch Park just outside downtown Belmont keeps growing with 4.3 miles of tight trails, punchy climbs, and multiple creek crossings.

Lose yourself in the 10-plus miles of singletrack at George Poston Park) and you’ll be wondering if you’ve somehow bombed your way to western North Carolina. Twisty, tight trails with roots, rocks, and jumps under a heavy tree canopy are designed for the intermediate to advanced rider. Novices can test their skills on the Lake Loop

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before tackling the four other more advanced trails. A new pump track has been added this year and a kid’s loop just off the trailhead parking area is a nice amenity for families.

Where can you go to ride more than 35 miles of trails, all winding their way back to a riverfront grill serving everything from burgers, chicken & waffles, and BBQ to fried pickles and lettuce wraps?

Plus you’ll find a host of local craft beers? For real, it’s the U.S. National Whitewater Center. BYO gear or rent anything you need on site for a day on the trails. With eight miles of beginner trails, 15 miles of intermediate singletrack, and five miles of advanced trail, it’s easy

photo: Joseph Bradley SouthPark Magazine

Regional Events & Destinations

to connect the loops for as much distance and challenge as you like.

Now ’s your time. Wind your way along the shady back roads and churn the dirt at George Poston or the USNWC to find out for yourself why everyone from cycling veterans to wanna-be riders come to Gaston County to ride.

19TH YEAR

Myra’ s Cruise-In Fridays 6:30-

HOT CARS Hot Dogs

RootsRated for Gaston County Gov.

Gaston County is located just west of Charlotte, NC in the Piedmont section of North Carolina and is a terrific place to live, work and visit. Gaston County offers visitors a variety of attractions to enhance your trip including museums, botanical gardens, extreme sports, hiking, dining and entertainment parks, art and history and more. www.go2gaston.org

MUSIC Raffles

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Regional Events & Destinations

Brews, Kilts & Spooky Knights BrewFest Weekend! Oct 14-15 Host a toast of fine festival ale and taste the 2017 Gambrinus Cup award winning brew! Sample a selection of fine micro-brewed ale and participate in a series of RenFest Beer Games. Adventurous costumed ladies are invited to attend the Saucy Wench Costume Contest! Prizes will be awarded.

Celtic Music Weekend! Oct 21-22 Hunky Highlanders and non-kilt wearing Men are encouraged to show their stuff in the Men of Skills Competition! Contests include a Test of Strength, a Test of Confidence, and a Test of Skill. All in good fun! Prizes will be awarded. Contest occurs at 2 PM at The Haven (beyond the Edgewood Theatre) Huzzah!

Halloween Daze & Spooky Knights! Oct 28-29 Children and parents alike enjoy the fun and safe trick or treating experience with free treats to be found at over 100 locations throughout the Festival Village. And don’t miss the children’s Halloween Treasure Hunt with Treasure Chest filled with prizes!

In addition, a full day of regular Festival entertainment is complimented by the Knights of the Living Dead zombie jousting challenge happening three times daily throughout Halloween weekend. And don’t forget, the Festival is a great place to buy your Halloween costume or costume accessories!

The 24th Annual Carolina Renaissance Festival.

North of Charlotte between Concord and Huntersville.

The Festival is located on Highway 73 at Poplar Tent Road (between I-77 and I-85).

Eight consecutive weekends, Saturdays and Sundays, from September 30th through November 19th,.

The Festival runs from 10am until 5:30pm, rain or shine.

Children under 5 are always free. Parking is free courtesy of Harris Teeter. Visit us online at carolina.renfestinfo.com, or call ( toll free (877) 896-5544.

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Four Must-Eat Restaurants In Hendersonville

Y

ou probably know this artsy mountain town, just 20 minutes south of Asheville, is surrounded by apple orchards and scenic drives. But did you know it has a flourishing culinary scene?

a few steps from the downtown location of the Flat Rock Playhouse.

HenDough is one of Hendersonville’s newest restaurants. The quirky name is both a nod to the town’s nickname “Hendo” and a mash-up The downtown alone has 24 of its two main items: chicken and independent restaurants, and that doughnuts. number expands quickly as you head just south toward Flat Rock.

Owners Sarah and Paul Clausen Escape to Hendersonville this fall met as chefs at the nearby Biltmore and satisfy your cravings with these Estate and are having the time of four must-eat restaurants … their lives running this fun restaurant specializing in handmade doughnuts Never Blue is an upscale, funky eatery on Main Street showcasing the creativity of chef/owner Jesse Roque. Roque was named 2016 Chef of the Year by the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association and serves an eclectic tapas menu with everything from spiced pork lumpia to Baha grouper tacos. For the adventurous eater, Never Blue dishes out cricket tacos.

Never Blue’s chic setting includes sidewalk dining and a garage door that opens to the street in pleasant weather. And it’s only

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Regional Events & Destinations

PIRATE CRUISES HAY RIDES ON THE WATER HALLOWEEN-THEMED AND MORE!

DETAILS & RESERVATIONS AT:

CharlotteCycleboats.com • 704.360.3030 WaterStreet Seaport Marina - Lake Norman 17505 W. Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC

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LKNBrewersTrail.com

LKNBT

Your single source for what is going on at participating breweries in the Lake Norman area.

Whats On Tap Whats Going On How To Get There

BAYNE BREWING COMPANY Bayne Brewing Company offers several different types of craft beer in Cornelius, NC. The selections will rotate based on the season and availability of certain ingredients. Each beer hand crafted in small batches with great attention to detail. They offer some the best craft beers in the state, so come on in and give them a try!

19507 West Catawba Ave Cornelius NC 28031 704.897.6426 baynebrewingcompany.com

D9 BREWING COMPANY A craft microbrewery located north of Charlotte in Cornelius, North Carolina. From homebrew parties in their neighborhoods, to their first location’s humble one-barrel beginnings, intense local thirst for the Fanatical Ales™ propelled them to open their current 30 barrel production brewery. D9 is reimagining some of the world’s most unique and trusted styles of beer.

GHOSTFACE BREWING Ghostface offers up to 20 beers on tap, with a selection of rotating styles, some available on nitro.

Tastings & full pours are available on-site, as well as full growler fills to go.

Davidson Pizza Company is always serving on site and you can find out for yourself which house-brewed cold draft pairs best with a New York Style Cheese Pie. 427 East Statesville Ave. Mooresville, NC 28115 704.799.7433 ghostfacebrewing.com

11138 Treynorth Dr Cornelius NC 28031 704.457.9368 d9brewing.com

Digital content is available on desktop,Regional tablet and phone& Destinations 28 Events

R&D, It’s Your Decision

R

esearch and Drinking... what could be better than 2 hours of beer samples, raffle prizes and a custom pint glass?

Join us every month (check the website for dates) for an evening of unlimited beer tastings, fun with new friends, and an expansion on your vocabulary. We will bring out 6-7 different beverages to sample and be voted on to go into production.

Come on out and give your palette something to cheer about! Seats are limited for this luscious sampling of libations, and tickets cost a mere $20.

You'll get to vote for your favorite beer, and perhaps even give it a name with your own creative flair!

We hope to see you there! Cheers!

Ghostface Brewing 427 East Statesville Ave. Suite 100 Mooresville, NC 28115 www.ghostfacebrewing.com

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Four Must Eat Restaurants Continued From Page 26

and fried chicken — the ultimate sweet/savory combination.

Season’s at the Highland Lake Inn is the classic mountain dining establishment. Four-star cuisine in an upscale rustic setting nestled amidst Carolina pines draped with ivy. Season’s makes every meal feel like a special occasion with awardwinning continental cuisine sourced mostly from local farms. The restaurant has been bestowed the Wine Spectator Award of Excellent every year since 2017.

Flat Rock Wood Room serves up tantalizing barbecue and wood-fired pizzas in the historic Village Inn building that ser ved decades of travelers. The owner is a competition barbecue chef who brings his culinary talents to a well-rounded menu of pulled pork barbecue, smoked chicken breasts, St. Louis Menu favorites at Season’s style ribs and beef brisket. include: beef tenderloin, garden harvest gnocchi and fresh mountain The wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas trout. And best of all, it’s only a short have traditional Italian toppings, and drive from the acclaimed Flat Rock the Carl Sandburg pizza is topped Playhouse, which has provided with goat cheese, a homage to the Broadway-style musicals since the Pulitzer Prize winning poet who 1940s and is designated the State lived the second half of his life and Theater of North Carolina. raised dairy goats just down the For more information on Henderroad at his mountain estate known sonville’s culinary offerings, go to as Connemara. www.VisitHendersonvilleNC.org

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1226 MORLAND DRIVE • STATESVILLE NC 28677

704.872.3883 • WWW.TILLEYHD.COM

SATURDAY OCTOBER 28TH JOIN US FOR OUR OPEN HOUSE HARLEYWEEN PARTY !!!

Sweet Green Society Band –Tattoo Contest With Prizes For Category Winners Featuring : BEST HARLEY TATTOO•BEST COLOR TATTOO•BEST BLACK & GRAY•WORST TATTOO

D’s Food Truck – 50/50 And Door Prizes!

All Proceeds Going To Iredell Memorial Hospital Mammography Fund.

Double Rewards Saturday October 28Th And Sunday October 29th As Always There Will Be Treats For Kids ! Come Show Off Your Halloween Costumes!

Sat. Oct 21st Ride for Dave Jr.

Registration At 9am. Ride Starts And Ends At Tilley H-D Cash Prize For Best And Worst Hand. Food, 50/50 Raffle, Door Prizes, Corn Hole, NASCAR Auction!

TILLEY BIKE NIGHT AT LANCASTER’S MOORESVILLE EVERY theDestinationMag.com WEDNESDAY 5:30PM704-706-2365 UNTIL

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HUNTERSVILLE

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9230 Beatties Ford Road

515 Rinehardt Road

L ANCASTERS BBQ.COM

lunch

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OFF I-77 @ EXIT 33 • 117 TRADE COURT (MOORESVILLE) 32 Regional Events & Destinations 7 0 4 7 9 9 1 1 1 0 • www.jeffreyslkn.com