Boonerang 2023: Bigger and better

BY JORDYN DANIELS AND JILLYAN MOBLEY

The inaugural Boonerang Music and Arts Festival brought thousands of people to the streets of historic downtown Boone. The success of the 2022 festival showed coordinators the people wanted more — and they delivered. This year, exciting new events, more stages and afterparties are debuting to increase the fun!

A kickoff event at the Appalachian Theatre will start the new festivities on Thursday at 7 p.m. and will feature popular local bands the Kruger Brothers, Jeff Little Trio, and the Burnett Sisters. The event will be an homage to Doc Watson and celebrate his 100 birthday year. This is the only ticketed event of the festival, with ticket prices remaining affordable at less than $25.

Also at the Appalachian Theatre, the first ever Boonerang Story Slam will kickoff at 1 p.m. With the theme of “homecoming,” interested parties can signup for the opportunity to go on stage a tell a short story about coming home. Audience-member-judges will give select their favorites to be awarded fun prizes.

Last year, the Friday night party at the Jones House was overflowing with festival goers. To increase for space for a larger anticipated crowd, the stage at North Depot Street will be bigger and better this year, with the street closing for more space to dancing the night away. Attendees will fill North Depot Street, located off of Queen Street, where a stage and tent will hold performances. On Friday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. performances by Ashely Heath and her Heathens, Will Easter and the Nomads and the Larry Keel Experience will echo through the street before the first Silent Disco of the weekend begins at 8:30 p.m.

On Saturday a new venue will open with a unique purpose. The inaugural dance lot will be a new feature to the festival in the parking lot of the Wild Craft Eatery. Participants are encouraged to come ready to boogie. Participatory events and performances will be available throughout Saturday, featuring Latin Dance at 11 a.m., Swing Dance with Lauren Hayworth Swingtet at 1:30 p.m., Square Dance and Flatfooting with Nobody’s Business at 3 p.m., Honky Tonk Dance with Possum Jenkins at 4:30 p.m. and Percussion

Presentation followed by Open Drum Circle at 6:30 p.m.

Right next to the new dance stage in the lot of Boone Bagelry, the Boonerang International

Festival will highlight the creativity and diversity immigrants bring to the community!

Q’Pasa Appalachia, Immigrant Connection of the High Country and the

Immigrant Justice Coalition will provide information about local resources for immigrant-affected people. Local woodworked pieces will be sold by Escobar Rustic Craft and Creations while Vista Tranquila Publisher offers books and crafts.

Food truck Taqueria Doña Chelo will sell everyones’ favorite Mexican foods. Living statues, popular in Columbia, and multiple dance groups will provide entertainment at the “festival within the festival.”

The Mellow Lounge, sponsored by Mellow Mushroom, will allow guests the opportunity to take a midday break on 900 square feet of turf with couches and chairs. With structured activities ranging from yoga and tie-dye and access to board games and peach tea, the lounging space will be the spot to give your dancing feet a rest.

Afterparties are the best way to keep the party of Boonerang going. Join

Boone Saloon on Thursday, Friday and Saturday for their afterparty series. Each night experiences a new band starting at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday and Saturday, and 9 p.m. on Friday. The cover charge for each night is $5 and music is available both upstairs for and downstairs for adults 21 and over.

Over at Lily’s Snack Bar, the second annual Doomerang will showcase local bands Friday and Saturday night to offer a space to enjoy louder, more intense music for those 21 and older. With bands Goodwrench, Nuclear Desolation, Appalchiatari, Iron Sights and Felspar on Friday and Babe Haven, Those Doors, Kiss it Make it Better, Dull Mourning and Her Majesty on Saturday, the dancing won’t stop!

BY PATRICK MCCORMACK

Although Boonerang is directed at all age groups, not every child will want to listen to music for hours on end.

In anticipation of the wants and needs of restless children, Boonerang will establish an extra fun ‘Kids Zone,’ set to be held in front of the Watauga County Public Library. The Kids Zone operates on Saturday, June 17, from noon until 4 p.m.

Boonerang has scheduled a series of children-friendly performances by local artists, including Tommy Smith, the Blue Ridge Bean Stringers and the Pickin’