Winter in Banner Elk

Winter at home in BANNER ELK

BY JAMIE SHELL

The road bends and weaves around the buildings standing side-by-side. The trees stand strong in the distance, serving as a backdrop to the beautiful town of Banner Elk.

The town of Banner Elk sits nestled at the base of Beech Mountain, and while being approximately two square miles in size, it is hard to overlook the array of events held within town limits.

The town and community leaders hold an array of festivities throughout the year, including Art on the Greene, the annual Banner Elk Woolly Worm Festival and a Halloween Trunk-or-Treat.

Yet, the festivities do not stop when the leaves fall from their place on the tree. The Town of Banner Elk hosts an array of winter festivities, including “A Small Town Christmas,” which is held the first weekend of December, and includes the lighting of the town tree at The Corner on Main.

“I enjoy all the special actives that we have,” said town manager Rick Owen. “It is nice to have the seasonal change to the activities.”

Additional weekend winter celebrations start bright and early with a Holiday 5K, in additional to other traditional festivities such as breakfast with Old Saint Nick at Dunn’s Deli and a book exchange activity at the Banner Elk Book Exchange inside Historic Banner Elk School.

The Parade of Lights occurs that evening and starts off at Lees-McRae College. It will be hard to miss the parade on Main Street that evening, where families and friends are encouraged to take on the holiday spirit with lights as bright as their Christmas cheer.

“We love the special events held in the town,” said Owen. “It brings out the community pride and allows the community an opportunity to shine.”

Alongside the parade, there will be events throughout the town such as a production held by local theater Ensemble Stage. The holiday musical “A Banner Elk Christmas 3” will be held on Dec. 3, 5, and 17 through

FILE PHOTO The clocktower at the Corner on Main in Banner Elk is a centerpiece of the town which plays Christmas music during the holiday season.

19. Tickets are available by clicking to www. ensemblestage.com.

For more information on the goings-on around Banner Elk, visit the town website by clicking to www.townofbannerelk.org or contact the Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce at (828) 8988395 or www.bannerelk. org.

NUMBERS OF NOTE

The Town of Banner Elk has a plethora of events throughout the if you are interested in knowing more about what is going on in the community.

Town of Banner Elk: (828) 898-5398

For more information regarding “A Small Town Christmas” and any of the events held within the town limits during the season, one can contact Banner Elk officials and community leaders.

Ensemble Stage: (828) 414-1844

Local theatre Ensemble Stage holds an array of productions throughout the year. Call if you are interested in contacting the organization and learning about the community.

Lees-McRae College: (828) 898-5241

Local college that works in the community and serves as part of the community within the town of Banner Elk.

Alongside the many attractions within Banner Elk is an array of restaurants and cuisines, including Dunn’s Deli, Banner Elk Cafe and The Lodge, Stonewalls, Bella’s Breakfast, Sorrento’s, Bayou, Louisiana Purchase Restaurant, just to name a few.

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