WinterFest 2023

A Good Time at WinterFest

The following is the schedule of events for WinterFest. Make sure to visit www.BlowingRockWinterFest. com for the most up to date information and to purchase tickets for the paid events.

Thursday,

Jan. 26

• WinterFeast at Green Park Inn, 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. seatings

• Winterfest Hendrick Hunt begins. Find the four vehicles placed around Blowing Rock and enter to win some big prizes!

• Local’s Night, Hellbender Bed and Breakfast, noon to 8 p.m.

• Square Dance: Learn the steps from 6 to 6:30 p.m. and then dance the night away! (FREE and no registration required) 6-8 p.m. at BRAHM.

• Tomahawk Hill

Winterhawk Tournament, Mystery Hill: Do you have what it takes to win the title of WinterHawk Champion? Join Mystery Hill under a heated tent at Tomahawk Hill and throw axes in the tradition of old Appalachia! They’ll be scoring rounds all weekend and announcing the winner on Sunday. Winner must be present to claim prize.

• The Frozen Heart Adventure: An Escape Experience, Mystery Hill: This escape room style experience is perfect for couples, groups and families! Participants will race against the clock to solve a series of puzzles to help Wynter, a loyal subject, save the kingdom. Reservations

are required and it is strongly recommended to reserve space prior to arrival.

• Winter Duck Derby, Mystery Hill: 3..2..1..GO! Off to the races again! Join Mystery Hill throughout WinterFest to race WinterDucks and see who reigns supreme. Winners of each heat will receive a prize! Derby times and location TBD.

• Festival of Lights from dusk until 10 p.m. at Chetola Resort

Friday, Jan. 27

• WinterFest Hendrick Hunt continues!

• Ice Stroll down Main Street (Tour of Ice Sculptures), 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Wine Seminar at Sunset and Vine – Winter Wines from Warm Climates, 4 p.m.

• Wine Seminar at Sunset and Vine – Comfort Food Wines, 6 p.m.

• Bonfire with limited bar, s’mores, and house made chili, Chetola Resort, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• Jazz at WinterFest at the Green Park Inn, Todd Wright Jazz Trio, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

• Tomahawk Hill Winterhawk Tournament, Mystery Hill

• The Frozen Heart Adventure: An Escape Experience, Mystery Hill

• Cork & Canvas: Learn to paint in a relaxed atmosphere with drinks and friends ($50 General Admission, $45 for Members) 4 to 6 p.m. at BRAHM

• Guided tours through the museum’s exhibitions led by a docent (FREE and no registration required), BRAHM

• Festival of Lights from dusk until 10 p.m. Chetola Resort

Saturday, Jan. 28

• Polar Bear Plunge at Chetola sponsored by the Blowing Rock.. Registration at 8 a.m. with Plunge beginning at 10 a.m.

• WinterFest Hendrick Hunt continues!

• Curling: Bring the family and try your skill with Curling brought to you by the Charlotte Association! Blowing Rock School Gym, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Mountain Alliance’s 2023 Silent Auction, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The auction went live on Saturday, Jan. 21. On Saturday, Jan. 28, it will be in-person with all the auction items from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the American Legion Hall.

• Rotary Chilly Chili Challenge Sponsored by The Spice and Tea Exchange, Meadowbrook Inn (Four Seasons Ball Room), 11 a.m. –2 p.m.

• Beer Garden Sponsored by The Speckled Trout, Meadowbrook Inn (Highland Room), 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

• Hot Chocolate Provided by The Boy Scouts being served in front of the Library, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Ice sculpture demonstration and competition in Memorial Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Hayrides Provided by Speckled Trout Outfitters — Pick up from the Blowing Rock Chamber, from noon to 3 p.m.

• Wine Seminar at Sunset and Vine – Winter Whites and Sparkles at 2 p.m.

• Wine Seminar at Sunset and Vine — Fireside Favorites at 4 p.m.

• Jazz at WinterFest at the Green Park Inn, Todd Wright Quartet from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

• Bonfire with limited bar, s’mores and house made chili

at Chetola Resort from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• Cork & Canvas: Learn to paint in a relaxed atmosphere with drinks and friends ($50 General Admission, $45 for Members) 4 to 6 p.m., BRAHM

• Guided tours through the museum’s exhibitions led by a docent (FREE and no registration required) at BRAHM

• Tomahawk Hill

Winterhawk Tournament at Mystery Hill

• The Frozen Heart Adventure: An Escape Experience at Mystery Hill

• Winter Duck Derby at Mystery Hill

• Sip & Skate at Appalachian Ski Mtn., 10 p.m. to midnight

• Festival of Lights from dusk until 10 p.m. at Chetola Resort

Sunday, Jan. 29

• WinterFest breakfast specials

• Pancake Breakfast, Blowing Rock School (school cafeteria), 8-10 a.m.

• WinterFest Hendrick Hunt ends

• Tomahawk Hill

Winterhawk Tournament at Mystery Hill

• The Frozen Heart Adventure: An Escape Experience at Mystery Hill

• Winter Duck Derby at Mystery Hill

• Festival of Lights from dusk until 10 p.m. at Chetola Resort

25 years of WinterFest

A community event that truly gives back

BY MOSS BRENNAN

Twenty-five years ago, a group of business owners got together to talk about what they could do to help support the economy in Blowing Rock.

Now, 25 years later, that idea is one of the biggest events in Blowing Rock each year that brings thousands of people to town and encourages locals to not hibernate, but rather celebrate.

That event, of course, is WinterFest, put on by the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Hendrick Luxury Auto.

“WinterFest was actually started by a group of business owners who did it on a volunteer basis,” said Charles Hardin, one of the original members and the president of the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce. “We put together a group of folks and they came up with this idea and it was based on this whole tagline don’t hibernate, celebrate. Originally, it was more about getting locals out of their houses and getting them out of hibernation in winter, and get them out to celebrate winter.”

Over the years it’s become a big attraction and a tourism event for Blowing Rock as it attracts thousands of people every year.

Jimmy Crippen was one of the main people spear heading that effort in the late 90s. He used to own Crippen’s Restaurant in Blowing Rock and he and his wife are credited by many as the starters

of WinterFest.

“The winters in Blowing Rock were brutal as far as economy was concerned,” Crippen said. “we as a restaurant struggled to get through the wintertime without having to beg the bank to cover payroll. My wife and I were trying to figure out what to do in the wintertime and how to make more business and she actually came up with the idea of ‘Don’t these towns do winter carnivals and things like that.’”

So Crippen went to his dial up internet at the time — he said AOL — and started searching for different winter carnivals and festivals and found a lot of places did that.

“I started looking at their itineraries going through their schedules and going ‘oh, a polar plunge” We could do that. Oh, a treasure hun? We can do that,’” Crippen said. “So I pitched the idea. I put together a small planning group of about 10 people to kind of lead the way and we put together our very first Blowing Rock WinterFest.”

According to a 1999 Watauga Democrat article, that first Win-

terFest seemingly paid off as many of the lodging businesses reportedly had no vacancy and the event helped filled restaurants — which Crippen said in that same article was “a shot in the arm.”

That very first WinterFest didn’t go quite as planned, Crippen said. The fog in Blowing Rock was so bad that people sitting in dining rooms couldn’t even see the parade go by. But as events do, it evolved over the years. One of the more subtle changes was the logo each year when they had the snowman, which Hardin said came out in the very early 2000s

“It was just the little guy snowman on that logo and he didn’t have a scarf. He didn’t have a hat. There were no birds. There was no girlfriend. That’s just him with his head was bare and everything,” Hardin said. “So every year our

graphic artist would add something else.”

A scarf was added, then a hat. It kept growing from there. The artist then decided the snowman needed a girlfriend. So a snow woman was added. Some birds then came along above them and they decided it was time for the two to be engaged. So a ring was added above them the following year and that WinterFest had a big “engagement part.”

The next year they had he wedding and had the snow mascots get married during that year’s WinterFest.

While the logos changed, the community has not. One of the main impacts of the event is how much it raises for local nonprofits. For example, the silent auction for Mountain Alliance at WinterFest in 2022 raised just shy of $26,000.

For Crippen, who is no longer

in Blowing Rock, that community impact is no surprise.

“That’s what community is all about, isn’t it?” Crippen said. “It started out with community. Everybody in there saying ‘what do we do?’ and then the more we did things, the more we thought ‘how can we get back and what can we do to help?’ 25 years this festival is going on. For me, it’s it’s one of my most proud achievements. I got a lot of little projects that I enjoyed, but I think the WinterFest probably stood the test of time more than anything. It just tells me that it was a good idea because the community adopted it and the community keeps it going and, and so it must be good.”

The 25th WinterFest is sponsored by Hendrick Luxury Group, The Tea and Spice Exchange, Chetola Resort, The Blowing Rock and The Speckled Trout.

PHOTO COURTESY BLOWING ROCK WINTERFEST

Jimmy Crippen and Kent Tarbutton in Chetola Lake after one of the early Polar Bear Plunges.

FILE PHOTO

Doug Uso, of Banner Elk, puts the finishing touches on his ice sculpture during the very first WinterFest as seen in the Watauga Democrat archives.

Take a Dive

Polar Bear Plunge is one of the most popular WinterFest events

BY MOSS BRENNAN

Every year, hundreds of community members are willing to jump headlong, feet first — or even the occasional belly flop — into a lake rimmed with ice and snow. Why do they jump into the freezing water while wearing crazy costumes? Well, for a good cause of course.

Sponsored by The Blowing Rock, the Polar Bear Plunge into Chetola Lake is a highlight at WinterFest. The plunge is on Saturday, Jan. 28 with registration starting at 8 a.m.

Plungers will gather in the

indoor pool area at Chetola at 9:45 a.m. for a safety speech and then groups of about 15 people will start with the annual march to Chetola Lake to begin jumping at 10 a.m.

“Growing up in Blowing Rock, our winters were very quiet with very little for the locals and the small number of visitors to do.

Over the past many years, the Blowing Rock chamber has developed events that promote the town and the High Country,” said Charlie Sellers, owner of the The Blowing Rock attraction.

SEE PLUNGE ON PAGE 8

PHOTO COURTESY BLOWING ROCK WINTERFEST Marge Simpson jumps into Chetola Lake during the Polar Plunge.

Jazz at Winterfest at Green Park

Inn

Todd Wright with dining in the Chestnut Grille

Friday - Jazz Trio

Saturday - Jazz Quartet

6:30pm-9:30pm

Enjoy Special Jazz at Winterfest menu in the Chestnut Grille

Seating 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Dinner Reservatins Required to attend Event

(828) 414-9230

PLUNGE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

“WinterFest has become a very popular event over the course of 25 years. The event that is at the top of the spectator events is the polar plunge which amounts to wearing very little clothing and jumping in water that is around mid-30s in Fahrenheit. It has astonished me at the number of participants that make this pilgrimage to Chetola, paying an entry fee and jumping into the frigid water.”

Charlie Ellis and Company

Both Evenings 5pm-8pm in the lobby!

All of the entree frees collected from the polar plunge are donated to nonprofits around the High Country, making it not only a popular event for the entire community, but also one that gives back.

“My thanks to the

Friday Jan 27 & Saturday Jan 28, 2023

PHOTO COURTESY WINTERFEST

A community member dressed as a banana gets ready to take the plunge.

PHOTO COURTESY WINTERFEST

A pair of ducks jump into the icy confines of Chetola Lake.

PLUNGE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Blowing Rock Chamber of commerce, Chetola Resort, all of the sponsors, participants and our visitors which make this event so special,” Sellers said.

Judges will award the famous “Golden Plunger” award to the best costume.

WBTV’s John Carter is the MC of the Polar Plunge this year. Spectators get free admission to watch the spectacle of the plunge take place.

In 2022, the Polar Plunge was cancelled due to extremely cold temperatures with wind chills in the negative numbers. This year, however, Jan. 28 is set to be a cold — but not too cold — day full of fun as community members take the Plunge into Chetola Lake.

A note for participants taking the plunge: Make sure to bring a towel and blanket for when you exit

Some

the lake.

Last-minute plungers will still be able to sign up the morning of the Polar Bear Plunge in the Chetola Lodge second floor foyer. Day-of event registration is $35 per person and begins

at 8 a.m. Absolutely no one under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be allowed to participate in the plunge.

Chetola Resort at Blowing Rock is located at 185 Chetola Lake Drive.

PHOTO COURTESY WINTERFEST

“snow people” jump into Chetola Lake.

PHOTO COURTESY BLOWING ROCK WINTERFEST

Some “Carolina Panthers” jump into Chetola Lake during the Polar Plunge.

A bowl of chili to beat the chill

BY PATRICK MCCORMACK

Cold and tired from visiting all the fun WinterFest activities? Warm back up by grabbing a bowl of chili, and benefit a local nonprofit in the process!

The 2023 Rotary Chili Challenge, sponsored by The Spice and Tea Exchange, will return indoors this year at Winterfest. The last few years the competition was either located outdoors or in various separate locations due to social distancing measures during the worst parts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s competition will be held on Jan. 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Meadowbrook Inn inside the Four Seasons ballroom. Tickets are $8 per person and can be purchased with cash or beforehand online.

“At The Spice and Tea Exchange,” said owner Andy Barth, “we’re all about food and helping everyone find their inner chef. As such, we are once again proud to sponsor the Rotary Chilly Chili Challenge for the 2023 WinterFest

and help support the worthy causes of the Rotary Club. To help keep things spicy, we will be offering participants a free package of our Matanzas Chili Spice Blend for you to make a gallon of your own delicious chili!”

During the Chili Challenge competition, each participating restaurant will be paired with a

local charitable organization who will receive all money donated to them or their associated restaurant by attendees at the event. This year’s participating restaurants and the charitable cause they are supporting include:

• Bistro Roca — Watauga Humane Society

• Gideon Ridge — Mountain

Alliance For Teens

• Hellbender Bed & Beverage — Middle Fork Greenway Conservancy

• Blowing Rock Ale House — High Country Care Givers

• Speckled Trout — Western Youth Network

• Meadowbrook Inn — Hunger and Health Coalition

• Twigs — High Country Breast Cancer Foundation

• Cafe Violtte — Blowing Rock Women of Agriculture

• Vidalia — Community Care Clinic

• Woodlands — Oasis Domestic Violence Shelter

• Timberlakes Restaurant — Not known as of publication

• Inn at Crestwood — Habitat for Humanity

• The Beacon — Blowing Rock Parkway Foundation

The 13 restaurants will showcase different chilies, and all proceeds from the event will be donated to those charities. The 2022 Blowing Rock WinterFest Chili Challenge winners were Hellbenders Bed & Beverages on Sunset Drive.

There will be two awards given out at the end of the contest — the People’s Choice award and the Golden Ladle award.

The People’s Choice award will be decided by whichever restaurant/ nonprofit pairing collects the most money. Attendees might select where to put their donations based on the quality of the chili, or to give support to their favorite local charity.

The Golden Ladle award will be selected by three secret judges, who will taste the chilies from all 13 restaurants. The judges will sample and score each restaurant’s offering for color, aroma, consistency and taste. The restaurant deemed to have the highest scoring chili will be crowned the 2023 Chili Challenge champion.

Of course, the true winners are the various associated nonprofit organizations, as well as the community members and tourists who get to chow down on some delicious chili. Make sure to stay up-to-date on the most recent information at blowingrockwinterfest.com/ schedule-of-events/.

FILE PHOTO

Chris Jagel and Julia Roberts of the Western Youth Network at a past chili challenge.

FILE PHOTO

Charles Gentry of Coyote Kitchen pours a chili sample at the Rotary Charity Chili Challenge in 2020 at the Blowing Rock Gymnasium.

PHOTO COURTESY WINTERFEST

The chili challenge is a popular event each WinterFest.

Grab a drink and mingle at the WinterFest Beer Garden

BY PATRICK MCCORMACK

Mutiple beer vendors will be on hand at the Meadowbrook Inn, inside the Highland Room, from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28 for the annual WinterFest Beer Garden.

The 2023 Beer Garden event is sponsored by The Speckled Trout Restaurant and Bottle Shop, and attendees of the proceedings can sample many different types of beer from local and regional breweries.

WinterFest’s motto is “Don’t Hibernate, Celebrate!” and that accurately conveys the intent of the event: to encourage people to socialize and share good times and good drinks with others, instead of staying cooped up all winter.

“The beer garden will return to being held indoors this year,”

said John Goheen, Events and Communications Director at the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce. “We haven’t done that in a while due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Continuing, Goheen said, “Several local breweries will be present, offering event-goers opportunities to learn about the beers as they drink them. Most of the vendors that will be at the this year’s Beer Garden are local breweries, with only a couple from outside the High Country.”

Commemorative WinterFest pint glasses will be offered, but only while supplies last.

Tickets are $35 and you must be 21 or older with a valid ID to sample beer. For more information or to reserve your tickets, call the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce at (828) 295-7851.

FILE

PHOTO

The Beer Garden at WinterFest is a great way for attendees to warm up, at least on the inside.

FILE PHOTO Folks sample food and beverages at the first WinterFest Beer Garden event at the Best Cellar in 2017.

FILE PHOTO

Ryan McLoughlin of Birdsong Brewing Company of Charlotte pours a glass for a customer at the 2020 Blowing Rock WinterFest Beer Garden.

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Ice Ice Baby

Popular ice carving demonstrations continue to ‘wow’ at WinterFest

BY MOSS BRENNAN

WinterFest attendees have many demonstrations they can attend, but none is quite like the ice sculpture demonstrations that will take place Saturday, Jan. 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Memorial Park.

Artisan Ice Sculptures has again joined forces with Blowing Rock WinterFest to bring their spectacular artwork to town.

Nathan Moran, owner of Artisan Ice and sculptor, has been sculpting ice for more than 20 years now and made his first appearance at Blowing Rock in 2006. Since then, the Blowing Rock WinterFest has evolved into a sculpture walk on Fridays with 25+ unique displays ranging from piggy banks full of coins to larger than life bears catching fish and Saturday with a fun

live sculpting demonstration. This is always a favorite yearly event for Artisan Ice as they get to stretch our imagination and make one of a kind, amazing sculptures. The final piece this year — started from five blocks of ice — will be a large snowflake with Blowing Rock and Hendrick logos.

“I have travelled and sculpted ice and snow all over the world from the UK to Germany and Japan over the past 10 plus years as a professional Ice Sculptor but this is only my second year carving sculptures for Blowing Rock WinterFest after I moved to the States from Australia and joined Nathan’s team at Artisan Ice Sculptures as their new Lead Sculptor,” said lead sculptor at Artisan Ice Anne

Martin House Gallery BLOWING

ROCK, NC

Chris Bell Serenity at Bass Lake

Tanvi Pathare La Caterina

FILE PHOTO

WinterFesters can enjoy the show with ice carving demonstrations.

CARVING

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Marie Taberdo. “Even between these two years our designs have become more intricate and creative. I am very excited for visitors of Blowing Rock WinterFest to see the countless hours of creativity, design and sculpting (at well below freezing temperatures!) that myself and the whole team have have put into all the pieces this year and hope that people will also enjoy watching us sculpt live on Saturday in Memorial Park! I personally love to share this amazing craft with all who dare be cold enough to see it!”

This year, an ice speed carving competition will also take place starting at 1 p.m. The competition will feature two sculptors going head-to-head in an “exciting” 15 minute carving battle. Audience members will spin a wheel to determine what the sculptors will carve.

At the end of each round, the winner will be decided by the audience cheering for their favorite sculpture. There will be five rounds and 10 finished sculptures by the end of the event. All 10 will be displayed by the snowflake that was created earlier in the day.

Before the demonstrations take place Saturday, WinterFest attendees can take a stroll through town to enjoy all the gorgeous ice sculptures on display at various

businesses.

They are ice sculptures customized to fit every sponsoring business and they are must-see entertainment as well as inspiration during your visit to downtown Blowing Rock. Sculptures will be at the following businesses:

• Mustard Seed Home

• Meadowbrook Inn

• Cabin Fever

• BRAHM

• Mystery Hill

• Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices

• First Citizens Bank

• The Speckled Trout Restaurant

• McCoy Minerals, Inc.

• Blowing Rock Brewing

• Chetola Resort

• The Spice & Tea Exchange of BR

• Blue Deer on Main

• Storie Street Grille

• Sunset Tees & Hattery

• Rotary Club of Blowing Rock

• Town Tavern of Blowing Rock

• JW Tweeds

• Blowing Rock Chamber

• Hellbenders

• Tamaraz

• Funky Tulip

• BLOWING ROCK TDA

• The Stable

• United Community Bank

• SouthMarke

• Six Pence Pub

• The Blowing Rock Attraction

FILE PHOTO

Artisan Ice Carvings shows off their skills during a demonstration in Memorial Park at WinterFest.

FILE PHOTO

WinterFest visitors will be able to see dozens of hand-carved ice sculptures along Main Street during the annual Ice Stroll.

FILE PHOTO

The Ice Carving Competition kicks off at 11 a.m. on Jan. 29. Watch as blocks of ice are transformed into works of art. Staff Photo

Hidden gems showcased at WinterFest

BY JILLYAN MOBLEY

One of the main kick off events to WinterFest is WinterFeast, which will showcase the diverse and divine culinary experiences of the High Country.

Restaurants from across the area will serve guests in the Garden Room of the historic Green Park Inn. Dinners will be encouraged to try dishes from several popular local restaurants before being invited to the Tea Room to enjoy desserts and cocktails.

The nearly sold out event will host two seatings of guest, with each timeframe seeing 120 guests. Early diners will fill their plates from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. before the dining room is prepared for another round of guests that will take their seats from 7 to 8 p.m.

Six Pence Pub, Vidalia, Story Street Grill, Famous Toastery, Egg Rollin’, El Rincon, Speckled Trout, Best Seller, The Inn at Crestwood, Twigs, Town Tavern and a combined effort of Hellbender, Gideon Ridge and Bistro Roca will serve their specialties, giving guests options from filet mignon to macaroni and cheese.

These popular local restaurants are a piece of the heart of the High Country, offering unique takes on southern classics and putting Appalachian spins on American comfort foods.

When bellies are full and dinner plates are empty, guests will have the opportunity to venture into the sweet world of local delicacies prepared by Blue Deer, The Gamekeeper and Stick Boy Bread Company along with The Spice and Tea

Exchange coffee accompaniments from Bald Guy Brew.

Despite these establishments’s big names in the world of foodies, many visitors and locals alike will get the opportunity to try some of these culinary delights for the very first time.

“We’re excited to showcase the different restaurants and different foods that we have around here,” Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce’s Director of Events and Communication John Goheen said. “I don’t think people realize all the hidden gems that are in this town, so this is the whole point of WinterFeast, is to showcase them and let them talk to people about who they are.”

The feast will take place on Jan. 26 with two seatings at Green Park Inn located at 9239 Valley Blvd in Blowing Rock.

FILE PHOTO

Dessert time! WinterFeast patrons pick up desserts during a past feast.

A message from the Mayor A message from the Chamber

As the old song goes, “Baby, it’s cold outside” — but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of warmth and good cheer — and loads of great fun — with the return of Blowing Rock Winterfest in 2023.

I want to officially welcome all of you who are visiting Blowing Rock for this wonderful event. We hope you find it fun and worth your while enough that you will share the good times with all of your friends and relatives about it back home so they might be able to visit next year and beyond.

I also want to take a moment to thank the incredible team of volunteers spearheaded by the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce for putting this event on. Almost everything about Winterfest is not only fun, but for worthy causes, too. Organizations like Mountain Alliance, Western Youth Network, Hospitality House, Blue Ridge Conservancy, Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture and Blowing Rock Art & History Museum are just a

few of the non-profit organizations that benefit.

The first Blowing Rock WinterFest was presented in 1998, created to bring celebration to an otherwise sleepy season — unless, of course, you are a skier or snowboarder. During its 25th anniversary, the festival continues with a refresh of several past events and some new ones, too.

Lots of festival activities are free; some are ticketed with most or all of the proceeds going to benefit a non-profit.

WinterFest, which has been named a AAA “Top Pick” and a Top 20 Event by Southeastern Tourism Society, is organized by the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce and presented by Hendrick Luxury Group. The Town of Blowing Rock thanks them, as well as all of the sponsors, volunteers, and you, our guests, for making WinterFest possible.

Charlie Sellers Blowing Rock Mayor

After three years of scaled back WinterFest activities, we are pleased to be able to bring back many of the events that you have come to know and look forward to.

On Friday evening, you will want to stroll around town to see all the beautiful ice sculptures that our businesses have designed with the professionals at Artisan Ice. The sculptures and lighting make a magical evening. To locate all the sculptures, you can find a map at the Visitor Center or on the WinterFest website.

Saturday morning features the Polar Bear Plunge at Chetola Resort. You will want to come out and cheer on those who will be jumping into frigid water for local charities. From there, please stop by Meadowbrook Inn for the Rotary Chilly Chili Challenge where local restaurants will serve up some creative versions of chili. After enjoying these culinary creations, you may wish to enjoy featured brews from local High Country breweries.

For those who enjoy wine, please consider a wine tasting event at Sunset & Vine. For family entertainment, you will definitely want to go to Memorial Park to watch the ice carving competitions or learn how snow is made. Don’t forget to visit the curling demonstrations at Blowing Rock School.

If you are staying over until Sunday, you can conclude your visit with a stack of pancakes at the Pancake Breakfast over at the school.

Remember, WinterFest is an event to celebrate winter and to raise money for local non-profit organizations. Please share some of your fortune with those who are making an impact in our community.

We are glad you chose to visit the Village of Blowing Rock and hope that you will make many lasting memories at WinterFest as we celebrate winter!

Charles Hardin President/CEO Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce

Hendrick Luxury Groups offering fun scavenger hunt

BY MOSS BRENNAN

Afun activity will take place at WinterFest this year with the Hendrick hunt sponsored by Hendrick Luxury Group, who is also the presenting sponsor of the festival.

Beginning on Thursday, Jan. 26 and lasting until Sunday, Jan. 29, community members can enter the Hendrick Hunt by submitting a photo of a Hendrick Luxury Group vehicle during WinterFest.

There will be four Hendrick Luxury Group vehicles placed around Blowing Rock during WinterFest, find one or find them all! One photo equals one entry with up to four entries (one for each car). Scan the QR code located on the gas cap and upload your photo on the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce

Facebook page. Make sure to use the hashtag #HendrickHunt.

“Spot, snap, share! The Hendrick Hunt is back in Blowing Rock,” said Brooke Ballard of Hendrick Northlake Luxury Auto Mall. “Since beginning in 2020, we’ve found that the Hendrick Hunt not only adds an interactive level to our display vehicles but also opens each visitor’s awareness to experience the village with fresh eyes because you never know when and where our vehicles will pop up! On top of that, we love seeing the creativity of visitors with their vehicle photos — especially when you sneak a dog in the picture!”

WinterFest Hendrick Hunt Prize includes:

• Two Night Stay at the Meadowbrook Inn

• Yeti Cooler

• Two WinterFest Beer Glasses

• $50 Gift Card to the Famous Toastery of Blowing Rock

• The Speckled Trout Beanies

• The Spice & Tea Exchange Variety Pack

• Hendrick Vehicle Refresh

“At Hendrick, one of our core beliefs is ‘Family First’ and that’s exactly what the WinterFest weekend represents,” Ballard said. “From watching the brave souls take the Polar Bear Plunge at Chetola to marveling at the ice sculptures on the stroll while hunting for Hendrick vehicles and finishing the day with a big bowl of award-winning chili, the memories made together over this magical weekend are those to last a lifetime! We are honored to be the presenting sponsor once again in its 25th year.” The winner will be contacted by Feb. 1. Must be 25 years or older to participate.

PHOTO COURTESY BLOWING ROCK WINTERFEST

One of the Hendrick Hunt cars at a previous WinterFest.

Tight budget? Free events at WinterFest

BY MOSS BRENNAN

WinterFest has a variety of events every year and this year is no different. While some events cost money, many others are free and fun for the whole family.

Below is the list of free events at WinterFest.

Thursday, Jan. 26

Mystery Hill: WinterDuck Derby

Mystery Hill 129 Mystery Hill Ln 3..2..1..GO! We’re off to the races again! Join us throughout WinterFest to race WinterDucks and see who reigns supreme. Winners of each heat will receive a prize! The event starts at 2 p.m. Jan. 26 and will go until 3 p.m. Jan. 29.

BRAHM Square dancing

159 Ginny Stevens Ln

Learn how to square dance from 6 to 6:30 p.m. at Blowing Rock Art and History Museum and then dance the night away. FREE and no registration required. The even ends at 8 p.m.

Festival of Lights at Chetola Resort

185 Chetola Lake Drive

Close to 30,000 illuminations light up the lakeside at Chetola beginning at dusk each evening!

As you stroll around Chetola Lake, view glittering ice skaters, a colorful train, Rudolph’s “Holiday Catch”, and much more. The Festival of Lights is free and open to the public nightly. Park and walk around Chetola Lake, sipping on hot cocoa (available in Timberlake’s for purchase).

Winterfest Hendrick Hunt

Throughout Blowing Rock

WinterFest Hendrick Hunt

Jan. 26-29. Join for some WinterFest fun! Enter the Hendrick Hunt by submitting a photo of a Hendrick Luxury Group vehicle during WinterFest. There will

be four Hendrick Luxury Group vehicles placed around Blowing Rock during WinterFest, find one or find them all! One photo = one entry with up to four entries (one for each car). Scan the QR code located on the gas cap and upload your photo on the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. Make sure to use the hashtag #HendrickHunt. Must be 25 years or older to participate. WinterFest Hendrick Hunt Prize includes: Two night stay at the Meadowbrook Inn, Yeti cooler, two WinterFest beer glasses, $50 gift card to the Famous Toastery of Blowing Rock, The Speckled Trout beanies, The Spice & Tea Exchange Variety Pack and a Hendrick vehicle refresh.

Saturday, Jan. 28

Snow Making Demonstration

Memorial Park in downtown

Blowing Rock

Ever wonder how snow is formed? Brad Panovich, Chief Meteorologist for WCNC Charlotte, will host a snow-making demonstration in Memorial Park on Saturday, Jan. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Brad built the snow gun himself, and it will be set up right on the

lawn by the gazebo. Under the right conditions, the device will create a visible cloud of snow! Brad is always happy to talk about weather, so be sure to stop by to check out the snowmaking demo and ask him about winter!

Blowing Rock Art & History Museum – Free Admission!

159 Ginny Stevens Lane

Take the “brrrr” out of the chill and come to the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (BRAHM).

Admission to the museum is FREE!

Stop in, warm up, and tour the exhibits. You’ll be glad you did! The free admission will go from 11 a.m.

Jan. 28 to 5 p.m. on Jan. 29.

Hayrides in Downtown

Blowing Rock Sponsored by The Speckled Trout

132 Park Avenue

A crowd favorite, don’t miss this adventurous mode of transportation during Blowing Rock WinterFest! Hay Rides Provided by

Speckled Trout Outfitters. Pick up is from the Blowing Rock Chamber. The hayrides are from noon to 3 p.m. on Jan. 28.

Ice Carving Demonstrations

Memorial Park

Artisan Ice Sculptures has again joined forces with Blowing Rock WinterFest to bring you the best ice carving event all year! Come by Memorial Park from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. to see what the Artisan Ice team is creating.

Saturday Story Time

3411 U.S. 321 S, Blowing Rock

Join The Incredible Toy Company on Saturday, Jan. 28 for Children’s Story Hour, from 11 a.m. until noon. Stop by to warm up with some favorite winter storybooks, then stick around to play awhile!

Knife Making Demonstration

McCoy Minerals, 537 North Main Street

Stop by McCory minerals from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a knife making demonstration by Tanion McCoy and Isaac Turner. Watch as they create knives using blacksmithing skills during this free demonstration.

PHOTO BY MARISA MECKE

Amy Stegall and her son Jaxson Stegall hold their ducks at the starting line.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TOWN OF BLOWING ROCK

Chetola Resort’s Festival of Lights takes place each winter.

Six signature WinterFest experiences you don’t want to miss

BY AMANDA LUGENBELL

There are lots of events to take in at WinterFest, so if you’re on a time crunch, these are six of the events you don’t want to miss.

Polar Bear Plunge — Zany Fun

Sponsored by The Blowing Rock

Saturday, Jan. 28, 10 a.m. at Chetola Resort

Each year, spectators gather around the north end of Chetola Lake on the Saturday morning of WinterFest to watch this exuberant celebration of winter fun! Be part of the excitement as dozens of jumpers brave the cold waters and take the plunge into the lake! Spectators are introduced to every jumper by the event emcee, John Carter of WBTV Charlotte. One of the best things about the Polar Bear Plunge: most jumpers are in outrageous costumes! Be there to see which costume takes the prize of the coveted Golden Plunger. It’s all for a good cause, too, as proceeds from jumper registration go to local non-profits. This event has been part of Blowing Rock WinterFest since the first festival 25 years ago. 2020 welcomed the largest number of Polar Bear Plunge jumpers ever, with 155 registered participants. Spectator attendance is free!

Ice Stroll –Awesome photo ops

Starts Friday, Jan. 27, 5 p.m. in various location s

This is a truly unique winter experience! Take a tour of nearly 30 specialty ice sculptures all over town, starting Friday evening. Local businesses commission the sculptures just for Blowing Rock WinterFest and display them outside their businesses. There have been some memorable designs and you don’t want to miss the collection this year! Past sculptures have included a teapot pouring tea, a trout jumping from a stream, a gang of playful Minions, a British phone box, a piggy bank complete with loose change inside, and Bigfoot. The sculptures remain on display through the weekend, as long as it’s cold enough for them to last. Find stroll maps at each sculpture site.

Ice Carving Demonstrations –Frozen art in progress

Saturday, Jan. 28, noon to 4 p.m. in Memorial Park

Artisan Ice Sculptures will be joining Blowing Rock WinterFest for another day of live ice carving in Memorial Park. Watch as plain blocks of ice become works of art, carved with chainsaws, chisels, and incredible skill. This year, the crew

will be hosting a friendly competition between carvers. They’ll spin a wheel to choose the subject then compete in a quick-carve round to see who does it best! By the end of the afternoon, Memorial Park will be filled with ice sculptures to enjoy.

Chili Challenge – Tasty competition

Sponsored by the Spice & Tea Exchange of Blowing Rock

Saturday, Jan. 28, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Meadowbrook Inn

If there’s one dish that always goes perfectly with a winter day, it’s a bowl of chili. The Rotary Chilly Chili Challenge presents the opportunity to try out all kinds of different chili samples presented by local restaurants. This event has a twist, though: attendees are encouraged to “vote” for their favorite chili with donations to local nonprofits. Each restaurant is paired with a local nonprofit, bringing awareness to local needs and gathering donations with delicious chili. So bring a few bucks to cast your vote for People’s Choice! If you’d like to wash down the chili with more local flavors, the WinterFest Beer Garden is presented in an adjacent room.

Raffle & Silent Auction – Incredible

local finds

Saturday, Jan. 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Blowing Rock American Legion Hall

The Mountain Alliance Raffle and Silent Auction is the spot to find some real High Country treasures. It’s one of the best silent auctions anywhere! The selection is always incredible, including items like local art, outdoor gear and equipment, memorabilia, and more. Find experiences like local spas treatments, event tickets, and attractions packages up for auction as well. It’s all donated by generous residents and business owners and it benefits Mountain Alliance, a local organization providing transformative experiences and support for teens.

Pancake Breakfast –

A truly local atmosphere

Sunday, Jan. 29, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Blowing Rock School

This neighborhood event is the perfect wrap up to a community celebration. Join in and chat with locals over a plate of delicious pancakes. Served off the Blowing Rock School cafeteria line, it’s a bit nostalgic, too. The event serves as a fundraiser, as several WinterFest events do, benefitting the Blowing Rock School PTO. So, go ahead and indulge - it’s for a good cause!

Located within the historic Green Park Inn

Check out the WinterFest happenings at BRAHM

BY ANNA DE LA CRUZ

In the High Country you’ll seldom find a better collection of curated pieces and interesting exhibits like the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum. Warm yourself up and partake in all the wonderful sights BRAHM can offer as well as interact with friendly staff who are willing to answer any questions you may have regarding the pieces.

Join BRAHM for WinterFest exclusive events such as:

Square Dancing in the Wilson Education Center Jan. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. Free admission to all, whether that be a seasoned square dancer or a newbie. Come learn this classic

American folk dancing technique and show off those moves.

Cork & Canvas: Claude Monet’s “Stack of Wheat (Snow Effect, Overcast Day)”: Learn to paint works inspired by impressionist painter Claude Monet in a calm, relaxing environment. All materials, including canvasses, acrylic paint, brushes, and aprons, are provided. Wine, beer and light snacks are complimentary. Although both Friday the 27th and Saturday the 28th evening spots are sold out, there is still availability for the Saturday 1 p.m. class. Cost: $50 general admission. $45 for Museum members.

Also enjoy free guided tours of the museum’s exhi-

bitions led by a docent. The tours are free of charge and no registration is required. The current exhibitions include:

• Geometry with Feeling: Ida Kohlmeyer in Two & Three Dimensions

• Recent Acquisitions to BRAHM’s Permanent Collection

• Earth & Fowl: Chickens and Other Poultry in Clay

• Trash Trout Picture Show

• Coast to Coast: Contrasts & Shared Values Across American Impressionism

• Uncommon Volumes: Sculptural Selections from Studio Glass in the Region BRAHM is located at 159 Ginny Stevens Lane in Blowing Rock.

AB RE AT HO FF RES HA IR, LITERALLY.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum hosted winter crafts workshops for children during WinterFest in 2016. Later, the young artists showed off their work during the inaugural WinterFest Snowflake Parade on Main Street in Blowing Rock.

Watch closely as knives get formed from railroad spikes

BY MOSS BRENNAN

During WinterFest, community members may hear an odd sound coming from McCoy Minerals: A loud ringing noise with the sound of metal striking metal.

That would be The Stonedsmiths: Tanion McCoy and Isaac Turner, a pair of High Country teens.

Both teens share two passions: working with gemstones and metalsmithing.

The young duo will conduct a demonstration of their handiwork from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 28 at McCoy Minerals, 537 North Main Street, as part of Blowing Rock’s WinterFest celebration.

“It’s really interesting to watch to 18 year olds actually put thought and passion behind a project that they’re really into and getting other people involved with a skill that is kind of being pushed to the side now,” said Trina McCoy, who with Randy “Doc” McCoy are co-owners of McCoy Minerals, a business that includes the custom jewelry and gemstone shop at 537 North

Main Street, as well as Doc’s Rocks and the Appalachian Fossil Museum at Shoppes on the Parkway, the Tanger Outlet Center.

The duo use standard railroad spikes, about an inch in diameter and 6.5 inches long. The entire knife, including the handle, is fashioned from that single spike.

Last year was a hit as the pair stayed out in the cold and pounded on the anvil to create the knives to the delight of those watching. Last year, Trina said they had people come right when the store opened expecting to see the demonstration in action, which didn’t start until 11 a.m. that year. This year, they are starting an hour earlier meaning even more time to watch their skills in metalsmithing, which has had to improve since 2022.

They will also have more pieces of work for sale this year for those interested in purchasing a knife made by the duo.

WinterFest 2023 runs from Jan. 26-29. More information is available and constantly being updated at blowingrockwinterfest.com.

PHOTO BY MOSS BRENNAN

Knife making demonstrations have grown popular at Winterfest.

Mountain Alliance Silent Auction and Raffle

BY JORDYN DANIELS

Asilent auction and raffle have become a mainstay in Blowing Rock WinterFest’s charitable pursuits. This minievent within the larger WinterFest event is organized by and benefits Mountain Alliance, “... whose mission is to provide transformative experiences and support so that all High Country teens have the opportunity to lead an empowered, adventurous, and service-oriented life, regardless of means or background.”

Past Mountain Alliance silent auctions and raffles at WinterFest have raised more than $20,000 each, which goes a long way toward supporting the organization’s mission. Many people in the High Country and their businesses recognize the important work of Mountain Alliance and give generously so that there are a large number of value opportunities to win, either by silent auction or by raffle.

They include:

• Spa day packages

• Packages to area parks

• Massage and wellness certificates

• Outdoor adventures

• Fly fishing lessons

• Theatre subscriptions

• Artwork by local artists

• Gift certificates to area restaurants

And much, much more. The silent auction gives the community a way to help provide monetary resources for the program while receiving an item of your choosing. Mountain Alliance is hoping to raise $20,000 again to match previous year’s earnings, but more is always welcome. Due to the nature of nonprofits, the money raised goes directly into

supporting events and paying staff.

“The silent auction is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year. It helps to support the high country team,” said Jerimiah Stampon-Rich, the Watauga program director said. “It would help to pay for the gear that we use to take students on on all these trips, because all the trips that we take students on our free for students.”

Mountain Alliance provides a safe haven for teens growing up in the Appalachian area. Through compassion, hard work and removing the obstacle of idle hands Mountain Alliance works with the youth to keep them active and ready for the next adventure. The program offers more than 100 after

school and weekend events with something new every week for students who are involved. Bidding occurs online from Jan. 21 to Jan. 28 with bidding closing at 4 p.m. on Jan. 28. All bidding will be held online, but community members are invited to come visit the silent auction in person to take a closer look at items, ask questions to volunteers, and participate in other WinterFest activities. The in-person part will take place on Jan. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Blowing Rock located at 333 Wallingford Street.

For the most up-to-date information on the silent auction, visit www.mountainalliance. org/silentauction.

FILE PHOTO

The American Legion Building was filled with prize opportunities for the 2022 Blowing Rock Winterfest Silent Auction and Raffle. This year is sure to have many a great item to bid on.

FILE PHOTO

Disney art pieces were a special treat in the 2022 Blowing Rock WinterFest Silent Auction and Raffle.

Enjoy winter wine seminars at Sunset and Vine

BY ANNA DE LA CRUZ

You don’t need to be a seasoned sommelier to enjoy a good glass of vino. Cozy up with some wonderful winter wines at Sunset and Vine! Two days with four special seminars to choose from as Kimberly Sanford, owner of Fine Wine Trading Company, walks attendees through the aromas and flavors of each wine.

“We haven’t done it since pre-COVID, so we’re excited to have it back!” said employee Suzie Jermaine. “It’s going to be very exciting! Lots of locals are also coming as well as tourists. (There’s) going to be a lot of flow in and out of the shop.”

Make sure to call (828) 414-9111 for reservations as seating is limited.

Friday, Jan. 27:

Winter Wines from Warm Climates. $30 per person. 4 p.m.

In this seminar, we will feature wines from warm climates. We will discuss the differences in taste profiles of wines from these areas versus the cool climate wines, and talk about the reasons behind the

flavor differences.

Perfect Pairings: Comfort Food Wines. $30 per person. 6 p.m.

Pairing wine and food is always a tricky task. In this seminar we have chosen wines that pair well with the savory components of the comfort foods we eat during cold winter months. We will discuss why each wine was chosen as a pairing for the comfort dish.

Saturday, Jan. 28:

Winter Whites and Sparkles. $30 per person. 2 p.m.

Winter weather is not just for red wine. There are plenty of colder weather white wines and sparkling wines that can help to cut the chill of the cold weather. In this seminar we will feature several winter whites and several different sparkling wines that can add some warmth to the winter temperatures.

Fireside Favorites: Wines to Enjoy by the Fire. $30 per person. 4 p.m.

When you think of winter weather, you think of warming up by the fire with a glass of wine. In this seminar we will highlight some of the best wines to sip on while hanging out by the fireplace or bonfire. These are heartier wines, meant to really warm you up!

Sunset and Vine is located at 150 Sunset Drive in Blowing Rock.

A community event that truly gives back

PHOTO COURTESY SUNSET AND VINE

A classic wine seminar.

Hayrides with a twist at WinterFest

BY AMANDA LUGENBELL

Ahayride around Blowing Rock is a classic WinterFest activity, featured on the festival schedule since the first celebration of winter in this little mountain town back in 1998. It’s a crowd favorite; simple fun for families, couples and friends.

This year, festival attendees can enjoy an idyllic ride through the scenic winter village, pulled slowly along by a ... Humvee?

That’s right! This year, friends at Speckled Trout Outfitters will help out with the hayrides.

Speckled Trout Outfitters offers outdoor adventures like guided hikes and fly fishing experiences in the area. Naturally, their fleet of vehicles includes those best-suited for rugged roads and landscapes. So, while a tractor may be the usual transportation for hayrides, this year’s WinterFest hayrides will be a unique experience.

Hayrides are free to enjoy. Space is first come, first served. Rides run on Saturday, Jan. 28 from noon to 3 p.m. Pick up and drop off is located at the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce on Park Avenue in downtown Blowing Rock.

Community members enjoy a hayride at WinterFest.

WinterFest in photos

FILE PHOTO

The WinterFest silent auction to benefit Mountain Alliance is a popular event.

FILE PHOTO

Blowing Rock WinterFest.

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The WinterFest mascots.

FILE PHOTO Madi Moore, 13, from Stanly, takes part in the hands-on ice carving at a previous Blowing Rock WinterFest.

FILE PHOTO

Ice carving is always a popular WinterFest demonstration.

New Sip and Skate event at WinterFest

Nosh on hot cocoa and s’mores in between skate sessions

BY PATRICK MCCORMACK

This year, WinterFest is adding an ice skating event to their program lineup.

Partnering with nearby Appalachian Ski Mtn., the Blowing Rock WinterFest will bring tourists and locals alike to a cozy and family-friendly event at the Appalachian Ice Arena.

“We have a very scenic skate rink,” said Drew Stanley, App Ski Mtn.’s Marketing and Terrain Park Director. “This year we thought it would be great to partner up with Blowing Rock’s WinterFest as it is one of the most popular events at this time of the year in our area. App Ski Mtn. will be operating that evening and we predict midseason snow conditions. We encourage all

participants of WinterFest to consider hitting the slopes in between attending other events during our town’s jampacked weekend of fun.”

Attendees can purchase a ticket for $20, which includes the skate ticket and rentals, and also access to the large bonfire that will be present near the skating rink.

Guests will be able to skate under the stars with a scenic panoramic view of the ski slopes while enjoying hot chocolate in the Skate House or roasting marshmallows for s’mores over the rink side bonfire.

Hot chocolate and s’mores will be available for the duration of the event, which will be on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 10 p.m. to midnight.

PHOTO COURTESY APP SKI MTN.

The skating rink and bonfire.

Stop by Mystery Hill for WinterFest activities

BY ANNA DE LA CRUZ

Mystery Hill is one of the many Blowing Rock businesses that participates annually in WinterFest. The business offers a variety of events during its “Chill at the Hill” WinterFest promotion. Mystery Hill is located at 129 Mystery Hill Lane in Blowing Rock.

WinterHawk Tournament

Tomahawk throwing has become hugely popular and WinterFest patrons can hone their skills Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 26-29, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., in the WinterHawk Tournament, a tomahawk throwing competition. After all competitors have had a chance to show their skills, that scores will be tallied and the winners will be notified by phone. One skilled competitor will become this year’s WinterHawk Champion! Will it be you? To participate in the qualifying rounds, register at Mystery Hill ticket office (you can register at the event as well). A heated tent at Tomahawk Hill will provide some warmth, and you can further warm up with Hatchet Coffee.

• ADULT DAILY COMPETITION (ages 15-up)

• JUNIOR DAILY COMPETITION (ages 5-14)

WinterHawk Championship

Saturday, Jan. 29: Adult Championship

Saturday, Jan. 29: Junior Championship

The Frozen Heart Adventure: An Escape Experience

Do you have what it takes to save the Kingdom? Queen Persephone has let her magical heart thaw, plunging the kingdom into a sleeping curse. Join Wynter, a loyal subject, on an epic adventure against the clock to save the kingdom through puzzle solving.

To partake in this quest, which

runs every day of Winter Fest from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is highly recommended that you make a reservation with Mystery Hill.

WinterDuck Derby

Free and fun for everyone! Kids of all ages can ready up and race those rubber ducks and a prize awaits the winners of each heat. This event runs everyday from Jan. 26 to Jan. 29 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Take and Make Science Kits

Keep the WinterFest celebration going, even during remote learning day at school with a Take and Make Science Kit from Mystery Hill. The kits come with all the materials you need to make Magic Snow Dough and instructions for four more fun winter science activities. Kids 10 and under can choose one of these kits to take home, any additional kit will be $9.95 to purchase.

FILE

PHOTO

Alley Stone, Kennedy Joyner, Emily Stone and Sam Banovz enjoy a afternoon of tossing tomahawks at Mystery Hill.

PHOTO BY MARISA MECKE

Riding the water down the racetrack, the rubber ducks at Mystery Hill donned their helmets to compete in the Duck Derby.

See how snow is made at WinterFest

BY AMANDA LUGENBELL

Have you ever wondered how snow is formed? It’s a question best answered by a weather expert, and it just so happens that one will be joining in the fun at Blowing Rock WinterFest. Brad Panovich, Chief Meteorologist for WCNC Charlotte, will host a snow-making demonstration in Memorial Park on Saturday, Jan. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Brad built a snow gun himself, and under the right conditions, the device will create a visible cloud of snow. Brad kindly answered some questions about the snowmaking rig he’ll bring to Memorial Park.

When did you first make the snowmaking rig?

“So I made my very first snow gun about 16 years ago. It was my very first YouTube Video as well! Then, about 10 years ago I upgraded and built what’s called a Combo gun which added more nozzles and more water and air to produce more snow.”

What are the ideal conditions for the snow gun to create snow?

“The best conditions are cold but also very dry. One thing people forget is dry air allows for evaporative cooling. So Air temperatures below 28 are perfect but also, dewpoint in the teens or lower is ideal. The colder and drier it is, the more volume or fluffiness of the snow you make, just like in nature.”

What natural process does the snow gun demonstrate?

“It demonstrates the process of making supercooled water like in a cloud. Supercooled water is water below freezing but still liquid, looking for an object or condensation nuclei to start the freezing process. This happens on contact with the other particles of moisture from the snowmaker. So the cloud you see is like an actual cloud, and the snow falls out of it to the ground.”

Brad is always happy to talk about weather, so be sure to stop by to check out the snowmaking demo and ask him about winter. All activities in Memorial Park are free to attend.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Community members enjoy the snow making demonstration at a past WinterFest.

Help raise money with the WinterFest Pancake Breakfast

BY AMANDA LUGENBELL

The original WinterFest

Pancake Breakfast is back!

In the early days of Blowing Rock WinterFest, the Pancake Breakfast was coordinated as a fun, approachable way to raise funds for support services for Blowing Rock Fire & Rescue. A group of volunteers would take over the kitchen at the Blowing Rock School Cafeteria, and serve stacks of pancakes and sides to hungry locals, right off the cafeteria line. It’s gone through some changes through the years, but the 2023 event brings a return to the original format.

This year’s event is coordinated by, and will benefit, the Blowing Rock School Parent-Teacher Organization. The PTO provides money for funding a wide variety of teacher requests at

the school. This year, the organization has paid for grade-level specific books, bookshelves for the library, alternative seating, teacher appreciation events, beekeeping suits for the school hive

and more. Once again, a small army of volunteers will cook the food right in the cafeteria to serve hot and fresh to guests. Join in on Sunday, Jan. 29, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Here’s the menu:

• Half Stack $9: Two made to order pancakes, blueberry-cranberry compote, two pieces of meat (choose from bacon or sausage), syrup and butter.

• Full Stack $12: Three made to order pancakes, blueberry-cranberry compote, three pieces of meat (choose from bacon or sausage), syrup and butter.

• Lumberjack $14: Six made to order pancakes, blueberry-cranberry compote, two pieces of bacon and two pieces of sausage, syrup and butter. Meals will include a hot or cold beverage. Don’t miss it!

PHOTO BY HICKORY PHOTOGRAPHY

A young WinterFest attendee receives her pancake breakfast.

PHOTO BY HICKORY PHOTOGRAPHY

A volunteer helps prepare a pancake breakfast for a hungry WinterFest attendee.

Try your hand at curling this year at WinterFest

BY ANNA DE LA CRUZ

Want to try your hand at an Olympic sport? Good news for WinterFest attendees as they can do just that with a curling demonstration by the Charlotte Curling Association.

Founded during the 2010 Winter Olympic season, the Charlotte Curling Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to keeping the sport flourishing and fun for everyone. Based in the greater Charlotte area, The CCA has over 150 junior, adult, and senior members with experience ranging from zero to 50+ years of curling experience. The CCA also hosts many bonspiels-curling tournaments- for those looking to get on the rink and throw stones.

Heading the demonstration this year is Cathy Carson, who will help onlookers learn a bit more about curling and try the icy sport for themselves. This demonstration will take place in the Blowing Rock School Gym Saturday, Jan. 28 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Winter Fest Specials

PHOTO COURTESY OF BLOWING ROCK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Charlotte Curling Association’s curling exhibition was a ‘hands on’ big hit, drawing big crowds to the Blowing Rock School gymnasium. From left to right, Tracy Brown (executive director of the Blowing Rock TDA), Cathy Barker (membership director for the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce) and Charles Hardin (CEO of the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce) said they were ready to take on all comers.