April 25-28, 2013

MerleFest 2013 is scheduled to begin this upcoming Thursday at Wilkes Community College campus in Wilkesboro, NC. The four day festival offers over 90+ performers on 14 stages. This will be the first year in twenty-five years that the beloved music icon Doc Watson will not be in attendance after his passing in 2012.

MerleFest offers a variety of music ranging from roots oriented Appalachian culture, Bluegrass, Rock, Country and Blues. Artists such as The Charlie Daniels Band, The Haggis, and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band are scheduled performers in this years lineup. Friday will offer the Doc Watson Guitar Championship followed by the Merle Watson Bluegrass Banjo Contest. The Celebration Jam, Saturday evening, will offer many of Doc Watson's closest friends offering musical memories and stories of the late legend.

For ticket information and schedule, please visit 

http://www.merlefest.org/

Kick Off Spring with ASU Football

Saturday, April 20 will kick off Appalachian State University football and tail-gating season! The spring game is scheduled for 2pm at Kidd Brewer Stadium with free admission. Parking is free in the Stadium and Greenwood lots, with RV's required to park in Greenwood. Concessions will be served at the stadium.

The day will offer the Game-Worn Jersey Sale, offering jersey's worn during the 2011-2012 season for purchase beginning at 12:30pm at the Stadium Ticket Plaza. Home black, road white, and alternate gold jerseys will sell for $110 apiece. 2013 full and half-season ticket packages will also be available at this time.

Fall in Love with our Mountains

Spring is in the air. 

The trees are beginning to bud, 

the flowers are coming to life and

 the fresh mountain air is blowing. 

Renew your senses and hike our mountain trails,

 fish in our streams and relax and enjoy the views. 

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Hop Up to the Mountains for a White Easter!!

Looking for a unique Easter holiday and Spring Break experience? Come to the High Country and enjoy our spring snowfall and an extended weekend of skiing. Ski Sugar has remained open through the weekend with 15" of fresh snow and discounted ticket, rental and ski lesson rates. For additional information, visit 

www.skisugar.com

Snowy Start for Spring in the Mountains

The calendar shows that it is officially Spring, but the High Country is still relishing in forecasted low temperatures and snow. If you are looking for fun and excitement for the upcoming weekend, local winter attractions are gearing up for the last official weekend of fun and games.

Appalachian Ski Mountain will be hosting the Meltdown Games. Their official closing date is March 24. The weekend offers the Pond Skim, Costume Contest, Big Air Competition, Chinese Downhill and Cardboard Box Derby. 

Beech Mountain will be closing Saturday, March 23. They will be hosting a variety of games with a live DJ on the mountain. They are looking forward to a grand closing to a great winter season!

Hawksnest Snow Tubing will be opening for the final weekend. They are offering 10% discounts on tickets. 

Sugar Mountain Ski will be open this weekend, and have scheduled no official closing date for the season. 

Come visit the mountains and enjoy our final farewell to wintertime fun! 

Upcoming Events in the High Country

Thursday, February 21, 2013 - The 15th Annual Polar Plunge at the ASU Duck Pond will benefit the upcoming Special Olympic athletes from our area. This is hosted by local law enforcement agencies from around the area, and the Watauga County Parks and Recreation Department. Registration begins at 3pm and the plunge will start at 4pm. Participants are asked to make a $25 donation to take the plunge, groups of 5 or more can participate for $20. Prizes will be awarded for the most extreme costumes and the top fund raising individual and group! Be sure to come out and support this great cause.

February 22-24, 2013 - Go Retro at Beech Mountains Totally 80's Weekend!

Relive the 80's with old school DJ's,  bands, apparel and contests this weekend in the Town of Beech Mountain. Music begins Friday night at Jackalope's View at 9pm and continues into Saturday with another band at the Beech Mountain Resort at 7pm. At 4:30pm Saturday, the ski resort will host a "Big Hair and Big Air" freestyle jump competition, complete with 80's DJ; followed by an apparel contest later in the evening at  the Beech Tree. Skiers and boarders are encouraged to wear their best 80's attire for the weekend! For more details about the weekends festivities contact Beech Mountain at 800-468-5506 or http://www.beechmtn.com/

UPCOMING EVENTS

February 8 - New York Polyphony

Rosen Concert Hall

Tickets: Adults $15 / Students $8

http://pas.appstate.edu/schedule/id/new-york-polyphony

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February 9 - ASU Womens Basketball vs. Davidson 2pm

February 11 - ASU Womens Basketball vs. Furman 5:30pm

ASU Mens Basketball vs. Furman 8pm

Tickets: Adults $10/ Students $5

https://tkt.xosn.com/tickets/TicketLanding.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=21500