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April 2021 | news & updates
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Planning a Visit?
Local businesses are open! Please see our information on local operations and COVID-19 safety!

For the latest updates on NC statewide policies and efforts, see the NCDHHS announcements page here.
1- BRAHM presents Place Matters: panel on food, land, & beauty. Online
2- Opening Day at Tweetsie Railroad
2 - 4- Easter Bunny at Tweetsie Railroad
3- Blowing Rock Trout Derby
3-The Alexander Collection opens at BRAHM
3- Storytelling Saturday at Mystery Hill
9 & 10- Cork & Canvas at BRAHM
15- Southern Highland Craft Guild at Moses Cone Manor opens for season
24- Metalsmiths of NC opens at BRAHM
29- BRAHM Book Club: The Last Entry

Plus: The Village Cafe reopens for the season: breakfast & lunch served on Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays in April.
41st Trout Derby
The Trout Derby is back on Saturday, April 3, from sunrise to 4pm! This outdoor event offers a fun, safe activity for families at the start of trout season. This year, the event will function the same as it always has: catch a fish in any Watauga County water on April 3 and bring it to be measured to enter the Trout Derby. There is no pre-registration required and participation is free.
 
There are two notable changes this year, made in the interest of safety.
1: Mayview Lake in Broyhill Park is small, so the areas around the lake will be sectioned off to assist with social distancing. Event volunteers can help families find open spots along the lake as they become available.
2: Kids who want to participate in the Art Contest should complete their entries at home and bring them to the Trout Derby to enter. There won't be an indoor space for creating art at the Derby this year.
 
As always, Mayview Lake will be stocked ahead of the Derby. Tagged fish in the lake are worth cash prizes if caught! Sponsors provide more great prizes for category winners.

The largest fish at the most recent Trout Derby was a 24.75" Rainbow Trout, caught by Gene Hodges in the Watauga River. We can't wait to see if this year brings a larger catch!

Get all the details, including links for public fishing waters, at BlowingRock.com/TroutDerby
New Around Town
1888 Museum Open Daily
The little museum on Main Street is now open every day! After renovations that include an accessibility ramp, the historic cottage is now open for self-guided tours. The Historical Society has posted a video tour on their website so you can see and learn about its history from home, too.
Revolution Clothiers
The Charlotte-based Revolution Clothiers has recently opened a new location in Blowing Rock. The shop features unique clothing and accessories from brands with quality craftsmanship and dynamic style. Find them at 1107 Main Street.
Sidewalk to Bass Lake Begins
A sidewalk from Main Street to Bass Lake is currently under construction! When complete, it will offer an easy path from all the amenities of town to the network of trails at Moses Cone Memorial Park. We can't wait to see it completed this summer!
Over the next few months, drivers can expect incremental sections of weekday lane closure between Main Street and Bass Lake. The project will progress in sections, so delays should be minimal.
Take a Look
Tweetsie Railroad: New Season at Historic Attraction
Tweetsie Railroad opens April 2nd for the newest season in a long history in the Blue Ridge. Built in 1917, Engine No. 12 was a working train on the ET&WNC Railroad with a stop in nearby Boone. The name "Tweetsie" was given to the railroad and its trains by locals. After the closure of the railway in 1950, No. 12 spent a brief time at Shenandoah Central Railroad, then came into ownership of the Robbins family, by way of Gene Autry. Tweetsie Railroad opened as a family attraction in 1957!
**This season, all park visitors will be required to obtain advance tickets for a specific day and train ride time at Tweetsie Railroad. Get details at the link:
David Rogers photo
Flat Top Manor Open Through Restoration Work
Intensive restoration efforts on the exterior of Flat Top Manor have begun. The historic home will remain open to the public during this work, which is scheduled to be complete in the fall. Though it will be some time before the mansion is returned to its previous grandeur, a visit to view the work and progress has its own merit. Plus, the America's National Park bookstore will be open and the Southern Highland Craft Guild welcomes everyone back this season as they showcase the finest regional crafts inside the Manor. Crafting demonstrations are scheduled to begin on Memorial Day. Craft Guild hours for April begin on the 15th: Thursday-Sunday, 10am-4pm.
The Importance of Stewardship
This past year, as more people sought remote and unspoiled places during the pandemic, many natural areas experienced heavier traffic and use. We all want these places to remain unspoiled and beautiful, so it's up to all of us to do our part when we spend time in the great outdoors. Do you know the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace? The idea is that we minimize the impact of our visit to the wilderness. If we are all good stewards, these places will remain beautiful for us, our families and friends, and the creatures and plants that live there. See more about the 7 Principles and more ways to get involved at the link.
Coming Up Later
Art in the Park Begins
May 22
Six shows, selected Saturdays, May to October.
Blowing Rock Farmers
Market Begins May 20
Each Thursday, 3-6pm
Artists in Residence Begins May 29
Different artists each week
at Edgewood Cottage
Looking for Input
Local entertainment coordinators are looking for input as they consider live and virtual events for 2021. Do you have a moment to help? Share your thoughts in this survey from High Country Host. Answers will be shared with coordinators in Blowing Rock, Boone, Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Sparta, Sugar Mountain, West Jefferson and Wilkesboro areas. The survey takes about 3 minutes.
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Did you know?
Annie Oakley taught marksmanship classes in Blowing Rock at Mayview Manor, a resort that overlooked the John’s River Gorge.
Blowing Rock, North Carolina | BlowingRock.com