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Caroling in the Park, Parade, Chetola’s
Festival of Lights all take place this weekend
By Jeff Eason
Maybe it’s because we’ve already had three good snowfalls
before Thanksgiving that people seem to be in a holiday mood
a little early this year. Maybe it’s the economy that’s
got us thinking less about gift-giving and more about the spirit
of the holidays.
Whatever it is, it is, in the words of Bing Crosby, “beginning
to look a lot like Christmas.”
The Village of Blowing Rock celebrates Christmas this weekend
with several cheery events designed to light the hearth of your
soul. It is the perfect time to take a break from the hustle
and bustle of work and school and look forward to the holidays!
Thanksgiving at Chetola
Take a break from the cooking and cleaning this Thanksgiving!
Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock invites residents and visitors
alike to enjoy a deluxe Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, November
27th. Two seatings will take place at Chetola’s Manor House
Restaurant: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Thanksgiving buffet at the Manor House will feature appetizers
and salads such as Caesar salad, tortellini and ham salad, marinated
mushrooms, Waldorf salad, seafood salad, a selection of cheeses
and fruit, shrimp cocktail and more. Entrees include prime rib,
roast turkey, braised pork chops, Atlantic salmon with lemon
tarragon sauce, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, creamed spinach,
sweet corn and barbecue pinto beans. Desserts include cherries
jubilee with vanilla ice cream, pumpkin pie, banana pudding,
bourbon pecan pie, chocolate Snickers pie and cheesecake.
Chetola’s Thanksgiving dinner is $45 for adults, $21
for children 6-12, $10 for children 2-5 and free for children
under two. Reservations are required. For more information,
call Chetola at 1-800-CHETOLA. (243-8652). Or locally at (828)
295-5505.
Tanger’s Midnight Madness
Tanger Shoppes on the Parkway in Blowing Rock will hold a
Midnight Madness sale on Thursday, Thanksgiving evening. Starting
at midnight, the first 100 shoppers, 18 or older, will receive
a free $10 Tanger gift card. The next 200 shoppers will receive
a free “Chris Moose” plush holiday toy.
Christmas in the Park
Blowing Rock Parks and Recreation hosts Christmas in Blowing
Rock Memorial Park on Friday, November 28. The event will begin
with a visit from Santa Claus in the park’s gazebo from
2 to 5:30 p.m. Hayrides around the park will take place from
4 to 9 p.m. An Airwalk for kids will be on hand from 4 to 8
p.m. Starting at 5 p.m., enjoy free hot apple cider and hot
chocolate while warming your hands by the big bonfire. The folk
duo The Vagabonds will perform all of your favorite Christmas
carols from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and Blowing Rock Mayor J.B. Lawrence
will hit the switch to light up the town at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy
a bluegrass Christmas in the park as Diana and Sarvis Ridge
crank out the holiday tunes from 7 to 9 p.m.
For more information, call Blowing Rock Parks and Rec at (828)
295-5222.
Kiln Opening
Bolick Pottery and Traditions Pottery in Blowing Rock celebrates
the season with their annual Thanksgiving Kiln Opening, held
on Saturday, November 29 starting at 9 a.m. Master potters will
unload the old fashioned wood kiln to reveal hundreds of new
pitchers, candle holders, face jugs, cups, bowls and other unique
items. One of the highlights of the event is the annual Christmas
red pottery with its distinct crimson hue. The event will also
food and live music. Admission is free. Bolick Pottery and Traditions
Pottery is located on Bolick Road, just south of Blowing Rock.
For more information, call (828) 295-5099.
Blowing Rock Christmas Parade
Blowing Rock’s annual Christmas parade will take place
on Main Street beginning at 2 p.m. The event will feature horses,
fire trucks, local dignitaries, floats, music and a visit from
old Saint Nick. For more information, call the Blowing Rock
Parks and Recreation Department at (828) 295-5222.
Chetola’s Festival of Lights
Chetola Resort’s annual Festival of Lights attracts visitors
from hundreds of miles to witness the spectacle of over 50,000
lights gleaming across Chetola Lake. This year’s festival
will take place from November 28, 2008 through January 25, 2009
so that visitor’s to Blowing Rock’s WinterFest can
enjoy the sight. Each year new items are added to Chetola’s
holiday display. They include lighted images of swans, carolers,
deer, a horse-drawn sleigh, ice skaters and many others. Additionally,
all of the buildings and many of the trees at Chetola will be
decorated with lights.
Complimentary hot apple cider will be served at Chetola’s
Manor House Restaurant daily from Thanksgiving to New Year’s.
For the first two nights of the Festival of Lights, November
28 and 29, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Chetola will offer horse and
carriage rides around Chetola Lake. This is your perfect holiday
card photo op! The cost is $15 for adults and $8 for kids 12
and under. Other events on those nights include cookie decorating
for kids and a visit with Santa Claus in the lobby of the Manor
House (free of charge).
For more information, call Chetola Resort at (828) 295-5500.
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