Pony-up in Tryon

March 6, FENCE, Tryon North Carolina.  Foothills Riding Club Combined Test   Young riders from all over the southeast test their skills in dressage, stadium jumping and cross-country riding. Sponsored by the Foothills Riding Club. FENCE,  3381 Hunting Country Rd

Sparta 150th Birthday Parade

News event: Alleghany County Sesquicentennial Parade

September 26 from 2PM-3PM in downtown Sparta NC

Alleghany County turns 150 and Sparta celebrates with a rousing downtown parade. Sparta is the hub for community life of this northwest mountain county. The Courthouse stands in the middle of town and the stores and shops of the old downtown spread out along Main Street. Most retail businesses are locally owned.

Contact: 336) 372-5473

Website: http://www.sparta-nc.com/

9th Annual Heritage Walk & Festival- Murphy

September 5 Konehete Park in Historic downtown Murphy NC.
Enjoy a step back in time with this celebration of Cherokee County, North Carolina's first, last and finest place to be. Enjoy all-day historic walking tours and a heritage festival celebrating area artists, crafters, growers, food, live stage entertainment and more.
http://www.cherokeecountychamber.com/

Movie Night at Black mountain Inn

July 17 Black Mountain, Black Mountain Inn. Bring a blanket or a chair and relax in the beautiful gardens of the 170 year old Black Mountain Inn. The evening begins one hour before sundown
(~8:00 pm) with musical entertainment by pianist Dave Foraker. Classic concessions will be available, including hot dogs, popcorn, and Dynamite coffee. As always, marshmallow roasting is free! Our second classic film will be presented, free of charge, on the big screenat dusk (~9:00 pm), The Return Of The Pink Panther starring Peters Sellers and Christopher Plummer! 828-243-4085.

Big 4th of July Celebration- Franklin

Veterans Memorial Dedication
Make sure you pencil in the time to be down at the Veterans Memorial at 11:30 PM on Saturday, July 4th. Located next to the community building this dedication is scheduled to have a flyover by the U.S. Air Force. It's a beautiful memorial. Donations are appreciated.
http://www.veteransmemorialmaconcounty.org/

Franklin celebrates Independence Day the old-fashioned way with plenty of great activities for the entire family. The event begins with a Patriotic Parade through the streets of Downtown beginning at 10:00 a.m. All visitors to the event are welcome to march along in their Red, White, & Blue. Patriotic Pets are even welcome and one will be awarded a prize basket for Most Patriotic Dress!

Afterwards enjoy free watermelon, kid's games, meet Uncle Sam and have a free photo taken by Tom Tomlinson.

Live Entertainment:
10am am - Drumming Circle
11:30 am - Veterans Memorial Dedication
1:00 pm - Frog Town 4
2:00 pm - Rye Holler Boys
3:00 pm - Dave Stewart
3:30 pm - Brian Sanders
4:00 pm - Touch of Class Band
4:45 pm - Eric Haggart
5:15 pm - C-Square
6:00 pm - Children's Choir
7:00 pm - Sundown
8:00 pm - Raffle/Awards/Announcements/Bulls Eye Bingo
8:15 pm - Presentation of Colors & Salue to Veterans; National Anthem by Nikki Corbin
8:30 pm - Loose Cannons - Army Ground Forces Rock Band
9:30 pm - Fireworks Display

www.MyTownFranklin.com

Movie: The Proposal at Flat Rock Cinema

July 3 - 9 Flat Rock Cinema. 4PM, 7 PM The Proposal. PG-13 - Comedy, 108 Minutes Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Denis O'Hare, Mary Steenburgen

When high-powered book editor Margaret faces deportation to her native Canada, the quick-thinking exec declares that she's actually engaged to her unsuspecting put-upon assistant Andrew, who she's tormented for years. He agrees to participate in the charade, but with a few conditions of his own. The unlikely couple heads to Alaska to meet his quirky family and the always-in-control city girl finds herself in one comedic fish-out-of-water situation after another. With an impromptu wedding in the works and an immigration official on their tails, Margaret and Andrew reluctantly vow to stick to the plan despite the precarious consequences.
http://flatrockcinema.com

Singing in the Smokies June 29-July 4th at Inspiration Park

June 29 - July 4, Inspiration Park Southern Gospel in the heart of the Smokies!
The Inspirations
828-497-2060
www.theinspirations.com

Pickin' On The Square- Franklin

FREE every Saturday night - Franklin's Pickin' On The Square.
Bring a lawn chair out to the gazebo in down town Franklin and listen to some great music. Open mike begins around 6 pm and talented musical groups playing till around 10 pm. http://mytownfranklin.com

27th Annual Bluegrass Festival- Cherokee

June 20 Cherokee, Happy Holiday RV Park & Campground.
Bring your own chairs - Chairs may be set out on a first come first served basis after the tent is set up on Tuesday.
For more info call 828) 497-7250

Booksigning at The Orchard

June 14 Local authors Jack Pyle and Taylor Reese will be at The Orchard at Altapass, BR Parkway Milepost 328.3. near Little Switzerland.
These hometown authors offer a fine assortment of their literary works including Raising With the Moon: The Complete Guide to Gardening and Living by the Signs of the Moon. They will sign all of their works, including novels, books of humor, and books for youth.
http://www.altapassorchard.com/

Cooking Classes in Robbinsville

Where: SNOWBIRD MOUNTAIN LODGE June 11, June 26
Step into the Snowbird Lodge kitchen for a Tapas cooking class on June 11 or our popular Grilling & Smoking class on June 26 - just in time to put those skills to work for sizzling summer barbeques! Class space is limited, request a spot when you make your reservation.
For more information Snowbirdlodge.com phone: 800-941-9290 or 828-479-3433
email innkeeper@snowbirdlodge.com

Front Pourch Garden-Learn to Grow Your Own Food Event

June 5 10:30 AM Ashe County. Join in a community of newcomers, local growers and kids producing food in containerized “front porch” gardens. Anyone can participate. Learn growing secrets handed down through time. Meet folks in the area and gather information about sustainable living. You’ll receive 2 large growing pots, soil, plants, organic fertilizer… all you need to grow your own tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers or basil. All is free and join us for a Fish Fry to follow.
Call Rob at 977-1377 to sign up.

Simon Says Guided Bird Walk Early Arrivals

April 19 9AM - 12PM Chimney Rock Park Spot spring migrants like Black-throated Warblers, Black-and-white Warblers, Scarlet Tanagers and Blue-headed Vireos.. World-traveled ornithologist and birding expert Simon Thompson is your guide on this easy- to- moderate walk. $19; $3 for Annual Passholders; $8 for ages 6-15; free for Gradys Kids Club Members. visit@chimneyrockpark.com (828) 625-9611