Blue Ridge Food & Wine Festival Gives Back to Community

Local non-profit organizations were the beneficiary of funds and exposure at the Blue Ridge Food and Wine Festival which took place in Blowing Rock, April 10 -13. Beneficiaries range from support of local arts organizations to those who strive to provide clean water throughout the world. The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (BRAHM) received $2400 from the auction of the original art used for the festival’s 2008 poster. BRAHM is currently working toward the building of a new facility on Main Street which will house the museum’s collection. Blowing Rock Fire and Rescue receives proceeds from Fire on the Rock Chef’s Challenge. Firefighters from BRFD also served as volunteers for the event, a two-day cooking challenge for Blowing Rock chefs. Leftover food from the challenge was donated to the Watauga County Hunger Coalition that serves needy families all around the High Country region. On hand at the Grand Tasting on Saturday were representatives from Wine to Water. Founded by an ASU grad, Wine to Water is an organization which is focused on providing clean water to needy people around the world.

Blowing Rock Leadership Challenge Graduation Features Nationally Known Speaker Dale Collie

The graduating class of the Blowing Rock Leadership Challenge will end their learning experience with nationally known author and speaker Dale Collie. Collie is the author of four books, Frontline Leadership: From War Room to Boardroom, Building Courageous Leaders, Conversations on Faith, and Winning under Fire: Turn Stress Into Success the US Army Way.
           
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Grandfather Mountain Top Shop Demolition Begins; New One By ‘09

Demolition on Grandfather Mountain’s Top Shop, located next to the Mile High Swinging Bridge, began Wednesday, April 23.  The crew began tearing down the side of the building located closest to the switchbacks up the Mountain.
  A small ceremony was then held outside the Top Shop at 10 a.m. and included speeches from Grandfather Mountain President Crae Morton, Vice President Harris Prevost, Top Shop Manager Thomas Huskins and Bill Dixon from Appalachian Architecture.  Past and present employees of the Mountain were also on hand to witness the event.

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GOOD GRIEF! Charlie Brown...

Step into the vibrant cartoon frames of the Peanuts gang when the Blowing Rock Stage Company’s Rocket Players Youth Theatre (ages 9-22) stages You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, the beloved musical comedy based on the characters from Charles Schultz’s iconic comic strip Peanuts. Charlie Brown will play May 1-4 at the Mariam & Robert Hayes Performing Arts Center, 152 Jamie Fort Road, Blowing Rock.

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Chamber Announces Summer Concert Series

The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the upcoming 21st Anniversary season of Sunday Concerts in the Park. This year?s schedule features some old favorites along with some new faces:
May 18 - Cans and Pans Steel Drum Band of Ashe County High
June 15 - Buck Haggard
August 10 - Pipes and Drums of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Band
September 14 - Graduate String Quartet from ASU
October 4 - Die Rhinelanders Oktoberfest Band 

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About The Rocket
The Blowing Rocket was first published in June 1932, a tabloid publication that was printed each week during the months of June, July and August. After the final week in August it was to put to bed until the following June.

Local Links Around Blowing Rock
The Blowing Rocket staff has compiled some local links to help you make some choices when you visit.