Avery County’s largest annual event. A Scottish festival held on the 2nd full weekend of July, this gathering of Scottish clans is among the most colorful events in America. Athletics, highland dancing, massed bands, sheep herding, genealogy & Celtic bands.
We will constantly strive to be the premier Scottish Highland games and gathering of Clans, Guests, Families, Sponsors, Patrons and Visitors. We will work diligently to be the model games of integrity and excellence for all.
We are the proud new owners of Mountain Warriors UTV, a UTV Tour Guide company located in Elk Park on the 3 lane highway. We have redone the entire property to ensure a safe and fun ride for all participants.
We offer Polaris Razor 1000cc 4-seater vehicles to anyone looking to book a tour. These are state-of-the-art, top notch, best UTV anyone can ride.
Mountain Warriors UTV is a recreational UTV touring business located in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, directly in between Sugar Mountain Resort, Beech Ski Mountain Resort, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Mountain Warrior UTV experience offers top of the line Polaris XP 1000 4-seater vehicles to the extreme thrill seekers visiting the beautiful Boone/Banner Elk areas. This is a journey like no other that brings you in touch with the Appalachian Mountains in the most intimate way possible!
Mountain Warriors UTV, provides customers with a tour experience lasting 1.5 hours with a guided scenic tour, while driving one of our state of the art Polaris Razor XP 1000 Sport 4-seaters. Reservations are booked by individual vehicles, and each vehicle can hold up to 4 people maximum.
If driving is not for you, or you have an extra family member that can not fit in your 4-seater vehicle, this is your solution! Each tour guide has 3 additional seats available as ride-alongs in their own Polaris Razor XP 1000 Sport 4-seater.
At 5,506 feet in elevation, Ski Beech remains the highest ski area in the East. Always a favorite with families, Ski Beech offers skiing, snowboarding, or skating on a 7,000 square foot outdoor ice rink. 15 slopes, 3 beginner, 7 intermediate, 4 advanced & 1 freestyle terrain area, as well as a High Speed Quad Chairlift! We
also offer shopping & dining.
We welcome patrons to visit and to donate or borrow books. Masks are not required, but you may wear one if you prefer.
We sponsor an academic tutoring program as well as summer enrichment classes at Banner Elk Elementary School, funded by a High Country Charitable Foundation grant .
Epic Nature Tours is a family owned and operated birding and travel company based out of Banner Elk, North Carolina. We specialize in creating private and small group birding tours here in the mountains, around the country, and in Costa Rica. We offer high quality, hand-crafted, nature tours that are led by professional naturalist guides. Our tours are not just another big bus tour. We think it’s important for our guests to have the opportunity to truly connect with the people and places they visit.
The 45th Annual Woolly Worm Festival takes place the 3rd weekend of October, falling on the 15th and 16th in 2022, in the quaint mountain town of Banner Elk North Carolina. We think it’s the perfect time to share some tips that will make your experience a good one while at the festival and getting to the festival.
- Yes. There is an admission cost to get into the festival because all proceeds are given back to our community to enhance our schools, children’s programs, and to promote businesses and tourism in Avery County.
- Yes. There is ample parking, but the free parking is on a first come first serve basis and non-profit organizations are authorized to charge parking fees for overflow parking.
- Pets are not allowed, other than Woolly Worms. We regret that Doggie Daycare will not be available. PLEASE DO NOT BRING YOUR PETS.
- Yes. VISA and Mastercard are accepted for festival admission.
What a great time to think of the holidays. Purchase great handcrafted wares from our juried artists, ranging from fun items to those for decorating your house with amazing furniture. Who wouldn’t love a nice piece of jewelry or pottery under the Christmas tree? Admission tickets can be purchased online at WoollyWorm.com so there is no need to stand in line as there is a limited number of races, it is important to register to race your worm as soon as you arrive at the festival! Remember, the winning Woolly Worm on Saturday earns the esteemed honor of predicting the High Country’s winter weather and receives a huge pot of $$$ – $1000 to be exact! If you can’t make it to the festival on Saturday – don’t worry – we begin the fun again on Sunday from 9am until 4pm. The fun starts Saturday morning at 9am and the woolly worm races begin shortly after with Mr. Woolly Worm and Merryweather leading the fun! On Sunday at 1:00 is the Corporate Woolly Worm Wace. The winning worm earns a trophy and bragging rights for its business. Call the Avery County Chamber of Commerce at 828-898-5605 for more information.
Sugar Creek Gem Mine makes prospecting for gemstones fun and enjoyable for all ages, from the amateur to the advanced rock collector. For beginners, we have a knowledgeable staff that will guide you through the process, and the advanced miners will appreciate our first-class equipment. You’ll find many take-home treasures to last a lifetime.
Mining for Authentic North Carolina Gemstones
Do you want to experience the thrill of prospecting for your very own North Carolina authentic gemstones? Then join the fun at Sugar Creek Gem Mine, where we guarantee you will find precious and semi-precious gemstones in every bucket. With Sugar Creek Gem Mine you can expect the highest quality service, experienced gemologists on staff and first class mining equipment. Call to reserve your Gem Mining experience at 828.898.GEMS. Walk-ins are welcome, but you may experience a wait time before you can start gem mining – as gem mining in the summer is very popular! The covered gem mine is open year-round in Banner Elk, NC.
Since 1959, Holston has hosted summer camps in North Carolina for kids seeking refuge from the seasonal heat and a sanctuary for spiritual, mental, and physical growth. Now, as a year-round facility, we welcome groups of any faith to respond to a higher calling and join together in the wooded mountains of Holston Camp and Retreat Center in Banner Elk, North Carolina.
Old Hampton Store, Barbeque & Tavern will open the Tavern with live music on Friday and Saturday from 3-9pm!
Music is scheduled from 5-8.
Menu fare includes homemade soups, small bites, and desserts.
Check the Old Hampton Store, Barbeque and Tavern Facebook page for updates!
Old Hampton Store, BBQ, and Tavern serving local craft beer in Linville, North Carolina. Highlighting local folk art and pottery in the gallery next door.
We offer lunch and dinner and specialize in hickory smoked barbeque.We also have for sale local, artisan goods, pottery, and folk art, and more.
Since 1883, the Mast General Store has been the center of the Valle Crucis community. Once carrying everything from cradles to caskets, it’s still packed with all you’d expect to find in an old-timey country store. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visit the nearby Mast Store Annex. Once a competing general store, it now features traditional clothing, trail and travel gear, and over 500 old-fashioned candies. Open daily.
Months of Operation:
Open year round.
Hours of Operation:
Original Store: Mon – Sat: 7 am – 6:30 pm; Sun: 12
noon – 6 pm; Annex: Mon – Sat: 10 am – 6 pm; Sun:
12 noon – 6 pm (Winter hours may vary slightly.)
Mast General Store is a Count On Me NC certified business.
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