The top things to do in the High Country this fall
Fall is officially here, and there is no better place to appreciate this beautiful season than here in the mountains. As the air continues to cool and leaves begin to change and drop, be sure to take some time to appreciate everything that is wonderful about fall in the mountains.
Between classes, sporting events, and club meetings, try out some of these fun fall activities to make the most of the season and enjoy your beautiful mountain home:
Get a taste of Appalachia at the 2nd Annual Cornbread Cook-Off
Cornbread is a sweet or savory bread often associated with the cuisine of the Southern United States. The delicious side dish originates from Native American food traditions and has become a staple of Southern Appalachian cuisine.
The Stephenson Center for Appalachia and Comparative Highland Studies is hosting their 2nd annual Cornbread Cook-Off on Tuesday, Sept. 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come out to Swank Park to taste a variety of cornbread made by faculty, staff, and students, and vote for your favorite.
Try local fall flavors
Just off campus, in downtown Banner Elk, sit a variety of restaurants with all kinds of fall flavors to get you in the mood for spooky season. Check out BE Scooped for a scoop of pumpkin pie spice ice cream. More of a coffee person? Explore the seasonal latte menus at Banner Elk Café and Mountain Grounds.
Don’t feel like leaving campus to get your pumpkin fix? Stop into the Pinnacle Room for a taste of the season right here on campus.
Celebrate being a Bobcat at Homecoming
This year’s annual Homecoming celebrations will be held Friday, Oct. 4 through Sunday, Oct. 6. From the Spirit Week celebrations to the Bobcat Fest party Saturday night, the week will be filled with celebration and Bobcat pride.
Registration for student tailgating spots during the men’s and women’s soccer games is open and can be reserved with Assistant Director of Campus Life Jassa Harris in the Student Affairs Suite on the lower level of Virginia Hall. Nominations for Homecoming Court can be emailed to Jassa Harris.
Support Lees-McRae Theatre Arts at a fall performance
Lees-McRae Theatre Arts has two engaging new shows on the docket for this fall season: musical theatre romcom “Sweet Charity,” and heartbreaking docudrama “26 Pebbles.”
“Sweet Charity” tells the story of Charity Hope Valentine, a New York City taxi dancer in the 1960s who is trying to find love and herself in the Big Apple. On a much different note, “26 Pebbles” is a documentary-style show exploring the impact of gun violence in a close-knit community.
“Sweet Charity” will run Thursday, Oct. 10 through Sunday, Oct. 13, and “26 Pebbles” will run Wednesday, Nov. 20 through Sunday, Nov. 24.
Predict winter weather at the Woolly Worm Festival
The 47th annual Woolly Worm festival will be held right here in Banner Elk on Saturday, Oct. 19 and Sunday, Oct. 20. This iconic fall festival is all about the titular creepy crawly and its ability to predict winter weather.
Each year, thousands of festivalgoers gather in Banner Elk to race their own woolly worms. As the tradition goes, the colors of the winning worm predict the weather for the coming winter.
Lees-McRae will have a booth at the festival and students from the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center will be doing animal ambassador presentations in the kids’ zone.
Gather for a seasonal celebration at Valle Country Fair
Each fall the Valle Country Fair is held in Valle Crucis as a celebration of the season featuring food, crafts, vendors, mountain music, and family fun. This year the festival will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is free, so head down the mountain to celebrate fall in the valle.
Catch some local color on the Blue Ridge Parkway
It’s not fall in the mountains if you don’t go for a drive to admire the changing leaves. While there are plenty of beautiful views right here on campus, head over to the Blue Ridge Parkway for a drive that is truly breathtaking.
The Linn Cove Viaduct, Linville Falls, Beacon Heights, and Price Lake offer some of the most stunning views along the parkway any time of year, but even more so when they are lit up with fall yellows, oranges, and reds.
