Celebrate! Blowing Rock's Winterfest Chases Away Winter Blues
Michelle Ligon
Media and Group Promotion Manager
Boone Convention & Visitors Bureau

Gazing at the fire in your fireplace for an entire weekend can leave you toasty warm, but lethargic. Winterfest’s celebration of winter fun is a great way to capture the season’s fleeting opportunities to enjoy the snow and crisp, frosty air to its fullest.

This Blowing Rock festival awakens all the senses with a variety of activities, from live Blues concerts, to a ice-carving competition, a wine-tasting and auction, a chili cook-off, and of course the enthralling Polar Plunge at beautiful, albeit freezing cold, Chetola Lake. And, that's just the beginning. Shop til you drop, watch the Winter Paws pet show, and enjoy winter many more ways during this extended weekend.

Selected as a Top 20 Event in the Southeast this annual festival begins Thursday, January 22nd, and runs through Sunday, January 25th. Lodging info.

On Thursday evening 5:30pm - 7:30pm, a fabulous display of culinary delights entice as the best restaurants in the Blowing Rock area come together for Winterfeast. Advance reservations are available by calling 828-295-9627. Tickets may be purchased online, at the Blowing Rock Chamber, or at the door. Seatings: 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 pm.

If you’re not convinced you’d last long out in the frosty air, rest assured Blowing Rock sidewalks will reveal more than one opportunity to warm up in cozy restaurants, shop with friendly merchants and sip free hot chocolate. Hayrides will thrill any who fancy a free ride through charming downtown streets, and will be going on each afternoon.

Friday evening at 7:30, authentic blues aficionados The King Bees will demonstrate the reason for their acclaim along with a variety of other groups at the Hayes Performing Arts Center.

On Saturday at 10:00 a.m., be at Chetola Lake (overflow parking at Tanger Shoppes on the Parkway) for a free event that’s sure to make you feel warm all over. Cheer on as winter swim enthusiasts take the plunge into the freezing waters of the lake. If you want to be one of them, see forms and registration info at www.blowingrockwinterfest.com.

Warm up back at the Chili Cook-Off in the Blowing Rock School gymnasium on Sunset Drive. Sample a great-tasting variety of chili concocted by the pros. Live music will be provided by The Renegar Brothers.

Blowing Rock School will also be the location of the delicious Sunday pancake breakfast. Starting at 8:00 a.m., $7 (less for children) will buy each hungry patron a stack of hot pancakes with all the trimmings.

Winterfest Headquarters are in the Blowing Rock Visitors Center on Hwy. 321 Bypass. They invite you to stop by for maps and information.

For more information on Blowing Rock’s Winterfest, call 800-295-4636.

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