Annual Events & Happenings for 2009
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New Year's Polar Plunge |
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| Dates: |
Jan 1st |
| Cost: |
$25 (includes "I took the Plunge" logo hoodie) |
Start your new year off with a plunge! A polar plunge in the chilly waters of the Rocky Broad River. Plungers recieve: logo hoodie; free coffee, hot chocolate and cider; coupons for Chimney Rock and big-time bragging rights.
We're freezin' for a reason! Proceeds from the plunge benefit Lake Lure Fire & Rescue.
For more information, visit the New Year’s Polar Plunge website.
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Will Grady the Groundhog See His Shadow? |
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| Dates: |
Feb 2nd |
| Time: |
10am |
| Cost: |
No additional cost with Park admission. |
It’s everyone’s favorite holiday! Well, at least it’s the favorite of Chimney Rock Mascot Grady the Groundhog. Join Naturalist Carlton Burke and Grady to learn about the history of Groundhog Day and see Grady make his prediction for spring.
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What‘s Blooming in Early Spring! |
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| Dates: |
Mar 1st - Mar 31st |
Below is a brief listing of some of the plants, trees and shrubs to look for in and around Chimney Rock Park and our surrounding area in early spring.
March
Expect to see native bloodroot, spring beauty, trout lily, and serviceberry appearing in the wild, at lower elevations.
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54th Annual Easter Sunrise Service |
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| Dates: |
Apr 12th |
| Time: |
Gates open at 5am and close at 6am for the 6:30am service. |
| Cost: |
No fees charged. Guests are welcome to enjoy the Park for the day. |
Celebrate the glory of Easter as our guest at this non-denominational community worship. This special service will be filled with song, scripture, special music and spectacular sunrise views over beautiful Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge. John Mason, the Park’s featured hammered dulcimer player, will perform. Arrive early, dress warmly and bring a flashlight.
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5th Annual Bark in the Park |
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| Dates: |
Apr 18th |
| Time: |
11am-3pm |
| Cost: |
No additional cost with Park admission. |
| Ages: |
All ages |
The action-packed day will feature agility demonstrations by the Blue Ridge Agility Club - see talented dogs jump, weave and run through an obstacle course and learn more about what it takes to train your pooch to do the same. Guide dogs from the Guide Dog Foundation will also be on hand to show what it takes to train a dog for service. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the heroic dogs from the North Carolina Search & Rescue Dog Association as well.
Read More
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Spring Boy Scout Day |
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| Dates: |
May 2nd |
| Time: |
Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3; programs 10am-1pm; overnight 7pm-8:30am |
| Cost: |
$14 per scout (adult chaperones required, one adult chaperone admitted free per 10 scouts); $11.50 per additional adult; additional $8 for overnight camping; $12 for overnight camping with dinner; $5 for additional children during programs. |
Join us for our annual Spring Boy Scout Day and help your troop experience the wonders at Chimney Rock. For more adventure, participate in our rock climbing and camp overnight under the stars and in the shadow of Chimney Rock Mountain.
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Spring Girl Scout Day |
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| Dates: |
May 16th |
| Time: |
Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17; programs 10am-1pm; overnight 7pm-8:30am |
| Cost: |
$14 per scout (adult chaperones required, one adult chaperone admitted free per 10 scouts); $11.50 per additional adult; additional $8 for overnight camping; $12 for overnight camping with dinner; $5 for additional children during programs. |
Chimney Rock’s Spring Girl Scout Day is open to Girl Scouts of all ages. Girls will enjoy hands-on programs that encourage safe interaction with nature. Participants will receive their very own Chimney Rock badge and troops have the option to spend the night beneath the towering Chimney and twinkling stars.
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2nd Annual Lure of the Dragons Festival |
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| Dates: |
May 16th |
| Cost: |
No cost for spectators. |
Dragons descend on Lake Lure! In the form of boats, that is. Watch as teams compete to raise money for area children’s charities. The festival has entertainment, food and kids’ activities, so it’s not just fun for the whole family, it’s fun for the whole day.
Read More
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Memorial Day Weekend Activities |
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| Dates: |
May 23rd - May 25th |
Celebrate Memorial Day at Chimney Rock!
Free family fun series at 2pm Saturday, Sunday and Monday (weather permitting). Learn about some of the reptiles that call Chimney Rock home.
Climb our 32ft climbing tower. Just $3 a climb! Receive a FREE climb if you make it to the top.
Cook out on the Sky Lounge patio. Get a hot dog, chips and a drink for just $4.99.
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What‘s Blooming this Summer! |
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| Dates: |
Jun 1st - Jul 31st |
Below is a brief listing of some of the plants, trees and shrubs to look for in and around Chimney Rock Park and our surrounding area in the summer.
June/July
Turk's cap lily, fire-pinks, milkweed, phlox, hypericums and sourwood.
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National Trails & Land Trust Day |
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| Dates: |
Jun 6th |
| Cost: |
No additional cost with Park admission. |
We can’t think of a better reason to celebrate! Join us for guided hikes with Park specialists, rock climbing demonstrations (and the opportunity to try it for yourself).
Plus, we're very excited to have Danny Bernstein give a presentation and sign copies of her new book Hiking North Carolina's Blue Ridge Heritage.
Complimentary guided hikes will be offered at 10am, noon and 2pm with Education Specialist Emily Walker. Click "read more" below for descriptions.
Read More
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4th of July Weekend Activities |
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| Dates: |
Jul 4th - Jul 5th |
Celebrate Independence Day at Chimney Rock!
Free family fun series at 2pm Saturday and Sunday (weather permitting). Learn about some of the critters that call Chimney Rock home. At Grady's Animal Discovery Den.
Climb our 32ft climbing tower. Just $3 a climb! Receive a FREE climb if you make it to the top. Saturday and Sunday only.
Cook out on the Sky Lounge patio. Get a hot dog, chips and a drink for just $5.
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Combo Mountain & Hammered Dulcimer Workshops |
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| Dates: |
Aug 15th |
| Cost: |
$50; $42 for Annual Passholders; $40 for ages 6-15; $35 for Grady’s Kids Club Members (fees include all instruction and Park admission for the day). |
Make beautiful music all day with these back-to-back dulcimer workshops with Ken Schoewe teaching mountain dulcimer during the morning session and John Mason teaching hammered dulcimer in the afternoon. Includes a one-hour lunch break between sessions. Workshops also available individually.
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Mountain Dulcimer Workshop |
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| Dates: |
Aug 15th |
| Cost: |
$32; $25 for Annual Passholders; $22 for ages 6-15; $18 for Grady’s Kids Club Members (fees include all instruction and Park admission for the day). |
Learn to play the “only American instrument” using traditional strumming and flat-picking techniques. No previous musical experience is necessary. Led by Ken Schoewe of the Mountain Music School in Hendersonville, NC. Instruments are provided.
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Hammered Dulcimer Workshop |
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| Dates: |
Aug 15th |
| Cost: |
$32; $25 for Annual Passholders; $22 for ages 6-15; $18 for Grady’s Kids Club Members (fees include all instruction and Park admission for the day). |
John Mason, acclaimed hammered dulcimer artist and the Park’s featured musician, will teach participants all about this traditional folk instrument. This is a great family-friendly activity for beginners and intermediates. Limited number of instruments available.
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Music on the Mountain |
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| Dates: |
Aug 15th |
| Cost: |
No Additional Cost with Park Admission |
We’re teaming up with the Rutherford County Arts Council to bring you Music on the Mountain, an afternoon of live music with Phil and Gaye Johnson and the Dowden Sisters. We’re just in the planning stages of this event, but here’s what we know so far.
The event will take place on Saturday, August 15 from 3-6pm on the Meadows. Each band will play two 45-minute sets. There will not be an additional cost. We’ll have food available, but you’re welcome to bring a picnic.
Long-time residents of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Phil & Gaye Johnson offer a unique blend of traditional and contemporary folk, bluegrass and country music, along with generous portions of western swing, cowboy, blues and Old-Time traditions. The duo also hosts the nationally-syndicated King Pup Radio Show.
The Dowden Sisters, from Asheville, blend lively fiddle tunes, exceptional vocals and instrumentals, plus sweet harmony singing for an unforgettable Appalachian sound.
Click here to read the full press release.
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5th Annual Hickory Nut Gorge Olympiad |
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| Dates: |
Aug 27th - Aug 30th |
This four-day sport and community festival features dozens of events and activities. For the hardcore athlete, there’s the triathlon, Race to the Rock (see below) or five-mile run. More of a weekend warrior? Try the 3x3 basketball, golf or the pontoon boat challenge. There’s plenty for non-athletes and kids, too! Visit hickorynutolympiad.com for more information.
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3rd Annual Race to the Rock (5K Run or 7K Cycling Time Trial) |
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| Dates: |
Aug 30th |
| Time: |
Registration at 6:30am, Cyclists at 7:30am, Runners at 8am |
| Cost: |
$25 if pre-registered; $30 day-of registration. |
Take the challenge! The Park’s winding entrance road averages an uphill climb of 7%, but the views from the finish line are well worth the effort. Part of the 5th Annual Hickory Nut Gorge Olympiad, medals are awarded in age groups.
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What’s Blooming in Fall! |
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| Dates: |
Aug 31st - Dec 1st |
Below is a brief listing of some of the plants, trees and shrubs to look for in and around Chimney Rock Park and our surrounding area in late summer and early-mid fall.
Sept. - Nov.
Cardinal-flower, ironweed, Eupatoriums, asters, goldenrod, Beefsteak Plant, Joe-Pye Weed, Pink Turtlehead, Round-Leaved Snakeroot, Mountain Spiderwort, Horse Balm, Fireweed, Asiatic Dayflower and Orange Jewelweed.
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Ride to the Rock (Motorcycle Event) |
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| Dates: |
Sep 19th |
| Cost: |
No additional cost with Park admission for spectators. |
Hundreds of motorcyclists roar into the Park as part of a benefit ride for the Wounded Warrior Project. The ride is organized in part by Rolling Thunder.
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Flock to the Rock |
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| Dates: |
Sep 19th - Sep 20th |
| Cost: |
No additional cost with Park admission. |
Birds flock to Chimney Rock! And we’re offering all kinds of programs to get you going bonkers over birds, too. We’ll have guided walks with Ornithologist Simon Thompson, opportunities to “get up close and personal” with non-releasable birds of prey, and lots of workshops and other fun activities. This weekend also marks the annual hawk migration over our area when dozens, sometimes hundreds, of hawks can be seen heading to southern wintering grounds.
Plus, we're very excited to partner with Global Arts Alliance to bring you a 1st edition showing of John James Audubon's watercolors. You'll also learn more about the artist and the importance of his works.
Click read more for a full schedule of walks, workshops and activities.
Read More
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Shutterbugs Nature Photography Workshop |
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| Dates: |
Oct 31st - Nov 1st |
| Time: |
Saturday, October 31; 8:30am-4:30pm and Sunday, November 1; 1-4pm |
| Cost: |
$95; $85 for Annual Passholders (fees include all instruction and Park admission for both days). |
The Park is the perfect backdrop for capturing amazing photographs. Take advantage of this information-packed 2-day clinic with noted WNC photographer Jeff Miller. Jeff’s photography has been featured in many regional, state and national publications. Visit mountainlens.com for more information on Jeff.
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Fall Girl Scout Day |
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| Dates: |
Nov 7th |
| Time: |
10am-1pm |
| Cost: |
$14 per scout (adult chaperones required, one adult chaperone admitted free per 10 scouts); $11.50 per additional adult; $5 for additional children during programs. |
Bring your troop and join Chimney Rock staff to celebrate the transformation of seasons. Participate in programs developed by Park specialists as you enjoy this colorful time of year!
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Santa on the Chimney! |
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| Dates: |
Dec 5th |
| Time: |
11am-2pm |
| Cost: |
No additional cost with Park admission. |
Santa practices on 315-ft. Chimney Rock before climbing down millions of much shorter chimneys all around the world on Christmas Eve. USA Today named Chimney Rock one of the top 10 places to catch up with Santa last year. Come and see why!
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Santa on the Chimney! |
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| Dates: |
Dec 12th |
| Time: |
11am-2pm |
| Cost: |
No additional cost with Park admission. |
Santa practices on 315-ft. Chimney Rock before climbing down millions of much shorter chimneys all around the world on Christmas Eve. USA Today named Chimney Rock one of the top 10 places to catch up with Santa last year. Come and see why!
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