This Weekend in Central & Western NC

For the summer I'm going to take a day each week and highlight some cool things going on my area of North Carolina and points east and west (and north and south) of me.

Why?  Because I live in an awesome state with many cool festivals and events.

Why else?  Tourism is hot, hot, hot!  I would love for you to visit North Carolina this year or next year and see why this place is one of the most fabulous states in the union.

Cool events in North Carolina June 11-14th

Twin City Rib Fest!  - Texas Pete (a Winston -Salem based company) is hosting their annual Rib Fest this weekend.  Try ribs from master rib makers and amateurs too as you take in the sites and sounds of Downtown Winston Salem.  As they do every year, enjoy music on several stages.  There will be blues, rock, and I think some bluegrass as well.  Ribs in North Carolina are always better with Cheerwine (bottled in NC) and Foothills Beer (based just around the corner from the festival).  Plan to attend!  Clip a $2 admission savings coupon in the Winston-Salem Journal!

Lure of the Dragons Race! - Lake Lure, NC, does that name ring a bell?  Well if you watched Dirty Dancing then your dreams were made of Lake Lure, NC.  This weekend they are hosting a dragon boat race...cool?  To raise money for children's charities teams will race 30 ft long dragon boats down the Rocky Broad River.  There will be a music and food as money is raised for kids in the region.

Art in the Park! - Blowing Rock, NC - do you need to escape the 90 degree temps of the lower country?  Then go to the high country this weekend and enjoy crafts and works of Western NC Artisans.  Around 90 different artists - potters to painters to glass blowers to why-didn't-i-think-of-that folks will be gathered in Blowing Rock this weekend.  Prices range from $5-$500 per piece.

A Day Out With Thomas the Train - Also in Blowing Rock, at Tweetsie Railroad.  Thomas is a most helpful engine and your little ones will be delighted to ride the rails with Sodor's favorite blue engine.

And down by the shore....

It is only fair I throw in something in Eastern/Coastal NC this edition!

Cape Lookout Tour By Water - Cruise the waters of Cape Lookout by registering at the NC Maritime Museum.  This is my favorite lighthouse on our coast!  A boat tour of the area would make this visit your favorite yet.  Not only will you see the beautiful lighthouse but you can also see the wild horses that dot the NC coastline and the pristine beauty of land left untouched!



See ya next week!