Meet us in Gaston County for these three great events; Adventure Race and opening of the Boathouse in McAdenville, Tuck Fest at US National Whitewater Center and Red Bull UCI Pump Track World Championships with Bike Fest at George Poston Park.

We are back, live and in person for the 13th Annual Run for the Roses Kentucky Derby Event on Saturday, May 7, 2022

This outdoor event encourages the public to shop local and support area crafters and artisans. The event will be held at Temple Field behind the Old Rock School and will be a true way to kick off the outdoor event season for Valdese. 

You will be in awe of the beauty of this course at Reeb Ranch in Hendersonville. You’ll run a ~3 mile trail loop continuously for 6 or 12 hours passing by a spectacular waterfall, mountain creeks and a run through the vintage event barn every lap.

Nestled amid North Carolina’s scenic mountainous landscapes and beautiful beaches sits Stokes County, in the Piedmont region of the state. Home to the towns of Danbury and Walnut Cove, City of King, and many rural communities where southern hospitality of a wave or simple hello will make you feel right at home.

Visit Chimney Rock from the point of view of the Last of the Mohicans as part of the 30th anniversary reunion weekend this May. Back in 1992, Chimney Rock was covered with actors, film crew, makeup artists and more, acting out some of the final scenes of the Last of the Mohicans, one of the biggest movies of that year.

From cat head biscuits to craft brews and burgers, there is literally something for everyone when you visit these quaint towns. Already have your belly full? The inviting and unique shops can help you with a little retail therapy. Looking to cool off and float your cares away? The multiple river outfitters can help you plan and navigate your trip. 

Bevana is the new name for Community Brewing Ventures, the parent company of D9 Brewing, UpDog Kombucha, Bay Cannon Beer Company and our many other partners from across the beverage industry. Located in Newton, NC Bevana is a brewing experience which includes a look into their processes while enjoying the “fruits of their labor” in their open-air taproom which houses 32 taps. 

A diverse region of artists, agriculture, fine dining, and scenic beauty, Stokes County, North Carolina is a gloriously good time in the wonderland of Mother Nature’s splendor.

Don’t miss Christmas County, an extravaganza of festivals and events designed to celebrate this special time of year. 

Capture the magic of the holidays in the charming little town of Mocksville. It’s a time for family and friends to come together, exchange gifts, decorate their homes, be thankful and merry.

Fun experiences are waiting to be had in Stokes County, North Carolina. A brisk winter hike along the trails of Hanging Rock State Park reveal views and natural beauty not normally experienced during summer months when trees and flora are in full bloom.

December is a time to celebrate the Christmas Season – and in Granville County, it’s also a time to gather with family and friends. 

The three towns of Western Rockingham County, Madison, Mayodan, and Stoneville, offer a holiday experience you and your family will remember for years to come.

Years ago, it was as if magic was in the air when the holidays rolled around. Each year the whole family would hop in the car to make a special trip into town to scour the street on a hunt for the perfect holiday gift for each of our family and friends. Poinsettias, twinkling lights, silver and gold ornaments, greenery and red bows, would decorate the stores while Nat King Cole filled the room putting you in the holiday spirit. 

As you are gearing up for the Holiday’s and looking for those special gifts for loved ones don’t forget to shop local. Plan your weekend trip or day trip to Hickory to explore not only our outdoor adventures and culinary scene but we hope you will take a piece of Hickory home for the Holidays. 

Burke County is known for its magnificent leaf-peeping trolley tours, its world-renowned breweries, and Apple Orchards, but did you know that the best holiday shopping experience is here too!

This holiday season Hendersonville welcomes back some of its favorite traditions for its Home for the Holidays celebration. The festivities begin in November and continue through the New Year.

Early holiday shoppers can peruse over 140 craft shops in a village market which provides a diverse selection of handmade items such as pottery, jewelry, perfume, glass blown ornaments, ceramics, bath & body products, medieval costumes, hand carved candles, unique musical instruments, children’s toys, a full spectrum of clothing, and much more. Watch artisans make a masterpiece right before your eyes. Enjoy demonstrations of fine skills such as weaving, woodcarving, blacksmithing, glassblowing, pottery, and jewelry making – all using ancient skills and low technology.

Leaves of yellow, auburn, red, and brown linger a bit longer here for your leaf peeping enjoyment. The season is still perfect to experience why Stokes County ROCKS in Autumn. Cast a reel at the Hanging Rock Lake, sit back to admire the colorful array reflecting onto the water, as you catch the largest trout of a recent re-stock. Support local food banks this holiday season by attending “Soup in a Bowl” held annually on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, this year on November 20th. A unique event hosted by Stokes Arts, where attendees will receive their very own handcrafted pottery bowl, donated by a local artist, and enjoy their choice of warm soup in the heart of Danbury, NC at The Arts Place of Stokes.

Belmont, NC The Museum of the Moon will be exhibited in downtown Belmont for three weekends serving as the backdrop for a series of lunar-inspired events. Over the centuries, the moon has been used as a timekeeper, calendar, and source of light to aid nighttime navigation. The evenings and weekends…

Davie County, NC Your family can enjoy a full day of free fun during the annual Oaks Festival. The festival is held in historic downtown Mocksville on the second Saturday in October from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with our crafters while the music plays on until 8 p.m. that evening. There…

Hendersonville, NC Whether your dream day involves a rustic wedding barn, pavilion with wraparound views, a church sanctuary or a lakeside lawn, Hendersonville has a venue to accommodate your wedding ceremony and reception. Couples planning a wedding in the Blue Ridge Mountains are invited to explore Hendersonville’s offerings at the…

Hickory, NC Hickory is known for craftsmanship in many forms including furniture, wood working and more but did you know that Hickory is well known for its craft beer and craft cocktail scene. Our booming culinary destinations are pushing boundaries in a fun and artistic way by encouraging local “mixologists”…

Burke County, NC South Mountain Distillery curates the best kind of spirits, based on generations of practice here in Burke County.  Don Smith, a 4th generation moonshiner, opened the distillery in 2016 after years of operating other businesses, as a way to embrace his roots.  He wanted to make traditional…

The 28th annual Carolina Renaissance Festival. The wildly popular Carolina Renaissance Festival is back to celebrate its 28th year Saturdays and Sundays, October 2nd through November 21st. Located just north of Charlotte, NC, the Festival blends imagination, fantasy, and history all within a 20-acre outdoor storybook village filled with shopping,…

Rockingham County, NC Whether you are a beer drinker, wine sipper, or stiff shooter, we have no doubt one of the best ways to discover Rockingham County is to take it one sip at a time along the Rockingham County Spirit Trail. With generations-old recipes and enjoyably outrageous brews, Rockingham…

Stokes County, NC. This October, discover a Stokes County State of Mind on a leaf peeping drive, windows down enjoying a kaleidoscopic show of vibrant auburn, yellow and red coloring unique to the Piedmont Triad areas of North Carolina. Take the less traveled path on rural roadways where the only…

Gaston County, NC Fall is absolutely the best time to get outside as temperatures cool and landscapes come brilliantly alive. Get out and explore!   Check out our brand new Fall Guide 2021, showcasing the best way to experience Gaston County this season. Enjoy the outdoors, locate our most scenic…

Burke County, NC Known as a small town with big celebrations, the Town of Valdese summer concerts will conclude on September 3rd with a special performance by Too Much Sylvia. Sharing a variety of hits from ZZ Top to Motown, TMS is sure to get the crowd to their feet….

Stokes County, NC. Festival season returns as the longest running festival in Stokes County, “Stokes Stomp” marks its 47th year along banks of the mighty Dan River on September 11th. A new festival for fall arrives the following weekend along Main Street in Walnut Cove as “FallFest” is born from…

Henderson County, NC In the Blue Ridge Mountain town of Hendersonville, harvest season means walking through rows of apple trees in the middle of an orchard, purchasing fresh fruit, taking in mountain views and making memories as a family. Throughout the fall, apple orchards buzz with activity. Orchards, markets and…

Burke County, NC Burke County is known as Nature’s Playground due to the endless opportunities to explore, and experience the mountains, lakes, streams and trails.  Whether you enjoy biking, kayaking, hiking or just relaxing and taking in the crisp mountain air, this is the place to be. If you would…

The 28th annual Carolina Renaissance Festival. The Festival is a full day of entertainment, adventure, and pageantry! History comes alive with hundreds of costumed characters re-creating a 16th Century European Marketplace in the town of Fairhaven. It’s a 25-acre outdoor open air village nestled in the forest and meadows. At…

Catawba County, NC Hickory, NC is located in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Under two hours from Winston-Salem and Greensboro, Hickory is a perfect getaway to cooler temperatures and outdoor adventures. Known for a heritage of furniture manufacturing and furniture shopping, the Hickory area has grown through…