Local Events throughout the Year
Numerous festivals and local events are within a short drive, or an even shorter walk, of Prospect Hill in Mountain City, TN.
Winter Back to Top
Cut Your Own Christmas Tree December
The Tennessee and North Carolina mountains are home to Fraser Firs and other types of Christmas Tree farms, offering cut your own outings to build lasting memories. Choose a cut tree or select your own, wreaths and roping, too.- Wintergreen Farm — 223 Waddell Road, Laurel Bloomery, Tennessee — 423-727-2593 Cut & Choose, Fresh trees, and wreaths, dried wreaths, other plants.
- J&D Tree Farm – off Hwy. 194 north out of Boone. High mountain location, larger trees, family atmosphere, stunning views. SUV or truck best. 576 Bryan Hollow Road, Boone, NC jdtreefarm@gmail.com 828-262-1845
Christmas Parade First Saturday in December
423-727-5800Annual Christmas Parade 5:30 pm down West Main and Church streets in the heart of downtown Mountain City. Lighted floats bedecked with little singing angels and elf’s; manager scenes; wise men; Christmas tree’s; and everything Christmas, act as a catalyst to begin the wondrous Christmas season. From authentic horse-driven sleighs to bedecked trucks and ATV’s, and of course ending with Santa Claus.
Spring Back to Top
Wildflowers March-October
Wildflowers abound. Check out the “What’s in Bloom” schedule.Bird Migration March-October
- Bird watching in the mountains of Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia offers a rare treat. Because of elevation changes from low valleys to the mountain tops, you can view birds that would normally range from southern Georgia to Canada all within a few miles. Any season gives you an abundance of birds to see. Migrations of birds in the spring and fall through the mountains offers another excellent chance to see species passing through.
- Birding Trips with Adventure Damascus — Damascus, VA — 888-595-2453 Call for details.
ATV Rodeo First Weekend in April
423-291-1800ATV Rodeo at Chamber Park on Hwy.67 W.(approx. 3 miles west of city limits) Mountain City, TN. A day of rip-roaring, dirt-grinding fun.
NASCAR Racing at Bristol Motor Speedway 3rd weekend in April
423-989-6900 (ticket office)just 48 minutes away
Annual Mountain City Sponsored Easter Egg Hunt Week before Easter
423-727-2942Event starts at 11 am at Ralph Stout Park.
Annual Watauga Lake Winery Memorial Day Event First Saturday in May
423-768-0345Our annual fundraiser for Tennessee Fisher House – beginning at 11:00 a.m. Join us on the winery grounds for lunch. There will be silent auction items, 50/50, and so much more. Help us send our support to Tennessee military families.
Trail Days May
Celebrating the trail and its culture is Trail Days – the world’s largest backpacking event held each May in Damascus, Virginia, just 17 miles from the inn.Day Out With Thomas Early June
800-526-5740Experience everyone’s favorite train like never before as Thomas the Tank Engine™ chugs his way through the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Boone Bike Rally Early June
828-733-8060Motorcycle rally held at High Country Fairgrounds.
Summer Back to Top
Wildflowers March-October
Wildflowers abound. Check out the “What’s in Bloom” schedule.Bird Migration March-October
- Bird watching in the mountains of Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia offers a rare treat. Because of elevation changes from low valleys to the mountain tops, you can view birds that would normally range from southern Georgia to Canada all within a few miles. Any season gives you an abundance of birds to see. Migrations of birds in the spring and fall through the mountains offers another excellent chance to see species passing through.
- Birding Trips with Adventure Damascus — Damascus, VA — 888-595-2453 Call for details.
Party at the Park, Parade, & Fireworks Show July 4th
423-727-5800A Johnson County Chamber of Commerce sponsored event. All Day Party with Live Music, dancing, and adult and kiddie activities, Ralph Stout Park- 465 South Shady Street (Hwy.421) in Mountain City, TN 11 am-9:30pm then fireworks start.
Great view from the inn as we celebrate July 4. The town usually has a parade the same day (afternoon). BEST spot to watching them: On the Prospect Hill (guests and friends of guests are invited). This is the Inn’s only free party for guests. Join us on the porch!
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games July
Blaring bagpipes, astounding athletes, delicate dancers, rocking Celtic music and a spectacular highland setting makes this colorful celebration of Scottish culture the best highland games in America. Admission charged.Virginia Highlands Festival July & August
The annual Virginia Highlands Festival builds a center of artistic and cultural activity by engaging the creative, historical, and natural resources of Abingdon and the surrounding area. We honor the past, celebrate the present, and promote our region.Appalachian Summer Fest July
Held at Appalachian State University. Nationally known acts–music, dance, drama, workshops. Buy tickets in advance (small venues). Largest (in Holmes Convocation Center) may not be sold out.Annual Mountain City Sunflower Festival 3rd Saturday in July
423-727-1950Downtown Mountain City, (Main and Church Streets). 9am-5pm: Join us for a day of wonderful live music, festivities, contests, family and children’s fun activities, and over 75 vendors selling everything from rare antiques and collectibles, to handmade and popular jewelry, to Native American art, to African and metal yard art. Famous Quilt Show presented by Mountain Sunrise Quilt Guild.
Joe Barlow/Kim Sutten Memorial Car Bike and Truck Show 1st Saturday in August
423-291-10825 pm on Main Street in Downtown Mountain City – Car, Truck, & Bike Show and Live Music til the party ends. “Memorial Ride” begins at sunrise on Saturday
Old Butler Days 2nd weekend in August
423-727-1950Celebrating the “Town that wouldn’t Drown”! Festival takes place at Butler Park, Selma Curtis Road [right off of Hwy.67 West] Butler, Tennessee. Join us for fun, festivities, live music.
Old Time Fiddler's Convention 4th weekend in August
423-727-9595Hwy.91, Laurel Bloomery, TN. Join us with your RV’s (electrical only- public restrooms) or with tent-camping for a weekend of pure MUSIC- cash prizes awarded! Meet and jam with old friends and make music with new friends as you join Fiddler’s from around the world when they descend on Beautiful Laurel Bloomery, TN for the South’s Oldest Fiddler’s Gathering!
Watauga Lake Triathlon 4th weekend in August
1,000 meter swim (in l Watauga Lake), 35 kilometer bike, and 8 kilometer run (Cherokee National Forest in the Appalachian Mountains) triathlon is open to the public, registration beginning at 6:30am, or in advance. Triathlon begins at 8am at 838 Sugar Grove Church Road, Butler, TN 37640.Fall
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Wildflowers March-October
Wildflowers abound. Check out the “What’s in Bloom” schedule.Bird Migration March-October
- Bird watching in the mountains of Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia offers a rare treat. Because of elevation changes from low valleys to the mountain tops, you can view birds that would normally range from southern Georgia to Canada all within a few miles. Any season gives you an abundance of birds to see. Migrations of birds in the spring and fall through the mountains offers another excellent chance to see species passing through.
- Birding Trips with Adventure Damascus — Damascus, VA — 888-595-2453 Call for details.
Mountain Heritage Professional Rodeo 1st Weekend in September
423-727-5800Held annually at Chamber Park, Hwy.67 West (3 miles west of Mountain City limits), this is a Johnson County Chamber of Commerce Sponsored Event. Friday- gates open at 6pm, Rodeo starts at 8pm. Saturday- gates open at 5pm, rodeo starts at 8pm. Free Parking.
Boone Beer Fest First of September
610-582-4900Proceeds from Boone's Beerfest will go towards providing yearlong educational programming, special events, and recreational opportunities to Berks County residents and visitors. Boone's Beerfest will feature at least 30 breweries, merchandise vendors, food vendors, and live music. Guided Boone house tours will also be provided. Join us at this unique venue to enjoy a wide variety of brews in a beautiful, historic setting.
Autumn at Oz on Beech Mountain Early September
Every fall, join Dorothy and friends on a journey down the yellow brick road during Land of Oz's Annual Autumn at Oz Festival. Guests are invited to visit, relive, and celebrate one of North Carolina's hidden gems nestled amongst the Appalachian Mountains.Tweetsie Railroad Halloween Festival September-October
800-526-5740Ghost train ride, haunted house, Halloween shows, 3-D maze, and more!
Fall Leaf Changing October
Come see the beauty of the Autumn in the Tennessee and North Carolina mountains. Generally changing in October, the russet and gold hues spread down the mountains surrounding our Inn. It’s a season not to be missed. Foliage reports: The inn is a contributor. Find out how the color is progressing. Reports are made about every 3 days.Abingdon-Crooked Road Music Fest First Weekend in October
Join us for four days of traditional, bluegrass and gospel music at Heartwood in beautiful Abingdon, VA at the Abingdon-Crooked Road Music Festival. Bring your instrument and join in the Thursday Jam. Enjoy Friday evening listening to up-and-coming new stars at the Youth Music Concert.Shady Valley Cranberry Festival 2nd Weekend in October
423-739-9242Annual festival in Shady Valley- a stunningly beautiful valley set in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest. Bean Supper with live auction, breakfast and Cranberry Festival Parade. Live music, adult and children’s activities, vendors, fun for all!
Scarecrows on Main October
Throughout October, visitors come to view the over 40 creative, whacky, scary, zany, and imaginative scarecrow exhibits that line Main and Church Streets in the heart of downtown Mountain City.Todd New River Festival First Weekend in October
828-964-1362Takes placeon the banks of the New River at Cook Memorial Park in Todd North Carolina. The New River is thought to be the second oldest river in the word, second only to the Nile River. The festival features live music, storytelling, arts and crafts booths, a checkers playoff, special children’s activities including face painting, and much more!
Wooly Worm Festival End of October
828-898-5605Race your woolly worm! It is $5.00 to wace your worm. If you didn’t find one along one of the many back roads before you get here, don’t worry. The PTO will have them for sale inside the gate by the main gate information booth. Be sure to arrive early as the Worm Wace Wegistration fills up quickly.
Year Round
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Abingdon, VA Spirit Tours
276-706-6093Haint Mistress Donnamarie Emmert tells where the skeletons are buried….literally! History and ghost lore