TEN DAYS AND COUNTING
We have 10 days to get information to the Blue Ridge Parkway 75th Committee about events occurring in and around Alleghany County the weekend of the 75th celebration, Sept. 10-12. These are activities that visitors to the 75th celebration might be interested in while in the area. The Committee will promote these activities along with the 75th celebration. This all takes place only 14-16 miles from Sparta. If you are involved in the arts or entertainment and you don't have anything planed, plan it now.
Just some ideas:
> Studios: Plan an open house. Make it special. Gather a group of your best works and display them together with a sign that says "Inspired by the Blue Ridge Parkway."
> Galleries: Gather a group of your best works and display them together with a sign that says "Inspired by the Blue Ridge Parkway."
> Music venues: Plan a night of blue grass, old time
, clogging, country, lead off karaoke night with Rocky Top.
> Curisers: Plan a cruise in with a special invitation to cars made between 1935 and 1987, the start and completion of the Parkway. Wouldn't it be great if you could get a representative from each year!
> Motorcycle Capital of North Carolina (I'm speaking to Stations Inn and Freeborne's): Plan a cruise in with a special invitation to motorcycles made between 1935 and 1987. Split up the years between you. Or see who can most nearly cover every year.
> Poker Run Anyone?
Here's an example of an event Grayson County has submitted:
"Groovin on Grayson is a community event that provides a way for people to meet, mingle, listen to live music, and dance.
The classic car cruise begins at 5 p.m.; participants may begin lining up at 3:30 p.m. at the Farmer’s Market Area.
Enjoy FREE music at the Grayson stage area and at the Historic Rex Theater."
Mountaintop Crusiers, if you will plan to be in Farmer's Hardware Parking Lot Saturday, Sept. 11, sell hot dogs and stay until the Jubilee opens, we can advertise Appitising Alleghany Adventure, featuring cars, food and music!
Another example: Hillsville, VA
Beach music and classic car cruise-in with children’s activities, dancing, food, and beverages available. (How hard is that?)
Please submit a picture with your event to be posted on the blueridgeparkway75.org website. The permitted photos are small 250 by 222 pixels, so zoom in so the image is large. If I had to pick between in images below, I'd choose either the middle or right image. The folks in the one of the left is just too small. (Please note these are smaller than 250 by 222.)
Download this form. Complete it, save it to a familiar location on your computer and then email it as an attachment with your picture to leesa.brandon@ncdcr.gov and please also send it to info@sparta-nc.com so that we can include it on our calendar.
Questions? Need help? Call 372-5473
Questions? Need help? Call 372-5473
I'm learning more and more about the recently passed health-care legislation and some of the news is good. To learn more about how it may benefit you, click to see this Patient Bill of Rights.
SHOP LOCAL IS GOOD
I don't know anything about Tom Shay or the ProfitsPlus.org website, but a friend passed on this newsletter that has some interesting statistics on the benefits of local business. For instance, "Spend a dollar with a local business and sixty cents will stay in the community. That same dollar spent with a chain store means only twenty cents stays in the community; spent with the box store and only six cents stays locally. That is 60 compared to 20, compared to 6." Did that get your attention? It's well worth the read.
POST YOUR ANNOUNCEMENT TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
We have a Facebook page (Sparta-NC.com/facebook) and I invite you to post your event notice or announcement to it. Of course, you have to sign up for Facebook but this is FREE advertising! You can post a picture, link to a Web page, etc. Did I mention it's FREE advertising?
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BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
Check the following upcoming courses at the Alleghany campus of Wilkes Community College for small businesses and eager entrepreneurs. Classes are free unless otherwise noted. Call 336-372-5061, ext. 230 to learn more or reserve a seat.
Brand Marketing for Small Business: Tuesday, July 27, 6-9p. (Note this is a new, later date. More time to sign up!) Learn how to better get your message to the public from a marketing expert. No charge to attend, but reservations recommended. 336-372-5061 ext. 230
TUESDAY, JULY 13
Catch the Wave at the Library: Come learn about science and water with Marcey Walsh at 3:30p at the Alleghany County Library. This is part of the Library's Summer Reading Program for pre-teens. Parents and other interested parties are always welcome. 336-372-5573
WEDNESDAY, JULY 14
Art for the Young: Chris Davis has changed her last Children's Art Class of the Summer/Drawing, to July 26, 27, 28, 10-11:30a. Location TBA (Either Sparta or Roaring Gap.) $50. 3 days, includes snack and supplies for ages 5-10. MUST PRE-REGISTER BY JULY 14. Please send payment and student name, age, address, food allergies, parent's name(s) & phone number(s), and doctor's. name and phone number to PO Box 1207, Sparta, NC 28675 336.372.7111.
Bring a Dish and Eat Well: The women of Sparta United Methodist Church will sponsor an auction following the church-wide covered-dish picnic at 6p in the Lions Pavilion. The public is invited to the picnic and to stay for auction at approximately 7:15p. Lots of articles plus baked foods! 336-372-4441
THURSDAY, JULY 15
Gyotaku Fish Rubbing: Learn about the different parts of a fish and make a Japanese fish rubbing. Meet at the New River State Park Visitor Center at 10:30a at the Hwy 221 Access area. This program is geared toward preschool aged children and will last about one hour, so bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the park afterward. 336-982-2587
The Spoon Man Cometh: Come and get "SPOONED" with "The Spoon Man", a musical comedian, at 6:30p. This is a hilarious interactive comedy show for all ages at the Alleghany County Library is loaded with family fun and is part of the library's Hometown and Heritage Series, sponsored by the Alleghany Arts Council with partial funding by a NC Arts Council Grassroots Grant. 336-372-5573
FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 16-17
Alleghany Fiddlers Convention: 5p Friday; 10a Saturday. $6 Friday, $7 Saturday, $10 both days. Under 12 free. County Fairgrounds. AlleghanyFiddlers.com 336-372-8809
SATURDAY, JULY 17
Dana Poker Run at Stations Inn: Registration begins at 8:30a. First Bike Out - 9:00- 9:30a. $25 single rider/$35 rider w/passenger. Lunch included. Stations Inn in downtown Laurel Springs. 336-359-2888
Learn about the Eastern Hellbender: Meet a Park Ranger at the US 221 Visitor Center at 2p at the New River State Park for a 45 minute slide program to learn about one of the most unique residents of the New River. The Hellbender is one of the largest salamanders in the world. Come and learn how you can help this special, ancient creature survive into the future. 336-982-2587
MONDAY, JULY 19
Balloon Fun: Come enjoy 'Get Creative with Balloons with Donna Pruett the Balloon Lady'. This program is a special program for preschoolers held at the Alleghany County Library at 10:30a. 336-372-5573
Early Years of the Parkway: Everyone is invited to hear about the Early Years of the Blue Ridge Parkway at 6:30p at the Alleghany County Library by Karen Hall. 336-372-5573
TUESDAY, JULY 20
Magic with Captain Jack: Enjoy magical illusions with Captain Jim, the magical pirate, at 3:30a at the Alleghany County Library. Captain Jim's vessel went down at sea causing him to lose his leg below his knee. He now shares his treasured talents through a pirate character with an authentic peg leg. 336-372-5573
THURSDAY, JULY 22
Make Your Own Bird Feeders: Join a Park Ranger at 10:30a to learn about birds and backyard bird feeders and make one that you can take home to enjoy at . Meet at the Visitor Center of New River State Park at the US Hwy 221 Access Area.
FRIDAY, JULY 23
The Forgotten North Carolina: Spend an evening of discovery with Appalachian State University Professor Dr. Thomas R. Whyte at the New River State Park at 7p. Bring your curiosity and questions as we search for the forgotten people who once lived and walked among these ancient mountains 12,000 years ago. Dr. Whyte will spotlight some of his recent excavations along the New River and pass around a variety of artifacts. 336-982-2587
FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY 23-24
Big 3-Event Weekend: Quilters Guild Show and Blue Ridge Mountain Fair, Friday and Saturday, and VFW Car Show on Saturday. Lear more at Sparta-NC.com/tripleplay.
SATURDAY, JULY 24
Bowl-A-Rama for Landon Joines: Come enjoy the fun and help raise money for Landon Joines' to receive a transplant, 1-5p at Trojan Family Bowl. Learn more at COTAforLandonJ.com 336-372-6602
First ever Watauga Riverkeeper Festival: There will be snacks, games, nature walks, river activities, and all kinds of outdoor fun. Musical entertainment provided by Melissa Reaves and other local musicians, 11a-5p in Valle Crusis. Click to learn more.
CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK!
AREA MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT
>> Alleghany Jubilee: Come to listen or come to dance to the blue grass and old time musicians who play on Tuesday beginning at 7p and Saturday at 8p. Admission $4. The Jubilee is located on North Main Street, across from the Courthouse. 336-372-4591
>> Crouse House Pickers: Local blue grass and old time musicians jam each Monday, 2 blocks north of the Courthouse at the Crouse House in Crouse Park, beginning at 6p. Come and play or just listen. No charge, but a donation is appreciated. 372-5473
>> Silver Dollar Music Park Line dance lessons every Monday 6-8:30p. Supper served at 6p and lessons at 7p. Get both for $12; just a lesson or just a meal for $7. Check the website calendar. 336-372-6874
>>They're Rockin' at the Motorcycle Capital of North Carolina If you're a motorcycle rider or a fan of hard-driving country music, then Laurel Springs is the place to be as Freebornes Eatery and Lodge and Stations Inn offer live music every weekend. Check out their links for a band schedule.
GREAT ACTIVITIES TO DO ANYTIME
>> Barn Quilt Trails: Barns and other structures throughout Alleghany County are adorned with large squares illustrating quilt patterns and add interest to a driving tour of the countryside. Drop by the Alleghany Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Center for a brochure. We are in the rock building with the green awning (58 South Main St., Sparta). Our foyer is always open and a brochure is always available.
>> Driving Loops: Brochures for three driving loops of the Alleghany countryside are available at the Alleghany Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Center. Each loop is a about a leisurely hour's drive and includes information on historic points along the way. The Chamber office is in the rock building with the green awning (58 South Main St., Sparta). Our foyer is always open and a brochure is always available.
>> Saturday Farmers' Market: Stop by the corner of US 21 South and Grandview Drive on Saturdays, 8a to 1p for locally produced foods and crafts and a warm welcome from the local vendors there. 336-200-2273
Check our calendar for upcoming events: On our website are listings for our Calendar. Check them often and let us know if your activity is not listed.
Bob BambergExecutive Director Alleghany
Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 1237 Sparta, NC 28675
336-372-5473
SpartaChamber@inbox.com
Sparta-NC.com
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