Events
April
Chapel of Rest Easter Eve Service
Saturday April 3, 2010
A beautifully restored 1909 Episcopal Church, the Chapel of Rest presents a traditional Easter eve service featuring music starting at 4 p.m. Originally opening its doors in 1887, and now on the National Register of Historic Places, the Chapel has been the home since 1984 of a spring and fall classical music series.
The Chapel of Rest is located on Highway 268 (Mile marker 2.4), nine miles north of Lenoir. For more information, call (828) 758-8619 or (828) 758-0906, or visit www.chapelofrest.org.
Kite Flying Days at Fort Defiance
Saturday April 24, 2010
The skies above Fort Defiance burst into color as internationally-known kite fliers display and demonstrate a variety of artful kites from 10 a.m to 5 p.m.
Fort Defiance is located on Highway 268 (Mile marker 4.5). Visit www.fortdefiancenc.org for more information.
Chapel of Rest Spring Concert wth Keowee Trio
Sunday April 25, 2010
The Chapel of Rest's annual concert series marks its 25th anniversary with a performance by Asheville's Keowee Trio. Admission is $8 for the concert, which begins at 4 p.m. and features flautist Kate Steinbeck, cellist Simon Ertz and harpist Jacqueline Bartlett.
The Chapel of Rest is located on Highway 268 (Mile marker 2.4), nine miles north of Lenoir. For more information, call (828) 758-8619 or (828) 758-0906, or visit www.chapelofrest.org.
May
Happy Valley Pickin' & Plowin' Day
Saturday May 1, 2010
Jam sessions of bluegrass and old-time music provide the soundtrack to this yearly homage to the Valley's farming heritage and history. Held on a Saturday in late April or early May, this day-long event features horse- and mule-drawn plowing demonstrations, local foods, wagon rides, music-making and examples of the techniques, skills and "old ways" of farming practiced by the Valley's early settlers. Groups from the N.C. Draft Horse Association showcase their equipment during the event.
Happy Valley Plowin' & Pickin' Day is held on the Jones Farm (Mile marker 7.7). It is one of the last working farms along the Highway 268 corridor striving to continue a traditional agricultural lifestyle. For more information, call (828) 726-0323.
Daniel Boone Day, Whippoorwill Academy & Village
Saturday May 8, 2010
Each year educator Edith Carter hosts a Daniel Boone Day at the Whippoorwill Academy & Village (Mile marker 15.4). The event includes musical entertainment and a drama presented by the Tom Dula Players. Visit www.explorewilkes.com/whippoorwill.php for more information.
June
Happy Valley Pickin' & Mowin' Day
Date varies; call for information
A bluegrass music jam, local foods and wagon rides are part of this celebration of the area's farming heritage and history. Members of the N.C. Draft Horse Association showcase a variety of early 20th century horse-driven mowers during the festival, highlighting the techniques, skills and "old ways" of farming practiced by the Valley's early settlers.
Pickin' & Mowin' Day is held on the Jones Farm (Mile marker 7.7), one of the last working farms along the Highway 268 corridor continuing to grow traditional row crops such as corn and hay. For more information, call (828) 726-0323.
September
Happy Valley Fiddlers' Convention
Labor Day Weekend, Friday Sept. 3 through Sunday Sept. 5
Joining a North Carolina tradition that dates back to Union Grove in 1924, Happy Valley is now in the fourth year of its Old-time Fiddler's Convention, held over Labor Day weekend on the Jones Farm (Mile marker 8.6). The Convention offers cash prizes for fiddle, banjo, guitar, and mandolin as well as for bluegrass and old-time bands. Along with the instrumental competitions, the event offers folk singing, instrument making, old-time dance demonstrations, hayride tours, corn shucking, flat footing, and local home-cooked foods. A fiddler himself, Tom Dooley would have felt at home at this gathering at Jones Farm. Coincidently, the site is the final resting place of Laura Foster, who was buried here on the banks of the Yadkin after her body was found in May of 1866. Visit www.happyvalleyfiddlers.com for more information.
Living History Days, Fort Defiance
African American slave storytelling is part of this annual tour of the restored 1792 home of General William Lenoir, which features more than 300 pieces of original furniture and artifacts highlighting the craftsmanship of two centuries past. Visitors also can experience historic encampments, period cooking and wagon rides.
Fort Defiance is located on Highway 268 (Mile marker 4.5). Visit www.fortdefiancenc.org for more information.
October
Chapel of Rest Fall Concert wth Ciompi Quartet
Sunday October 17, 2010
Duke University's Ciompi Quartet will headline a gala celebration at The Chapel of Rest this fall marking the 25th anniversary of the the Chapel's annual concert series as well as the Chapel Of Rest Preservation Society's purchase of the building and adjoining cemetery. The concert begins at 4 p.m. Admission fee and details of additional activities will be announced soon.
Founded at Duke University in 1965 by the renowned Italian violinist Giorgio Ciompi, the quartet's members Eric Pritchard, Hsiao-mei Ku, Jonathan Bagg and Fred Raimi are all Duke professors who also perform internationally throughout the year.
The Chapel of Rest is located on Highway 268 (Mile marker 2.4), nine miles north of Lenoir. For more information, call (828) 758-8619 or (828) 758-0906, or visit www.chapelofrest.org.
November
Chapel of Rest Thanksgiving Eve Service
Wednesday November 24, 2010
A beautifully restored 1909 Episcopal Church, the Chapel of Rest presents a traditional Thanksgiving eve service featuring music starting at 4 p.m. Originally opening its doors in 1887, and now on the National Register of Historic Places, the Chapel has been the home since 1984 of a spring and fall classical music series.
The Chapel of Rest is located on Highway 268 (Mile marker 2.4). For more information, call (828) 758-8619 or (828) 758-0906, or visit www.chapelofrest.org.
December
Colonial Christmas, Fort Defiance
Music, dancing, wassail drinking, the roasting of a pig and fowl, and the traditional "Burning of the Holly" are just part of this old-fashioned 18th century Christmas at the restored 1792 home of General William Lenoir. Fort Defiance, named for a historic stockade, features more than 300 pieces of original furniture and artifacts. This festive weekend includes candlelight tours in the evening.
Fort Defiance is located on Highway 268 (Mile marker 4.5). Visit www.fortdefiancenc.org for more information.
Chapel of Rest Christmas Eve Service
Friday December 24, 2010
A beautifully restored 1909 Episcopal Church, the Chapel of Rest presents a traditional Christmas Eve service featuring music starting at 4 p.m. Originally opening its doors in 1887, and now on the National Register of Historic Places, the Chapel has been the home of a spring and fall classical music series since 1984.
The Chapel of Rest is located on Highway 268 (Mile marker 2.4). For more information, call (828) 758-8619 or (828) 758-0906 or visit www.chapelofrest.org.