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Friday, October 22, 2010

33rd Annual Brushy Mountain Apple Festival

As the leaves begin to change colors and the weather gets a little cooler, many people from Wilkes County and surround counties know of one festival that brings in a lot of people to the area. The first Saturday in October is dedicated to the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival which brings in over 100,000 people in the 9 hour span of the festival.  In attendance are over 350 arts and crafts vendors, and 100 food vendors that provides crafts from goat milk soap, silverware chimes, chairs, and other handmade crafts.  There is also four stages set throughout downtown Several non-profit, and civi organizations, as well as church groups were in attendance with a booth.
A lot of visitors enjoying the beautiful weather!
The famous weekend is started off with an "Apple Jam" on Friday night, October 1st, located on the corner of 10th and Main Street.  For those who attend, they get to listen and enjoy bluegrass, country, folk, gospel, and even Appalachian Heritage music that is reflective of the area.  While that was going on, several of the vendors got a head start on setting up their space pretty late on Friday. 
Musicians deciding on a song

Saturday morning came with perfect weather for this event that seemed to draw in crowds from everywhere in North Carolina and surrounding states.  Since the festival is named the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival, it is common to see different varieties and takes on the fruit.  There were apple trucks with apples being sold out of the back of them, there were fried apple pie vendors on every corner, and there were some vendors who made apple butter infront of their customers.  Throughout the festival there was demonstrations of beekeeping, wood carving, chair making, soap making, quilting, spinning & rug making, and even homemade ice cream made by a hit & miss engine.
A potter demonstrating his craft.
There was music everywhere throughout the festival, some booths supported racing that was coming back to the speedway, there was jewelry being sold, raffles being held, almost everything you can imagine at local small town festival.  A petting zoo, a train ride, activities for the children, and even a horse & carriage ride was offered for those who wanted something a little different than walking around, looking at vendor booths.

Local apple growers selling a large variety of apples.

Every year the Wilkes Chamber of Commerce sell the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival T-Shirts, and this year the design for the shirts was so popular that we sold out of them just after noon. What a great weekend for anyone and everyone to attend a tradition festival put on by North Wilkesboro and the Brushy Mountain Ruitan Club.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Ramblin' Rockers Reception & Auction

On Friday, October 1, 2010, months of hard work on the Rocking Chair Fundraiser came to an end at the Ramblin' Rockers Reception and Auction. The evening was filled with people talking and laughing enjoying the night with friends, food, and painted rocking chairs.  Several artists, sponsors, Chamber members, and others filled the building in hopes to support this fundraiser.  Wilkes Art Gallery was gracious enough to allow us to host the event there, as well as the food and beverages being provided. 

A few of the painted chairs
The night started off with a continuation of the silent auction for each of the chairs, up until auctioneer Eddie Barnes took to the microphone to start the live auction.  Overall, at the end of the night, we raised enough money to support the materials we need to promote tourism to the area.


We would like to say Thank You to all of those who helped sell, purchase, paint, transport, and even organize the event! We cannot say Thank You enough!
Watch a brief video on the event:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2--zdOjt3HI

Great food and beverage

Live auction in progress

And the bidding continues!

Wilkes Family Health Center-Ribbon Cutting

The Wilkes Chamber of Commerce would like to Welcome the Wilkes Family Health Center as a new member and a new medical office available.  They have three board certified family practitioners, Dr. Joseph C. Fesperman, Jr., Dr. Glendon Rougeou, and Dr. Mira Boone, who can take care of patients of all ages, from newborn to 100+.  There was many people in attendance who had the opportunity to venture throughout the building.  After the ribbon was cut, there was a special performance by Jean Graf.  Again, we would like to Welcome the Wilkes Family Health Center for join the Chamber family!
Visitors walking through the building

Everyone is excited for the opening!

Jean Graf singing

Kotohira's Japanese Restaurant-Ribbon Cutting

The Wilkes Chamber of Commerce would like to welcome Kotohira's Japanese Restaurant to Wilkesboro and the only way to kick it off right is to have a ribbon cutting! There were a lot of people there to help them open the new restaurant, including several governmental officials like Mayor Inscore and Mayor Johnson, the towns' managers, Ken Noland and Hank Perkins, and County Commissioner Luther Parks.  Also in attendance was several people associated with the Chamber, including Ambassadors, the current board president B Townes, his predecessor Terri Parsons, Chamber President Linda Cheek, and Membership Director Ronda Latterell.  Kotohira's serves freshly prepared sushi, seafood and authentic Japanese entrees daily. Enjoy Japanese beers or saki in their unique dining area. We would like to Thank Kotohira's for becoming a member of the Chamber and allowing us to eat their delicious food. We wish them the best of luck!
Welcome to Wilkesboro, Kotohira Japanese Restaurant!

Ambassador conversing about the decor!

More Ambassadors with the Membership Director

Excited for the food!


Government Officals talking "Politics!"