mcdowellnc.org

JUNE 30 - JULY 6, 2008

July 4, 2008 - Lucky Strike Mine Celebration. Celebrate Independence Day with a large BBQ followed by a fantastic fireworks display. $8 fee includes BBQ plate, fireworks display, music and activities. Please call for reservations; all day; Lucky Strike Gold Mine, Marion. 828-738-4893.

July 4, 2008 - Live Music at Switzerland Cafe & Zack’s Pub featuring Glen Nance performing folk, acoustic, rock and country. The cafe and pub are located in Little Switzerland. For more information, call 828-765-5289 or visit www.switzerlandcafe.com.

July 4, 2008 - Independence Day Celebration. Evening parade down Main Street. Parade begins at 6:00pm. The McDowell Community Band performs patriotic and pop music at 6:30 p.m. on the courthouse lawn. Evening fireworks display at 9:45pm. Historic downtown Marion. For more information, call 828-652-2215 or 828-652-3551.

July 4, 2008 - Annual July 4th Barbecue and Covered Dish Dinner featuring live music all day, storytelling and hayrides. 11am-5pm; The Orchard at Altapass, Milepost 328.3 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Little Switzerland. For more information, call 888-765-9531 or visit www.altapassorchard.com.

July 4, 2008 - 4th Celebration. Parade down Main Street, Old Fort. 4pm. For more information, call 828-668-4244.

July 4-5, 2008 - National Championship Rodeo, sponsored by Old Fort Ruritan. Bull riding and dogging, bareback riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, goat tying, calf scramble and various forms of entertainment. Admission: $8-$10; 8pm, Old Fort. For more information, call 828-668-3110.

July 5, 2008 - Live Music at Switzerland Cafe & Zack’s Pub featuring Whipdaddies performing classic rock and jazz. The cafe and pub are located in Little Switzerland. For more information, call 828-765-5289 or visit www.switzerlandcafe.com.

The Orchard at Altapass hosts live music and mountain dancing, storytelling and hayrides, naturalist tours and birding walks, arts and handwork demonstrations Wednesday-Sunday. The Orchard is located at milepost 328.3 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Little Switzerland. For more information, call 888-765-9531 or visit www.altapassorchard.com.

The Carolina Mountains: Photography of Margaret Morley presented by the North Carolina Museum of History and the Mountain Gateway Museum & Heritage Center. Photographs feature an intimate look at everyday life in western North Carolina around the turn of the 20th century. Exhibited photographs displayed at Mountain Gateway Museum, Old Fort Train Station, Museum & Visitor’s Center, the Marion Davis Branch of McDowell County Public Library and Catawba Vale Coffee Cafe all located in Old Fort. For more information, call the McDowell County Tourism Authority, 888-233-6111 or 828-668-4282.

Bluegrass Music Jam every Thursday. Open to all musicians, no scheduled performers. Outdoors bring chairs or blankets (the music moves indoors for inclement weather). Free; 7-9pm, Marion Depot, Marion. For more information, call 828-652-2215 or visit www.downtownmarion.org.

Old Fort Mountain Music. Every Friday evening for more than a decade, folks have gathered to hear and play bluegrass and traditional mountain music. Nobody’s paid, everyone’s welcome and coffee and sodas are still just a quarter! All musicians are encouraged to join in the fun. Planning to visit? Don’t forget to bring your instruments with you! Friday evenings; 7:00pm; Rockett Building, Main Street in downtown Old Fort; for more information call 1-888-233-6111.

Tracks Music. Great dance music for everyone. Live music by the “Rewind Band”. New and old Country, Beach, old-time Rock and Roll, Blues, Cloggin’, Broom dances and more. Open every Saturday night 8-11:30pm. Admission: $6. Bacon Drive, Old Fort. For more information, call 828-460-8852.

Various other locations in the county offer free music on the weekends, use the links to the right for more specific musicians, times and locations.