Spring Social Events

April

Ongoing on Thursdays

Blues Night at Ruffed Grouse Tavern at Highlander Mountain House

From 6 to 8 pm at Highlander Mountain House, come enjoy “Blues Night” with Scott Low. This is a recurring live music event held on Thursday evenings, offering a relaxed setting for guests to enjoy blues music, food, and drinks.

Ongoing on Wednesdays

Bluegrass at The Ugly Dog Public House

Make “the Dog” your favorite hangout each Wednesday at 6 pm for some live bluegrass music. It’ll get your toes tappin’! The Ugly Dog Public House is located at 294 South 4th Street, Highlands.

April 4

Easter on the Green

Bring your baskets and hunt for eggs on the lawns of the Village Green in Cashiers from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Egg hunt is free and open to children aged 11 and younger. The Literacy Council of Cashiers will distribute complimentary books to all children.

April 4

Fishing Season

Fishing season opens in hatchery-supported waters. Please visit ncwildlife.gov for the stocking schedule and other information.

April 6 – 12

Highlands Restaurant Week

As spring arrives, it’s time to get out and about during Highlands Restaurant Week.  Your favorite restaurants will serve up special menus, new dishes, and multi-course experiences throughout the second week of April. Make sure to book a reservation at your favorite spots early; spaces are sure to fill up! For participating restaurants, visit www.highlandsrestaurantweek.com.

April 18

Heritage Apple Day

Join the Cashiers Historical Society for this free event from 11 am to 3 pm. Learn about our regional apples, how to care for apple trees, and master grafting techniques. You can even graft your own tree! Participants will also enjoy the apple-baking contest, traditional Jack Tales, live music, apple crafts, and more. Email info@cashiershistoricalsociety.org for more information.

April 24 – May 9

Cashiers Burger Week: Extended Cut

Back by popular demand and extended to two full weeks! Head to your favorite Cashiers-area restaurants to enjoy creative burger concoctions, join in the community fun, and cast your votes in this friendly annual competition. Each week will feature five different restaurants, giving you more time to savor the flavors and choose your favorite. Bring your appetite, opinions, and debate skills. This competition tends to evoke strong emotions for burger aficionados.  Visit www.cashiersburgerweek.com for information on participating restaurants.

April 25

The First Pour: Red Blend Release Party

Join the party as The Vineyard at High Holly presents the release of their signature red vino. Wine and heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Tickets are $25 each. For more information, call 828-482-5573.

April 25 - 26

High Falls Dam Release

Head over to the Pink Creek Recreation Area to watch the recreational water release from the Lake Glenville Dam from 10 am to 4 pm. A steep hike to the base of High Falls will be necessary; plan

accordingly.

April 28

Wings for Thomas: A Pollinator Haven - Community Planting Day

Join the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce from 9:30 am to 12 pm to create a Certified Pollinator Waystation, dedicated in memory of Thomas Taulbee, on the hillside west of the Chamber building. This project will transform unused space into a thriving habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators while engaging the whole community in hands-on learning and fun. The Chamber of Commerce is located at 202 US-64, Cashiers.

May

Ongoing on Thursdays

Blues Night at Ruffed Grouse Tavern at Highlander Mountain House

From 6 to 8 pm at Highlander Mountain House, come enjoy “Blues Night” with Scott Low. This is a recurring live music event held on Thursday evenings, offering a relaxed setting for guests to enjoy blues music, food, and drinks.

Ongoing on Wednesdays

Bluegrass at The Ugly Dog Public House

Make “the Dog” your favorite hangout each Wednesday at 6 pm for some live bluegrass music. It’ll get your toes tappin'! The Ugly Dog Public House is located at 294 South 4th Street, Highlands.

May 1

Mindful Birding

Learn mindful birding practices from instructor Topher Stephens at the Highlands Biological Station from 9 am to 3:30 pm. Please bring binoculars, a lightweight camp chair or foam pad for sitting, and weather-appropriate clothing and walking shoes. Cost of the session is $100. Call 828-526-2602 or email hbs@wcu.edu for more information.

May 6

Locally Grown on the Green

Head over to the Village Green in Cashiers for the opening day of Locally Grown on the Green. Each Wednesday, May through October, you can shop fresh and local from 11 am to 3 pm. Local vendors bring ethically-raised meats and dairy, farm-fresh eggs, artisanal jams, savory pickles, fresh-baked breads, handmade soaps, flowers, and so much more. Meet the Western North Carolina farmers who produce food for your table, and taste the difference that fresh ingredients make for your meals.

May 16

Saturdays on Pine - LazrLuvr

The Saturdays on Pine Concert Series is now open for the season! This week, join in the fun with LazrLuvr. The 3D shades, fingerless gloves, popped collars, and teased hair will have you feeling nostalgic for the 80s. Concerts are held at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Pine Street in Highlands, on Saturday nights at 6 pm.

May 16

Mayfest

Join the Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau for Mayfest, held from 12 to 3 pm on Frank Allen Road in Cashiers. Enjoy activities hosted by local community partners, live music, hands-on fun, and delicious free food, with something for all ages. Plus, a special appearance by MAMA, the helicopter.

May 17

Balsam Range at the Performing Arts Center

Bluegrass group Balsam Range makes a tour stop in Highlands to showcase their toe-tappin’ tunes. The show starts at 4 pm, and tickets can be purchased at the box office or in advance at www.highlandsperformingarts.com

May 22

Groovin’ on The Green

Groovin’ on The Green is BACK! Enjoy this free community concert at The Village Green in Cashiers. Corey Stevenson Band will be serving up the tunes, with food and beverage vendors on hand. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, and consider a donation to The Village Green, 501c3 nonprofit park system.

May 22

Friday Night Live - Silly Ridge

The Friday Night Live concert series has returned to downtown Highlands, and Silly Ridge will be on hand to entertain the crowd. Head over to Main Street from 6 to 8:30 pm for fun, energy, and toe-tapping mixture of classic bluegrass, and popular music.

May 29 – 30

Airing of the Quilts

Visit the Cashiers Historical Society for their annual Airing of the Quilts, a favorite Appalachian spring tradition. Local quilters and craftsmakers will be on hand to demonstrate their art forms. The CHS website,

www.cashiershistoricalsociety.org offers more information.