Hendersonville Snow Tubing

Chilly weather doesn’t mean you always have to stay indoors. How about a ride down Moonshine Mountain? No…there’s no actual “moonshine” involved, just pure, snow tubing joy. You won’t find skiers, snowboarders or even sledders there since only snow tubing is allowed on this Hendersonville mountain!

Moonshine Mountain in Hendersonville offers 500 feet of steep, tubing bliss. While they currently have a five foot base, they do make their own snow when needed. The tubers lift will take you to the top of the mountain. There is a 250 lb weight limit for the lift, though. If you exceed this limit, one of the helpful Moonshine Mountain employees will be happy to pull your tube up the hill for you while you walk with them. It’s also the only place in the entire southeast that allows trains (more than one tuber going down the hill in a row together). You must be at least 48″ tall and sign a liability release beforehand. If you are under 18, you will need to have your parent or guardian sign the release form. Trains cannot be longer than eight people max.

Also new for this year is Dino World. Yes, Hendersonville now has dinosaurs! This free attraction showcases life-sized replicas of several different dinosaurs. There’s also a jump castle slide that provides fun for all ages. When you’re hungry, feast on mouth-watering BBQ or warm up with a nice hot chocolate at the award-winning Pit Boss Bar-B-Que. For more information on Moonshine Mountain’s hours and prices, please click here.

Get out of the house and enjoy some fun, healthy exercise with the family. Go snow tubing at Hendersonville’s Moonshine Mountain. They provide the tubes while you create lots of great family memories.

Rich Cooke, your Western North Carolina real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Western North Carolina real estate blog here: http://rich-cooke.com/2013/02/07/hendersonville-snow-tubing/.

Historic Hendersonville Cookie Caper

Ahhh! Can you smell that? Christmastime is in the air. It seems everywhere you look, decorations abound. That even includes our cherished historic Hendersonville inns. For anyone who enjoys history and the holidays, you’re in for a real treat. Hop in your car this Sunday, December 9th, to join in on the Historic Hendersonville Cookie Caper.

From 1pm to 5pm, six of Hendersonville’s beautiful turn-of-the-century inns will waiting in anticipation of your arrival. They have all been decked out in classic holiday fashion. Since this is a self-guided tour, you can come and go as you please and visit the inns in any order you wish. Each inn will provide visitors with a special Christmas treat. So, make sure you stop inside instead of just driving by.

Tickets are $20 per person. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Hendersonville Historic Preservation Commission’s special projects. They can be picked up anytime before Sunday at the Historic Courthouse’s Heritage Museum, Fountainhead Bookstore and City Hall’s Planning Office. On Sunday, you can purchase your tickets at the Hendersonville Visitors Center.

The Historic Hendersonville Cookie Caper celebrates three things: history, holidays…and COOKIES! Pick up your tickets today for your trip back in time. Your brain and your taste buds will thank you. Happy holidays!

Rich Cooke, your Western North Carolina real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Western North Carolina real estate blog here: http://rich-cooke.com/2012/12/06/historic-hendersonville-cookie-caper/.

Hendersonville Gingerbread House Contest

The holidays are upon us. Thanksgiving is just two weeks away and Christmas will soon follow. Decorations are going up, holiday sales are already being advertised and it’s almost time for Hendersonville‘s Gingerbread House Contest.

The National Gingerbread House Contest will take place on Saturday, November 17th. Judging will take place in four separate categories: Child (ages 5-8), Youth (ages 9-12), Teen (ages 13-17) and Adult (ages 18+). To enter, you must send in your entry form with a description and/or photos of what your entry so that it is received by the Grove Park Inn before 5pm on Monday, November 12th. Entries can be sent via fax or mail. Just make sure it is received before the deadline. You will not be able to enter a gingerbread house into competition without pre-registering. Beginning November 20th, The Grove Park Inn will be displaying the winning entries for visitors to see. Of course, the rest of the hotel will be decked out in all its holiday glory as well.

Thousands of dollars in cash and prizes are up for grabs for the winners of Hendersonville‘s Gingerbread House Contest. The top three winners declared in each category will receive cash and prizes, with the top 10 winners each receiving a ribbon. While this is a gingerbread “house” contest, entries are not strictly limited to a house-type structure. The only restrictions are that the entry is no bigger than 24″ x 24″ x 24″, including the board base required. If you’re interested in participating, please download an entry form here or call The Grove Inn’s Special Events Department at (800) 438-0050 ext 8045.

Put a bit of fun in your holiday step by visiting The Grove Inn in Hendersonville to see the winning entries of the National Gingerbread House Contest beginning November 20th through January 2nd. The holiday season is in full swing here in Hendersonville. I love it!

Rich Cooke, your Western North Carolina real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Western North Carolina real estate blog here: http://rich-cooke.com/2012/11/08/hendersonville-gingerbread-house-contest/.

Bearfootin Auction in Hendersonville

The 10th Annual Bearfootin’ Art Walk will come to an end with the Bearfootin’ Auction in Hendersonville on Saturday, October 20th, 2012. This is your chance to bid on the public bear art that has been on display in the downtown Hendersonville area since May of this year. Festivities begin at 1pm in Historic Henderson County Courthouse Square.

Shelley’s Fine Jewelry, located in historic downtown Hendersonville, will be conducting the live auction this year. Registration for bidders begins at 1pm. All attendees will enjoy live musical accompaniment from the Russ Wilson Quartet for the afternoon beginning at 1:30pm. A special meet and greet with the actual artists whose works are up for auction will take place at 3pm. The actual bidding will begin when the auction commences at 3:30pm. The auction will only finish when the last bear is sold.

If you’ve enjoyed seeing the bears decorating the Hendersonville landscape over the last several months, now’s your chance to actually own one. The Bearfootin’ Auction takes place at the Historic Henderson County Courthouse Square on October 20, 2012. Not only will you be owning a piece of art created by local Hendersonville artisans, but you will also be supporting local community projects in the process with the money raised from the auction. That’s definitely art that matters!

Rich Cooke, your Western North Carolina real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Western North Carolina real estate blog here: http://rich-cooke.com/2012/10/11/bearfootin-auction-in-hendersonville/

Fall Into the Farm in Hendersonville

The Carl Sandburg Home, a National Historic Site, will be celebrating Fall Into the Farm in Hendersonville this Saturday, September 22, 2012. From 10am to 3pm, visitors will be treated to what life on the farm was like for the Sandburg family during the 1940s and 1950s. This family-friendly event is absolutely free to the public.

Included in the day’s free events are a tour of this historic Hendersonville home, which would usually cost $5 for adults and $3 for seniors. A professional storyteller will be on site to entertain guests. Take a tour of the garden and join in on some toe-tappin’ square-dancing fun. Cheese-making demonstrations, a goat judging contest and children’s crafts round out the rest of the day.

Schedule of Events

• 10:00am to 12:30pm – Garden Tours
• 10:30am to 11:30am – Storytelling and Music Making
• 11:30am to 12:00pm – Cheese-Making Demonstration
• 12:00pm to 1:00pm – Storytelling and Music Making
• 1:00pm to 1:30pm – Square Dancing
• 1:30pm to 2:00pm – Goat Judging
• 1:30pm to 2:00pm – Cheese-Making Demonstration
• 2:00pm to 2:30pm – Square Dancing
• 2:30pm to 3:00pm – Goat Judging

Two activity stations will be set up and will remain open throughout the entire day. The Farm Life activity station in the barn will provide a hands-on interactive experience of Hendersonville farm life in the 1940s and 1950s. The Rootabaga activity station will be set up in the amphitheater, where the storytelling and music making events will be held. Bring the family to the Carl Sandburg Home for Fall Into the Farm in Hendersonville this Saturday, September 22nd. Experience a bit of history in a fun, interactive way with the family.

Rich Cooke, your Western North Carolina real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Western North Carolina real estate blog here: http://rich-cooke.com/2012/09/20/fall-into-the-farm-in-hendersonville/.

Hendersonville’s Music on Main Season Finale

Every summer, the City of Hendersonville hosts a free music event every Friday in the historic downtown area. Tomorrow, August 17, 2012, will mark Hendersonville’s Music on Main season finale. The big band stylings of Tuxedo Junction will close out this season in style. The Hendersonville Antique Car Club will also be sponsoring a classic car show to bid adieu to summer.

Seating will open up at 5:30pm so you can pick your spot. Make sure to bring a lawn chair and/or blanket for comfort. The concert itself will begin at 7pm. If the Hendersonville weather is uncooperative, the concert will be postponed until 8pm. However, if Mother Nature is still being ornery, the event will be canceled altogether. There is a slight chance of rain tomorrow, so, please keep this in mind.

Hendersonville‘s Music on Main season finale is scheduled take place in the downtown area tomorrow night from 7pm to 9pm. Take the family to see classic cars, listen to great music, munch on goodies from local restaurants and just have a good time. This will be the last free Music on Main event until next summer.

Rich Cooke, your Western North Carolina real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Western North Carolina real estate blog here: http://rich-cooke.com/2012/08/16/hendersonvilles-music-on-main-season-finale/.

Hendersonville Honors Its Appalachian Roots

Hendersonville honors its Appalachian roots every Monday evening with its weekly Street Dance event. Mountain music and dancing have been time-honored ways to celebrate life in Western North Carolina. Downtown Hendersonville fills up with the sounds of banjos and fiddles playing bluegrass and the musical voice of the square dance caller. Everyone is kicking up their heels, even if it’s for the first time.

Beginning at 6:30pm, caller Walt Puckett teaches everyone the basics of square dancing. Then, beginning at 7pm, the music starts up and everyone is invited to join in on the fun, practicing the moves they just learned. Several clogging teams make special appearances to show off their talents to eager audiences. A different live band will be performing each week as well. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the Street Dance will be postponed until 8pm. If Mother Nature still isn’t cooperating, the event will be cancelled altogether for the week.

Hendersonville’s Street Dance has been an annual tradition since 1918. They have become so well known that they were even included in the Blue Ridge Music Trails guidebook. Admission is absolutely free. Everyone is welcome to bring a lawn chair to relax in comfort. But please leave the pets and alcohol at home. Neither is permitted at the Street Dance. People are welcome to begin seating at 5:30pm.

Join Hendersonville in honoring its Appalachian roots every Monday evening from now through August 13th at the Visitors Information Center in Downtown Hendersonville. Learn some moves, listen to great traditional bluegrass music and watch the dancers perform. It’s a great way to spend a Monday evening in Hendersonville.

Rich Cooke, your Western North Carolina real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Western North Carolina real estate blog here: http://rich-cooke.com/2012/07/19/hendersonville-honors-its-appalachian-roots/.

Hendersonville’s Fabulous 4th Celebrations

Hendersonville knows how to celebrate and the 4th of July is no exception.  From parades and music to ice cream socials and pyrotechnic splendor, the fun lasts all day long.  Feel free to join in on any and all of Hendersonville’s fabulous 4th celebrations.

The annual Independence Day Parade will make its way around Downtown Hendersonville at 11am.  You may want to head out a little early, though, to find a good seat.  Of course, bringing your own chair can make parade viewing a lot more comfortable.  Anyone interested in joining in the parade itself should visit the Hendersonville Merchants & Business Association website to download an application.  Whether you have a group of people or just you and your family, the cost is just $10 for up to five vehicles.  Decorate your bike, trike, wagon or car in patriotic red, white and blue and be part of the action yourself.  Money raised from entrants in the parade will go towards a local Hendersonville charity.

The Historic Courthouse on Main will be hosting an ice cream social. In addition to ice cream, there will be other food and plenty of entertainment.  Then, as a special part Hendersonville’s Music on Main event (a free music concert held every Friday at the Visitors Information Center in Downtown Hendersonville), Tom Brown and his One Man Band will be performing especially for the 4th of July from 7pm to 9pm.  Seating will be open at 5:30pm (no earlier seating allowed).

After Tom Brown’s musical performance, the grand finale of the day’s events will be the 4th of July fireworks over Hendersonville.  The City will be tethering a large balloon over the launch site of the fireworks.  If you can see the balloon, you will be able to see the fireworks display.  For a map of optimal viewing locations, please visit the Henderson County Parks & Recreation Department’s website.

Spend all of Independence Day at any or all of Hendersonville’s fabulous 4th celebrations.  Parades, music, activities, ice cream AND fireworks.  Hendersonville knows how to celebrate our nation’s birth right!

Rich Cooke, your Western North Carolina real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Western North Carolina real estate blog here: http://rich-cooke.com/2012/06/21/hendersonvilles-fabulous-4th-celebrations/.

Hendersonville Music on Main

Music lovers rejoice! Beginning tomorrow, June 8, 2012, Hendersonville Music on Main, is back! It’s time to put on your boogie shoes and head to downtown Hendersonville for this free local favorite. Every Friday, from June 8th to August 17th, a new musical act will perform from 7pm to 9pm. Whether you enjoy oldies, classic rock, pop or contemporary music, there is something for everyone.

HENDERSONVILLE MUSIC ON MAIN LINEUP

June 8th – Tuxedo Junction (Big Band) & Car Show
June 15th – Wishful Thinking (Acoustic/Alternative/Minimalist)
June 22nd – Dashboard Blue (Rock/R&B/50’s/Disco/Funk) & Car Show
June 29th – Asheville’s 96.5 House Band (Early 60’s Favorites)
July 6th – Sound Investment (Pop/R&B/Rock) & Car Show
July 13th – Special Edition
July 20th – Deano and the Dreamers (Music from the 1950s-1990s) & Car Show
July 27th – Night Crawlers
Aug 3rd – The Crew & Car Show
Aug 10th – The Flying Saucers (Garage/Punk/Surf)
Aug 17th – Tuxedo Junction (Big Band) & Car Show

There will be a special concert performance by Tom Brown, the One Man Band on Wednesday, July 4th as well. Admission to each concert is absolutely free. Bring your own chair to relax in comfort. Parking will be available at the Visitors Information Center (201 S Main) beginning at 5:30pm. Alcoholic beverages, coolers and pets are not allowed at the venue. Bring the family, your friends or your significant other for an evening of fun, free entertainment at Downtown Hendersonville Music on Main any Friday from now through August 17th.

Rich Cooke, your Western North Carolina real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Western North Carolina real estate blog here: http://rich-cooke.com/2012/06/07/hendersonville-music-on-main/.

Tour Historic Hendersonville Homes

If you love history and architecture, this may be the event for you!  Take a driving tour of historic Hendersonville homes on Saturday, May 20, 2012.  This self-driving tour is brought to you by the Hendersonville Historic Preservation Committee.  For just $20, you can tour eight private Hendersonville homes that were designed by noted Hendersonville architect Erle G Stillwell in the 1920s and ’30s.

Erle G Stillwell lived and worked in Hendersonville and Henderson County during the early part of the 1900s. The Depression made a large impact on his design style.  In addition to private Henderson County homes, he designed several cinemas, schools and other civic buildings throughout the state.  In the 1940s, Stillwell helped found the Asheville architectural firm of Six Associates.  Their defense contracts after World War II helped them become one of North Carolina’s most successful architectural firms, helping the local Henderson County economy.  They continue their business success under the name of Callaway Johnson Moore & West today.

You can purchase tickets for your tour of historic Hendersonville homes at the Heritage Museum located in the historic Hendersonville Courthouse, at FountainHead Books (408 N Main St) or at Hendersonville City Hall before May 20th.  You can also purchase your tickets on the day of the tour at Landmark Apartments (203 6th Ave W), a recently renovated building also designed by Erle Stilwell.

Rich Cooke, your Western North Carolina real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Western North Carolina real estate blog here: http://rich-cooke.com/2012/05/10/tour-historic-hendersonville-homes/.