Sugar Mountain, NC – Grab your beer stein, put on your lederhosen or your dirndl, bring your appreciation for local folk dancing and head to Sugar Mountain Resort this Saturday and Sunday. Not only will the Harbour Town Fest Band provide a festive Bavarian atmosphere for the North Carolina ski and snowboard resort’s 21st annual Oktoberfest celebration, the national award winning Avery Smooth Dancers and the Mountain Laurel Cloggers will get your feet stomping and bring out the country drawl in all. Admission, parking and shuttle service are free for the event that will take place rain or shine.
Take in the beautiful fall foliage in the cool, comfortable mountain temperatures of the North Carolina highlands on a weekend full of festival activities that will stretch from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day. Be sure to bring the kids because the event is for the whole family.
An array of artisans, crafts people and festival food vendors will open their booths at 10 a.m. each day. A sampling of this year’s country craft fair sale items include pottery, folk art in glass and wood, books by local and regional authors, stained glass sun-catchers, hair accessories, handmade wooden crafts, custom made furniture, ceramics, polymer clay items, crafted rustic bark, handmade bath and body products, jewelry, home-made baked goods, jams and jellies, kettle corn, funnel cake, crazy fries, local made pasta and sauces and more.
Enjoy a panoramic view of the North Carolina High Country, Southern Virginia and Eastern Tennessee’s beautiful fall foliage from the mile and a half long scenic chairlift ride to Sugar’s 5,300-foot peak. Everyone, even mountain bikers are welcome to ride the lift.
A children’s activity area, located in the Ski School Play Yard will keep the young ones entertained each day from noon until 4 p.m. The children’s area includes bounce and play stations, hay rides and a chance to meet Sugar Bear and Sweetie Bear. Cotton candy, popcorn, candy apples, and drinks are also available in the children’s activity area.
An Oktoberfest isn’t complete without the sounds of an oompah band. From noon until 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, the 15 piece Harbour Towne Fest Band guarantees to bring the sounds, dances and enthusiasm of Bavaria to Sugar Mountain.
Adding to the Oktoberfest excitement the Avery Smooth Dancers will perform on Saturday at 1 p.m. and the Mountain Laurel Cloggers will perform on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Both dance groups are comprised of local Avery high school, middle school and elementary school students. They will perform Big Circle Appalachian smooth dancing, the oldest form of square dancing in the United States. The steps and patterns are derived from Scottish and English country dancing and are the forerunner of American clogging steps today.
Bavarian cuisine including bratwurst, knockwurst, sauerkraut, strudel and pretzels will be available starting at 11 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday. To help wash it down an ample supply of Spaten beer will generously flow each day until 5 p.m. Spaten Oktoberfest beer, created in 1872 and brewed in Munich, Germany, is the world’s first Oktoberfest beer. If Bavarian cuisine isn’t your preference American hot dogs, hamburgers, soda, and other festive foods will be on hand.
Shop for the upcoming fall and winter seasons at Sugar Mountain Resort’s Sports & Gift Shop located on the first level of the main lodge building. The Ski Shop will offer 40% off all 2011 and older winter apparel and footwear plus all Spyder Sample items will be 50-70% off. Sale prices are available only during the two-day Oktoberfest from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. New 2012 winter merchandise will also be available at regular retail. Commemorative Oktoberfest and souvenir items can also be purchased in the Sports Shop or under the tent on the main celebration deck.
For additional information call Sugar Mountain Resort’s administrative office at (828) 898-4521 or visit www.skisugar.com/oktoberfest.