Events Calendar

Explore family friendly events, theatres, galleries, concerts, nightlife, things to do, and more in the Greenville, SC and Upstate areas.

Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.

September 2023 Sep 2023
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Friday, September 22, 2023
Yoga with a View
Sep 22 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park
Cost: Includes Park admission: $35 Adult, $25 Annual Passholder. Advance registration required.
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Categories: Outdoors Parks & Recreation Yoga
Tweetsie Railroad’s Family-Friendly Halloween Celebration: The Ghost Train
Sep 22 @ 7:30 pm
Tweetsie Railroad

Theme Park Transforms from Wild West by Day to Ghost Train at Night

The spooktacular season of Tweetsie’s Ghost Train® Halloween Celebration, a popular fall family tradition, begins Friday, September 22, and continues every Friday and Saturday night through October 28.

Daytime guests can still enjoy all of Tweetsie’s Wild West adventures, rides and attractions. . . but when the sun goes down, the park gets a full makeover complete with costumed characters, decorations, music and Halloween-themed attractions.

Younger children will love the dance parties, trick-or-treat stations, themed photo opportunities, and the Palace Spooktacular Show.

Braver kids and adults will appreciate the scary night-time journey on the Ghost Train, walking through the hallowed halls of the Haunted House and exploring the murky Freaky Forest.

And, everyone will love the park’s most popular amusement rides after dark in the Creepy Carnival.

The park opens at 7:30 pm with the first train scheduled for 8:00 p.m. On October Saturday nights starting on the 14, 21, and 28, the park opens at 7:15 p.m. with the first train scheduled for 7:30 pm.

Tickets are $60 for adults, $40 for children (ages 3-12) and free for children age 2 and under. They are sold in advance for a designated night with a scheduled train ride departure time. A limited number of guests will be admitted each evening, so visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets well beforehand to avoid missing out on all of the spooky fun.

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Categories: Family Fun Outdoors
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Greenville BBQ Trail Tour
Sep 23 all-day
Various Locations Greenville SC

While Downtown Greenville’s familiar culinary scene has some great BBQ options, this tour will take you outside of the city center to the places locals know and love. These are the types of joints with smoke stacks sticking out of the rooftops and white smoke billowing out of the chimneys–smoking the meats right on the premises.

The Greenville BBQ Trail tour is your opportunity to try back-to-back tastings of what are considered by many to be among the top BBQ spots in the city.

Book Your Tour!

Tours include:

• Insights into each restaurant’s cooking processes and techniques
• Information about each restaurant’s history and how they got started
• Interesting information about Greenville BBQ history
• A drive through old textile mill villages
• And, of course, a chance to try generous portions of smoked meats and delicious sides

Locations we visit:

• Bucky’s Bar-B-Q
• Henry’s Smokehouse
• Mike & Jeff’s BBQ

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Categories: Food & Drink Tours
National Public Lands Fee Free Day
Sep 23 all-day
National Public Lands

Come experience the national parks! On five days in 2023, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. Mark your calendar for these entrance fee–free dates in 2023. Please check operating status at this park and others before traveling as holidays and local weather or safety conditions can affect hours of operation.

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Categories: Family Fun Outdoors Parks & Recreation
The Greenville BBQ Trail Tour
Sep 23 all-day
The Greenville BBQ Trail Tour
A plate of barbeque and side dishes.

Greenville’s BBQ scene has been gaining more and more national attention, and it was most notably ranked a Top 10 BBQ City in America by Yahoo.com.

While downtown Greenville’s familiar culinary scene has some great BBQ options, this tour will take you outside of the city center to the places locals know and love. These are the types of joints with smoke stacks sticking out of the rooftops and white smoke billowing out of the chimneys — smoking the meats right on the premises.

The Greenville BBQ Trail Tour, presented by Greenville History Tours, is your opportunity to try back-to-back tastings of what are considered by many to be among the top BBQ spots in the city.

The tours include insights into each restaurant’s cooking processes and techniques, information about each restaurant’s history, interesting information about the city’s BBQ history, a drive through old textile mill villages, and of course generous portions of smoked meats and delicious sides.

The tours usually take place on Saturdays from 10:30 am to 12:45 am and meet at City Hall. Tickets are $55 per person.

Visit greenvillehistorytours.com/greenville-culinary-tours/bbq-trail/ or call (864) 567-3940 for additional information.

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Categories: Food & Drink Tours
Nantahala Outdoor Center Guest Appreciation Festival
Sep 23 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Nantahala Outdoor Center

Snag great deals from the Outfitter’s Store, the Guest Used Gear Marketplace, and shop handmade crafts and goods from local artisans. Play riverside games or participate in a race, grab a cold beverage and burger, and dance the evening away with live music.

The Used Boat sale will begin online a week before GAF! Used boats and gear will be available onsite at both the NOC Paddling School and the Outfitter’s Store so be sure to check them out when you visit!

Schedule of Activities

Friday, 9/15
8am GAF Demo Pre-boat sale Online sale starts at 8am. The sale at the NOC Outfitters Store starts at 9am
Friday, 9/22
8am Paddleports Apparel and Used Boats On Sale The Outfitters Store & the NOC Paddling School
12-7pm Used Gear Marketplace & Artisan Village River Left at NOC
5-8pm Live Music by Wyatt Esplain Riverside Stage
Saturday, 9/23
8am Used Boat & Apparel Sales The Outfitters Store & the NOC Paddling School
8am – 7pm Used Gear Marketplace & Artisan Village
10am-5pm Upper Nantahala / Cascades Release 300 CFS
12-3pm NRC Race Nantahala Slalom Course
12-3pm Macon Faces Kids Facepainting & Henna Free until 3pm!
12-3pm Magic Tom Balloon art & Magic
3pm-6pm Live Music by Christina Chandler Trio Riverside Stage
5pm Check Presentation to American Rivers Riverside Stage
7pm-10pm Live music by The Get Right Band Riverside Stage
Sunday, 9/24
8am Used Boat & Apparel Sales The Outfitters Store & the NOC Paddling School
10am-3pm Upper Nantahala / Cascades Release 425 CFS
3-5pm Upper Nantahala / Cascades Release 250 CFS

 

NRC Slalom Race

Come join us for a fun fall citizen’s slalom race on the Nantahala River! The race is open to paddlers of all ages and the course difficulty will be novice – intermediate.

The slalom course will start just above the NOC Founder’s Bridge and end upstream of the highway bridge. The course will consist of 18-20 slalom gates and will run through the 2013 Worlds Hole. Racers are encouraged to use slalom-specific or plastic “half-slice” boats and have at least class 2 river running skills.

Signup by emailing [email protected] or same day registration will be available Saturday morning by the NRC Trailer.  A start list and information will be provided by email.

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Categories: Outdoors
Biltmore Estate: Ciao! From Italy Sculptural Postcard Display
Sep 23 @ 8:30 am
Biltmore Estate

Included with admission

Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.

Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.

Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!

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Categories: Art & Craft Family Fun Garden Outdoors
52nd Annual Girl Scout Day
Sep 23 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Grandfather Mountain

Girl Scouts are invited to join the park’s naturalists for a fun-filled learning adventure on Grandfather Mountain. Plus, all Girl Scouts and troop leaders are admitted free with proof of membership (all or part of a uniform or a troop roster with the leader’s name on it), and family members will receive discounted admission. Advance reservations for park admission are not required, meaning scouts, troop leaders and family members are welcome to arrive the day of the event without admission tickets already in hand. However, advance registration for many of the day’s programs is required. More details to come.

A schedule will be posted here closer to date.

Grandfather Mountain’s daily program schedule will also be in full swing! Find more details about these daily programs here.

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Categories: Family Fun Outdoors
National Public Lands Day: 6th annual DuPont Forest Festival
Sep 23 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
DuPont State Recreational Forest, Guion Access Area
On National Public Lands Day, Saturday September 23, 2023, Friends of DuPont Forest will host the 6th annual DuPont Forest Festival, an event celebrating the adventure and
The DuPont Forest Festival is a free, family friendly event open to the public. It is hosted by Friends of DuPont Forest and sponsored by Henderson County Tourism Development Authority.
The DuPont Forest Festival is a celebration of all the adventure and history found in DuPont State Forest.
We’ll have a mix of drop-in activities, demonstrations, group tours, and hikes, all perfect for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. Our number one goal for the Forest Festival is to teach people to love the Forest. Along with having fun, the activities will weave in education about reducing impacts to the Forest, waterfall safety, trails that serve multiple types of recreationalists and Forest conservation. Each event will be led by an expert volunteer and representative from our partner organizations.
This year we are thrilled to partner with the iDaph Events and welcome the Tree Tops Trail Race.
DUPONT FOREST FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
10:30am
Thomas Cemetery Hike with Patty Stahl
11:00am
YAM Kids Yoga
Women’s Intermediate Ride- with Amanda Robertson
Women’s Beginner Gravel Ride- With Niki Celani
11:30am
Wintergreen Falls Hike with Greenville Hiking Club
Co-Ed Intermediate Gravel Ride with Lindsey Hall
Co-Ed Beginner Single Track Ride with Michelle Deerlodge
11:45am
Smoky Bear
Women’s Beginner Single Track Ride with Sydney
12:00pm
Intermediate Co-ed MTB Ride with Nate LaValla
Blue Wall Adventures Kids MTB clinic
12:30pm
Respect wildlife activity with Eagle’s Nest Foundation and the Outdoor Activity
Walk on the Wild Side Hike with Conserving Carolina
1:00pm
YAM All Levels Flow Yoga
Earth Walk with Earth Winds
Youth Ride
1:30pm
Trail Rod Presentation with Johnny Kelly
Respect Wildlife activity with Eagle’s Nest Foundation and the Outdoor Activity
1:45pm
Smoky Bear
2:00pm
Yoga and Meditation by Moonchild Farm
Blue Wall Adventures Kids MTB Clinic
Bike Clinic
ALL DAY DROP-IN ACTIVITIES
Pet the miniature horses with Pisgah Trail Blazers
Pine cone craft and scavenger hunt with Jinx
Face Painting and Tattoos with Friends of Dupont Forest
Come see the Rocky the Hellbender with the North Carolina
Wildlife Resources Commission
View the Craft Gallery with Eagle’s Nest Camp
River Bingo and Leave No Trace Activity with Mills River Partnership
Dance and learn the 7 Leave No Trace principles with Ripple Forest Collective
Fly Fishing Demos with Headwaters Outfitters
Trail Rod Demo’s with Johnny Kelly
Discover the Healing Powers of Waterfalls with Waterfall Keepers of NC
Wood Carving with Piedmont Wood Carvers
Massage with YAM- Yoga and Massage
NC Forest Service
Leave No Trace
Friends of Dupont Forest·
DuPont Trail Crew
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Categories: Family Fun Outdoors
Pumpkin Patch
Sep 23 @ 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Thompson Family Farms

Thompson Family Farms has expanded to include pumpkins this fall season, in addition to a sunflower maze and other fall crops. With over 3 acres of planted pumpkins, visitors are able to pick their own variety out of the field or select from our assortment of pre-picked pumpkins, while taking in the gorgeous fall mountain views. The farm is open to the public 10am-7pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday beginning September 21 and throughout the entire month of October.

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Categories: Family Fun Farmers Market Outdoors
Carolina Shine Moonshine Experience
Sep 23 @ 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

“Shine and Dine” on the railway! We cordially invite you to hop on board The Carolina Shine, GSMR’s All-Adult First Class Moonshine Car! We will be proudly serving hand crafted, triple-distilled, craft moonshine. Some of the smoothest tasting moonshine in the Carolinas! Offered on the Nantahala Gorge excursion, this shine and dine experience begins in a renovated First Class train fleet car, The Carolina Shine. The interior features copper lined walls filled with the history of moonshining in North Carolina. Learn about the proud tradition that the Appalachians established when bootlegging was an acceptable way of life and local home brews were the best in town. Read about Swain County’s very own Major Redmond, the most famous mountain moonshine outlaw of the 19th century. Once your appetite for knowledge is satisfied, enjoy sample tastings of flavors like Apple Pie, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, and Strawberry moonshine. If the samples are not enough, there will be plenty of Moonshine infused cocktails like Copper Cola or Moonshiner’s Mimosa available for purchase. GSMR is excited to feature multiple craft NC based distilleries to serve our guests only the best! Each jar is handcrafted and authentically infused with real fruit, the way moonshine was meant to be made. Passengers will also enjoy a full service All-Adult First Class ride with an attendant and our popular Cajun seasoned Pulled Pork BBQ with Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce cooked in our special spices and slow roasted to perfection! During the month of October, 9am departures will feature the option of a delicious Cheesy Shrimp & Grits or Cheesy Ham Hash Brown Casserole while 2pm departures will be served the popular BBQ meal.

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Categories: Food & Drink
Nantahala Gorge Excursion
Sep 23 @ 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

TAKE A TRAIN RIDE ALONG SIDE THE BEAUTIFUL NANTAHALA RIVER ON OUR NANTAHALA GORGE EXCURSION! DEPARTING FROM BRYSON CITY, THIS 4½ HOUR ROUNDTRIP EXCURSION CARRIES YOU 44 MILES TO THE NANTAHALA GORGE AND BACK AGAIN ARRIVING AT OUR BRYSON CITY DEPOT.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Great Smoky Mountains while traveling along the Tennessee and Nantahala (nan-tuh-HAY-luh) River. The historic trellis bridge Fontana Trestle takes you across Fontana Lake and into the beautiful Nantahala Gorge. Onboard dining is available in First Class Seating and selecting from our  First Class Dinning menu options OR you can pre-purchase a box lunch option to make this an amazing unique moving dining experience. Arrive at our layover destination in the heart of the Nantahala Gorge for a one-hour layover where you can relax by the river or enjoy sightseeing!

Itinerary

30m before departure Boarding begins at Bryson City Depot
See schedule for departure time Depart Bryson City, NC
1h 45m Reach top of the line
2h 00m Begin return
2h 30m—3h 30m Layover
3h 30m Depart Layover
4h 30m Arrive at Bryson City Depot
Time from Departure Activity
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Categories: Family Fun Food & Drink
Project Host BBQ Cook-Off September
Sep 23 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Flour Field

Competition brings out the best in us, right? But a BBQ competition might just bring out the very best in us! Join us Friday, September 22 for the Anything Butt Contest and enjoy appetizers, sides, and desserts prepared by our cookers along with live entertainment, while the little ones enjoy the Kids Zone!

Winners of the Cook-Off will be announces on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. so get here early to sample all the offerings along with the judges. Live entertainment and the Kids Zone will be open!

The event is free with tickets for food samples and select activities sold at the gate.

Join us Friday for the Anything Butt Contest and enjoy appetizers, sides and desserts prepared by our cookers along with live entertainment, while the little ones enjoy the Kids Zone.

Winners of the Cook-off will be announced on Saturday at 1:30pm, so et here early to sample all of the offerings along with the judges. Kids Zone and live entertainment will be open. Please see the Project Host BBQ website for more.

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Categories: Family Fun Food & Drink
Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
Sep 23 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
NC Arboretum

On exhibit Saturdays and Sundays from 12 – 4 p.m., Rocky Cove Railroad is a G-Scale (garden scale) model train that demonstrates the coming of trains to western North Carolina at the turn of the 20th century. The exhibit is located below the Grand Promenade. Please note, Rocky Cove Railroad will not operate in rainy or wet conditions.

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Categories: Family Fun Featured Outdoors
Guided Trail Walk
Sep 23 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more.

Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m..

Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather.

There is no pre-registration; walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center.

Walks are FREE; however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free.

Know Before You Go

  • Guided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.
  • Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.
  • Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.
  • Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.
  • COVID-19 Safety: In order to hear the guide and fully participate in the trail walk, participants will be in close proximity to one another for extended periods of time. While face coverings are not required, participants should use their best judgement to keep themselves and others safe while enjoying the trails. Individuals who are experiencing flu-like symptoms or suspect they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should not participate.
  • At this time, no more than 6 spaces may be filled by a single family/group through pre-registration for any one Guided Trail Walk. If additional spaces are available on the day of the Walk, additional members of the family/group may participate. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming larger groups in the future.
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Categories: Outdoors walk
Wee Wine + Dahlias
Sep 23 @ 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Bullington Gardens
Bullington Gardens invites you to experience the epitome of exclusivity with their new and exciting offering – twilight parties in the enchanting gardens. Now accepting reservations, this is your chance to indulge in a truly magical evening with your own private group of eight. From August 15 to October 14, 2023, Tuesday through Saturday, 4:30-6:30p.m., immerse yourself in nature’s wonders while delighting your palate with locally-sourced wines and cider, all in the company of the resplendent Dahlias in full bloom.

Picture this: you and your closest companions, relishing the serenity of the gardens, sipping on delectable beverages, and taking leisurely strolls amidst the breathtaking flora. To ensure an intimate experience, each group of up to eight will have their own private party. Whether you prefer the charming pavilion or the festive tents, the choice is yours. And fear not, for even if the rain tries to dampen the mood, the horticultural therapy greenhouse is ready to shelter you.

With only two groups accommodated each evening, you’ll have the pleasure of enjoying your own secluded space. Each group’s table will be beautifully set in separate venues, adorned with fresh floral arrangements that you can take home as a keepsake. As the host, you have the opportunity to curate a culinary masterpiece by bringing your own hors d’oeuvres or even an entire meal. Imagine the delight of savoring delicious food amidst an unparalleled view, creating an unforgettable private party.

The cost for a table of eight is $300 per group, ensuring an intimate and personalized experience. If you’re interested in elevating your involvement, consider a sponsorship level of $500. By participating in this extraordinary event, you will not only create cherished memories but also support the Educational and Horticultural Therapy programs dedicated to children and adults with special needs.

To secure your spot for the Wee Wine & Dahlias evening of your dreams, reserve below or give us a call at 828-698-6104. Remember, availability is limited, so make sure to secure your reservation early. Get ready to immerse yourself in an evening of enchantment at Bullington Gardens!

August 15th through October 14th, 2023. Tuesday-Saturday, 4:30pm-6:30pm.
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Categories: Food & Drink Garden
Live Music
Sep 23 @ 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
RJ Rockers Brewing Company

September

9th

BILL & TAD’S EXCELLENT DUO

16th

JONATHAN FOSTER

23rd

GRANT MAYS

30th

DAVE DESMELIK

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Categories: Food & Drink Music
National Public Lands Day Sunset Hike
Sep 23 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park
Cost: Free. Advance Registration Required.
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Categories: Hike Outdoors Parks & Recreation
Tweetsie Railroad’s Family-Friendly Halloween Celebration: The Ghost Train
Sep 23 @ 7:30 pm
Tweetsie Railroad

Theme Park Transforms from Wild West by Day to Ghost Train at Night

The spooktacular season of Tweetsie’s Ghost Train® Halloween Celebration, a popular fall family tradition, begins Friday, September 22, and continues every Friday and Saturday night through October 28.

Daytime guests can still enjoy all of Tweetsie’s Wild West adventures, rides and attractions. . . but when the sun goes down, the park gets a full makeover complete with costumed characters, decorations, music and Halloween-themed attractions.

Younger children will love the dance parties, trick-or-treat stations, themed photo opportunities, and the Palace Spooktacular Show.

Braver kids and adults will appreciate the scary night-time journey on the Ghost Train, walking through the hallowed halls of the Haunted House and exploring the murky Freaky Forest.

And, everyone will love the park’s most popular amusement rides after dark in the Creepy Carnival.

The park opens at 7:30 pm with the first train scheduled for 8:00 p.m. On October Saturday nights starting on the 14, 21, and 28, the park opens at 7:15 p.m. with the first train scheduled for 7:30 pm.

Tickets are $60 for adults, $40 for children (ages 3-12) and free for children age 2 and under. They are sold in advance for a designated night with a scheduled train ride departure time. A limited number of guests will be admitted each evening, so visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets well beforehand to avoid missing out on all of the spooky fun.

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Categories: Family Fun Outdoors
National Public Lands Day Campfire Celebration
Sep 23 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park
Cost: Free

Join us in a toast at Chimney Rock Brewing Company to commemorate the newly designated Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail and honor our volunteers. After the toast, stick around for a campfire with s’mores and ghost stories! No registration required.

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Categories: Outdoors Parks & Recreation