Events Calendar

Join us on a journey into the world of butterflies and plants, and see the complex relationship between monarchs and milkweed. “Monarchs and Milkweed” explores how very survival of these majestic creatures has been shaped over time by one another, traveling through the seasons of a calendar year and revealing how both insect and plant grow and interact, culminating in a massive migration that crosses a continent.

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.

Stories, music, and activities that help children ages 5 and under develop social, listening, and comprehension skills.

The Swamp Rabbit Trail is a 22-mile multi-use (walking and bicycling) greenway that traverses along the Reedy River, an old railroad corridor and City parks to connect Travelers Rest with the city of Greenville, South Carolina.

From our location, you can venture south on the trail through Greenville’s many parks. The Swamp Rabbit links up with Falls Park on the Reedy, Cancer Survivors Park and down into Cleveland Park. Heading north, you’ll see how the trail has transformed from an old railbed to a thriving trail with many breweries and eateries, as you head toward Furman University (7 miles) and Travelers Rest (1 miles).

Story Room Enjoy a story, learn about Frida Kahlo, and paint a self-portrait. Bilingual stories in English and Spanish for ages 7 & under with an adult caregiver. Cuentos bilingües en inglés y español para niños 7 años y menores acompañados por un adulto. Llame al 242-5000 ext. 2634 para más informatión.

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.

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!

Join us on a journey into the world of butterflies and plants, and see the complex relationship between monarchs and milkweed. “Monarchs and Milkweed” explores how very survival of these majestic creatures has been shaped over time by one another, traveling through the seasons of a calendar year and revealing how both insect and plant grow and interact, culminating in a massive migration that crosses a continent.

The US Forest Service-Pisgah Ranger District and
Haywood Community College invites people of all ages to celebrate the forest heritage
of Western North Carolina at the Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah Forest, NC during the
annual Forest Festival Day on Saturday, October 7, 2023 from 10:00 am-5:00 pm.
This activity-filled, family event commemorates the traditions of mountain living and
craft in the Cradle’s unique and beautiful setting. Forestry students, a local author,
traditional craftsmen and exhibitors will be on site during the celebration.
At the event, six colleges and universities will compete for a trophy in the Annual John
G. Palmer Intercollegiate Woodsmen’s Meet, organized by Haywood Community College
in Clyde, NC. Participating colleges and universities include: Haywood Community
College (Host) from Clyde, NC; Penn State Mont Alto, from Mont Alto, PA; Montgomery
Community College from Troy, NC; Wayne Community College from Goldsboro, NC;
Mountain Gateway Community College from Clifton Forge, VA; and NC State University
from Raleigh, NC.
Festival-goers can cheer as forestry students compete during the Woodsmen’s Meet
that has the flavor of an old-time lumberjack competition. Students will test their skills
in a number of events including archery, axe throwing, crosscut sawing, wood chopping,
chainsaw, log rolling, pole climbing and pole felling.

The Woodsmen’s Meet is held in the open field at the Pink Beds Picnic Area. This area
allows for the safety of participants and spectators while at the same time providing
opportunities to see all the action. Spectators are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket
for comfort. We are pleased to announce the return of STIHL as the event presenting
sponsor and Bojangles of Mills River will provide breakfast for each of the competing
students.
Festival goers can cut a tree “cookie” with a cross cut saw to take home. The following
community partners will also be joining us with information about their work/mission,
providing giveaways and other fun activities: STIHL, Society of American Foresters,
Hemlock Restoration Initiative, Muddy Sneakers, Local Author Gerald Ledford, Carolina
Mountain Club and FIND Outdoors.
Two presentations will be given during the event by local author, Gerald Ledford at
11:00 am and 1:00 pm in the sunken amphitheater of the Cradle Discovery Center. At
other times throughout the day, you can speak with Ledford as you climb aboard and
ring the bell of a 1914 Climax logging train engine permanently on site at the Cradle. A
PowerPoint presentation will feature railroad logging in the woods. Ledford’s paternal
grandfather Lewis Ledford worked as a mill superintendent for his brother-in-law Louis
Carr at Norwood Lumber at Forney Creek and Carr Lumber at Pisgah Forest, NC. His
father Bryson Ledford was born at Forney and named for Dr. Daniel Rice Bryson. Several
of Ledford’s great uncles were employed by the lumber mills at Forney, Ravensford,
Proctor and East LaPorte during the lumber boom of the early 1900s. The presentation
will feature many rare photographs of railroad logging in the Blue Ridge and Great
Smokies. Ledford enjoys hiking old railroad grades and has been researching the
logging railroads in western North Carolina for over 45 years. With Ron Sullivan, he has
co-authored five books of the history of logging railroads in western North Carolina
titled, “If Rails Could Talk….” The first 5 volumes are currently in print and are available
for purchase on site at the Cradle. Ledford has also provided information and
photographs for several authors as well as the Ken Burns Public Television series, “The
National Parks; America’s Best Idea.
The Trolley Company will provide a shuttle between the Cradle’s Forest Discovery
Center and the Pink Beds from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Pink Beds Picnic Area will be
closed to non-event use for the day.
Admission for this event is $10.00 ages 13 and up; $6.00 for youth ages 4-12, and $5 for
federal pass holders and Cradle season pass holders. Children under 4 years old are
admitted free. Tickets are available on-site at the Cradle the day of the event. Cash is
encouraged however, cards will be accepted. Learn more at:

Forest Festival Day & John Palmer Intercollegiate Woodsmen’s Meet

Travel back to Colonial times and the American Revolution! Experience skirmish reenactments, music, spinning, candle dipping, weaving, and more!

Tickets are good for the entire weekend’s activities, including the Saturday night Bluegrass concert. Wristbands will be given for return admission.

Tickets at the gate are $15 per adult and $10 per child. Purchase online before 10/1 for $3 off per ticket.

No refunds

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7
GATES OPEN AT 10:00AM

11:00AM Junior Regiment Drills; Front Lawn

1:00PM Re-Enactment of 

“Bloody Bill” Cunningham’s Raid; Front Lawn

2:30PM Live Auction; The Pavilion 

GATES CLOSE AT 5:00PM

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8
GATES OPEN AT 10:00AM

11:00AM Junior Regiment Drills; Front Lawn

1:00PM Re-Enactment of 

“Bloody Bill” Cunningham’s Raid; Front Lawn 

GATES CLOSE AT 4:00PM

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES (Sat & Sun)

Hornbook making

Quill writing

Colonial toys

Tricorn hats

Candle dipping

FOOD available for purchase!

Credit Cards accepted at Gate, Concessions, and Gift Shop.
Living Historians may be cash only.

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.

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.

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.