By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — Equestrian competitions rarely get more exciting than Rodney Harkey’s win on July 30, in the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show’s Russell Hall Memorial Classic featured event.
With seven riders and their horses competing for $15,000 in prize money, five of them toured the course cleanly in the regulation round, within the 84-second time limit. That set up a “jump off” around an abbreviated course, with a 48-second time limit.
Elizabeth Cram of Aiken, S.C., riding HF Jett, set the bar high when she was first to ride in the jump-off, beating the the allowed time by six seconds, making the final jump after she guided Jett around the course cleanly, in 42 seconds.
A cure break in the equestrian action for the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show on July 30 was the ‘Lead Line Competition’ with 19 ‘small fry’ competitors earning a blue ribbon in the 19-way tie for first place! Photographic image by David Rogers
Moments later, Victoria “Tori” Colvin, of Loxahatchee, Fla., lowered the standard even further by taking her horse, VDL Moniseur, around the course in just over 40 seconds to take the lead.
Two riders later, it was Harkey’s turn on Equador, a horse that he both trains and owns, as well as rides. Watching the duo gallop quickly to and over the fences, negotiating tight turns between each one, there was a sense of purpose in the Charlotte rider’s performance — and he was rewarded by shaving six MORE seconds off the previously leading jump-time, to 34 seconds. Try as they might, the remaining riders were unable to match Harkey and Equador’s time, much less beat it.
For the win, Harkey collected $3,800 in first place prize money. Colvin took home $2,800 and Cram, $1,500.
Majestic, powerful… words hardly describe the athletic beasts as they tour the hunter/jumper course during the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show. Photographic image by David Rogers
The Russell Hall Memorial Classic was a featured event on the last day of the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show’s first week. With a day off on July 31, they get things going again for the second week of the Hunter/Jumper competition, scheduled from Aug. 2-6.
More than 500 horses are entered in the competition, now in its 100th year as the United States’ longest, continuously-running equestrian event. Assuming an average of five people attending per horse (riders, owners, trainers, groomers, support staff and family members) we can conservatively guestimate that the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show brings upwards of 2,500 people to town for the two weeks of equestrian competition, including some of the top riders and horses in the country. An economic impact study by Nicole Jelley at Appalachian State in 2012 concluded that during its 21 days (including a week of Saddlebred competition in June), the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show generates $7.7 million in economic impact to the Blowing Rock/High Country area, including lodging, restaurants, retail and other expenditures.
By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — There may be nothing more sporting than jostling through a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd on uneven ground with an arthritic hip and an ankle that wants to turn out because there are no ligaments to keep it straight and stable. Then again, we only get to experience “Symphony by the Lake” once every year.
As many of the patrons of the 36th annual edition of “Symphony by the Lake” on July 21 will attest, any age-related physical shortcomings melted into mere inconveniences in the baton-waving hands of Cornelia Laemmli Orth, conducting her Symphony of the Mountains — this year with a bonus collaboration: the Swiss-born, North Carolina-based Kruger Brothers, one of the region’s most popular bands and a fitting representative of Appalachian music in its many forms and styles.
For many among the 3,500 paid patrons, ‘Symphony by the Lake’ is the best party of the year, and spirits are high. Photographic image by David Rogers
And, speaking of uneven ground, the theme for the 26th Annual Symphony by the Lake, presented and hosted by the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce at Chetola Mountain Resort was, “From the Alps to the Appalachians.”
Before the COVID-19 pandemic put severe limits on the number of tickets sold, the Chamber was already trying to get a handle on the bulging crowds that were, for all intents and purposes, overwhelming the venue. With the pandemic hopefully behind us, the interest has again surged and Symphony by the Lake was once again sold out (at 3,500 tickets) for Blowing Rock’s cultural-event-not-to-be-missed. Combined with beautiful weather — a perfect respite for Piedmont and Coastal residents from the oppressive heat found off the mountain — there are few more appropriate opportunities to celebrate with a mid-summer party. Along with the sold out crowd, there seemed to be a record number of sponsor and patron tents lining the lake and the top of the gentle slope descending from the resort to the lake that serves as the audience’s amphitheater seating.
A reported record number of patron tents were sponsored on July 21 for ‘Symphony by the Lake’ in Blowing Rock, adding to the festival atmosphere for the 3,500 paid guests. Photographic image by David Rogers
A Terrific Programme
And boy, was that audience entertained on this night.
The Orth-directed “Symphony by the Lake” opened, as it traditionally does, with John Stafford Smith’s National Anthem (AKA “The Star Spangled Banner”). Then they quickly started their musical journey in the Swiss Alps with Gioachino Rossini’s “William Tell, Galop” overture, followed by a Michael Story arrangement of “It’s About Time.”
Almost all of the patron tents had big spreads of catered food and beverages. Before Allen Tate Companies’ guests tore into it, this spread looked sumptuous and certainly well-appointed. Photographic image by David Rogers
To get from the Alps to North Carolina, of course, requires an ocean journey. What better musical transition for the “Symphony by the Lake” theme than the Badelt/Ricketts arrangement of “Pirates of the Caribbean?” Robbery on the high seas certainly qualifies this as a sports story!
“Pirates” was followed by Benjamin Dawson’s “Appalachian Medley” and Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man.”
Hendrick Automotive Group always has the prettiest sunflower-centric bouquet for ‘Symphony by the Lake.’ Photographic image by David Rogers
As usual, the Symphony performed an “An Armed Forces Salute,” arranged by Bob Lowden, then a fitting follow-up in “Amazing Grace,” arranged by Matt Riley. The Symphony of the Mountains closed their main body of work with a poignant violin solo by Sean Claire and music by John Williams for the 1992 movie, “Far and Away.”
After intermission, it was The Krueger Brothers turn on stage with:
Up 18 North
Watch the Clouds Roll By
Winterport Intro
Winterport
Swing the Maul
Carolina in the Fall
Fields of Gold
First Settlers/Building on a Dream
Welcome to Ogden
At the end, the Symphony was again front and center with John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever,” reaching a climax with brilliant fireworks into the sky and over Chetola Lake.
Like the 35 Symphony by the Lake events that preceded it, this year’s musical extravaganza was a great excuse for the year’s biggest party in Blowing Rock, and something to look forward to, each and every year.
By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — Invite a legendary college football coach to play a round of golf and you are likely to have a very good day. Have that coach invite a dozen of his NCAA Division I peers to play, too, and you are likely to raise a lot of money for your favorite non-profit.
That is exactly what happened in May for the second year in a row when the High Country Caregivers non-profit partnered with former Appalachian State head coach and College Football Hall of Fame inductee Jerry Moore to host the “Coaches Golf Tournament” in May, at Blowing Rock Country Club.
HCC executive director Jacob Willis announced on July 18 that the event took in more than $180,000 thanks in no small measure to the celebrity coaches, sponsors and, of course, the golfers paying for the privilege.
“High Country Caregivers is dedicated to helping families navigate kinship care,” said Willis. “We are currently serving 313 children and 254 caregivers, which is double the number we were serving a few years ago.”
The families that take part in HCC programs receive no government aid and are often composed of single grandmothers raising multiple children and making decisions for their grandchildren. All proceeds from the tournament go towards HCC programs, including recreation & sports fees, dance & music lessons, legal fees, education, and family development.
“Our goal is to rise above the challenges and keep loved ones in a home with a family member,” Willis said. “It’s a better environment than the foster system. We are dedicated to keeping these families whole so grandparents can make responsible decisions for their grandchildren while providing them with care and support.”
In addition to Moore’s involvement, a big draw for the sold-out tournament was the participation of Scott Satterfield (App State, Louisville, Cincinnati); Mack Brown (University of North Carolina, Texas, App State); Sparky Woods (Richmond, UNC, Alabama, Memphis, Mississippi State); Paul Johnson (Georgia Southern, Navy, Georgia State); Shawn Clark (current head coach, Appalachian State); Dave Doeren (head coach, NC State, Northern Illinois); Clay Hendrix (head coach, Furman University); Oval Jaynes (Hall of Fame athletic director at Auburn, Colorado State, Pittsburgh, Idaho, Chattanooga, Jacksonville State, former head coach at Gardner Webb, and former offensive coordinator at Wake Forest and Wyoming, among others); Dustin Kerns (head basketball coach, Appalachian State); Trey Kavanaugh (former head coach, Cuthbertson High School and now App State assistant, quality control); and Lance Ware (former head coach, Shelby High School and current Senior Assistant to Head Coach, App State). Each of the coaches was paired with a golfing foursome.
Willis shared that the list of sponsors is very large. “We would be remiss if we didn’t mention every one of them and offer them a great big thank you,” he said. “We also want to thank Coach Jerry Moore and all the coaches and athletes that took part in the tournament, and our guests. We could not have done this without our sponsors, guests, and community partners.”
Sponsoring the event were The Kennedy-Herterich Foundation, Blowing Rock Country Club, Blowing Rock Brewery, Amorem, Chetola Resort, LifeStore Bank and R.W. Baird.
Platinum Sponsors:
Spangler Restoration, CSM Production, The Art Cellar, Domino’s Pizza, Farm Bureau – Agent Barry Crawford, Quality Electric – Brent Berry, Village Building and Investment Group, High Country 365/Journey Magazine, Thrivent, Bishop Real Estate, Amorem, Appnet, Baird, UBS, The Lodges at Eagles Nest, Peak Farms, Hollar and Greene, Lifestore, and Avery Knife Works.
Gold Sponsors
CDG Brands, J McLaughlin, Appalachian Healthcare, Holiday Inn Blowing Rock, and Alpha Lit.
Silver Sponsors
Penn Station, Carolina West Wireless, Wendy’s, Highland Landscape Supplies, Elk River Club, and Jared Munday Electric.
Table Sponsors
The Gilded Lily by Patra, Life Worth Living Counseling – Bonnie Perkins, Appalachian Dental Care, and Ron Cutlip.
“We also want to thank Coach Jerry Moore and all the coaches and athletes that took part in the tournament,” said Willis. “And our guests. We could not have done this without our sponsors, guests, and community partners.”
High Country Caregivers operates in Avery, Watauga, Ashe, Yancy, Mitchell, and Wilkes counties.
By Sarah Lowery for Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. LINVILLE, N.C. — At the 67th annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, two track and field athletes secured their first Outstanding Men’s Athlete and Outstanding Women’s Athlete honors.
Ty Smith from Elizabethton, Tenn., and Amanda Pasko from Charlotte, N.C., earned the respective titles.
Men’s Competition
Smith placed first in the men’s 220-yard dash, 440-yard dash and long jump, while Pasko placed within the top three in five events, including first place in the women’s 440-yard dash and triple jump.
Growing up, Smith attended the games and participated in kilted running events. A graduate from nearby Avery County High School, he was a three-sport athlete participating in football, baseball and track and field. He was a two-time All-State and three-time All-Conference selection in track, earning Conference Runner of the Year honors as a senior. He played football at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia for two years and is transferring to join Tusculum University’s program (in Tennessee) in the fall.
“It was great,” Smith said about being named Outstanding Men’s Athlete. “I’ve raced in that competition before, and it didn’t go nearly as well, so it was a thrill out there.”
Amanda Pasko, top female competitor in track and field for the 2023 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. Photo by Skip Sickler, courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation
Women’s Competition
Pasko recorded a 1:10 finish in the women’s 440-yard dash and jumped a distance of 30′ 9 ½” in the women’s triple jump.
Alongside Pasko in the women’s events, Tai’lah Ward placed first in the 100-yard dash, while returning competitors Kimora Chawlk and Carissa Chambers secured first in the 220-yard dash and 1-mile run, respectively.
First-time competitor Sasha Ledford recorded four top-two finishes, including first-place finishes in the women’s pole vault and long jump.
For participating athletes, the Highland Games offer a chance to display their talents at a culturally significant event that has been in place at Grandfather Mountain’s MacRae Meadows for several decades.
“I think it’s really the people that make it special,” said Smith. “I’ve heard it’s one of the biggest Highland Games outside of Scotland, and it’s just a huge culture here, and I think that Avery County really respects and appreciates that.”
TRACK AND FIELD RESULTS
Most Outstanding Men’s Athlete
Ty Smith, Elizabethton, Tenn.
Most Outstanding Women’s Athlete
Amanda Pasko, Charlotte, N.C.
The 2023 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games took place July 6-9 at Grandfather Mountain’s MacRae Meadows in Linville, N.C. To learn more about the Highland Games, visit www.gmhg.org.
The nonprofit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation strives to inspire conservation of the natural world by helping guests explore, understand and value the wonders of Grandfather Mountain. For more information, visit www.grandfather.com.
LINVILLE, N.C. – Garrett Blatnik finished first in four of the seven men’s heavy athletic events during the 2023 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, earning him the top spot overall for the competition. This year marked Blatnik’s fifth time competing at these games and his third as a professional.
Blatnik is a 30-year-old from Memphis, Tenn., is an entrepreneur and owns four pizza restaurants, a gym and a takeout baked potato restaurant. He turned pro in 2021 and finished as the runner-up in last year’s games. He has competed at the last five Grandfather Mountain Highland Games alongside his brother, Justin, who turned pro this year.
“The crowd and the atmosphere make this such a special place to throw,” Blatnik said on why these games are important to him. “It’s one of the bigger [Highland Games] in the Southeast.”
Blatnik secured first place in the clachneart (throwing a stone for distance), lightweight (28 pounds) throw, caber toss and 56-pound toss for height en route to a top finish. He also achieved second-place finishes in the heavyweight (56 pounds) throw and sheaf toss, marking a top-two finish in six of the seven events.
Wes Kiser, who secured top-three finishes in six of the seven events and first place in the sheaf toss, was this year’s runner-up to Blatnik. Adam Sizemore finished third overall with first-place finishes in the heavyweight throw and the 22-pound hammer throw, while Jonathan Harding, last year’s overall winner, secured fourth place.
The men’s professional competition is by invitation only and featured nine competitors, including Blatnik, and was three more than in 2022, each vying to best one aother in seven different categories: sheaf toss, 56-pound-weight toss for height, caber toss, clachneart, heavyweight (56 pounds) throw for distance, lightweight (28 pounds) throw for distance and the hammer.
The 2023 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games took place July 6-9 at Grandfather Mountain’s MacRae Meadows in Linville, N.C.
The nonprofit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation strives to inspire conservation of the natural world by helping guests explore, understand and value the wonders of Grandfather Mountain. For more information, visit www.grandfather.com.
By Sarah Lowery for Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. LINVILLE, N.C. — Adriane Wilson finished first in five of the seven women’s heavy athletic events during the 2023 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, thereby claiming the top spot overall for the competition. Wilson was the runner-up at these games in 2022.
Wilson is a 43-year-old personal trainer who resides in Columbia, S.C., and has been competing in heavy athletics for 15 years and is a five-time Women’s World Champion. Wilson also coaches adaptive sport for wounded soldiers.
This year saw 10 women competing, including Wilson, in front of an exceptionally large crowd of spectators this past Saturday.
Wilson was previously a professional shot putter. She trained for the 2004 Olympics but finished fifth in the tryouts, falling just short of qualifying. Wilson keeps up with weight training and throwing throughout the week and is at the gym every day for her job.
As for the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, she noted that both the venue and the spectators make this particular competition so special.
“Obviously, the location is incredible,” Wilson said. “The crowd always cheers us. It’s so much fun to see how many people are just into the Scottish Highland Games.”
When asked what her favorite event is, Wilson said she loves the caber toss, which she described as a “crowd-pleaser.”
“I’m usually pretty solid with my heavy weight for distance,” Wilson added. “That’s a fun one for me.”
Wilson won the stone throw, the 28-pound-weight throw for distance, the 28-pound-weight toss for height, the caber toss and the hammer throw events.
Morgan Palmer was this year’s runner-up to Wilson. Palmer won the 14-pound-weight throw for distance and finished second in five other individual events. Asylnn Halvorson, who won the sheaf toss, secured the third-place finish overall.
The women’s elite events in which Wilson competed is by invitation only and featured 10 competitors vying to best each other in seven different categories: sheaf toss, 28-pound-weight toss for height, stone throw, 28-pound-weight throw for distance, 14-pound-weight throw for distance, hammer throw and caber toss.
The 2023 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games took place July 6-9 at Grandfather Mountain’s MacRae Meadows in Linville, N.C. To learn more about the Highland Games, visit www.gmhg.org.
The nonprofit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation strives to inspire conservation of the natural world by helping guests explore, understand and value the wonders of Grandfather Mountain. For more information, visit www.grandfather.com.
By David Rogers. GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN, N.C. — Some describe the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games celebrating Scottish heritage a 12-ring circus and, frankly, they would not be far off. As one event official said, “It is nonstop fun.”
If you took the population of Boone, increased it by another 50 percent, you would roughly have the number of people who descended on McRae Meadows and its surrounding property for the Highland Games. From cultural arts like textile weaving and harp-playing, to the bagpipe music and sports competitions, there literally was something going on to appeal to just about everyone.
The triple jump was a popular track and field event.
Saturday, July 8, was the athletic centerpiece of the Games. Caber toss by professionals, women’s weight throw, and a variety of track and field events with dozens of competitors were just some of the feature: high jump, triple jump, pole vault, 440-yard dash, 100-yard dash, the mile, 880-yard dash and more.
The sheep herding demonstration morphed into a goose-herding event, just to show off how good the dogs are in responding to the same vocal calls and whistles.
Forget whatever you might have learned about Scottish heritage in the Braveheart movie. Highland dances actually have their origins as intricate war dances that ancient kings and clan chiefs used to select their best men at arms — allowing them to demonstrate their strength, stamina and agility. Moments in history have had Scottish warriors performing “sword dances” for rival royalty, which was a convenient way to have weapons easily within reach when the dancing was done. All of the dances at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, of course, were performed to the music of accomplished bagpipers.
The midday festivities began with a five-column band of bagpipers and drums — followed by a number of photo opportunities. Here are a few more bonus images:
By David Rogers. GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN, N.C. — With colorful clan tents circling a red cinder track, featured larger tents and stages with workshops and cultural arts along with food concessions around the perimeter, and all sorts of automobiles, trucks and RVs filling large meadows everywhere nearby, the July 6-9 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games is in the High Country, to be sure. Unofficial estimates are that 30,000 descendants of Scottish clans and a multitude of public “fans” in search of weekend entertainment have invaded the area in and surrounding McRae Meadows.
Given how warm it was on Friday afternoon, July 7, on the slopes of Grandfather Mountain, one can only wonder what the temperatures were like in the lower elevation Piedmont and Coastal Plains. Even with thunderstorm clouds looming in the distance to the south of the event, everyone seemed to be in good spirits and glad they were at the even that has been held continuously since 1956.
You can tell by the bend in this otherwise straight wooden handle the kind of speed and force behind the hammer throw at the Highland Games. Photographic image by David Rogers
“This is the best of the Highland Games hosted in the United States,” one gentleman said in a definitive Scottish brogue, “because being here in the mountains it reminds us of Scotland. And, as a result, it draws absolutely one of the largest crowds — and, being held in July, the cooler mountain temperatures play a large part in that.”
There are a number of athletic competitions throughout the weekend, including the hammer throw, sheaf toss, and the iconic caber toss, as well as dance competitions. One popular spot on July 7 was the Entertainment Stage, all very cool being, as it were, almost completely in the shade while the midday sun burned in the open areas of the track some 50 yards away.
CLICK TO ENLARGE: Ross Alewine hurls the sheaf more than 33 feet high and over the bar on July 7 at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. Photographic image by David Rogers
In the amateur division of the sheaf toss held on July 7, Ross Alewine of Clemson, S.C. made a case for potentially moving up after tossing the burlap bag filled with straw over a horizontal bar 33 feet in the air. Prior to the competition, Alewine’s personal record was 28 feet. The world record for the #20 sheaf toss is just over 37 feet, set by Spencer Tyler at the Chicago Highland Games on June 15, 2019 (Tyler broke his own record, set in February of 2019, at the Queen Mary Highland Games in Long Beach, Calif.
Alewine said he started throwing the sheaf just 13 months ago when he went with a friend to the Greenville (S.C.) Scottish Games.
“I tried it and was hooked,” he told High Country Sports after winning Friday’s amateur division.
Scotland, of course, is also known for its sheep industry and the dogs bred and trained to help tend to the herds. A sheep dog demonstration amazed, if not thrilled the crowd of spectators looking on, the shepherd issue commands with shouts and different whistles, each one recognized immediately by the dogs.
Sheep herding demonstration at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, July 7. Photographic image by David Rogers
A lot of the featured events of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games are presented and staged on Saturday (July 8), including the professional athletic competitions, track and field events for a number of different age groups, and dance competitions. Things get going about 8 a.m. and last all day.
By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — An estimated five thousand people came out of the downtown woodwork to watch Blowing Rock go to the dogs, dinosaurs, sharks and Elvis impersonators on July 1. Oh, and there were a myriad number of Uncle Sam and Betsy Ross lookalikes. Of course, it was the annual Blowing Rock 4th of July Parade down Main Street, with lots of fun had by all.
There were elected officials, cloggers, old cars — and candy thrown in every direction to a scramble of youngsters, many of whom came prepared with large plastic bags to in which to store their captured treasures. Trick or treating on Halloween never had it so good.
Noticeably missing: marching bands and App State.
In all, according to Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce sources, there were 75 parade entries and it took just under an hour for them all to make their way down Main Street and through the teeming throng.
CAPTURED MOMENTS
All photographic images by David Rogers
Mayor Charlie Sellers and wife DeatraTown Council member Pete Gherini and ‘best friend’ were stylin’ as they cruised down Main Street near the front of the Blowing Rock 4th of July Parade on July 1.Parades bring out not only elected officials but those aspiring to be elected, too, like Cat Perry, candidate for Town Council.North Carolina Representative Ray Pickett was all smiles sharing the parade experience on July 1, down Main Street in Blowing Rock.Watauga County Commissioners Braxton Eggers, left, and Todd Castle had a good time waving to the crowd on July 1, cruising down Main Street in the Blowing Rock 4th of July Parade.‘Uncle Sam’ and ‘Betsy Ross’ had good seats for the 2023 Blowing Rock 4th of July Parade.Hear them roar!There’s ‘Uncle Sam’ again, this time riding a well-appointed ‘beast.’Flyover! on July 1, during the Blowing Rock 4th of July Parade down Main Street.There were a number of good causes represented in the July 1 4th of July Parade down Blowing Rock’s Main Street, like the High Country Breast Cancer Foundation.‘Uncle Sam’ changed hats AND companions!
Driver Bob Hartnett was navigating down Main Street in the 4th of July Parade in a 40-yearold Chrysler on July 1.Yikes! Help this guy out. He has been swallowed by a shark!This crew is properly outfitted for an outdoor adventure!There aren’t very many World War II veterans still alive, so H.C. Moretz of the High Country is special, indeed!
Whether portraying Janis Joplin in ‘Groovy Nights’ or sauntering down Main Street in a patriotic gown, Jenny Miller is ‘Miss America.’
Although it may look like a consortium of octopuses invaded Blowing Rock for the 4th of July Parade, those are actually supposed to be ‘fireworks’. Hot stuff!
The redcoats are coming! The redcoats are coming! Is the nose ring standard issue in the 1776 British Army?Past president of the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, Ronnie Marks of Shoppes on the Parkway lent a hand on July 1 in introducing the Chamber’s 4th of July Parade entry.
Folks can get their ‘Bear Essentials’ at the Cabin Fever retail store on Main Street!Did we mention that the Blowing Rock 4th of July Parade on July 1 was humungus?These Watauga High School cheerleaders were full of… well, of good cheer!
Sometimes the parade participants fell a little short in throwing their candy to the crowd, requiring some of the kids to take matters into their own hands.Blowing Rock TDA executive director Tracy Brown served as emcee for the 2023 edition of Blowing Rock’s 4th of July Parade.Here’s ‘Uncle Sam’ again, this time dressed up like attorney Rick Mattar!
I hope these dinosaurs are vegetarians!
‘We’re so cute, don’t you think they should make us grand marshals of this parade?’
By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — America’s love affair with motorized vehicles is well over a century old — and that passion was on display June 16 when Hot Rod magazine’s “Power Tour 2023” swept through the High Country.
A lot of garages around the country are surely empty this weekend. A reported 6,000 cars, trucks, and curiosities are part of the invasion that kept U.S. 321 and NC-105 clogged up — with history — through Blowing Rock and Boone this morning. Some of the hot rods are of recent vintage, but many others are much older than the 75 years Hot Rod magazine (launched in 1948) is celebrating with this journey.
One of the vehicles more closely resembled a grounded jet, celebrating the “lemons” that periodically rolled off the assembly lines in the early days of auto manufacturing and are (thankfully) less prevalent with today’s advanced automotive technology.
Photographic image by David Rogers
Chevrolet, Ford, Cadillac, GMC, Plymouth, Dodge, Ram were all represented. McLaren, Challenger, Roadrunner, Mustang, Corvette, Thunderbird, Camara and Impala, too. Sure, there were plenty of acronyms: GT, SS, STS, GTO, to name a few.
There were cars and trucks of every size, description, and color. Some looked like they had just come off the showroom floor, burnished bright red, black, green, brown, purple, orange, yellow, or blue, perhaps even two-tone. Others graced the highway au natural, their age and wear proudly on display, too.
A long, black Thunderbird from the 60s might easily have jumped off the pages of a Mario Puzo novel about the Mafia. One has to wonder whether a “muscle car” with the engine popping up through the hood is actually street legal on any other day of the year.
Photographic image by David Rogers
Almost all of the vehicles brought with them a friendly wave from driver and passenger directed to the many bystanders along the sidewalks. And, of course, there was plenty of horn-honking and revving up those engines.
One “low-rider” was mere millimeters off the pavement. Beware of speedbumps. Others had obviously been customized with lift kits.
Axle-back, header-back, cat-back… you name it, the exhaust system of choice largely depends on the preferences of who is doing the customization. They were likely all represented among the entries in this cavalcade of power.
Surfboards in the mountains may have seemed out of place in any other context…
Photographic image by David Rogers
Officially, the event is called, “The 29th annual HOT ROD Power Tour Driven by Continental Tire.” It kicked off from Atlanta Motor Speedway on June 12, serpentined through Georgia and South Carolina to the State Fairgrounds in Columbia, S.C., negotiated a visit north to Rockingham Speedway, then to the zMAX Dragway adjacent to Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, before traveling through the High Country to its finish line at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee.
Nearly 6,000 vehicles leaving one spot within a couple of hours of each other all headed for the same destination? If you are in Los Angeles, that sounds like a good recipe for traffic jams, frayed nerves. In the South heading toward a weekend? Participants say it is a good time — even if a few of the long lines at gas stations along the way were reminiscent of 1974 gas rationing.
For participants and bystanders alike, it was often a walk down memory lane.
BONUS PHOTOS
Photographic image by David RogersPhotographic image by David Rogers
