It’s fall in McDowell County, and this means lots of beautiful color for all of your outdoor adventures, plus loads of local live music happening all over these Blue Ridge Mountain towns! The Blue Ridge attracts musical talent from all over the map. And there’s really not a much better time than experiencing great live music on a bright autumn afternoon with miles and miles of vineyard views or in an intimate riverside setting on a crisp, moonlit fall evening. Around here, fall calls for an Oktoberfest beer in hand while listening to a bluegrass band - it just does. There are lots of reasons to visit McDowell County, so add live music to the list of experiences during your visit.
The weekends are full of biking and live music at Foothills Watershed in Old Fort. The entire family can hang out together on the banks of the Catawba River and soak in the good fall vibes with craft beer, good food, and the warmth of community. The musical lineup is a delightfully eclectic mix and couldn’t be happening in a more beautiful setting.
How does a day of play at camp sound? Saturday, October 19th, tickets are available to enjoy Camp Grier in Old Fort for a lovely day of hiking, biking, watersports, or fishing before settling down for their Summer Concert Series from 3-5P at their outdoor stage. Feel free to bring a picnic, blanket, and lawn chairs - get comfortable and let the music move you.
During October, Saturdays and Sundays at The Historic Orchard at Altapass are filled with local live music. Music is free to all and happens from 2P to 4P, but get there earlier for fall fun in the orchard! The family and pet-friendly atmosphere is heightened during the harvest season when celebrating the fruits of their labor (namely, apples!) is on their menu and in their general store. Spending a fall weekend here is a treat for all of the family and for all of the senses.
Fall is definitely a popular time of year to spend outdoors here in McDowell County, with the warm days followed by the crispy, cool evenings. One of the most beautiful ways to spend a day outside here is at the North Cove Disc Golf and Leisure Club. Walk the rolling hills of their 18-hole disc golf course and take breaks at Birdie’s Restaurant - sit inside or out. You may catch a glimpse of Bigfoot? It’s been known to happen. You can spend Saturday, October 25th, competing in the Chris Dickerson Challenge, get access to overnight camping, and enjoy Colors in the Cove, a celebration of the beauty and music of WNC, starting at 2:30P.
How about Saturday, October 10th, from 5-7P you head over to the Old School Dance Hall in Marion, NC? And its name says it all - old school, y’all. A line-dancing watering hole awaits! Open air, but under cover, an evening spent learning some new moves or brushing up on your pivot turn will be a wonderfully fun way to help ring in the season!
And of course, McDowell County has you covered for places to stay and where to find morning coffee, or some local BBQ. Come for the local live music Blue Ridge experience this fall, and for so much more.
