FALL COLOR UPDATE - November 6, 2019

Choose your report:
Valle Crucis/Boone • Waynesville • Asheville • Hendersonville • Greenville •  Knoxville

Valle Crucis/Boone – If we hadn’t had the rain, wind, and snow flurries on Thursday night, we might still have bunches of leaves left to enjoy. Alas, many of the leaves that were left made their way briskly to the ground. There are, however, lots of oak leaves still hanging on, and they are quite colorful. I was noticing just the other day how many different colors I saw on my way home. Browns, yellows, light oranges, and deep russets were everywhere, AND they are all oaks. So, while “stick season” is well underway, the oaks will be out and about for several more weeks.

Our attention is turning now to a different type of tree – one that is green year ‘round and is the centerpiece of holiday celebrations. Choose and Cut Christmas Tree Farms are opening soon. Here’s A LINK to the ones in Watauga County. You’ll want to come up before or at Thanksgiving to find a tree. So many people head up this way to get trees that some farms run out after that. There are some hotels that are offering Choose and Cut Packages. You’ll find them listed on the link too.  

If you’re looking for something to do over the next week or so, stop by to visit our friends at the Apple Hill Farm. They are located just off Highway 194 on the back way to Banner Elk. They do tours on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 11 a.m. and Saturdays at 2 p.m. You can meet the animals and enjoy some beautiful views. 

Take in a show at the newly-renovated Appalachian Theatre! There are a couple of shows that being worked on right now, but if you are planning a trip in December, get your tickets to the Carolina Snowbelle Christmas. Watch the website for more shows. 

Tweetsie Christmas starts soon. It is as much fun as the Ghost Train, plus there is a very special guest from the North Pole there. Remember if you go, dress warmly. The rolling stock is open air except for the coach car. You can purchase your tickets ahead of time and schedule your train ride, too (I highly recommend getting your tickets early!)

That’s a wrap for me for this year’s Fall Foliage Primer. I’ve enjoyed sharing this beautiful season with you and hope you’ve found this information useful to plan a visit this fall or in the future. See you soon!

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Waynesville - Well the colors are here!  With the recent rain, I would even say that we are starting to see the trees begin to enter their leafless hibernations as the colder weather is upon us. We are looking forward to some winter-like temperatures in the upcoming days and even some 20s in store for our low temperatures next week.  That being said, I have to say goodbye, as this is our last installment of this year’s Fall Foliage Primer. The goods news is the Mast Store in Downtown Waynesville will be here when you need us! Visit or call anytime, and we can help you find your way to something fun in the area, any time of year!

This Saturday head over to the Haywood County Fairgrounds for the Christmas Finale Craft Show!  This is free to the public and no commercial vendors are allowed.  It is a great way to grab some locally made holiday décor for your home!  

Next, we would like to invite you to become an Employee for a Day, just without the brooms and dustpans. Please come by the store this Sunday or Monday to enjoy our employee discount on up to 6 regularly-priced items. Some exclusions apply, but it is safe to say that at least 90% of the store is available to you!  If you cannot make it, there is an online code in the link.  We hope to see you!  

If you haven’t done it yet, now is the time before the mountain freezes! The Friends of the Smokies are guiding a hike on the Thomas Divide & Indian Creek Trail on Tuesday, November 12^th.  This is a great way to see the current foliage, learn about the history and ecology of the park, and meet other hikers. The fees go to help support the Trails Forever program that restores popular trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

If hiking is not your thing, check out the Southern Storyteller Series over at the Folkmoot center!  Courtney Lix will share stories of the women featured in her book, “No Place for the Weary Kind: Women of the Smokies.” Come hear about women who possessed the tenacity and perseverance to survive in the remote Smokies of days past.  

The months of November and December are packed with a number of holiday events!  Please check the Downtown Waynesville Association’s website and the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority’s website for more events this and next year! 

It has been a pleasure sharing our town with you this fall. I hope that it has come in handy, whether you found helpful hints to plan your vacation, or just enjoyed vicariously visiting. Stay warm and we hope to see you soon!

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Asheville - Well, it looks like we’ve reached the end of leaf season here in Asheville with the strong winds this weekend knocking off many of the leaves. We’ve continued to have lower temperatures in the area with highs staying in the low 60s through Friday, then dropping to the upper to mid-40s by the weekend. Lows will range from the upper 30s to 20s as the week goes on, so be prepared for almost freezing temperatures if you plan to be outside this week. For more information on the weather check out this SITE.

Even though many of the leaves have fallen already, there are still some patches of fall color dispersed around Asheville. Simply driving around the city you’ll see it, but if you want something interesting to do near the city I recommend a trip to the Biltmore Estate. The entire area is filled with paved walking trails that take you through the many forested areas on the estate, as well as their famous gardens. Whether you are wanting to walk or ride a bicycle, the trails provide a wonderful way to get outside and not have to worry about uphill climbs or rocky paths. However, as the largest private home in the United States, most people who visit the grounds are coming for a tour of the Estate itself. The house holds a lot of history and at any point of the year, you can see period artwork, costumes, and decorations. If you love history like I do it’s an amazing place to visit. 

This time of year is especially unique for the Biltmore Estate because from November first through January 5, they offer Christmas at the Biltmore. The entire estate is covered in holiday decor ranging from wreaths and garland to thousands of ornaments on their 55 Christmas trees (and their 35 foot Fraser Fir!). The nearby Antler Village is also covered in lights, and their evening light display is a must-see if you are in the area. As we hit the end of leaf season and approach the holiday season, the Biltmore provides a nice bridge of the two, with leaf color still lingering in many places, but Christmas cheer already in full swing. For more information on the Biltmore and its many activities, go HERE.

If you are interested in other history-related activities, try out the Beacon Blankets: The Mill Exhibit at the Swannanoa Valley Museum and History Center. This exhibit explores the history of the textile industry in Western North Carolina specifically that of Beacon Manufacturing Company, once the largest blanket manufacturer in the world. This is the last weekend for the exhibit, so if you happen to be in the area and love unique history like this, give the museum a visit. Here's where you'll find more information. 

Well that’s it for this year, as the weather turns towards winter and the last of the leaves begin to fall, we’ve reached the end of another Leaf Primer. I’m glad I was able to take this journey with you, and I hope everyone had a great Leaf Season, I know this was one of the most vibrant I’ve seen in a while. I hope you all have a great holiday season. See you all next year for another wonderful Leaf Primer!

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Hendersonville - Here we are again at the end of our fall leaf season! Although, there is good news -the turning of the leaves was quite late this year, and we still have some nice colors out there. Particularly a little south of Hendersonville. So, if you haven’t taken a ride to view the leaves, now may be your last chance.

The beginning of the week will be clear and cool. By Thursday and Friday, we will see some rain as another cold front moves across the mountains. By Saturday it will be clear and cold with about a 20-degree drop in the temperatures- all the way down into the 20s and 30s. Check the local forecast with a click HERE.

At the Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah Forest the Appalachian Folkways Series will be having an event on Saturday, November 9^th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This celebration of the crafts and skills of the Southern Appalachian Mountains will include a variety of traditional crafts from weavers to blacksmithing.  Listen to music and learn about gardening and traditional medicine. Visit HERE for more information.  

The Fall Festival at Harmon Field in Tryon is the place to be on Sunday, November 10^th from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Along with face painting, arts and crafts, games with prizes, and food, there will also be an Any and All Dog Show. All dogs can participate! Proceeds benefit the Foothills Humane Society and the Polk County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit. Take a LOOK.

A great place to take the dog and the kids for a walk is the Oklawaha Greenway Trail that winds through Hendersonville for 3.25 miles. It connects Jackson Park, Patton Park, Berkeley Park, Sullivan Park, & William H. King Memorial Park. It is a mostly flat, 10-foot-wide asphalt path for cyclists and pedestrians. The trail is also handicap accessible. The Greenway has mileage signs installed every quarter of a mile along the trail along with benches, water fountains, and three bicycle FixIt Stations.  

Remember the wineries and breweries operate year-round. The apple orchards will still be busy for another month or so. And, Hendersonville also has many tree farms and is a wonderful place to dig or cut your own Christmas tree and pick up some greenery for the house

Home for the Holidays is a seasonal collection of holiday activities for the whole family. There is a Christmas parade, craft fairs, ice skating, wagon rides, visits with Santa and concerts- just to name a few. It starts November 1^st and continues through January 1^st, 2020.

Be sure to pick up a brochure at the visitors' center so you have a reason to come visit us again! Happy Holidays!

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Greenville - As hard as it is to believe, the Greenville area’s fall color almost came and went within the same week! We had a cold snap the first part of last week, and almost overnight we had some beautiful color emerge. However, within a day or two, many areas within our region experienced heavy winds and rain, so what were brilliant colored leaves on trees became wet and soggy leaves on the ground in a very short time. We had to be quick to see it, but Fall came through Greenville like it was shot out of a cannon – exciting to watch, but over too quickly! Check out the Table Rock webcam to see where we stand now.    

Orange, yellow, amber, and brown may be giving way soon to red and green for Christmas, but let’s not rush it. There continues to be some great events happening with a Fall theme.

Denver Downs Farm Fall Festival – November 9 – From their website, “Denver Downs Farm is more than a Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch! We have live weekend entertainment, lots of friendly farm animals, and a few crackly bonfires to enjoy! There are more than 35+ fun-filled family activities for kids of all ages … and food to make your mouth water!” Barnyard Bonfires, Singing Pumpkin Lights, and Flashlight Maze are a few of the fun activities for everyone. 

Swamp Rabbit Squeeze Box Festival 2019 – November 9 – For those crazy about accordion music, make your way to this unique Greenville festival on November 9 and 10 at the Velo Fellow.  Some of the scheduled performers are Wasted Wine – T.C. Costello, Tail Light Rebellion, Daniel Hendrix – Resonant Rogues, The Reddy River Shanty Choir with a Murder Ballad Lunch and Irish Session Dinner. 

Second Saturday Fall Harvest Festival – November 9 – Roper Mountain Science Museum - Roper Mountain's Fall Harvest Festival provides an opportunity for the public to visit the learning spaces throughout the science center. The special event is part of the Second Saturday Series and provided unique opportunities for learners of all ages. This is a great opportunity to enjoy experiences similar to those which engage students during the weekday lessons held in the center’s classrooms and labs. The Living History Farm, Harrison Hall of Natural Sciences, Planetarium, Observatory, and Symmes Hall of Science all provide stimulating activities for fun and learning. Parking is FREE and in the Main Parking Lot. Buses provide transportation around the mountain continuously.

2019 Greenville Craft Beer Festival – November 9 – The GCBF is returning for it’s 7^th year to Flour Field.  From their website:  “We invite you to come check out why this festival is considered year after year, The Upstate’s Premier Craft Beer Festival! We provide an amazing setting for all fellow beer lovers, featuring numerous specially selected local, regional, and national breweries. We have something for everyone’s palate…”

Skate on The Big Ice – November 1 through December 31 – At the Bon Secour Wellness Arena where the Swamp Rabbits play, you can lace up your skates and shake up your weekly routine in a friendly atmosphere!  Skate and listen to music and socialize with friends. You get a free skate rental when you donate 5 canned goods or a case of water to assist STAGE partners, Loaves and Fishes, and Habitat for Humanity. 

It’s been a pleasure helping you discover Fall events in the Greater Greenville, SC area. Fall is beautiful, but remember that Greenville offers something for everyone to do all year-round.  For more events and things to do, visit Yeah, That Greenville! 

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Knoxville - Now that November is upon us more colors are popping out everywhere. It’s still hard to determine if we’ve reached a peak or not. There is still a lot of green out there but many leaves already have fallen to the ground. It didn’t help that there was a violent storm front that moved through Knoxville last Thursday and stripped much of our foliage off their limbs. With that storm came a dramatic shift in temperature. On my morning commute to my job at the Downtown Mast General Store, the temperature was a balmy 70 degrees, but by the end of my shift it had plummeted to the low 30s!  Here's a handy LINK to find out the latest in Knoxville. 

Saturday was a day off, so I decided to make the best of it, bundled up, and ventured out for a 6-mile hike through the Seven Islands State Birding Park. My previous trip here a few weeks ago yielded little color, but this time, I could detect more rich reds and ambers peeking through the shrouds of early morning fog.

Following the path along the French Broad River, I found myself at times ankle deep in piles of fallen Sycamore leaves. These were always my favorite leaves in autumn, not so much because of their color, but mainly because they were large and brittle and produced a satisfying crunch when stepped on!

As is usual with Knoxville, there’s no shortage of things to do around town, but my recommendation for this weekend is to simply go out into the woods - any woods - and take in some nature. This season is drawing short and winter hibernation will soon be here. Enjoy the colors!

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