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Relax - Raft - Recycle
Help clean-up the environment at the annual Tuckaseigee River Clean-up and enjoy a weekend getaway Apr 16-18, 2004. After a good night's sleep on Friday and Hanneke's hearty breakfast Saturday you assemble at Western Carolina University (18 minutes away) where you will be assigned a raft and a section of river to clean up; and then be transported to the river. In addition to a fun and a productive day, you'll receive a free T-shirt and a complimentary evening cook-out at which time many door prizes will be awarded. Get some friends together and call soon! Bring an old pair of long pants, tennis shoes and good gloves.
Greening Up The Mountains
Join us April 23-25, 2004, for fun and activity. Three organizations have joined their festivals for one gala event in Sylva on Saturday. The Mountain Life Celebration, features cash prizes for canning, baking, quilting and handicrafts and a children's parade of Spring costumes. A Celebration of Earth Day hosts environmental exhibits and local musicians performing old-time mountain music, folk and gospel on a solar powered stage, and you may participate in Guided Hikes and Programs on birds, wildflowers, astronomy, nature photography and fly fishing.
Spring 8-Hour Adventure Race, April 23-24, 2004
The Spring 8-Hour Adventure Race is perfect for either beginner or experienced racers in Teams of three (all male, all female or co-ed). The course entails approximately 30 miles of running, hiking, biking, paddling and orienteering. As with all races of this nature, the unknown is part of the adventure: you get a course map and specifics on the day of the race, Saturday. All teams must register and check-in Friday evening before the race, gear and waivers (Assumption of Risk and Waiver Agreements and Medical Information Forms (one for each person)) in hand, see, http://www.noc.com/events_8hour.htm
The Great Art In The Mountains Quick Draw
On Saturday, April 24 noteworthy artists show their skill by creating a collectible piece of art in one hour or less, while spectators observe their progress. Get to know the artists as they work, then enjoy the art auction and reception that follows.
Ramp Festival
On Sunday, May 2d enjoy a mountain delicacy: ramps! Ramps are a natural wild onion growing in small patches in the forests of local mountains. Not easily found, they are harvested early each Spring. The Harvest is celebrated with food cooked with ramps, live music & entertainment from noon till 4 pm.
Fontana Flatwater Dash
The Fontana Flatwater Dash on beautiful Fontana Lake is perfect for first-timers or veterans. On Saturday, May 15, 2004, with a mass start Kayaks and canoes race across 6 miles of flatwater. Various classes ensure the race is competitive for all levels of kayakers and canoeists.
Strawberry Jam Festival
A celebration of mountain music and agriculture takes place Friday & Saturday, May 21-22, 2004 at Darnell Farms, just West of The Chalet Inn on the way to Bryson City. Pick-your-own strawberries, enjoy music and clogging, local crafters, mountain workhorse and blacksmith demonstrations, and an opportunity to try your hand at plowing and milking. Friday evening (6PM-11PM), Saturday (beginning at 10AM with Banjo and Dulcimer workshops) thru 11PM.
Bryson City Heritage Festival
On Friday & Saturday, May 28-29, 2004 Bryson City has their Heritage Festival at their Riverfront Park. Festivities start at 6PM Friday and continue until 10PM. The traditional entertainment starts again at 10AM Saturday and continues with log sawing contests, crafts, costumes and food until 8PM.
Dillsboro Heritage Day
The weekend of June 11-12, 2004 is a great time to visit. On Saturday the quaint mountain town of Dillsboro celebrates its Heritage Day. Join them in their old fashioned celebration with crafters - wood carvers, blacksmiths, basket weavers, potters and quilters - demonstrating their talents, mountain cloggers, fiddlers, dulcimer players and lots of good food. There is also an antique car show, and be sure to check out the local stores with handmade crafts and unique gift ideas!
Inspirations "Singing In The Smokies"
For nearly three decades "Singing in the Smokies" has been one of the largest gatherings of gospel musicians and fans in the nation. This year there are three sessions: Monday, June 28 thru Sunday, July 4, 2004, Saturday & Sunday, Sep 4&5, and Friday & Saturday, October 15 & 16, 2003. All performances take place at the Inspirations Park between Bryson City and The Chalet Inn.
Fourth of July Freedom Fest
After dinner - at any one of our good local restaurants- on Friday, Jul 2d enjoy the fireworks set off in front of Sylva's Historic Courthouse. The next day, Saturday Jul 3d spend the day at Bryson City's Riverfront Park featuring live entertainment, food, crafts and culiminating with fireworks.
International Festival Day
Each year Folkmoot USA brings folk dance groups from more than ten countries together. For a month, starting July16th, the folk dancers hold performances throughout Western North Carolina - each performance is always a different group of three countries. On Saturday, July 24 from 10AM - 5PM, all the groups meet in Waynesville (25 minutes from The Chalet Inn), where Main Street is closed for traffic to host a daylong extravaganza of music, dance, crafts and food from around the world.
Fireman's Day & 5 K Run
Bryson City's Volunteer Fire Department hosts its annual Fireman's Day on the Town Square on Saturday of Labor Day Weekend (September 4th). Enjoy a full day and evening of small town festivities in the mountain tradition: music, entertainment, crafts, barbecue, a parade of fire trucks, and the "Miss Flame" contest. Events start with a 5 K Run at 9AM (Registration at 8AM).
Tomato Festival
A celebration of mountain music and agriculture on Saturday, September 5, 2004. Pick your own tomatoes, find your way through the corn maze, enjoy equine and farm events, and traditional music at Darnell Farms, just 15 minutes from The Chalet Inn.
Tsali Challenge Triathlon, September 11-12, 2004
Non-swimmers' favorite triathlon! Race solo on Saturday or with a team of two or three on Sunday. You'll face a 3-mile lake paddle, 4.5-mile trail run, and 12-mile mountain bike ride, all at Tsali Recreation Area (25 minutes from The Chalet Inn). Registration required, see http://www.noc.com/events_tsali.htm
Bluegrass & Oldtime Fiddlers Convention
Competition in adult and junior categories of Old Time Bands, Bluegrass Band, Fiddle, Banjo, Flat Picking Guitar, Washtub Bass, and Clog and Flatfoot Dance takes place at Darnell Farms on Saturday, Sep 18, 2004.
Mountain Heritage Day, September 25, 2004
Mountain Heritage Day, an annual celebration of mountain life with plenty of traditional music, crafts, contests (from beard growing to chain saw cutting) and good old fashioned merry-making, is at Western Carolina University (18 minutes away). The events are free and the music begins and things "get cranking" at 10 AM on Saturday, and winds down around 5 PM.
Oktoberfest
Yes, the German Oktoberfest really does start in September! As always we offer a German Fest dinner with a two-night stay Sep 24-26, Sep 27-29 or Sep 28-30, 2004 (arrival prior to 4PM on Sep 28th) for our Oktoberfest.
Bike Fest
Festival for mountain and road cyclists with group rides, kiddie races, trail work, and more. October 2-3, 2004
21st Annual Church Street Arts & Crafts Show
On Saturday October 9, from 10AM-5 PM, Waynesville's Main Street (25 minutes from The Chalet Inn) is transformed into an arts & crafts marketplace. In addition to enjoying the areas largest collection of arts & crafts for sale, enjoy live mountain music, clogging, entertainment and food while you shop.
16th Annual Apple Harvest Festival
On Saturday, October 16, from 10AM - 5 PM, Waynesville's Main Street comes alive again with mountain music & dance to celebrate the Apple Harvest. Local growers have their fresh-harvested apples, fresh-made cider, home-made pies and other apple delicacies for you to enjoy.
Timber Fest
On Friday & Saturday, October 22 & 23, 2004, enjoy lumberjack contests celebrating Bryson City's first industry: logging. You may also take a guided nature hike or listen to traditional music while browsing among the woodcrafters displaying their products. At Darnell Farms, just West of The Chalet Inn on the way to Bryson City.
Blacksmith Auction
The John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC is home to one of the country's leading artistic blacksmith programs. Their annual Blacksmith Auction begins with a 1PM preview on Saturday, Nov 6, 2003. At 2PM the Auction starts. Proceeds benefit their blacksmith programs
Thanksgiving & Christmas Holidays
Join us for Thanksgiving or Christmas and enjoy a complimentary Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner with a three night stay.
Dillsboro Luminaire
Enjoy a pre-Christmas Smoky Mountain weekend! On Friday and Saturday, December 3 & 4 and again on December 10 & 11, 2004, the quaint mountain town of Dillsboro celebrates its Christmas Luminaire. The whole town is decorated with white lights. At dusk the streets are lit with candle luminaries, carolers and musicians stroll the streets and the more than 50 shopkeepers and artisans invite you to linger with a cup of punch or hot cider and home-baked goodies. For variety on Saturday, after Friday at the Luminaire, drive The Blue Ridge Parkway into Asheville and experience The Biltmore Estate's Candlelight Tour and Dinner. Return to the Inn's cozy fireplace and a glass of authentic German Gluhwein.
New Year's Special
We teamed up with The Oaks Country Club Restaurant (ten minutes away) so that you may enjoy a New Year's Gala complete with Hors d'oeuvres, a Full Buffet, a Bottle of Champagne, as well as a Live Band for your entertainment and dancing pleasure. This Gala evening at The Oaks is $125.00 per Couple. Come celebrate! Reservations required.