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Events available for those staying over Fall Break |
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Tuesday, 09 October 2007 |
by KELSEY OHLEGER
Intern Lifestyles Reporter
There are approximately 13,328 residents in Boone, according to Bestplaces.net.
Adding the 14,784 students recorded by College Board, Appalachian State University nearly doubles the population.
Many students return home for Fall Break to take a hiatus from the college life and gather the necessities for the Boone winter ahead.
However, some students choose to stay in Boone.
“I’m planning on staying here to practice with the cross country team,”
freshman journalism major William N. Dun said. “I figure there will be
nothing else to do, so I’ll just catch up on sleep.”
Those who will be staying in town may want to take advantage of the many seasonal activities to explore.
Just a short walk or ride from campus, the Watauga County Farmer’s
Market hosts local vendors to sell their products to the community.
On Saturday, the farmer’s market hosts Appalachian Crafts Day.
According to their Web site, the market will not only offer it’s usual
fresh produce, baked goods and flowers, but also traditional Blue Ridge
Mountain crafts.
Beginning at 8 a.m., the vendors will sell in rain or shine. The market
is located off Horn in the West Road, an AppalCART red route stop.
Also on Saturday, less than 30 minutes away from campus, the Sugar
Mountain Resort hosts its 17th Annual Oktoberfest celebration.
A 15-piece band will play German Bavaria music while guests enjoy traditional Bavarian bratwurst, knackwurst and sauerkraut.
Hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy and other cuisine will be available.
In addition, to celebrate the true connotation of Oktoberfest, Bavarian
beverages will also be sold for those 21 and up with proper
identification.
Visitors can browse vendor’s booths or take a scenic ride on the ski lift.
Parking and admission are free and the event will last from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Only ten minutes from campus off U.S. Highway 321 is Mystery Hill,
where the northern gravitational pull makes the attraction appear to
defy the laws of physics.
“I have never been to Mystery Hill and although it may be for kids,
I’ve heard it is a really cool place,” sophomore mathematics major
Katelin M. Collins said.
Collins is not heading home for the break due to resident assistant duties.
According to mysteryhill-nc.com, admission is $8 and includes exploring
the gravitation anomaly, optical illusions puzzles at the Hall of
Mysteries and Native American artifacts at the Artifacts Museum, as
well as a visit to the home of Appalachian State founders, the
Dougherty brothers.
Fall Break is also a time to watch the leaves in Boone change colors before winter.
On Saturday and Sunday, a free, guided hike is offered at 1 p.m. to view and discuss the color changes at Grandfather Mountain.
Along with 11 different hiking trails, the mountain is also home to
seven environmental habitats for white-tailed deer, bald and golden
eagles, cougars, river otters and black bear.
The mountain is located off U.S. Highway 221 and costs $14 for adult admission.
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