Mountaintop Beauty

Rhododendron Festivals To Be Staged In Tennessee, North Carolina

ROAN MOUNTAIN, Tenn. – Like a thriving plant that has outgrown its pot, the Rhododendron Festival has been uprooted, divided in two and replanted on either side of Roan Mountain.
Two festivals will take place this weekend, one in Roan Mountain State Park on the Tennessee side (June 20-21) and the other in Bakersville, N.C. (June 19-20).
The first Rhododendron Festival in 1947 was held in the 600-acre garden on top of the mountain, the world’s largest natural rhododendron garden, and both of its offspring have maintained certain characteristics of the original while developing a few unique growths of their own.
Both transplanted festivals will celebrate their 63rd year with annual offerings of live entertainment and an abundance of handmade crafts. And both are timed – with all fingers duly crossed – to coincide with the massive blooming of the hot pink blossoms for which Roan Mountain is famous.
A bright blue sky – and here again, one can only hope – is a stunning backdrop for the sprawling panorama of deep pink blooms, and at an elevation of 6,280 feet, the garden’s railed overlook and level, paved walkways make this a suitable stop for all ages.

IN TENNESSEE
On the Tennessee side, the festival centers around an outdoor amphitheater and is put on by the Roan Mountain Citizens Club. Saturday’s entertainment line-up from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. includes the Roan Mountain Moonshiners (old-time jug band), Mountain Rhythm (clogging) and Johnson City Community Concert Band (a 60-piece ensemble).
On Sunday, gospel groups perform from 1-6 p.m.
Admission is free, but proceeds from donations, vendor fees, soft drink sales and auctions between live acts onstage go toward college scholarships for students of nearby Cloudland High School.
This year, the club also hopes to raise some funds for library furniture for the school, in cooperation with Modern Woodmen of America.
“We’re hoping for beautiful weather,” said Jo Kerley of the Roan Mountain Citizens Club. “With the hot days and the rain, we’re hoping for this weekend to be a peak time for the rhododendron.”
The state park is seven straight-downhill miles from the mountaintop garden and features a camping area, hiking trails, a swimming pool and a conference center staffed with information personnel and a 600-pound stuffed bear.
Roan Mountain is also the name of a thriving little community not far from the state park.
“We have restaurants in the village if people have not found enough to eat at the festival,” Kerley said. “It’s a good place for cooler weather and it’s a good drive.”
Tennessee festival details are online at http://www.roanmountain.com.

IN NORTH CAROLINA
On the North Carolina side, the festival is 13 miles from the mountaintop, in a small town peppered with studios and galleries reflecting a close proximity to Penland School of Crafts.
During the festival, bands perform in a creekside picnic shelter while visitors stroll a creek walk and relax in a gazebo.
Festival events kick off Friday night with preliminary talent and swimsuit competitions for Rhododendron Queen and special entertainment provided by former contest winners. The final judging and crowning is Saturday night, with events on both nights starting at 7 p.m. at Bowman Middle School. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children.
On Saturday, the Rhododendron Car Show gets started at 10 a.m. at Bowman Middle School. Visit http://www.rhododendroncruisers.com for details.
Admission is free to the street fair downtown, which starts at 9 a.m., but you’ll have to put up $25 if you want to join in one of the helicopter rides departing from Bakersville Fire Department throughout the day.
The Ducky Derby is a race to the finish on Cane Creek, a chance to win big money if you place your bet on the right plastic duck’s bill.
Downtown streets will be closed both Friday and Saturday nights, 8 p.m.-midnight, for street dancing to the tunes of The Wisemen. Admission to the street dance is $5 for adults and $3 for children.
A golf tournament on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be held at Grassy Creek Golf and Country Club. A 10K Run starts at Gouge School on Saturday at 8:30 a.m.
More information on all festival events is available online at http://www.bakersville.com.

LOIS CAROL WHEATLEY is a freelance writer. Contact her at .