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Proposal would allow drinks outdoors along Howard Street on weekends
Howard Street in downtown Boone, which is still under construction, could be the site of the town’s social district, downtown officials said. There are several bars and restaurants along the street. (Photo: Tony Mecia/The Mountain Ledger)
Downtown Boone leaders are considering creating a social district along Howard Street that would allow people to carry alcoholic drinks outside on weekends.
The idea, discussed Tuesday at the Downtown Boone Development Association’s annual meeting, has been kicking around Boone for at least a year. Downtown officials surveyed businesses and the community about a possible social district in 2025, and the concept is now being revisited as the Howard Street revitalization project moves toward completion.
“It’s essentially an expanded open container area,” said Lane Moody, downtown development director for the town of Boone. “There’s very specific rules and guidelines about it. … We can make it for our community what we want it to be.”
She said she hoped to have more specifics about it in the next month or two, followed by many opportunities for public input, but that the idea would be that the district would be on Howard Street, a block off of King Street, and would operate from about 5-10 p.m. Fridays, most of the day of Saturdays and during the day on Sundays.
In North Carolina, social districts are designated areas where people can buy alcoholic drinks from participating businesses and carry and consume them outdoors in specially marked cups within the district’s boundaries during specified hours.
The state has more than 70 social districts, with supporters saying they encourage visitors to linger downtown and spend money at local businesses, while critics raise concerns about public drinking, litter, noise and alcohol-related safety problems.
Moody said a social district survey conducted last year might have left some people with the impression that it would allow widespread drinking downtown from morning until late at night.
Megan Kevorkian, co-owner of SouthEnd Brewing, said that a Boone social district would be a controlled atmosphere.
“You can’t just pop up open a PBR and go walk on King Street or Howard Street,” Kevorkian said. “You have to actually go to a physical location, have proper signage on either the cup or a sticker that goes on the cup, and then you would be able to walk in that social district with your open container.”
At the meeting, held in the new event space called Upstairs on King, officials also shared other updates about downtown Boone, including:
Graffiti arrests: Boone police said an investigation that began around December has resulted in charges against five adults and one juvenile in connection with downtown graffiti, with police saying the juvenile may have been responsible for much of the tagging.
Howard Street: Work on the Howard Street project is nearing the finish line, but utility companies still need to move lines underground and remove poles before final paving, landscaping and other finishing work can be completed.
Downtown parking: Boone is preparing to seek proposals for up to $600,000 in new downtown parking technology, potentially replacing meters that date to 2014 and exploring new ways to manage spaces while maintaining turnover for downtown businesses.
THINGS TO DO
‘Forrest Gump’ and ‘Cars’ on the big screen, Railroad heritage weekend at Tweetsie, Whimsical fairies, High Country Beer Fest
THURSDAY
“Fall & Halloween Mug Pottery Class”, 2-4 p.m., at The Pottery Lot, 5014 N.C. 105, Vilas. Make and decorate a fall- or Halloween-themed mug using the pinch-pot technique; no pottery experience is required, and the finished piece can be picked up or shipped after firing. $45, including materials and instruction.
FRIDAY
“828 Day: Forrest Gump”, 6 p.m., at the Appalachian Theatre, 559 W. King St., Boone. Celebrate the mountain region’s 828 area code on Aug. 28 — “828 Day” — with a screening of the 1994 Tom Hanks classic in Boone’s restored historic theater. $6.
SATURDAY
“Living History Museum Day”, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Hickory Ridge History Museum, 591 Horn in the West Drive, Boone. The historic cabins come alive with interpreters demonstrating 18th-century mountain life, including open-hearth cooking, blacksmithing, weaving, spinning, woodworking and frontier chores. This is one of only a handful of Living History Museum Days scheduled this year. Free.
“Fairy Day”, 1-5 p.m., at Daniel Boone Native Gardens, 651 Horn in the West Drive, Boone. The gardens turn whimsical for an afternoon of fairy hair, henna and face painting, handmade arts and crafts, music, dancing, fairy-themed activities and costumes. Performances include local musicians, cloggers, a kids’ interactive play and Horn in the West performers in period dress. $5 adults; ages 17 and younger free.
“Cars” at the Appalachian Theatre, 2-4 p.m., at the Appalachian Theatre, 559 W. King St., Boone. The theater screens the 2006 Pixar movie as a free family film, with guests encouraged to dress as favorite characters. Doors open at 1:30 p.m.; no reservation required. Free.
“High Country Beer Fest”, 3-7 p.m., at the High Country Fairgrounds, 748 Roby Greene Road, Boone. The 19th annual festival expects 40-45 breweries pouring 2-ounce samples, along with food trucks, fermentation seminars and live music from Possum Jenkins, Hellbender and Carolina Reapers. VIP admission starts at 2 p.m. Organizers say the festival typically sells out, so advance tickets are strongly recommended. $50 general admission/$100 VIP in advance; 21+.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
“Railroad Heritage Weekend”, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, at Tweetsie Railroad, 300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane, Blowing Rock. This is one of the weekend's most distinctive events: Tweetsie’s once-a-year celebration of the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad includes historic artifacts, locomotive-shop tours, rides behind 1943 steam Locomotive No. 190, tours of an 1870s rail coach and talks about the railroad’s history. Included with regular park admission: $65 adults, $45 ages 3-12.
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🎵 Live music this weekend
FRIDAY
“Tin Can Alley at Old Barn Winery”, 2-5 p.m., at Old Barn Winery, 2152 Beaver Creek School Road, West Jefferson. Spend Friday afternoon at the winery with live music from High Country band Tin Can Alley, along with wine and mountain views.
“Music on the Lawn: Continental Divide”, 5:30-8:30 p.m., at the Inn at Ragged Gardens, 203 Sunset Drive, Blowing Rock. The longtime Charlotte-based eight-piece band Continental Divide, featuring Gene Pharr, brings a horn section and a mix of Motown, soul, beach music, oldies and classic hits to Ragged Gardens’ lawn. Free.
“Music in the Valle: Buffalo Galaxy”, 6 p.m., at Valle Crucis Community Park, 2892 Broadstone Road, Valle Crucis. Minneapolis-based Buffalo Galaxy mixes bluegrass instrumentation with psychedelia, moving from Bill Monroe-style traditional music to Grateful Dead jams and originals. Food is available from The Cardinal and Ham Shoppe, with Little Wings Ice Cream.
“Chapter 3” at Betsy’s Barn, 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m., at Betsy’s Barn, 9260 Three Top Road, Todd. A decidedly different High Country Friday night: DJs Sir Deezie and Dirtybit bring ghetto tech, hard groove, Jersey club and techno to the rural music venue, with a cyberpunk-industrial dress theme. 18+. $10 admission, plus $10 per car.
SATURDAY
“Scott Carter and The Harris Brothers”, 12-6 p.m., at Old Barn Winery, 2152 Beaver Creek School Road, West Jefferson. Boone-based singer-songwriter Scott Carter performs noon-3 p.m., followed from 3-6 p.m. by western North Carolina brothers Reggie and Ryan Harris, whose music blends country, rock and Southern roots with sibling harmonies. Free.
“Todd Summer Concert Series: Jeff Little Trio”, 6-8 p.m., at Walter & Annie Cook Memorial Park, 3865 Todd Railroad Grade Road, Todd. The summer series closes with acclaimed Blue Ridge pianist Jeff Little and his trio, whose high-energy sound combines Appalachian traditions with piano, guitar, banjo and mandolin. Bring a chair or blanket; food from the grill is available. Free.
“Live Music with James William Smith”, 6-9 p.m., at Lost Province Downtown Brewpub, 130 N. Depot St., Boone. Smith performs Saturday night at the downtown brewpub, with Lost Province serving its house-brewed beer and food.
REAL ESTATE WATCH
Mountain views of 3 states from $839,000 cabin near Boone
(Photos from High Country MLS)
A mountain home just outside Boone with sweeping views across three states has hit the market for $839,000. The furnished cabin sits at roughly 4,700 feet in elevation and is about 15 minutes from downtown Boone and Appalachian State University.
Plenty of space: The home at 1407 Almost Heaven Road has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and 2,333 sq. ft. of living space on 4.1 acres. It was built in 2000.
The big selling point is the view: The listing touts long-range, layered mountain views stretching across three states, visible from all three levels of the house and from two wraparound decks.
Set up for vacation rentals: The house is being sold fully furnished and is managed by Carolina Cabin Rentals, making it ready to continue operating as a vacation rental or serve as a second home.
Mountain-house touches: The open main level includes a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace and large sliding doors overlooking the mountains. The finished lower level has two bedrooms, a second living area, wet bar and separate entrance.
The property was listed this week in the High Country MLS.
LOCAL NEWS OF NOTE
Former UNC football coach Mack Brown has dinner at Artisanal Restaurant in Banner Elk
From Instagram:
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Audit of Avery County town, new otter at Grandfather Mountain
Financial irregularities in Newland: The N.C. State Auditor found serious financial-management problems in Newland, including two years of overdue audits, $418,658 in spending that allegedly bypassed bidding and board approval, and a fraudulent wire transfer that cost the town $15,210. (Yahoo News)
New river otter at Grandfather Mountain: Grandfather Mountain has welcomed Fig, an 18-month-old river otter, who is now on display and has become fast friends with Oscar, a resident at the park since 2014. Oscar’s longtime companion, Nova, died in October 2025 at age 12 from complications involving a suspected blood clot during a dental procedure. (Watauga Online)
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