Parkway paving project completed

“Grandfather Presents: CanopyMeg”, 4:45-7:45 p.m., at Grandfather Mountain, 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville. Margaret “CanopyMeg” Lowman, one of the world’s first “arbornauts,” talks about four decades spent exploring forest canopies in more than 45 countries and her work in forest conservation and environmental education. The evening includes a presentation and opportunities to learn more about her research.

“First Friday Art Crawl”, 5-8 p.m., throughout downtown Boone. Galleries, stores and restaurants host exhibits, artist receptions, live music and other events. October highlights include an artist reception at the Jones House, gallery activities at the Turchin Center, a vintage market at Future Relics, an exhibit reception at Nth Degree Gallery and art and live music at fizzEd. Free.

“Dolly Film Fest: 9 to 5”, 6 p.m., at the Appalachian Theatre, 559 W. King St., Boone. The theatre’s celebration of Dolly Parton continues with the 1980 comedy starring Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as three office workers who turn the tables on their boss. $6.

“Sunset at the Swinging Bridge”, 6-8 p.m., at Grandfather Mountain, 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville. Stay on Grandfather Mountain after normal operating hours to watch the sunset from the Mile High Swinging Bridge. Park educators and a professional photographer will be on hand; sunset is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Limited to 150 people. $52 adults, $33 ages 3-12 and $20 for Bridge Club members.

“Three Rivers”, 7 p.m., at the Appalachian Theatre, 559 W. King St., Boone. Toy Sheep Microcinema presents three experimental short films about Western North Carolina’s Broad, New and Swannanoa rivers and Hurricane Helene’s effects on the region. A discussion and Q&A with the filmmakers follows. Free; no reservation required. Recommended for adults.

“High Country Honey Festival”, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Ashe County Agricultural Center, 162 Agriculture Way, Jefferson. Celebrate all things honey with judging of honey from around North Carolina, a free honey-tasting bar, more than 100 vendors, 12-plus food trucks and three live bands. The festival will also crown the North Carolina Honey Queen, reviving a state tradition after nearly 50 years. $5; free for children 6 and younger.

“If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”, 10 a.m., at the Appalachian Theatre, 559 W. King St., Boone. Children’s Theatre of Charlotte performs a stage adaptation of Laura Numeroff’s popular children’s book about the increasingly chaotic consequences of giving a mouse a cookie. $5 reserved seating for ages 4 and older; children 3 and younger are free when seated on a lap.

“Art in the Park”, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., along Park Avenue in downtown Blowing Rock. The final Art in the Park of the 2026 season brings roughly 70 juried artists to downtown Blowing Rock with pottery, paintings, photography, jewelry, textiles, furniture, glass and other handcrafted works. Free.

“Appalachian Autumn Market & Fall Festival”, 2-6 p.m., at Hickory Ridge History Museum, 591 Horn in the West Drive, Boone. This one has a particularly High Country feel: apple-butter making, fresh-pressed cider, Appalachian music and storytelling, local makers, pumpkin painting, corn-shuck dolls, candle dipping, weaving and spinning demonstrations, hatchet throwing, food trucks and kids’ and pets’ costume contests. Free.

“Cigarettes @ Sunset”, doors at 6 p.m., at Appalachian Mountain Brewery, 163 Boone Creek Drive, Boone. Boone’s Cigarettes @ Sunset brings its self-described “possum rock” to AMB with Yesterday’s Clothes opening. Proceeds benefit scholarships at Zionville Ramp Co. to help more young people get involved in skateboarding. All ages.

“Yonder Mountain String Band”, doors at 6 p.m., at Appalachian Mountain Brewery, 163 Boone Creek Drive, Boone. The progressive bluegrass and jam-band veterans bring their live show to AMB for an all-ages outdoor concert. $40.

“Cornbread Junkies and Soul’d Out”, noon-6 p.m., at Old Barn Winery, West Jefferson. Cornbread Junkies play noon-3 p.m. with a mix of Americana, rock, soul, blues, country and pop, followed by Soul’d Out from 3-6 p.m.

“John Friday at Banner Elk Winery”, 1-5 p.m., at Banner Elk Winery, 60 Deer Run Lane, Banner Elk. The “Tropical Balladeer” plays classic rock, folk and Americana influenced by Jimmy Buffett, John Prine, Neil Young and Delbert McClinton. No cover.

“Bob Bonnen at Banner Elk Winery”, 1-5 p.m., at Banner Elk Winery, 60 Deer Run Lane, Banner Elk. Bonnen plays an afternoon set of classic rock, yacht rock and country at the winery.

“Those 3 Guys”, 2-5 p.m., at Old Barn Winery, West Jefferson. The local trio plays an eclectic set that can jump from Eddie Money and classic rock to bluegrass and grunge.

“Saxsquatch”, doors at 6 p.m., at Appalachian Mountain Brewery, 163 Boone Creek Drive, Boone. The North Carolina musician/Bigfoot character combines live saxophone with electronic music, remixes, lasers and audience participation. He’s previously shared stages with Tedeschi Trucks Band, Sam Bush and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. All ages.

“Appalachian Road Show & Sam Bush Band”, 7 p.m., at the Appalachian Theatre, 559 W. King St., Boone. Appalachian Road Show and bluegrass great Sam Bush headline an evening that also includes the 2026 National Fiddler Hall of Fame induction ceremony. $41 standard reserved seating; $47 premium.

Hit-and-run arrest: Boone police charged a Lenoir man in connection with a Sept. 23 hit-and-run on West King Street that injured two pedestrians. (Watauga Online)

Boone bat hunt: A new children’s book, The Bats of Boone, has spawned a downtown scavenger hunt in which readers search for eight bats hidden around Boone. (Watauga Democrat)

Folklore forecast predicts snow: Ray Russell’s annual woolly-worm-style “bean counting” winter prediction calls for 15 snow events in the High Country during the 2026-27 winter. (Watauga Democrat)