May 1st – 31st at Biltmore Estate
The gardens are in bloom during the estates annual Festival of Flowers. Runs the entire month of May. For ticket information visit: www.Biltmore.com
May 3rd – Summer Concert Series, Morganton
Free concert from 6pm-10pm on the Burke Courthouse lawn featuring Throwdown Jones (classic rock). New food vendors this year. Check out www.MorgantonFest.org
May 3rd & 4th – Plow Days in Morganton
Friday and Saturday, May 3rd & 4th, come out to the Catawba Meadows Park in Morganton for the spring “Plow Days & Antique Tractor Show” sponsored by the Valley Hills Tractor Club. There will be antique tractors, hit & miss engines, steam engines, restored trucks, vendors, crafts, food, entertainment and more! From 8-5 on Friday, and 10-6 on Sunday. Free admission! Call 828-438-5350 for more info!
May 3rd & 4th (and May 10th & 11th)
Banner Greenhouses (across from South Creek Winery in Nebo) is open to the public. Open 8-5 on Friday, and 8-3 on Saturday. They have lots of decorative planters, hanging pots, annuals, vegetable plants and more. These are only weekends during the entire year that Banner opens for everyone! For more info: www.BannerGreenhouses.com
May 4th – South Creek Winery, Nebo
Days of Wine and Posies from 11am-5pm. Local musician Melody Cox plays. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy.
May 4th
John Doll playing acoustic guitar at SilverFork Winery
May 4th – Old Fort Art Mart
Locally created arts and crafts displayed inside the historic Old Fort Depot from 10am-4pm. Stop by to chat with the creators of these one of a kind items while you shop for yourself, family or friends. Something for everyone including baskets, paintings, woodwork, wreaths, candles, live demonstrations and more. Sponsored by Arrowhead Artists and Artisans League, a new group of artisans hosting a monthly art sale at the depot the first Saturday of each month.
May 4th – Orchard at Altapass
This is the season-opener ribbon cutting. Join them for a day of live music performances and be sure to bring along your dancing shoes – starting at 12:30pm.
May 5th – Celebrate Cinco de Mayo! – responsibly of course……
May 9th – Artisan Gourmet Market, Black Mountain
Meet the wine makers from Nebo’s own Silver Fork Winery at the Black Mountain Artisan Gourmet Market in the Village of Cheshire. The market features specialty coffees, a large wine selection, locally grown products, meats, cheeses, chocolates and more! Check out their complete listing at: www.ArtisanGourmetMarket.com or 828-357-5500.
May 10th – Summer Concert Series, Morganton
Free concert from 6pm-10pm on the Burke Courthouse lawn featuring MOJO and the Bayou Gypsies (Cajun & Zydeco styles). New food vendors this year. Check out www.MorgantonFest.org
May 12th – Mother’s Day at South Creek
A day of cupcakes and fine wine! Bring mom over for complimentary wine tasting and some gourmet cupcakes (while they last) from 1pm-5pm.
May 18th – Spring Golf Classic
Its the annual McDowell Chamber of Commerce Spring Classic Golf Tournament. Being held at the Linville Falls Golf Club with a shot-gun start at 8:30am. 4 man teams with a captains choice format. Check out www.McDowellChamber.com for details and registration forms.
May 18th – South Creek Winery, Nebo
The Vineyard Deck Music Series continues today with Rory Kelly playing acoustic rock.
May 24th – South Creek Winery
NEW BARN ARTWORK ARRIVING! We are about to have a party in the pasture as our barn becomes the newest member on the McDowell Quilt Trail! We can’t reveal the design yet, but come on over Memorial Weekend and be one of the first to see our new barn art beauty.
May 24th – Downtown Morganton TGIF
Tonight is the DARE family night with rides & games for the kids. Music on the courthouse lawn by Inner City Mountain Men (folk rock). For more info: www.DowntownMorganton.com
May 25th – Miners Heritage Day
Join your friends on Saturday, May 25th for Miner’s Heritage Day at Emerald Village near Little Switzerland, from 9 till 5. Celebrate the gem and mineral heritage of the mountains at historic mines in a spectacular setting! Enjoy free live music under the tent from 11 to 4, with 5 great original musical acts, including Celo Conley, Jesse Smith, Pete & Kim McWhirter, Glen Nance & Lenny Ski, and Paul Thomas and friends. Good food from the Switzerland Cafe will be available. Take a free guided hike to a hidden mine at 11:30 or 3:30. Children (12 and under) will enjoy the free Kid’s Treasure Hunt all day. At 1:30 meet and talk to a real Emerald Miner (free) and learn secrets about the world-famous Crabtree Emerald Mine. Gem Mining and Gold Panning will be offered all day, and the free Discovery Mill exhibits will be open! Come back at 9:00 PM for a one-of-a-kind underground Black Light Mine Tour. It’ll be a great day to celebrate the start of summer! You don’t have to go far to have fun! Don’t miss it!
May 25th – South Creek Winery
MEMORIAL DAY MILITARY SPECIALS SALUTE! We are open normal business hours all Memorial Weekend including Monday the 27th from 1PM to 5PM. For our Military Hero’s Past & Present: Bring your Military ID to South Creek Winery on Monday the 27th and your tasting is on us! Also on 27th only: All Military who serve and have served get 10% off all bottle purchases! Music on the deck on May 25th with Freddy Bradburn starting at 1pm.
May 25th – Silver Fork Winery
Musis by Paul Bowman, Guitarist
May 25th – Howl-In, Black Mountain
Tour begins at 3pm at Full Moon Farm Wolfdog Sancturary. Optional potluck dinner for $5 per plate – you bring sidedish. Call for details & directions (828)664-9818.
May 26th – Silver Fork Winery
Memorial Day Tribute with music by Alex Rodriguez
May 31st – Downtown Morganton TGIF series
The summer music series continues with music on the courthouse lawn by Too Much Sylvia (variety) from 6-10pm. For more info: www.DowntownMorganton.com
May 31st & June 1st - NC Gold Festival
Annual event held on the grounds of the Mountain Gateway Museum in Old Fort. Friday hours from noon-8pm, Sat from 9-5. Featuring gold exhibits, gold mining techniques and demonstrations, treasure and scavenger hunts, geo-caching, gold panning, numerous vendors including arts and crafts, raffles. For more info: www.NCgold.org