By Laura Doster
Executive Director
It is the busy time of the year for our Chamber with the Fall Leaf Season and the many visitors it brings as well as the holidays right around the corner.
Let me start first by thanking Mountain Brooks Vineyard for partnering with us to host our first “face to face” event in two years – The Time of Your Life Party at the Vineyard on Saturday, September 25th. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and a fun time was had by all! Guests enjoyed dance performances by the Asheville Ballet, watermelon races, artisan vendors, food by NaanSense, Village Scoops, and Bears Smokehouse BBQ, and, of course, great wine! A big thanks to all who attended and supported this event, and to our wonderful volunteers – we could not have done it without you.
November 2 is voting day for residents of Lake Lure. There are two openings for commissioner and one for mayor and it is very important you head to the voting polls. Hopefully, you were able to attend the Lake Lure Candidate’s Forums we hosted at Rumbling Bald on October 5th, and at the 1927 Lake Lure Inn on October 14th. Great questions were asked and, most importantly, the candidates provided clear responses regarding their stand on the many important issues facing the residents and businesses of Lake Lure.
The scope of work for the Outdoor Branding of the Hickory Nut Gorge asset map and economic gap study has been completed by the Kenan Institute at UNC Chapel Hill. We will be presenting these results to our outdoor key stakeholders in the Gorge, as well as the Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority, the Rutherford County Economic Development Authority, and County and Town leadership, to name a few. The interactive map is impressive and provides details to locate trailheads, climbing access, parks, outdoor recreation businesses, food & beverage, retail & leisure, lodging & camping. This will help us connect the Gorge’s businesses with our outdoor enthusiasts. The economic gap report is equally impressive and identifies what our outdoor visitors and resources are looking for and what we are missing. As we finish the marketing plan to roll this out, we will keep you posted through our Facebook page, weekly updates to our members and on our website.
If you’re looking for things to do as we approach the holidays, there is a Chamber Cheers on November 16th at Old Rock Café in Chimney Rock Village from 5:30 – 7:00 pm. Come network with our businesses and members and find ways to get involved. We are also excited to bring back “Light Up the Gorge,” and will be kicking things off the day after Thanksgiving with a tree lighting ceremony! Our goal, on a small scale, is to add carolers, bonfires w/Smores, food trucks, and artisan vendors this year. And, of course, there are all the other exciting holiday events happening in the Gorge in November and December – breakfast with Santa at Chimney Rock Café, Santa on the Chimney, Thanksgiving brunches and dinners, Christmas brunches, and more. In the spirit of the giving season, the Chamber continues to support the HNG Outreach and ask you to do the same.
Stay tuned to our Facebook page and our website as we finalize the details for the Light Up the Gorge and details around all events coming up. https://hickorynutchamber.org/
