Saturdays
Rutherford Farmers Market
Woodrow Jones Build-ing, 146 N. Main Street Rutherfordton, NC 28139 for the winter market on the first and third Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. through March 18, 2023. Dates are Jan. 7th, Jan. 21, Feb. 4th, Feb.18th, Mar. 4, and Mar. 18th
For more information visit rcfarmersmarket.com and facebook.com/rcncfarmersmarket.
Sundays
Prime Rib Brunch Buffet
Lake Lure Inn & Spa, Every Sunday, All Year, From 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Duo carving station, assorted desserts, omelets prepared to order, full bar service, salads, biscuits & gravy, and many more items.
January 1 – February 28
Winter Photo Contest: “Winter Trails”
Chimney Rock State Park. Cost: Included with Park admission.
2023 is NC State Parks’ Year of the Trail, and we’ll be celebrating with our photo contests all year long. This winter, take some pictures as you hit the trails and send us your best and most creative shots of the Park in the colder months.
January 1
First Day Hike
Chimney Rock State Park, 8:00 am – 10:00 am. Cost: Free
Kick off the new year in Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park during this First Day Hike! Start your morning bright and early with a stroll, hike or bike ride up to the 3.2-mile Park road. Bicyclists are allowed to use the road also on this special morning to climb and descend the steep park road under controlled speed. Helmets are required.
Meet at the Old Rock Café at 8am. Registration is not required. Additional information available at ChimneyRockPark.com.
January 12
Bring Your Own Board Games
Mountains Branch Library, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM. Bring a Board game or use ours and it’s free play for adults!
January 20
Hot Cocoa Bombs
Mountains Branch Library, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM. All supplies provided! Limited Space! Please register. Fun for the whole family! 828-287-6417.
January 21
Mindfulness Hike
Chimney Rock State Park, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, Cost: Includes Park admission: $35 Adult, $25 Adult Annual Passholder. Advance registration required.
This peaceful hike is focused on reconnecting with yourself and the natural world even during one of the darkest times of the year.
January 28
Naturalist Niche: Winter Birding
Chimney Rock State Park, 9:00 am – 11:00 am, Cost: Includes Park Admission: $25 Adult, $8 Annual Passholder, $15 Youth (ages 5-15), $6 Rockin’ Discovery Passholder. Advance registration required.
Leafless trees are the perfect perches against which to spot many unique species from our spot on the N.C. Birding Trail. Join a local birding expert on this easy hike and learn why the early bird gets the worm.
January 27
Mexican Corn Soup
Mountains Branch Library, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST. Mexican Corn Soup, a recipe demonstration and tasting series with Maria!
February 2
18th Annual Groundhog Day Celebration
Chimney Rock State Park, 10:00 am – 11:00 am, Cost: Included with Park admission.
Join Chimney Rock’s naturalists and our favorite NC rodent to find out if spring is coming early or if we have six more weeks of winter. Cheer on our resident groundhog, Pumpkin, as he seeks his shadow and meet some of his animal ambassador friends, too.
February 15
Winter Homeschool Day
Chimney Rock State Park, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, Cost: $10 Adults (Park admission), no charge for Adult Annual Passholder; $14 Youth (ages 5-15), $8 Rockin’ Discovery Passholder. Advance Registration Required.
Experience the Park during our quieter months on Chimney Rock’s Winter Homeschool Day. Plus, plan to stay after lunch for a guided hike or to explore the Park at your own pace.
February 25
Naturalist Niche: Winter Trees
Chimney Rock State Park, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm, Cost: Includes Park admission: $25 Adult, $8 Adult Annual Passholder, $15 Youth, $6 Youth Rockin’ Discovery Passholder. Advance Registration Required.
Investigate shape, height, bark type, and more with a naturalist as you learn about the winter woods.