What’s happening this week

June 21

• Highlands Cashiers Land Trust EcoTour: From 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on June 21 join the HCLT for a 4.6 mile round-trip, moderate-difficult level hike along part of the Bartram Trail and share stories about the man who inspired it from the NC Bartram Trail Society’s Brent Martin. Enjoy beautiful views and a picnic lunch (provided by the Land Trust) at an overlook on Whiterock Mountain before heading back on the trail.   EcoTours are available to HCLT members and you can become a member on this hike. To learn more and reserve your spot contact them at hclt_ed@earthlink.net or call 526-1111 or reserve your spot with their new online reservations option HERE. Cost for current members : $10 per person New Members are asked to join the Land Trust at any level (starting at $35); see link for further details. 
• Groovin’ on the Green Featuring Porch 40: At 6:30 p.m. on June 21 The Village Green will hold  Groovin’ on the Green Live featuring Porch 40. Picnics are welcome; food, beer, and wine are available for purchase. Dogs are welcome and must be kept on a leash at all times. Attendance is free, donations are encouraged.
• Friday Night Live Presents Ben & Marce: From 6-8 p.m. on June 21 the Highlands Chamber of Commerce Presents: Friday Night Live 2019 Outdoor Concert Series Featuring: Ben & Marce in Town Square, Highlands. Price: Free.
• The Village Green will hold A Peek at the Pots: From 5-7 p.m. on June 21 the Village on the Green will hold A Peek at the Pots, new this year, a wine and cheese preview reception with the artists of Pots on The Green. Ticket Price: $25 Tickets must be purchased in advance at The Village Green office on Frank Allen Road or by emailing info@VillageGreenCashiersNC.com.
• Sapphire Valley Resort to host Arts and Crafts Festival Show: From 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on both June 21 and 22 Sapphire Valley Resort will host an Arts and Crafts Festival Show.  The show includes booths with local and unique crafts, jewelry, leather goods, housewares, etc.  There will be demonstrations, live music, food and drink for sale plus more! Cost: Free to attend.

June 22

• The Village Green to host Pots on the Green: At 10 a.m. on both  June 22 and 23 the Village Green Gazebo will host Pots on The Green. This two-day show celebrates the rich pottery heritage of the region with original pottery by select artisans on display and available for purchase.  Learn about the history and techniques used during several demonstrations and talks. Tickets may be purchased at The Village Green office on Frank Allen Road or by emailing info@VillageGreenCashiersNC.com.
• Saturdays on the Pine Presents Troy Underwood: From 6–8 p.m. on June 15 the Highlands Chamber of Commerce Presents: Saturdays on Pine Highlands 2019 Outdoor Concert Series Featuring: Andalyn, sponsored by 1/2 Mile Farm at Kelsey-Hutchinson Park. For more information, click HERE. Cost: Free.
• Join the Franklin Amateur Radio Club (F.A.R.C.) on Saturday June 22 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Highlands Rec Park: Radio operators (hams) join more than 40,000 of their colleagues throughout North America for the annual 2019 ARRL Field Day – a nationwide event designed to test the skills of radio operators and introduce emergency communications to the public. For more information on this event or becoming a Franklin Amateur Radio Club member, email K2KJD@mail.com. Highlands Rec Park, 600 N. 4th St., Highlands. Cost: Free.

•  Hudson Library presents Southern humorist Olivia deBelle Byrd on June 22 at 12:30 p.m.: Come for a light lunch and a delightful book talk with Southern humorist Olivia deBelle Byrd. Ms. Byrd will entertain us with a talk about her two releases, Miss Hildreth Wore Brown: Anecdotes of a Southern Belle and Save My Place: A Novel. Location: Hudson Library, Main St. Highlands. Cost: Free.

June 23

June 28

• Albert Carlton-Cashiers Library presents Author Talks: Ron Rash: At 3 p.m. on June 10, the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Library will host Ron Rash, a New York Times best-selling author of short fiction, poetry, and many award-winning novels in their Community Room.  Hailed as “one of the great American authors at work today (New York Times), Rash is the author of the PEN/Faulkner finalist and New York Times bestseller Serena, in addition to many other works. He teaches at Western Carolina University. For more on Author Talks and other upcoming 25th Anniversary programs, visit Friends of the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library. Cost: Free.

June 29

• The Highlands Performing Arts Center will present Broadway’s Next Hit Musical on Saturday, June 29 at 8 p.m. Every song is fresh. Every scene is new. Every night is different. It’s all improvised and it’s all funny. The New York Times calls Broadway’s Next Hit Musical “Hilarious!” Time Out NY says “At last! A musical of, for, and by the people.” The hilarious Broadway’s Next Hit Musical is the only unscripted theatrical awards show. Master improvisers gather made up, hit song title suggestions from the audience and create a spontaneous evening of music, humor, and laughter. The audience votes for its favorite song and watches as the cast turns it into a full-blown improvised musical – complete with memorable characters, witty dialogue, and plot twists galore. BNHM has been seen recently at The Triad, Tribeca Film Festival, and at the New York Musical Theater Festival, among many others. Under the direction of improv veterans Rob Schiffmann and Deb Rabbai, TheaterWeek hailed the show as “brilliant” and The New York Post called Broadway’s Next Hit Musical “remarkable.” Don’t miss the next great American musical…it could be written by YOU!   A limited number of tickets are still available HERE or by calling 828.526.9047. Highlands Performing Arts Center, 507 Chestnut Street, Highlands N.C.

June 29-31

July 4

• The first-ever Red, White, and Blue Ridge 5K Race: The event begins at 8:30 a.m. on July 4 at the Cashiers Recreation Center. A kids half-mile race will take place at 8 a.m. For more information, click HERE.

July 5

• Cashiers Fireworks: Celebrate America’s Independence at Cashiers Fireworks Extravaganza On the Green. Celebrate America’s birthday in Cashiers when The Village Green presents the seventh annual “Fireworks Extravaganza On the Green” beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 5 at The Village Green Commons. Residents and visitors to the area are invited to dine, play and dance the night away. The spectacular evening entertainment features a concert by the rhythm and blues band Continental Divide. The band plays all the classics from a wide variety of artists that will make you want to sing and get up out of your chair for Cashiers largest dance party! Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. Local food and beverages will be available for purchase, but picnics and coolers are welcome. Because of the nature and size of this event, dogs will not be allowed. The main event of the evening is the breathtaking fireworks display that will begin shortly after dark. More than 1,000 brilliant and colorful bursts will light up the Cashiers’ night sky. The show lasts about 30 minutes and is accompanied by a soundtrack that pays tribute to America with patriotic music. Admission is free, however donations to a community fireworks fund will be collected at the entrances of The Village Green to help with the cost of the event. Many small towns have been forced to eliminate fireworks because of the expense of putting on a pyrotechnic display. The Village Green believes it is important to celebrate America’s birthday and works to preserve this important tradition for the Cashiers community. The Village Green provides a beautiful, free public space, however it is conserved by a nonprofit organization that depends on contributions to maintain the park and provide such an exceptional venue for the community. The Village Green is a park for the people. To learn more about these events or to make a donation, call 828-743-3434 or click HERE.

July 17

• Joy Garden Tour benefiting The Village Green, July 17-21:  Come out and support the Cashiers Village Green with their Joy Garden Tour. This year’s theme is Garden and “Bee” Happy. The Garden Shops are open to everyone from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday, July 19 and from 10 a.m until 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 20 at The Village Green Commons on Frank Allen Road. Shoppers can browse the selections  from more than 35 vendors. The shops include a collection of antiques, personalized items, gourmet food, distinctive home furnishings, clothing, jewelry and
  more! On Saturday attend the free programs featuring flower arranging, bee
  conservation, beekeeping and a special sommelier guided honey tasting.
  Tickets for some events must be purchased in advance. Benefactors and Patrons to the
  Joy Garden Tour will also enjoy the Gala Patron Party, a summer garden soiree at The
  Village Green. Other ticketed events include a Garden Talk Luncheon and the New
  Orleans Jazz Brunch. A schedule of Joy Garden Tour events can be accessed HERE.For additional information including how to purchase tickets, call Kaye Keller at
  828.743.9920 or email KayeKeller@nctv.com. The Village Green is the 12.5 acre park
  for free, public enjoyment in the center of Cashiers with boundaries extending from
  Highway 64 to Frank Allen Road. “What many people don’t realize is that The Village
  Green receives no government funding,” remarked Ann Self, director of The Village Green. She added, “This public treasure depends on the generosity of those who financially support The Village Green.”
  For more information, click HERE. 

July 20

• Joy Garden Tour: Join us during the Joy Garden Tour for Tami Enright and additional speakers for an interactive educational experience to enhance your knowledge about bee conservation, beekeeping, and other garden-oriented topics. Saturday’s speakers will be presented at The Village Commons on Frank Allen Road on July 20 at 9:30 a.m. A full list of programs and speakers with times can be found HERE. These events are free and open to the public. For more information including how to purchase tickets for the Joy Garden Tour, call 828.743.3434 or email info@villagegreencashiersnc.com.

August 17

• Twilight 5K: The Twilight 5K Race is at 6 p.m. on August 17 at the Kelsey Hutchinson Founders Park in Highlands, N.C. The course is undulating, beginners or walkers will find it friendly, yet the faster runners will be challenged. Parking will be available around the Kelsey Hutchinson Founders park.