Jurassic Quest Drive-Thru Experience Coming to zMAX Dragway, Feb. 12-21

February 1, 2021 by

More than 70 photorealistic dinosaurs are ready to return from extinction to invade Charlotte. The Jurassic Quest Drive Thru, the nation’s largest touring dinosaur exhibit, will migrate to the Charlotte Motor Speedway February 12-21 after welcoming legions of guests to sold-out weekends across the country.

The Jurassic Quest Drive Thru will transform the outdoor parking area of Charlotte Motor Speedway’s zMAX Dragway into an interactive drive-thru experience, featuring more than 70 moving and life-like dinosaurs, as well as our 50 foot-long Megalodon! Jurassic Quest’s herd of animatronic dinos are displayed in realistic scenes that allow guests to experience them roaring and moving as they drive through the tour. Although the drive-thru experience means visitors will stay safe inside their vehicle, they’ll still need to avoid the swinging tail of our 50 foot-long Spinosaurus!

More than 300,000 vehicles and 1.5 million people have attended the Jurassic Quest Drive Thru since the national tour launched in mid-July with stops in New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, Boston, Philadelphia, San Antonio, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Detroit, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, Houston and more.

The Jurassic Quest Drive Thru is the only place to encounter some of the largest dinosaurs to ever roam the Earth, and some of the eeriest marine creatures to ever lurk the ocean’s depths, from the safety of your family vehicle. Guests will be among the first in the nation to go on a quest with our adventure-for-all-ages online audio tour that will lead them through the thrilling dinosaur safari. The audio tour is available in English and Spanish, and special accommodations can be made for the hearing impaired. For $49 per vehicle (8 people or less), your dino crew can time-travel and enjoy about an hour-long ride back in time.

Jurassic Quest worked in collaboration with leading paleontologists to ensure each dinosaur was painstakingly replicated in every detail, depicting how we understand dinosaurs looked and moved!

In addition to the life-like dinosaur exhibits, there will be opportunities to visit with our one-of-a-kind baby dinosaurs and our team of dino trainers as well as the chance to capture the moment with a safari-style photo of your vehicle and family transported back in time via a Jurassic setting complete with a dinosaur backdrop. All attendees will leave with the same bragging rights, “We Survived Jurassic Quest 2021!” One photo per family is included with ticket purchase.

Designed to be thrilling but not scary for our littlest adventurers, big or small, young or old, guests of Jurassic Quest have a dino-mite time!

COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS

Jurassic Quest takes extra precautionary measures to provide a clean and safe event and operates under COVID-19 safety protocols in accordance with county, state and CDC guidelines. Guests are to remain in vehicles and to wear masks in the event they exit the vehicle in allowed areas. Social distancing rules are requested of all guests and maintained by Jurassic Quest crew. We sanitize equipment, dinosaurs and workstations frequently and thoroughly throughout the entirety of the event. Our employees apply hand sanitizer and wash hands regularly throughout each day, in addition to wearing masks. Guest safety and enjoyment is our top priority.

TICKETS & LOGISTICS

Jurassic Quest Drive Thru adventurers will need to buy tickets in advance online at www.jurassicquest.com. Tickets are $49 per vehicle and include a 100% ticket guarantee that in the event of a show cancellation or postponement for any reason, ticket purchases will be automatically refunded for the full purchase amount. Guests must travel through the drive-thru in the comfort of their own vehicle – no rentals or golf carts will be provided, and walkers are not allowed. To ensure participant safety, all guests must ride inside their vehicles (yes, pets inside vehicles are allowed), no riders in truck beds, however. Trailers are also not allowed – we’re worried they might tempt the hungry dinos too much! Oversized vehicles and vehicles with 9 or more riders are permitted but will need to contact Customer Service, customerservice@jurassicquest.com, for pricing and scheduling. A full list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found online at https://www.jurassicquest.com/drive-thru-faqs.

Event:
Jurassic Quest Drive-Thru

Admission:
Tickets available online

Cost for entry:
$49 per vehicle

Where:
Charlotte Motor Speedway (zMAX Dragway – 6570 Bruton Smith Blvd Concord, NC 28027)

When:
February 12-21, 2021 (closed Monday & Tuesday, February 15-16)

Hours:
Friday, February 12: 11 am – 8 pm
Saturday, February 13: 9 am – 9 pm
Sunday, February 14: 9 am – 8 pm
Monday and Tuesday, February 15-16: Closed
Wednesday and Thursday, February 17-18: 1 pm – 8 pm
Friday, February 19: 9 am – 8 pm
Saturday, February 20: 9am – 9 pm
Sunday, February 21: 9 am – 8 pm

Currently touring as a Drive-Thru only. The largest and most realistic dinosaur exhibition in North America. Now with new animatronic water dwellers, Jurassic Quest is the only dinosaur event that has up to 100 true to life-sized dinosaur replicas from the very small, to the gigantic, to those found under the sea. Guests will witness their favorite dinosaurs move, roar and roam and have the chance to interact with baby dinosaurs and adolescent dinosaurs, including the T. Rex, Spinosaurus, Triceratops and many others. With the addition of Ancient Oceans, guests will also be able to “swim” with our 50 foot long, prehistoric Megalodon!

ABOUT JURASSIC QUEST

Everything comes bigger in Texas, and Houston-based Jurassic Quest has been mounting epic dinosaur experiences since 2014, treating millions of people around the world to an as-close-as-you-can-get look at the giants that ruled the Earth and sea millions of years ago. Developed in hand with leading paleontologists, Jurassic Quest dinos featuring realistic movement and sound have brought more than 1.5 million fans a safe family adventure option via new drive-thru experiences. For more information and to buy tickets visit www.jurassicquest.com.

Filed Under: For Kids and Families, Things To Do, Weekend Calendar of Events Tagged With:

High Country 2020 Fall Family Fun

October 27, 2020 by

Can you believe that fall is just around the corner? We want to share ways you can have fun this fall. Please keep checking back as we will add to this post as we receive information.

Families love a good corn maze and pumpkin patch!

New River Corn Maze – They are opening the weekend of September 19.

Days and Hours: Friday and Saturday 10 am until dark and Sunday 1 pm until dark. Please note that due to COVID-19 restrictions, they are not operating the ride this year or selling drinks and snacks. They encourage families to bring picnic blankets as well as their own snacks and drinks for optimum health safety and comfort.

Address: 556 Laurel Gap Ridge Rd, Boone, NC 28607
Website: http://www.newrivercornmaze.com/

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Watauga Parks and Recreation – Trunk-or-treat is happening Thursday, October 29th from 5-7 p.m. This is a drive thru ONLY event for trick-or-treaters. The neighborhood will be set up in the new Watauga Community Recreation Center parking lot. RAIN OR SHINE EVENT.

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Beech Mountain’s Halloween Party and Trail or Treat – October 30th 6pm ($5)
Buckeye Recreation Center, Beech Mountain
Zombies are everywhere! Stock up on candy from the trail or treat and then head out on the haunted trail.

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West Jefferson Drive Thru Trick or Treat – October 31st 3-5pm
Enter off Second Ave to continue down the backstreet
Handing out prepacked bags.

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Drive Thru Halloween @ The Playhouse – Drive Thru Halloween at The Children’s Playhouse will be held from 4:00 pm to 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 31st. This is free but you must register to participate. The Playhouse will be handing out treat bags via a pumpkin chute off of our porch. The bags will contain a simple craft and individually wrapped chocolate and cookies. The bags will have been packed and sealed for several days prior to Halloween.

Visit The Children’s Playhouse to learn more about the play kits they are offering families.

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Howard’s Creek Church Trunk or Treat on October 31st (4-6 pm)

Address: 240 Howard’s Creek Rd, Boone, NC 28607

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Apple Hill Farm – Reservations are required. The tour is generally 45 to 60 minutes in length and is a guided walking tour. The tour is all outdoors, so come dressed for the weather. Note that this is a real working fiber farm! Your tour will be an educational tour where you learn about the animals who live and play at Apple Hill Farm. Most of the animals are very friendly, but they are not a petting zoo and let the animals choose if they will come over to interact with the tour or not.

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Neighborhood and Community Fall Fun Ideas

Maria Bailey, CEO of BSM Media, shares creative ideas that families can enjoy in their neighborhoods this year.

Wagon parades and costume sidewalk shows will lead the way as new Halloween celebrations this year. 

Moms are innovative and social distancing is no challenge for their creativity in making memories for their children.  Radio Flyer and Little Tikes can expect to see spikes in sales as moms turn their wagons into Pinterest-worthy costume extensions with their children comfortably seated inside.  Ask yourself how your brand can fill those wagons with treats?

Drive-by trick or treating and porch treat drops will replace door to door trick or treating for 2020.

Drive-by trick or treating and porch treat drops will replace door to door trick or treating for 2020. Forty-seven percent of moms surveyed say they will participate in drive-by trick or treating if today’s conditions persist in October. Smart brands like Party City are on trend now offering car decorations, door drop favors and yard decorations that support these new celebrations.

Booing will be the most used verb of the 2020 Halloween season. 

Not sure what “booing” is? Don’t worry, we won’t leave you in the dark.  Booing is the act of leaving treats or decorations at the home of a neighbor with no indication of where they came from.  The surprise is fun and leaves friends wondering “who is the ghost who left his mark?” This is great news for home décor, snack foods and small toy brands.  Booing is an opportunity for incremental sales during the preholiday season.

Filed Under: Fall in the High Country, For Kids and Families, Things To Do, Weekend Calendar of Events

Tweetsie Railroad to Open for Tweetsie Christmas®

October 20, 2020 by

As a challenging year comes to an end, Tweetsie Railroad will welcome guests for Tweetsie Christmas to celebrate the magical holiday season and end the year on a high-country note. Families are invited to make the breathtaking trip to the North Carolina mountains to commemorate their holiday traditions festively and safely.

“We have missed our Guests so much this year,” said Cathy Robbins, director of marketing for Tweetsie. “Our typical season milestones, including Opening Day, Independence Day, Railroad Heritage Weekend and Ghost Train, came and went without us being able to open the park and celebrate with guests, so we’re very excited to end the year making merry memories as we light up the park and fire up our historic steam locomotive for Tweetsie Christmas.”

Tweetsie Christmas will open select nights beginning November 13 through December 31, opening at 5 p.m. The park will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Tweetsie Christmas tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at Tweetsie.com or by calling the ticket office at 877-TWEETSIE.

This year, each Golden Rail Season Pass holder will receive one free admission and train ride during Tweetsie Christmas. Additionally, any previously purchased 2020 General Admission or Day Out With Thomas ticket can be credited towards a Tweetsie Christmas ticket by calling the ticket office. With a limited number of tickets available each night and a reduced park capacity, advance tickets are required for the event. Admission is $44 for adults, $38 for children (age 3-12) and free for children two and under.  The train runs every 40 minutes beginning at 5:30 p.m.  

Each night guests can take a 20-minute train ride behind a historic steam locomotive on a 3-mile route lined with nearly one million Christmas lights, and enjoy the park’s many activities. Guests are advised to  dress warmly, because most of the event is outdoors.  They will also be able to tour Santa’s Gingerbread House and visit with Santa Claus.

Groups will be socially distanced, and a protective barrier will be between guests and Santa at all times. Families will be able to speak with and pose for a photo with Saint Nick, and children are encouraged to bring a letter to Santa to put in his mailbox.

“Tweetsie Christmas will be slightly different without our regular live holiday show or snow globes in order to keep guests safe and follow safety protocols, but it will still be a very holly, jolly experience,” said Robbins. “We hope everyone will make plans to visit the park to celebrate the holidays.”

Tweetsie Railroad is following all CDC and established guidelines for limiting the spread of COVID-19, including managing a reduced park capacity through a reservation system and requiring a mask or face covering to be worn by Staff and Guests over the age of 5 unless exempt under NC Executive Order 169. All safety measures are available for review at Tweetsie.com.

About Tweetsie Railroad  

Tweetsie Railroad has been creating memories and offering family-friendly adventures since 1957. Located on U.S. Highway 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock, North Carolina, Tweetsie is situated in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains. Admission prices for Tweetsie Christmas are $44 for adults and $38 for children. For more information about Tweetsie Railroad, visit Tweetsie.com or call 877.TWEETSIE (877.898.3874). Tweetsie Railroad will open again on April 2, 2021.

Filed Under: Christmas in the High Country, For Kids and Families, Things To Do, Weekend Calendar of Events Tagged With:

High Country Rendezvous

September 9, 2020 by

Your family will not want to miss the High Country Rendezvous this Saturday, September 12th!

You may ask, what is a rendezvous? A Rendezvous was an annual gathering in which mountain men replenished their supplies. They were lively, joyous places where all were allowed. Join the Hickory Ridge History Museum for its own historical Rendezvous.

Filed Under: Education, For Kids and Families, Things To Do, Weekend Calendar of Events

Beech Mtn Announces Fall Outdoor Activities

August 30, 2020 by

We live in such a beautiful area to enjoy the outdoors. Fall is no exception. Beech Mountain Parks and Recreation has announced its fall lineup of outdoor activities.

Also as a reminder, Beech has two canoes and a kayak that you can reserve to enjoy a beautiful outing on their Buckeye Lake. Reserve your date and time here. There is no charge.

Filed Under: Fall in the High Country, For Kids and Families, Things To Do, Weekend Calendar of Events Tagged With: ,

The train will run again at Tweetsie Railroad!

July 15, 2020 by

We have an update regarding the opening of Tweetsie Railroad.

Beginning Friday, July 17, Tweetsie Railroad will open with limited weekend operations, Friday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Guests will be able to enjoy Main Street, Junction stores, and the Wild West Train ride aboard the park’s historic steam engine.

During this phase of operation, the park will be limiting capacity. Therefore, all Guests need to pre-purchase tickets for a specific date and train ride time.

Tickets have been reduced to$10 for an Adult and $7 for a Child (age 3-12). Children 2 and under will remain free.

Golden Rail Season Pass Holders will have the first chance to reserve a daily admission and train ride ticket for the July 17-19 opening weekend Monday through Thursday, July 13-16. Then beginning on Friday, July 17, the general public will be able to purchase any remaining tickets for the weekend by calling the Ticket Office 877-893-3874.

Filed Under: For Kids and Families, Things To Do, Travel, Weekend Calendar of Events

Barter Theatre at the Moonlite Drive-In

June 15, 2020 by

This July, families can go the MoonLite Drive In to see Barter Theatre’s “The Wizard of Oz” and “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr.” Tickets go on sale June 16, 2020, and families are encouraged to attend to see family-friendly entertainment performed by the Barter Players. Enjoy a live performance from the comfort and safety of your vehicle. Get the sound through your car’s radio, watch the actors live on stage and simulcast on the big screen. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

What is “Barter at the Moonlite Drive In?”

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit their website.

Filed Under: For Kids and Families, Things To Do, Weekend Calendar of Events

App State Athletics Basketball Specials

February 26, 2020 by

App State Athletics released promos for Thursday evening’s women’s basketball game and Saturday’s women’s and men’s basketball games. This is the last week for regular-season home games for both women’s and men’s basketball teams.

On Thursday, all fans that bring in one or more canned goods, receive free admission to the game.

Also, for Fan Appreciation Day, fans can be part of the women’s basketball team poster.

For Saturday, to celebrate senior day, fans can use code SENIOR to score $5 tickets good for both the women’s and men’s games. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, February 28th.

Filed Under: For Kids and Families, Things To Do, Weekend Calendar of Events

Boone’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Cash Prizes

February 25, 2020 by
David Jackson – President/CEO, Boone Chamber of Commerce

Where is your green? The time is near for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Bagpipes, Irish flags, shamrocks, and a sea of green will travel through downtown Boone on Saturday, March 14 at 2:00 PM for the Town of Boone’s third annual St. Patrick’s Parade. The parade will begin at Poplar Grove Extension and move east down King Street, ending at Hardin Street. Local businesses, nonprofits, civic organizations, and performing groups will have a chance to show off their Irish and mountain pride in one of the High Country’s premier events. A leprechaun emcee will be staged in front of the Jones House and a special panel of guest judges will score entries based upon attention to detail, difficulty of construction, and originality. Entries receiving the best scores from the judges will find a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, as a generous sponsor has donated over $10,000 in monetary prizes.

Guests will also want to be sure to stop by the Jones House lawn, which will host a free family-friendly kids’ zone. Inflatable bounce houses, balloon animals, magic shows, face painting, games, and treats will all be a part of the amusement. Parade goers are encouraged to hang around downtown throughout the day as area businesses and restaurants will help celebrate with various discounts, deals, and food and drink specials. Downtown parking is free on March 14 after 12:00 PM.

Register Online Here (Registration closes March 2nd)

2020 Judging and Awards:

A generous sponsor has donated monetary prizes for the entries scored highest by our panel of judges. Winning entries will be announced Saturday evening at the Daniel Boone Rail Jam at the Daniel Boone Amphitheater (591 Horn in the West Dr). Gates open at 5:00 PM and the announcement will take place around 5:30 PM. Each parade entry will be given one complimentary ticket to the Rail Jam event; additional tickets can be purchased for $5 online at www.danielboonerailjam.com or for $10 at the gate. Prize winners will also be contacted via phone and be announced on the Jones House website and social media pages.

BEST IN SHOW
Winner: $2000
First Runner-Up: $1500
Second Runner-Up: $1250

PLACED ENTRIES
1st Place: $1000
2nd Place: $900
3rd Place: $800
4th Place: $700
5th Place: $600
6th Place: $500
7th Place: $400
8th Place: $300
9th Place: $200
10th Place: $100

Filed Under: For Kids and Families, Things To Do, Weekend Calendar of Events

Wee-Cycle Children’s Consignment Spring Sale {Giveaway}

February 3, 2020 by

*Giveaway closed – Congratulations to Angie Barber!

Have you heard the news? Wee-Cycle has a new location at Tanger Outlets in Blowing Rock for their Spring Sale!

Opening day is this Friday, February 7, at 10:00 a.m.

As a way of saying “thanks” for serving in area schools, Wee-Cycle invites all teachers to join the fun at the pre-sale on Thursday, February 6 (6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.). Please bring your teacher ID (from Watauga, Ashe, Avery, and surrounding counties – includes pre-schools and child development centers).

Enjoy shopping at the Spring sale which includes thousands of CHILDREN’S items in a wide variety of clothing, shoes, books, games, toys, large outside toys, furniture, and more!

To help kick-off the sale, we are hosting a giveaway for a $35.00 gift certificate to use at the sale this month. Please share this blog post on social media outlets and leave a comment in the below comments section of where you shared the post. Leave one comment for each share. We will close the giveaway at 5:00 p.m EST on Thursday, February 6, 2020. Good luck!

Filed Under: Education, For Kids and Families, Shopping, Things To Do, Weekend Calendar of Events