In one weekend, celebrate “Dirty Dancing,” competitive sports, and cool cars in the North Carolina mountains.
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, NC (July 9, 2015): August is festival season in Lake Lure & the Blue Ridge Foothills, and with three iconic events on the same weekend, and choosing might be tough. But, why choose? Do all three! Here is an itinerary designed to help visitors conveniently enjoy three uniquely different festivals.
11TH ANNUAL LAKE LURE OLYMPIAD
August 14, 6-9 p.m. (full event is August 14-16)
Rumbling Bald Resort and Chimney Rock State Park in Lake Lure, N.C.
www.lakelureolympiad.com
Start off your “Tour de Festivals” in Lake Lure at the Lake Lure Olympiad’s Opening Ceremonies. Free and open to the public, the event takes place on the beach at Rumbling Bald Resort, which is otherwise only open to resort guests. The official torch lighting begins at 6 p.m. Grab a hot dog or hamburger and a spot on the sand and watch runners come across the 10K Dam Run finish line, then finish with a free ice cream sundae as the Lake Lure Ski Club performs waterski ballet, ski pyramids and wakeboard flips. Fun games and activities for kids are also available free of charge. The event continues Saturday and Sunday with other competitive events and activities for adults and children.
6TH ANNUAL DIRTY DANCING FESTIVAL
August 15, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Morse Park Meadows, Lake Lure, N.C.
www.dirtydancingfestival.com
The world will never forget when Baby and Johnny took center stage in the cult-classic film “Dirty Dancing.” With more than 16 million “Likes” on Facebook, Lake Lure takes pride in being the backdrop of this treasured film. The annual Dirty Dancing Festival starts on Friday night with a free, lakeside film screening, but continues on Saturday with a throwback dance and music festival from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Festivities include live beach and soul bands, dance lessons and performances by the Asheville Ballet & Dance Company, watermelon games and a “Lake Lift Competition.” Tickets are $22/adults and $12/child in advance online or $27/adult and $14/child at the door.
24TH ANNUAL HOT NIGHTS, COOL RIDES
August 15, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Main Street in Downtown Forest City, N.C.
www.forestcitymerchants.net
Conclude your festival tour in downtown Forest City at the “Hot Nights, Cool Rides” Car Show. Beat the summer heat and join thousands of fans on Main Street for the “Best Car Show East of the Mississippi.” Custom built Rat Rods, decked out motorcycles, antique Model T’s and classic Mustangs are just a few of the 400+ vehicles to line Downtown Forest City for judges to score and car lovers to compare. Live music will kick off the day with performances by the Jack Roper Band, Rocky Yelton and the Hired Guns and concluding with the Night Moves Band. The classic American restaurants that line the street and outdoor grilling will keep you energized throughout the day along with the tempting aromas of kettle corn, funnel cakes and fried Oreos.
MYSTIC WATERS SKI & SKEET PRO-AM
August 22, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Located behind Ingles Market in Lake Lure, N.C. off of Highway 9
www.mysticwaterslakelure.com
Wrap up festival month in Lake Lure by a return visit on August 22 for the second annual Mystic Waters Ski & Skeet Pro-Am Tournament. With three events in one, this festival combines a health, wellness and maker’s fair with some of the world’s best waterskiing and a skeet shooting tournament. And no, the skiers do not shoot while they ski. Attracting both top skiers in the world, as well as some of the best boat drivers, attendees can witness unparalleled waterski action while visiting vendor booths filled with locally made art and health and wellness products. The event also features live, local music, juggling and fly-fishing casting demonstrations.
About Lake Lure & the Blue Ridge Foothills of Rutherford County, N.C.
Retreat to a destination where simple pleasures outshine digital-age spectacles – a place where Main Streets reign over mega malls; where nature delivers the best adventures; and where history lives boldly and visibly in architecture, story, song and spirit. Experience these journeys and more when you visit Rutherford County located in the majestic Blue Ridge Foothills of Western North Carolina. Home to Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, Rutherfordton, Spindale, Forest City and Bostic, there is a world waiting for you to explore, enjoy and love. For more info, visit www.RutherfordTourism.com or call 800-849-5998.
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