Events Set For Highland Wintertide Festival

The Highland County Wintertide Festival will take place this weekend, and we spoke with Nicole Puffenbarger from the Highland Chamber of Commerce to find out more.

“We have a lot going on this year, and I also want to add, this year we are doing something new. We have a sole sponsor for the Wintertide event, and that is Transamerica Agency Network, and our local rep is Ashley Propst.

“it’s going to start off on Saturday, December 2nd –at 8:00 am – 1:00 pm they’re having the Cookie Walk at the Word of Faith Church, sponsored by the Highland County Volunteer Rescue Squad. Then at 10:00 is when we’re going to have the Christmas parade, featuring Santa, and after the parade, we’re going to have pictures with Santa at the courthouse.

And from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, local shops will be open downtown, and then at 6:00 we’re going to have our annual tree-lighting and presentation of the Christmas Cup. At 7:00, the Highland County Community Chorus will perform at the Monterey Methodist Church. Of course, the community choir will have other performances as well – they will be performing Friday evening at 7:00 pm at the Beulah Presbyterian Church, and then on Sunday, they will be performing again at 3:00 pm at the McDowell Presbyterian Church.

“There will be free milled cider and tastings of their seasonal wassel and other creations at Big Fish Cidery, Friday from 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm, and then they’ll be open again Saturday from Noon – 7:00 pm.

“The Little Cheerful is going to be served food all day on the courthouse lawn. She’s going to have chili and chili dogs, Brunswick stew, pumpkin soup, bacon dates, banana pudding, hot chocolate, coffee, and sodas.

“This year, at Highland Mountain Flowers on Saturday, there’s going to be a stained glass artists’ studio open, so you can come watch artists in action. Also, there’s going to be a Wintertide dinner at The Highland Inn – you can enjoy a three course set Wintertide menu, with optional wine pairing. It’s going to be $35.00 per person – regular dinner service is also available, and if you want more details, you can contact The Highland Inn.”

There are also some county-wide activities happening.

“We already have going on the Wintertide Lighting Challenge, and we’ll have the Holiday Lights Tour – it’s going to be a driving tour, we’re going to have maps available next week online, and we’re also going to print some out and have them at the tree lighting ceremony, so everybody can take a look at the map at our Chamber member businesses around the county.”

She provided more information on how to download the map or find out more about the Festival.

“They can go to www.highlandcounty.org and then they can click on Wintertide under the event section, and that will bring you to the maps. Give us a call 540-468-2550.”

Story By

Scott Smith

Scott Smith is the General Manager for Allegheny Mountain Radio and Station Coordinator and News Reporter for WVLS. Scott’s family has deep roots in Highland County. While he did not grow up here, he spent as much time as possible on the family farm, and eventually moved to Highland to continue the tradition, which he still pursues with his cousin. Unfortunately, farming doesn’t pay all the bills, so he has previously taken other jobs to support his farming hobby, including pressman/writer for The Recorder, and Ag Projects Coordinator for The Highland Center. He lives in Hightown with wife Michelle and son Ethan. In his spare time, he wishes he had more spare time, especially to ride his prized Harley-Davidson motorcycle. scott@amrmail.org

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