There’s plenty to do in Beech Mountain this summer. Its longtime music series has expanded with culinary treats, free sunset concerts and more.
by Cathy Martin
When the summer heat sets in, an escape to cooler climes is in order. At an elevation of 5,506 feet, Beech Mountain fits the bill, with average highs in the low 70s in July and August.
This summer, the low-key destination best known for skiing and snowboarding in winter offers travelers a new reason to visit: Blackberry Jam is a celebration of music, culinary treats and outdoor adventure throughout July and August.
The events coincide with blackberry-picking season — the berries grow wild here and are available at Beech Mountain’s summer farmers market, held on the first Friday of the month from 2-6 p.m.
Though the mile-high town sustained little damage from Hurricane Helene, the local economy still took a hit last fall as many would-be tourists avoided western North Carolina altogether. Community leaders wanted to build on a popular existing summer concert series — and let people know that Beech is open for business.
Lake Street Dive
“We saw how much visitors were connecting with our summer concerts, and we knew we had an opportunity to create something even more memorable,” says Armando Garcia, tourism and marketing director for the town of Beech Mountain. “Blackberry Jam takes everything people love about Beech in the summer — great music, cool temperatures, outdoor adventure — and further showcases our local culture and businesses with specialized offerings.”
Expect themed drinks and desserts at local bars and restaurants, like lemon cupcakes with blackberry buttercream at Fred’s Mercantile, blackberry BBQ sauce at Holy Smokes and blackberry craft cocktails at Whistle Pig Pub.
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and Lake Street Dive headline the two-day Party on the Mountain July 18-19; singer-songwriter Charley Crockett’s show on August 9 is already sold out.
There’s also free live music on Fridays at Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria, at the 5506’ Skybar on Saturdays and at Fred’s Gazebo and Top of the Beech Inn on Sundays.
“This celebration is a great way to showcase that the mountain is open and thriving all summer long,” Garcia says.
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Photographs by David Simchock, courtesy Blackberry Jam, Lake Street Dive photograph by Shervin Lainez
