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Hog Roasting and Summer Dances
Enjoy the Hog Roast, Street Dances, Festivities at Eastern America’s Highest 4th of July Celebration
BEECH MOUNTAIN, N.C.— Conveniently located within a couple of hours from many of the region’s major cities, summer travelers to Beech Mountain, N.C. can partake in the mountain’s outdoor activities, including hiking and biking trails and white water rafting, while enjoying the cool summer temperatures that rarely exceed 72 degrees. In addition to the plentiful summer activities, travelers to Beech Mountain can also partake in Southern traditions that have been celebrated in the High County for more than 30 years at the 47th Annual Roasting of the Hog and the Beech Mountain street dances.
On Saturday, July 5th, the Town of Beech Mountain, the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce and the Beech Mountain Volunteer Fire Department will host the 36th year of the 47th Annual Roasting of the Hog, one of the High Country’s premier Independence Day celebrations.
The 47th Annual Roasting of the Hog, started by John Wade, a Beech Mountain local, was named the 47th Annual in the first year of the official event. Wade, who invented the event as an outlet to celebrate the Fourth of July with a group of close-knit friends and family who lived on the mountain, labeled it as the 47th annual event immediately as a joke.
“John was poking fun at events that were always labeled according to how many years they had been held, but since then, Beech has held the ‘47th Annual’ July 4th celebration each year,” said Jim Brooks, owner of Beechwood Realty in Beech Mountain. “This Fourth of July celebration will forever be known as the 47th annual. It’s an amusing story that makes each of us smile every time we think about the event’s beginnings, and it is something that also intrigues Beech Mountain visitors that are attending the hog roast for the first time.”
The View Haus at Ski Beech will host the roasting of the hog, which will begin at 6 p.m. The Roasting of the Hog, a family-centered event, features food, musical entertainment, children’s activities and celebration, and concludes with a nighttime fireworks display at 5,065 feet.
The food, cooked by local firefighters, is made with homemade hickory charcoal to provide unique flavor and taste. Firefighters use Boston Butts meat and turkey breast cooked with Worthingham’s Rub from Memphis and serve traditional barbeque trimmings. Proceeds from the event benefit the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
“This is a perfect family event, because it provides something for everyone, from music, food and children’s activities. Plus, the temperature rarely exceeds 70 degrees, so the climate allows you to be comfortable outdoors for an extended period of time,” said Brooks.
“I don’t know of any other events take the time to make the charcoal and cook the meat the way we do at the Roasting of the Hog celebration. And after years of perfecting the seasonings and charcoal blends, this event offers arguably the best barbeque in the High Country.”
Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce, Fred’s Mercantile or at the gate. The cost is $15 per person and $5 for children 10 and under.
During the summer, Beech Mountain visitors can party at 5,065 feet at the Beech Mountain Street Dances, a southern tradition held two times a year at Town Hall.
“We cover the parking lot with sand for all of the dancers; and locals and visitors tailgate while enjoying the cool summer temperatures and musical entertainment,” said Peggy Coscia of the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
The Street Dances bring the mountain to life with music from the 1940s on. The dances are free and open to the public, and coffee and cookies are served. They are scheduled for July 19 and August 30 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“There are always large crowds with people of all ages enjoying the festivities,” said Coscia. “It’s a great time for visitors and locals.” For summer visitors traveling to Beech Mountain to enjoy the variety of outdoor activities and traditional events, Beech Mountain offers a wide variety of accommodations, including mountain inns, lodges, private chalets, cabins and condos that can accommodate a number of budgets.
“Beech Mountain’s lodging facilities offer guests great amenities, features and staff, and are centrally located close to any of the great events, like the Hog Roast, or outdoor activities that visitors will want to experience,” said Coscia.
Beech Mountain, the highest town in the eastern United States at 5,506 feet, is nestled in the northwestern North Carolina Mountains, only two hours from Charlotte and Asheville. Known for its unique beauty and winter sport activities, Beech is a year-round tourist destination offering visitors a variety of outdoor adventures. Throughout the year, the town also embraces a wide range of cultural activities ranging from street dances and Sunday evening sunset concerts to the town-wide 47th Annual Roasting of the Hog and arts and crafts festivals. Activities on Beech also include outdoor sports such as golf and tennis.
For more information about Beech Mountain events, please contact the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce at (800) 468-5506 or (828) 387-9283 or visit www.beechmtn.com.