Beason’s Boon

10/10/2026

10/09/2026

🍂🏔️ MAGGIE VALLEY FALL ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL TURNS A FREE 2-DAY FESTIVAL WITH 100+ CRAFTERS INTO A 3-DAY MOUNTAIN GETAWAY WITH WATERFALLS, ELK & BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY VIEWS!

The Maggie Valley Fall Arts & Crafts Festival returns October 17–18, 2026, but why make it only a day trip?

🎨 FESTIVAL DETAILS
📅 October 17–18, 2026
⏰ 9 AM–4 PM both days
📍 Maggie Valley Festival Grounds
3374 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley, NC
🎟️ FREE admission & parking

🚗🍁 FRIDAY: SCENIC MOUNTAIN DRIVE

Follow Soco Road toward Soco Gap, join the Blue Ridge Parkway, and continue to Waterrock K**b at Milepost 451.2. Its visitor center sits at 5,820 feet, surrounded by incredible Appalachian views.

Finish with brisket or ribs at Haywood Smokehouse.

🎨🌊 SATURDAY: FESTIVAL + WATERFALL

Browse 100+ crafters selling pottery, jewelry, photography, woodworking, paintings, seasonal crafts and more.

Afterward, visit Soco Falls, a beautiful double waterfall near Maggie Valley.

🦌 SUNDAY: ELK + LAKE VIEWS

Explore Cataloochee Valley for historic buildings, mountain scenery and possible wild elk sightings. Finish your getaway with a peaceful walk at Lake Junaluska.

🏡 Stay nearby at Meadowlark Motel or Twinbrook Resort.

💡 Small Town Discoveries Tip: Don’t rush the Soco Road to Blue Ridge Parkway drive. Changing elevations can mean different stages of fall color along the same route.

10/08/2026

🥘COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Smokey Shadows Lodge & Restaurant

Have you ever been somewhere close to home and thought, “Why haven’t we done this sooner?” That’s exactly how we felt about Smokey Shadows Lodge in Maggie Valley!

We were so excited to share this experience with my parents, our daughter, and our son-in-law.

The dinner was an excellent home cooked meal (tomato pie was amazing), the service was fantastic and we couldn’t have asked for a prettier setting. An old rustic lodge, beautiful Mountain View’s and so much character.

With family-style dinners, a cozy dining room and a long covered porch overlooking the mountains, this place has that old-fashioned mountain charm that makes our area so special.

If you haven’t been to Smokey Shadows Lodge for dinner, you MUST. Take someone you love, enjoy the setting, and make an evening of it!

Check their page for upcoming dinner dates and reservation details.

10/04/2026

🎶 MUSIC at the Smoky Mountains Bluegrass Festival! 🎶

Music is at the heart of it all! Spend the day surrounded by incredible bluegrass, toe-tapping rhythms, and the sounds of talented musicians coming together in the beautiful Smoky Mountains.

🎻 2026 LIVE MUSIC LINEUP:
🎶 Olivia Jo
🎶 Unspoken Tradition
🎶 Red Camel Collective
🎶 Appalachian Road Show
🎶 Balsam Range

From rising talent to award-winning favorites, this year’s lineup brings a full day of incredible Appalachian and bluegrass music to the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. And with Balsam Range closing out the day, you won’t want to miss a note!

The Smoky Mountains Bluegrass Festival is the Haywood County Arts Council’s annual fundraiser. HCAC is a nonprofit organization that enriches the lives of our community through the arts.

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
⏰ Gates open at 10 am
📍 Maggie Valley Festival Grounds
🎟️ Tickets are available at the gate or at HaywoodArts.org.

Bring your chair, bring your friends, and come make some music memories with us! 🎻💙

09/17/2026

🌊🍕 BEARWATERS BISTRO HAS 4 KITCHENS UNDER ONE ROOF, PLUS A CREEKSIDE DECK OVERLOOKING A MOUNTAIN STREAM IN MAGGIE VALLEY!

If you're exploring Maggie Valley, North Carolina, Bearwaters Bistro Creekside offers something a little different from the typical mountain restaurant.

The restaurant sits beside Jonathan Creek, where you can grab an outdoor table, order a drink and enjoy the sound of the water flowing alongside you.

But the setting isn't the only surprise.

🍽️ Bearwaters calls itself “Maggie Valley's Four-Kitchen Dining Experience,” giving groups several completely different menus to choose from.

🍕 Artisan Pizza Kitchen for wood-fired pizzas, including its signature Appalachian pizza with pulled pork and apple butter.

🌶️ Thai Kitchen for dishes like Pad Thai and Pad Kaphrao.

🥩 Chef's Grill for steaks, Shrimp & Grits and other entrées.

🍔 Bistro Kitchen for burgers, sandwiches, salads and pub favorites.

Live music is also offered at select times.

📍 Bearwaters Bistro Creekside
4352 Soco Road
Maggie Valley, NC 28751

⏰ Wed–Sat: 12–9 PM
⏰ Sun: 12–8 PM
🚫 Mon–Tue: Closed

🏔️ Make it a mountain day by adding Soco Falls, Waterrock K**b, Cataloochee Valley or an event at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.

💡 Small Town Discoveries Tip: The Thai Kitchen and Chef's Grill generally begin serving at 4 PM, while the Bistro and Pizza kitchens are available during regular restaurant hours.

09/16/2026

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07/03/2026

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