MineFest at Emerald Village
Emerald Village, Little Switzerland, NC
Saturday, May 28th, AND Sunday, May 29th, 2016
(Both days 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
FREE Evening Concert in the tent by “True Blue”
Saturday night 6:00 PM till 8:30 PM (Food available!)
ALSO Special Black Light Mine Tour
Saturday Night at 9:00 PM (by separate admission)
Join us Saturday, May 28th and Sunday, May 29th, 2016 and enjoy MineFest at Emerald Village, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Little Switzerland. Celebrate the mineral heritage of the mountains in the spectacular home of 12 historic mines! Enjoy free live music in the tent both days from 11 to 4, with some of the best mountain music in the area, including Pete & Kim McWhirter, Glen Nance & Lennie Ski, Paul Thomas, Alan Tinney, David Wiseman, and the Typical Mountain Boys. The award-winning Switzerland Café will serve scrumptious food both days and for the Evening concert too!
On Saturday and Sunday listen to a free geology talk in a real mine at 11:30. Then join us on a free guided hike to a hidden mine or again at 2:30. Children (12 and under) will enjoy the free Kid’s Treasure Hunt both days. A special treat Saturday will be demonstrations of rappelling from the mine cliffs by area rescue squads. You’ll have an opportunity to watch them up close! Archeologists excavating the 1567 Spanish Fort San Juan just 50 miles away from Emerald Village will share their tantalizing discoveries at 4:00 Saturday. Both days will include underground mine tours, gem mining at the flume, gold panning, and rare mineral collecting on the dumps. Browse through the multi-level free Discovery Mill exhibits.
After a day of fun, enjoy a free concert by “True Blue” under the tent Saturday from 6:00 till 8:30 PM. Folks have been enjoying “True Blue” performances of authentic mountain bluegrass, country and gospel for over 20 years. They will have your toes tapping! Good food will be available for purchase at the concert! Enjoy the food and the music; then stay for the unique underground Black Light Mine Tour at 9:00 PM ($15 Adults/$10 Students). MineFest is a great way to celebrate the beginning of summer in the heart of the mountains!