Day trip on the cheap: Labor Day Weekend 2012 at Beech Mountain

Charlotte boasts plenty to do on Labor Day Weekend, but if you’d rather get away from it all, consider two events at Beech Mountain, the Mile High Kite Festival and BJ’s Dog Show. Beech Mountain has adjacent venues for the events. An open meadow in the heart of town is ideal for kite activities, while the new Beech Bark Park provides two play areas (one for small dogs and one for large dogs) in a fenced, one-acre park. At two and a half hour hours away from Charlotte, you can do this as a day trip. (Although a weekend in the mountains doesn’t sound too bad either.)

Mile High Kite Festival

The 10th annual kite fest is Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1-2.

The Mile High Kite Festival – free both days – begins Saturday from 1-4 p.m. with demonstrations by kite clubs and open flying.

Sunday is the festival’s main day with hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The first 300 children 12 and under receive free kites and vendors will be on-hand selling kites. Folks are also welcome to bring their kites and fly them at an altitude of one mile above sea level.

Contests will honor the biggest, smallest and best-decorated kites. Other activities include races with kids pulling parachute kites, face painting, kite-flying music, and food vendors.
All participants receive official certificates from Mayor Rick Owen proclaiming: “I flew a kite a mile high on Beech Mountain.”

The kite festival is sponsored by the Beech Mountain Chamber in conjunction with the Richmond Air Force Kite Club from Richmond, Va., and the Wings Across Carolina Kiting and Okra Society (WACKOS) from Charlotte.

BJ’s Dog Show
Dog lovers should make plans to attend BJ’s Dog Show, named for long-time town employee B.J. Hughes. The show runs from 1-4 p.m. Saturday at the Bark Park. Entry fee is $20 for one dog and $30 for two dogs, with spectators admitted free.

There will be certificates and prizes for winning dogs, while all furry friends receive a ribbon of participation.

For information, call the Beech Mountain Visitors Center at (800) 468-5506. Learn more about Beech Mountain.