Howdy Y'all!
My sister and her hubby are coming from FL to visit us in Statesville, NC October 20 - 25. I am trying to figure out
what to do while they are here. We will definitly do the Carolina BalloonFest here in Statesville, but I am looking for festivals and events near by. We plan to ride the parkway to do some "leaf looking". Possible do Biltmore, but Being a FL native myself, I still really don't know my way around the area, so any suggestions of things to do or places to visit would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.barbecuefestival.com/

If you like fall festivals, this is usually a good one.

http://www.gsmr.com/

I've always wanted to do this in the fall and see the beautiful colors. Lived here most of my life and never have, so check it out and let me know if it's worth it! lol

one more idea:

http://www.natsci.org/Titanic.html

sorry for the double post!

My daughter and her family live in Spruce Pine, which is along the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are some "Pan Your Own" gem mines in their area. That's a fun thing to do. There is also The Historic Apple Orchard near them, where they have food items made on site, and they have live bluegrass music. Fun!!

I have been gone from NC for a long time now
(13 years).

Prior to leaving NC and moving back to CO I lived
in Catawba County (Claremont last address).

Wish I could help you with ideas.

Mining sounds like a good idea. There are several apple tests but the are the weekend of the 15

This sounds good. Have you been to see it yet?

Lexington BBQ festival is that weekend. If they were a week earlier, Mt. Airy has one as well. This weekend is Brushy Mountain Apple fest in N. Wilksboro. If you can get an Our State Mag. they have all kinds of things in the back for your section of the state.