In 1997, Blowing Rock business owners got together and decided to create a festival to celebrate the fun side of winter – and Blowing Rock WinterFest debuted in January 1998.
This first year, Chilly, the lone snowman mascot in the logo, was born. Over the years, Chilly gained a scarf, a top hat, feathered friends, and eventually a wife named Crystal.
The logo has evolved through the years. And so has WinterFest. Events have been added including wine tasting, ice carving demonstrations, live music and an adorable dog show, WinterPaws. Not only is WinterFest a blast, it has raised thousands of dollars to help various charitable causes.
Whether the temps are a balmy 50 degrees or 30 degrees and snowing, attendees make this an annual winter trek because of the variety of events and entertainment available to them.
Over the years, the media has celebrated Blowing Rock winters right along with us. Travel & Leisure magazine named Blowing Rock “one of America’s Prettiest Winter Towns.” It has also been named one of the “Top Pick” events by AAA, and was named a Top 20 Event by Southeastern Tourism Society.
Blowing Rock WinterFest is now a Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce Event. The original committee retired, moved on, etc. leaving three lone members, two of which work for the Chamber. They work to continually create exciting winter celebrations and show visitors a good time so they will want to come back again and again. Don’t Hibernate. Celebrate winter in Blowing Rock! Chilly and Crystal will be holding the door for you.