BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Grandfather Mountain - ECPv6.18.0//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Grandfather Mountain
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://grandfather.com
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Grandfather Mountain
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/New_York
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20260308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20261101T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20270314T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20271107T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260901
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261001
DTSTAMP:20260204T144654Z
CREATED:20230207T064734Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260204T144654Z
UID:10000083-1788220800-1790812799@grandfather.com
SUMMARY:Hawk Watch
DESCRIPTION:All throughout September\, guests are invited to join the mountain’s naturalists as they count and celebrate the annual spectacle of fall raptor migration. Participants can observe the migration from viewing locations on Linville Peak (across the Mile High Swinging Bridge) and Half Moon Overlook (the first major overlook when entering the park). Included with admission. \nRaptors are birds of prey\, such as hawks\, eagles\, owls and vultures. The telltale signs of the raptor are sharp talons\, a hooked upper bill and keen eyesight. While some raptors remain in place during winter\, most will travel south\, where food is more abundant. Because it sits along the eastern escarpment of the Appalachian Mountains\, and its rocky peaks generate strong thermal uplifts and allow excellent visibility\, Grandfather Mountain is a prime viewing spot for this phenomenon. \nPerhaps the most dramatic visual display comes courtesy of the broad-winged hawk\, which migrates in groups of hundreds or thousands\, called kettles. Those sightings are most common around the second or third week of September. Grandfather Mountain is one of more than 300 Hawk Watch sites officially designated by the Hawk Migration Association of North America. \nBeyond nature putting on quite a show\, Hawk Watch serves a vital purpose. The annual tallies amassed from Grandfather Mountain and other locations are crucial in tracking hawk populations and migration routes over time. This data proves instrumental in making informed land management decisions. Between both volunteer and staff time\, more than 900 hours are invested in Hawk Watch at Grandfather annually. \nGrandfather Mountain is welcoming volunteers to aid in the official count. Volunteers must attend a mandatory orientation session to participate. Registration is required. Those interested should contact hawkwatch@grandfather.com. \nRead more about Hawk Watch.
URL:https://grandfather.com/event/hawkwatch/
LOCATION:Grandfather Mountain\, 2050 Blowing Rock Highway\, Linville\, NC\, 28646\, United States
CATEGORIES:Featured Events,Naturalist Programs
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://grandfather.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/HawkWatch.jpg
GEO:36.0850742;-81.8462718
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Grandfather Mountain 2050 Blowing Rock Highway Linville NC 28646 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=2050 Blowing Rock Highway:geo:-81.8462718,36.0850742
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261001T164500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261001T194500
DTSTAMP:20260709T201405Z
CREATED:20240528T132547Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260709T201405Z
UID:10000617-1790873100-1790883900@grandfather.com
SUMMARY:Grandfather Presents: Margaret Lowman\, Ph.D.\, aka CanopyMeg
DESCRIPTION:One of the world’s first arbornauts\, CanopyMeg devoted over four decades to exploring forest canopies. Her research and exploration have taken her to more than 45 countries\, on all seven continents\, where she not only tirelessly saves forests but also mentors girls. \nLowman has published over 200 research publications. Her work has appeared in National Geographic\, Wired\, Popular Science\, The Wall Street Journal\, Forbes and many others; and her first book received a cover feature in The New York Times Sunday Book Review. Lowman has won numerous awards\, including the prestigious Explorers Medal from The Explorers Club\, Garden Club of America’s Margaret Douglas Medal for conservation education\, Ecological Society of America’s Odum Award for Excellence in Ecology Education and the Tällberg Foundation’s Global Leadership Prize. \nCurrently\, she serves as executive director/founder of TREE Foundation in Sarasota\, Fla\, established in 2000 as a 501(c)3 non-profit with the mission to link local underserved children to nature\, and to promote tree research\, education and exploration. Lowman recently launched Mission Green\, to build 10 canopy walkways in the world’s highest biodiverse forests over the next five years. \n“The Arbornaut\,” a memoir of her adventures\, is a bestseller. Her newest book\, “Tree Day” introduces a single tree in each chapter\, during a single hour\, highlighting 24 species from around the world. \nLowman’s outside interests are diverse. She’s the proud mother of two wonderful boys who grew up climbing trees around the world with their single-parent scientist-mom. She’s had an asteroid named after her\, comprising 16 acres encircling Jupiter (16304 Lowman). She loves birding\, beaches\, reading and enjoying nature. Her personal motto is “no child left indoors.” \nLowman’s Oct. 1 presentation is titled “In Honor of Jane Goodall – How Trees Keep our Planet and its Wildlife Healthy.” Mission Green is a global project to conserve the world’s most important forests by building canopy walkways. These walkways not only educate the public about the amazing 8th continent otherwise known as the treetops\, but they sustainably employ indigenous women via ecotourism\, and offer students access to forest canopies to make new discoveries. Speaker CanopyMeg Lowman pioneered the construction of canopy walkways that now bring economic incentives to forest conservation around the world. She will talk about Mission Green\, and the importance of both forest conservation\, plus linking kids to nature via the treetops and her friend Jane. \nTickets go on sale online for this event here at 10 a.m. on Friday\, July 31. \nGrandfather Presents Schedule \n\n9 a.m. | Grandfather Mountain opens for the day\, and “VIP Reception” ticket holders are allowed access to the park. Your event ticket will be scanned at one of our ticket booths at the entrance gate.\n4:45 p.m. | “Presentation” ticket holders are allowed to enter the park and are welcome to explore the Conservation Campus (Wilson Center\, Mildred the Bear Environmental Habitats and more) prior to the speaker presentation. Your event ticket will be scanned at one of our ticket booths at the entrance gate.\n4:45 – 5:45 p.m. | Check-in for all event attendees near the front entrance of the Wilson Center (to receive your wristband for the event)\n5 – 5:30 p.m. | “VIP” Reception in the Wilson Center (“VIP Reception” ticket holders only)\n5:45 – 6:45 p.m. | Speaker presentation in the Classroom in the Clouds\n6:45 – 7:30 p.m. | Meet-and-greet/book signing with speaker\n7:45 p.m. | Park should be clear of all Grandfather Presents guests.\n\nGrandfather Presents Tickets\nTwo tiers of ticket access are offered for Grandfather Presents events. \n“VIP Reception” tickets include a VIP reception with the guest speaker that features heavy hors d’oeuvres\, in addition to the program and the “meet-and-greet/book signing” session after the event. Admission to the park for the day is also included. \n\n$60 “VIP Reception” Adult\n$51 “VIP Reception” Bridge Club Member (limited quantity available)\n\n“Presentation” tickets are a more cost-effective option and include only the speaker’s program and the “meet-and-greet/book signing” session after the event. \n\n$25 “Presentation” Adult\n$20 “Presentation” Bridge Club Member\nChildren 12 and under are admitted free with a paying adult (maximum of four free children per purchase).\n\nBridge Club Members\, click here to purchase VIP Reception tickets.\nYou will need to use your Bridge Club member number (located on your card below the barcode) to purchase. \nNon-Bridge Club Members\, click here to purchase VIP Reception tickets. \nBridge Club Members\, click here to purchase Presentation tickets.\nYou will need to use your Bridge Club member number (located on your card below the barcode) to purchase. \nNon-Bridge Club Members\, click here to purchase Presentation tickets. \nRefunds/Cancellations\nFull refunds will be given to individuals who reach out to us at least five days before the event (midnight\, Sept. 26). This allows time for individuals on the waiting list to make accommodations to attend the event. To cancel your registration\, please call 828-833-6332 Monday – Friday between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. or email judi@grandfather.com
URL:https://grandfather.com/event/grandfather-presents-dr-margaret-lowman-canopymeg/
CATEGORIES:Featured Events,Grandfather Presents
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://grandfather.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GF-Presents-CanopyMeg.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261002T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261002T200000
DTSTAMP:20260529T191557Z
CREATED:20260205T203032Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260529T191557Z
UID:10001426-1790964000-1790971200@grandfather.com
SUMMARY:Sunset at the Swinging Bridge
DESCRIPTION:Back by popular demand\, Grandfather Mountain\, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation\, is offering a sunset experiences in 2026. These special events\, titled “Sunset at the Swinging Bridge\,” will provide guests with the rare opportunity to be in the park outside of regular operating hours and to hopefully experience a lovely sunrise from the bridge’s lofty vantage point. \nTickets for this event go on sale online on Grandfather Mountain’s website Aug. 5 at 10 a.m. \nBridge Club Members\, click here to purchase tickets.\nYou will need to use your Bridge Club member number (located on your card below the barcode) to purchase. \nNon-Bridge Club Members\, click here to purchase tickets. \nAdmission to the event is $52 for general admission\, $33 for children (ages 3-12) and $20 for members of Grandfather Mountain’s Bridge Club. Event tickets include an entire day’s access to Grandfather\, with regular park hours being 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Trails close at 5 p.m. \nWith park admission included in each sunset ticket\, we encourage all event attendees to spend the day at Grandfather Mountain before their special event. \nAll participants will be required to head to the top of the mountain by 6 p.m. when the park is closing. Due to safety regulations\, eventgoers are only permitted to view the sunset from the Swinging Bridge area. The Top Shop gift shop and restrooms will be accessible during the events. \nPark educators will be on hand to talk to guests about the nature around the Swinging Bridge\, identify nearby points of interest and answer any questions. In addition\, a professional photographer very familiar with capturing sunsets at Grandfather Mountain will also be on hand to chat with those guests wishing to capture the beauty of the day’s last light with their cameras. \nParticipants are strongly encouraged to bring a flashlight or headlamp and wear heavy jackets\, hats\, gloves and rubber-soled shoes. Fall evenings can be surprisingly very chilly at the top of Grandfather Mountain! \nThe event may be canceled on short notice in case of inclement weather\, and guests will be refunded if that’s the case. In addition\, a picture-perfect sunset\, unfortunately\, cannot be guaranteed. \nThis event is limited to 150 guests. If the events sell out\, waiting lists will be available. \n-Tickets for this event go on sale online on Grandfather Mountain’s website Aug. 5 at 10 a.m.\n-Sunset is at 7:10 p.m. on Friday\, Oct. 2\n-All “Sunset at the Swinging Bridge” participants will need to exit the park’s gates by 8 p.m.\n-To receive a full refund\, guests must cancel prior to 5 p.m. Friday\, Sept. 25. Cancellations following that date are not eligible for a refund. To cancel\, email judi@grandfather.com or call 828-833-6332.\n-Grandfather Mountain will make a decision on whether the event is able to take place and notify all ticket holders by noon on Wednesday\, Sept. 30.
URL:https://grandfather.com/event/sunset-at-the-swinging-bridge/
LOCATION:Grandfather Mountain\, 2050 Blowing Rock Highway\, Linville\, NC\, 28646\, United States
CATEGORIES:Featured Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://grandfather.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20241106-DSC02751-Edit.jpg
GEO:36.0850742;-81.8462718
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Grandfather Mountain 2050 Blowing Rock Highway Linville NC 28646 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=2050 Blowing Rock Highway:geo:-81.8462718,36.0850742
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261003T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261003T133000
DTSTAMP:20260210T174001Z
CREATED:20250107T190941Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260210T174001Z
UID:10001415-1791032400-1791034200@grandfather.com
SUMMARY:Fall Color Ramble
DESCRIPTION:Guests enjoy short\, guided nature walks that highlight Grandfather Mountain’s fall colors. The Fall Color Rambles take place daily and are included in your admission ticket. The short excursions begin at 1 p.m. and typically last for 30 minutes. Rambles will start outside the entrance of the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. Should it happen to be raining\, the event may be moved to the indoor exhibit hall in the Wilson Center. \nGrandfather Mountain is home to myriad species of plants and hardwood trees that range from pumpkin-colored beech trees to blood-red sourwoods and rusty red oaks. During the daily rambles\, guests learn all about the mountain’s unique biodiversity and the science behind the changing of the leaves. \nParticipants can become familiar with tree identification\, as the mountain’s talented and knowledgeable educators and interpretive park guides venture out with guests to some of the most colorful destinations on the mountain.
URL:https://grandfather.com/event/fall-color-ramble/2026-10-03/
LOCATION:Grandfather Mountain\, 2050 Blowing Rock Highway\, Linville\, NC\, 28646\, United States
CATEGORIES:Featured Events,Naturalist Programs
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://grandfather.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Fall-Color-Ramble-1.jpg
GEO:36.0850742;-81.8462718
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Grandfather Mountain 2050 Blowing Rock Highway Linville NC 28646 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=2050 Blowing Rock Highway:geo:-81.8462718,36.0850742
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261004T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261004T133000
DTSTAMP:20260210T174001Z
CREATED:20250107T190941Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260210T174001Z
UID:10001801-1791118800-1791120600@grandfather.com
SUMMARY:Fall Color Ramble
DESCRIPTION:Guests enjoy short\, guided nature walks that highlight Grandfather Mountain’s fall colors. The Fall Color Rambles take place daily and are included in your admission ticket. The short excursions begin at 1 p.m. and typically last for 30 minutes. Rambles will start outside the entrance of the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. Should it happen to be raining\, the event may be moved to the indoor exhibit hall in the Wilson Center. \nGrandfather Mountain is home to myriad species of plants and hardwood trees that range from pumpkin-colored beech trees to blood-red sourwoods and rusty red oaks. During the daily rambles\, guests learn all about the mountain’s unique biodiversity and the science behind the changing of the leaves. \nParticipants can become familiar with tree identification\, as the mountain’s talented and knowledgeable educators and interpretive park guides venture out with guests to some of the most colorful destinations on the mountain.
URL:https://grandfather.com/event/fall-color-ramble/2026-10-04/
LOCATION:Grandfather Mountain\, 2050 Blowing Rock Highway\, Linville\, NC\, 28646\, United States
CATEGORIES:Featured Events,Naturalist Programs
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://grandfather.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Fall-Color-Ramble-1.jpg
GEO:36.0850742;-81.8462718
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Grandfather Mountain 2050 Blowing Rock Highway Linville NC 28646 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=2050 Blowing Rock Highway:geo:-81.8462718,36.0850742
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR