Grandfather Glows Event Updates

To plan your visit: Read more about the Grandfather Glows Events | Read about our 10 species of fireflies and illuminating insects.

Grandfather Glows Schedule

• 7 p.m.: MacRae Meadows (Gate 2) opens for parking. Navigate to Grandfather Mountain (2050 Blowing Rock Hwy, Linville, NC). MacRae Meadows is just south of the Grandfather Mountain Entrance Gate on US 221. There will be signs and staff to assist in directing participants on where to go.

To enter the event, you must show your tickets – either by a printout or by phone. We will be scanning all tickets. Please be prepared to roll down your windows so we can get an accurate count of the number of folks in your vehicle.

• 7-8 p.m.: Educators roving and tables set up to answer questions. Picnics are welcome, but please pack away all trash since we have bears in the park. Alcohol not permitted.
• 7:25 p.m.: 20-minute fireflies program by park naturalists in parking area
• 8 p.m.: Guests can begin walking or riding the shuttle to the viewing area.

It takes approximately 5-10 minutes to walk to the viewing location from the parking area. The walking trail is a bit steep, but once a person is on the park road, the slope is gentle. The shuttle ride will take around 15 minutes (not counting the wait time to load the bus). Please plan the gear you bring with these notes in mind.

• 8-9 p.m.: Educators will be roving the viewing area to provide information and answer any questions.
• 8:45 p.m.:Last shuttle to the firefly viewing area leaves the Meadows.
• 8:45-9 p.m.:Attendees will be encouraged to select their viewing location and get settled in for the show to start!
• 9 p.m.: Meadow Gate closes. To view the fireflies, you must arrive before this time.
• 9-11 p.m.: Viewing time, sitting in your chair or on a blanket (Please note, firefly activity increases after it has been dark for 20 minutes or so.)
• 11 p.m.: Walk or shuttle back to car. Those wanting to walk back to their car before 11 p.m. may do so. Parking attendants will have the exit gates open at 10:15 p.m. for visitors to leave early if they wish to do so.

Rain Date
It is important to understand that your firefly viewing opportunity may occur on the event date or backup rain date (the day immediately following the event date). Please note, the rain date for the July 3 event is July 5.

Each Grandfather Glows event date comes with a backup rain date. Meaning, if Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation cancels the event due to adverse weather conditions, it will be held on the rain date (weather permitting). Grandfather Mountain will notify ticket holders by noon if that day’s event is canceled. Monitoring email leading up to this event is important to make sure you receive all updates!

What to Bring

To enter the event you must show your tickets – either a printout or on your phone. Please be prepared to roll down your windows so we can get an accurate count of the number of folks in your vehicle.

The firefly viewing area and all activities will happen along the park road. Participants should bring easy-to-carry chairs for the viewing event. Picnics (small coolers and baskets) are also welcome at this event. Alcohol is strictly prohibited.

Blankets would also be helpful for seating or to help stay warm. We will provide red-light flashlights and/or red cellophane to cover your flashlight and cell phone.

Grandfather Mountain will have event T-shirts, stickers, general merchandise and drinks for sale at the event.

Port-a-John toilets will be available in the parking area and in a single location along the viewing area (near where the shuttles will unload).

What to Wear
You should be prepared for a variety of mountain weather conditions and temperatures. Summer nights on Grandfather Mountain are often much cooler than folks expect. Bring layers! Appropriate clothing and footwear are very important. Events will be held in the event of light rain or drizzle. Rain gear is recommended.

Accessibility
We are excited to share that the event is accessible for those in a wheelchair. Once shuttled up to the viewing area, individuals in wheelchairs are allowed to go as far up the park road into the viewing area as they would like. Please note, the road is on an incline, so wheelchairs may need some assistance to move up the road. There will be an area designated for those with limited mobility near the bottom of the viewing area, near where shuttles drop off and pick up.

Event participants will have the option of walking to the viewing area from MacRae Meadows (approximately 150 yards of walking) or taking a shuttle. The firefly viewing area is located on a half-mile section of the park’s roads. Staff will be roving the viewing area to provide additional educational opportunities.

Rules/Expectations

• Alcohol is prohibited.
• Participants must stick to the paved path and designated areas. Moving off of these designated areas harms the fireflies. This rule will be strictly enforced.
• Flash photography is prohibited.
• Red-light flashlights will be provided. Red cellophane is another good alternate to use to cover any lights you must use, including your cell phone. Cell phones should be wrapped in red cellophane during the event. The mountain will have some red cellophane, but participants are also welcome to bring their own. No “white” light will be allowed as it disrupts the fireflies.
• Noise and excessive movement along the park road during the event should be kept to a minimum. Feel free to move to a different area of the viewing area if you are not seeing a lot of action, but remember that the more you move around, the more you will negatively affect the number of fireflies you and your fellow participants will see.
• Do not capture fireflies.
• Pets are not allowed at the event.