Visit Banner Elk

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Banner Elk, NC
Visit Banner Elk

Official Visitor Guide by Banner Elk Tourism and Town Hall. Our town is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains inn North Carolina. Home to Lees-McRae College.

A beloved vacation getaway for cool summers and snowy winters (NC's top ski town).

11/03/2024

Visit Banner Elk this Holiday Season! It will be festive as ever with Small Town Christmas Weekend, ski season kick-off, cut-and-choose trees & more. Most restaurants, shops, and galleries reopen by Thanksgiving. Book lodging now. Get details: www.bannerelk.com/holiday-season

11/02/2024

Reminder! BE Resource Center NEW hours: Thurs-Sat 10-4 in Historic BE School - enter from back on Culver Rd (closed Sun-Wed). Find a big variety of donated items for those needing a little help. Get info & volunter info + other updates: www.bannerelk.com/help

11/02/2024

The Party Barn wraps up their free lunch cookouts today! They provided 5,500+ meals to neighbors in needs, recovery workers and volunteers. Thank you!!! It's operated by The High Country Charitable Foundation, Inc. , located across the road from Elk River Airport. (World Central Kitchen last day at Best Western is Sunday)

11/01/2024

Yum! Be Scooped Ice Cream reopened today. Open everyday 7am-9pm - now serving coffee also. Favorite flavor? Jacked Up Tennessee Toffee. 144 Azalea Circle SE

11/01/2024

Water Update: More good news! Additional water service has been restored with a BOIL ADVISORY for these areas: Beech Haven Road, Brookview Lane, Elkview Place, Chime Hill, Tate Dr, Breezy Lane, Hemlock Place, Old Turnpike W Road (except Highlands), Perry Road, Wakley Way, Beech Mountain Parkway below Vistas, Silver Springs Dr, Meadowview Apts.
Boil advisory has been lifted for those that had water restored earlier in the week.
The Division of Water Resources advises to boil water (vigorously for 1 minute) used for human consumption - including drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation. Or use bottled water for these. Water may be used for flushing toilets, laundry, bathing, and washing hands for basic personal hygiene.
Elkmont & Vistas connections have more severe damage, so it may be 2 more weeks before water/sewer.
For the remaining areas, we are pressurizing and testing water lines to locate leaks and isolate breaks. As lines are flushed, water intermittently runs through the system. This water SHOULD NOT be used. IMPORTANT: If you see or hear water running, please call Town Hall to report it: (828) 898-5398. The more we work together to find leaks, the quicker repairs are made!

11/01/2024

Trunk-or-Treat was extra exciting this year! Kids of all ages got tons of candy, hamburgers, ice cream and even pho! Thanks to many who donated. Held in front of the Historic BE School.

10/31/2024

Water update from the Town of Banner Elk: Good news! The Boil Water Advisory issued Tuesday for those customers that had water pressure has been lifted. 80% of town has water. Our system operator has reported that results of the test conducted were good, with no signs of bacteriological growth and Chlorine residuals are at normal levels.
We are issuing a boil water advisory for Elk Creek Drive which has just received water pressure. We will continue to update the list of areas under boil water advisories as water pressure is restored to additional areas.
Thank you to our water consumers for their patience and understanding during this difficult time.
Rick Owen
Manager, Town of Banner Elk

10/31/2024

Thanks to Eric Church and Governor Roy Cooper for touring Banner Elk today, talking with local residents, town council and business owners to get information about needs.

10/31/2024

Listen to Eric Church and Governor Roy Cooper in talk today about building 100 homes in Avery County for our local residents flooded out of their homes. They toured the BE Resource Center in the Historic School and talked with officials at Town Hall.

10/31/2024

Yay! Banner Elk Animal Hospital with Dr. Knowles is open in the caboose for two months while their office flood damage is repaired. It's an outpatient only clinic, no surgery or dental procedures for now. They can give vaccines, run laboratory diagnostics, treat illnesses and fill or write prescriptions. Open Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 9-4 and Thurs 9-1. New phone number 828-783-9084. Info: www.bannerelkanimalhospital.com

10/31/2024

Stonewalls reopens Friday night! We so appreciate them providing thousands of free meals during our storm recovery. Read all about them: www.stonewallsrestaurant.com

10/30/2024

Save the Date! FEMA & SBA Disaster Recovery Community Meeting is November 12 @ 6 PM. Avery County residents and businesses who were affected by Hurricane Helene are invited to learn more about assistance and resources from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and SBA (Small Business Administration). Meet their local representatives. Presented by the Town of Banner Elk and Avery Chamber of Commerce. Held at Best Western Mountain Lodge (1615 Tynecastle Hwy, Banner Elk).

10/30/2024

BE Resource Center NEW hours & needs list: Open Thurs-Sat 10-4 (reducing hours as demand decreases) in BE Historic School. Updated needs list for donations:
Dehumidifiers
Brooms
Mop handles
Cat litter
Mold and mildew cleaner
Dish soap
Paper towels
Toilet paper
Damp rid
AAA batteries
Ziploc all sizes
Paper plates and bowls
Distilled water
Protein Drinks
Canned meat
Rice
Granola bars & fruit bars
Nuts & dried fruit
Jelly
Bread
Sleeping bags
Pillows
Women's underwear
Bath towels and wash clothes
Razors
Children's pain medicine
Children's cough cold medicine
Children's allergy
Adult antacids
Adult cold flu medicine
Get volunter info & other updates: www.bannerelk.com/help

10/29/2024

Water Progress! Water pressure has been restored to many customers of the Town of Banner Elk. If you have water, you are now under a Boil Water Advisory. The Division of Water Resources advises to boil water (vigorously for 1 minute) used for human consumption - including drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation. Or use bottled water for these. Additional water and sewer repairs are underway.

Water may be used for flushing toilets, laundry, bathing, and washing hands for basic personal hygiene. During bathing, please monitor small children to ensure they do not accidentally drink the water. Infants can be given sponge baths. If your dishwasher has a sanitizing cycle or reaches a final rinse temperature of at least 170°F, you can use it. If hand-washing dishes, wash and rinse dishes using hot water, then soak them in a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented bleach per gallon of warm water for at least one minute. Allow the dishes to air dry completely before using them again.

We continue running required tests before lifting the boil water advisory. No pressure in the distribution system increased the potential for back siphonage and introduction of bacteria into the water system.

10/29/2024

Great news! Our beloved Tate-Evans Park is looking good after several feet of water rushed through during the storm. Playground equipment is closed until repaired. Thanks to our town crew plus many volunteers for the massive cleanup thus far. Greenway is in good shape, but busy with cleanup vehicles.

10/29/2024

Travel Alert! DOT repair work on Beech Mtn Parkway begins today at 14 locations with washed out shoulders, culvert damage, etc from Banner Elk to the end on NC 184 near Beech Mtn Ski Resort. Expect to complete in 2-3 weeks. Expect short delays with one lane sections.

10/28/2024

Coming Nov 15: Music for the Mountain Benefit Concert at Hayes Auditorium (Lees-McRae College), with ALL proceeds to benefit Avery County First Responders that were critically impacted by Helene. Tickets $10 (premium seats sold out). Get info: https://www.averyconcert.com/

10/28/2024

Town Water/Sewer Update: While the sewer main trunkline to the Wastewater Treatment Plant is repaired, many water and sewer breaks throughout town still exist. Water has returned to much of central Banner Elk, but it is only safe for flushing. We anticipate moving to a boil advisory later this week. Crews are busy and repairs are complex.

Areas without sewer service due to additional breaks include The Vistas, The Highlands, Lodges at Elkmont, 700 East Main to Elkmont (include Dollar General), and Shawneehaw Heights.

IMPORTANT: If you see or hear water running, please call Town Hall to report it: 828-898-5398. The more we work together to find leaks, the quicker repairs are made!

Pic: Repair to sewer line that goes through park.

10/28/2024

Fun for kids in town & nearby! Our annual Trunk or Treat, Oct 31, 4-6 PM in front of the Historic Banner Elk School. If you want to provide a trunk, set-up at 3 PM. If you are local and want to donate candy, drop off at My Best Friend's Barkery. Free food includes hamburgers by Stonewalls.

10/27/2024

No Sunday off for these heroes (far away from their homes).

10/26/2024

Exciting to cross the Mile High Swinging Bridge today! Grandfather Mtn has reopened. Plan your visit: https://www.bannerelk.com/grandfather-mountain/

10/25/2024

If you are in the area, two downtown restaurants have reopened, Banner Elk Cafe 7-7:30 & Town Tavern of Banner Elk 11-7. As sewer and water continues to expand, others will open in the upcoming weeks.

10/25/2024

Thank you to the many groups that provided free hot meals in front of the Historic BE School every day - including our Diamond Creek neighbors today! This is the last day for hot meals there since we are getting more water, sewer and electricity. Hot meals will continue at World Central Kitchen at Best Western next week:
7-10 am: Breakfast
11:30 am-1:30 pm: Lunch
4-6 pm: Dinner
Also lunch at Party Barn 11-3 Mon-Sat.
Get more updates & resources: https://www.bannerelk.com/help/

10/24/2024

Town Water/Sewer Update: CELEBRATE… The Sewer Mainline leading to the Wastewater Treatment Plant is repaired and ready for most of the town! Water has also returned to much of the town, but it is only for flushing for now.

Areas without sewer service due to additional breaks include The Vistas, The Highlands, Lodges at Elkmont, 700 East Main to Elkmont (include Dollar General), Park Ave (includes Town Hall & Town Tavern) Shawneehaw Heights.

Many water line repairs also completed. If you have water, only use it for toilets. The Town is treating and testing water and will update when it is safe for other uses.

IMPORTANT: If you see or hear water running, please call Town Hall to report it: 828-898-5398. The more we work together to find leaks, the quicker repairs are made!

Pics: Sewer line installation near Mill Pond Dam and water line repair on East Main.

10/24/2024

Updated needs list! (Volunteer Penny asking for paper towels & toilet paper.) Our dozens of volunteers at the BE Resource Center have sorted, stocked and inventoried. The donated items have reached thousands of people not only in our town, but in the far reaches of several surrounding counties. THANK YOU! Here's a current list of donation needs. Please drop off at the Resource Center (enter from Main St on Culver Rd and circle around to side entrance of the Historic School), Thursday-Saturday 10 AM -2 PM.
Paper towels
Toilet paper
Paper plates and bowls
Large Dehumidifiers
Protein drinks
Mold and mildew cleaner
Bleach
Laundry detergent
Pillows
Cat litter
Dish soap
Damp rid
Lighters
D batteries
Ziploc all sizes
Distilled water
Mops & Brooms
Flat Shovels
Child medicines: pain, cold, allergy
Adult medicines: antacids, cold/flu, pain, vitamins
Band-aids
Bath towels and wash clothes
Women's new underwear
New Toddler / Children’s Winter Coats
Disposable Razors
Wet cat & dog food
Cereal and oatmeal
Jelly
Ship from Amazon: Town of Banner Elk, attn Chuck Saunders, 200 Park Avenue, Banner Elk, NC 28604

Banner Elk Resource Distribution Center needs volunteers every day. They have two shifts, 9:15 AM-1:15 PM and 12:15-4:45 PM (Thursday, Friday, Saturday). Volunteer group shift meeting / training at 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM. Additional hands needed in unload after hours deliveries. Volunteers help locals select needed items, stock shelves and unload donations. Just show up in person and check-in for quick training.

Address

200 Park Avenue
Banner Elk, NC
28604

Website

https://www.bannerelk.com/

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Videos

Take a minute tour of the Resource Center in the Historic BE School. Read about the many ways to get help and volunteer, donate online: https://www.bannerelk.com/help/ "Shoppers" stop by to pick up needed items, plus many truckloads taken out in the county to remote areas and neighboring towns. Open M-Sat 10-4, Sunday 1-4. Volunteers needed! Please pause on donations, since we have plenty to sort and give at this time. New winter coats are always needed!

And now it's snowing! It's early for our first snow, but a reminder of fun winter days ahead as we work on recovery. Thankfully just a night of snow showers, then weather improves for our recovery workers (60s by Friday). Anyone needing shelter needs go to the Rock Gym in Newland at 185 Shady Street.

Another busy day at the Resource Center in the Historic Banner Elk School. We are overwhelmed by big hearts and generosity, both with the overflowing donations and the many hard-working volunteers. Our location for donations pick up is in the Historic Banner Elk School downtown, open 10 AM-4 PM Mon-Sat, Sun 1-4 PM. Get a big variety of donated hurricane relief supplies. Pick up in bulk for neighboring towns and communities. Street Address: 185 Azalea Cir SE, Banner Elk, REAR ENTRANCE off Culver Rd. Volunteers needed, read below. Local Volunteers Needed Daily! Two shifts, 9:30 AM-1:15 PM and 1-4:45 PM. Team meeting at 9:45 AM & 1 PM. Additional hands needed in unload after hours deliveries. Volunteers help locals select needed items, stock shelves and unload donations. Just show up in person and check-in for quick training. Park in front of Historic School and walk to side entrance off Culver. More updates: https://www.bannerelk.com/help/

Elk River flowing big over the Mill Pond Dam after 8 inches of rain during past 48 hours. More heavy rain and high winds tonight and Friday morning, so water will rise much more. UPDATE: State of Emergency for Avery County. Curfew today at 8 PM until Thursday 5 AM. Fully tax-deductible way you can help local residents & first responders: https://www.mightycause.com/event/Supportbannerelk

Enjoy a quick tour of Art on the Greene! Today & Sunday 10-5 at Historic School. Plus, nearby galleries to browse!

Beautiful Crab Orchard Falls this morning - just 6 miles from downtown Banner Elk. Trailhead located at Valle Crucis Conference Center (Holy Cross Episcopal Church). 1.5 miles roundtrip hike

Check out the 360-degree view from the Mile High Swinging Bridge on Grandfather Mountain! Read about many things to do there: https://www.bannerelk.com/grandfather-mountain/