Wilkes NC Tourism

01/23/2025

🚨 We're back! 🚨 Mark your calendars for next Monday, January 27th at 4PM EST for the first session of our 2025 Marketing Mondays Mastery series! 🔥

This year, we’re diving deeper into marketing strategies, sharing actionable steps to take your business to the next level. Our first session is all about "A Quick Re-Intro + Winter Tourism – How to Keep Your Marketing Hot in February & March." ❄️💥

✨ Join your favorite hosts, P.J. Wirchansky & Cara Treadway, for a 30-minute interactive webinar packed with insights, tips, and real-time strategies. We’ll have a Q&A and discussion after each session, making sure you leave with the knowledge and tools to take action right away!

Don't forget—new time this year: 4PM EST. 🕓

🔗 Scan the QR code to sign up now at uplifttourism.com! We can’t wait to kick off this year’s season with you. See you there!

01/21/2025

01/17/2025

01/17/2025

01/17/2025

On January 17, 1874, Chang and Eng Bunker, the original Siamese twins, died. The Bunkers were born in Thailand (then Siam) in 1811 and amassed a fortune for themselves on the circus and exhibition circuit before retiring to North Carolina in 1839. They first lived in Wilkes County, where they married sisters Sarah and Adelaide Yates. With growing families, the brothers purchased land in Surry County and built large homes a little over a mile apart. For the rest of their lives, they spent three nights at one house and then three nights at the other. Eng and Sarah Bunker eventually had eleven children, while Chang and Adelaide had ten.

After the devastating losses during the Civil War, the twins returned briefly to the circus. They traveled to Europe where, between shows, they searched in vain for a doctor to separate them. In January of 1874, Chang contracted bronchitis and died in his sleep. Eng awakened and, horrified by the sight of his dead twin, quickly fell into paralysis. A doctor was summoned but did not arrive until after Eng had died. The two were buried in a common grave at the White Plains Baptist Church cemetery in Surry County.

Marker located in Surry County: https://www.dncr.nc.gov/blog/2024/01/17/eng-and-chang-bunker-1811-1874-m-7

01/16/2025

You don't want to miss this! It's only 3 weeks, so mark your calendars, follow us on FB or insta, and sign up for our newsletter! We will keep you updated when the first tulip arrives! # tulipaffair

01/16/2025

Our 2023 Vermentino Superiore was recently crowned with a Double Gold Medal and an impressive 96 points at the San Francisco International Wine Competition. The SFIWC is one of the oldest and most prestigious wine competitions in the world with over four decades of history, and has developed a reputation recognizing the finest wines globally. There are only seven cases of this classic vintage remaining. (Link to purchase in comments.)

01/14/2025

COMING UP IN ONE MONTH!

FOOD BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURS AT ALL STAGES OF BUSINESS:

Join us for an upcoming seminar: "Navigating the NC Food Industry: Essentials and Best Practices for NC Food Entrepreneurs"

When: February 14th, 2025 | 1-5pm

Where: Wilkes County Agricultural Center, Room C

This event is FREE to anyone interested in learning more about the regulations that govern food businesses, including food made in one's home for sale.

This seminar is for food business entrepreneurs at all stages of business, even those still in the visioning phase!

Join food business regulators, educators, and entrepreneurs from the local and state level to learn about the following topics:

- The roles of the Wilkes County Health Department, N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Wilkes Community College Small Business Center, and N.C. Cooperative Extension
- Requirements for processing food in your home, acidified food products, and value-added supplements
- Catering, Food Trucks, Fundraisers, & Temporary Food Stands
Food products requiring Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plans
- Food business planning resources and considerations from respected chef and entrepreneur, Dani Black

Pre-registration is required. Please RE-REGISTER even if you were registered for the original event date.

Register at go.ncsu.edu/nc-food-industry

We can't wait to see you there!

01/13/2025

01/13/2025

Our dear friend Tom Brown who has helped revive heirloom apples in our area. A lot of these lost varieties he found right here in Wilkes, NC.

Tom Brown, a 79-year-old from Clemmons, North Carolina, has spent over 20 years of his retirement tracking down rare, nearly extinct apple varieties that once flourished across Appalachia. Driven by his passion for rediscovering these heirlooms, Brown has revived more than 1,200 unique apple types with whimsical names like Brushy Mountain Limbertwig, Mule Face, and Tucker’s Everbearing.

His journey began in 1998 after encountering heritage apples at a farmers’ market, inspiring him to search for “lost” apples that hadn’t been tasted in over a century. Stretching across the Appalachian region—from southern New York to northern Alabama—Brown scours old maps, orchard catalogs, and historical records, often driving hours and knocking on doors to find forgotten orchards or lone trees tucked in remote areas.

When he finds a lost variety, Brown grafts clippings onto trees in his own orchard, where he cultivates and sells them for just $15 to encourage others to create “mini preservation orchards.” Despite the challenge of aging trees and a dwindling population of local knowledge keepers, Brown remains determined, calling the work both fun and fulfilling.

“It’s a thrill to rediscover them,” he says. “I’m happy as a lark.” Brown’s mission not only preserves these apples but also honors the heritage of the region, where generations of families once prided themselves on cultivating unique varieties in their backyards.

01/12/2025

our first bee class of 2025 isn't far away!!!! please join us and message if you havw any questions :)

01/09/2025

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01/08/2025

❄️🌲 Get Snowed In with Us! 🌲❄️

The forecast says snow on Friday, and we say it’s time for a winter adventure! ☃️

⛺ Last-Minute Cabin Rentals
Escape to the perfect winter wonderland this weekend with 10% OFF last-minute cabin rentals! Cozy cabins, crackling fires, and snowy views await. ❄️🔥

🐴 New Horseback Rides
Now through 1/12/25, enjoy 10% OFF all new horseback riding bookings! Saddle up and experience the magic of snow-covered trails. 🏔️🐎

📅 Don’t wait! Deals this cool won’t last long. Call today!

👉 336-973-4142

✨ Get Snowed In with Us and make memories that warm your heart! ✨