Local

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Rhododendron royalty

Cassidy McHone (left) and Karlee Sanderford were crowned NC Rhododendron Queens at the annual pageant at Bowman Middle, part of the NC Rhododendron Festival. McHone took home the crown in the junior division and Sanderford was tabbed as queen. 
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Local educators get Farm Bureau grants

Mitchell County teachers Neva Winters (Mayland Early College), Britney Carver and Molly Crowder (Greenlee) and Kellie Chapman (Deyton) are recipients of North Carolina Farm Bureau’s annual Ag in the Classroom Going Local grants.
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An out-of-this-world experience

The Alien Festival was in Spruce Pine on Saturday, June 10. The event brought droves of people to Upper Street to celebrate all things out of this world. Above, two aliens pose together during the festival before enjoying activities.
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Planning begins for 12th BBQ Festival

Planning has already begun for the 12th Spruce Pine BBQ & Bluegrass Festival, set for Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Riverside Park in Spruce Pine.  Adults get in for $5 each and kids 12 and under are free. The event features live entertainment, food and craft vendors and activities for kids.
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CM Literary Festival will return Sept. 7-9

The 2023 Carolina Mountains Literary Festival’s 29 authors of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, memoir, children’s and young adult books will come to Burnsville Sept. 7-9.  Free readings and discussions will take place at venues around the Town Square all day Friday and Saturday.