From The Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce

Dear Visitor,

The Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 52^nd NC Mineral, Gem & Jewelry Festival July 30-August 2, 2009 at The Bridge Coliseum in Spruce Pine, NC.  This yearly festival brings together mineral, gem and jewelry enthusiasts from across the United States and is renowned as one of the oldest and best gem shows in the country.  Festival go-ers can shop among aisles and aisles of glittering jewelry and amazing minerals during the four day event.  In addition, you can enjoy the Friday night street dance, take a glow in the dark mine tour, and listen to interesting lectures from the world of mining and gems.

Spruce Pine and the surrounding area is home to a multitude of mineral and gem related attractions, including the recently renovated Museum of North Carolina Minerals which houses some of the finest gem exhibits in North Carolina.  There are also opportunities to tour active mines and take home your own treasure from one of the gem mines in the area.

While at the Festival, visitors can also enjoy the many attractions that Spruce Pine and the area offers.  Home to more craft and art studios than any other area in the state, the Spruce Pine area boasts hundreds of artist studios, galleries and shops featuring beautiful handcrafted products.  And did you know that Spruce Pine lies just minutes from the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway, which provides breathtaking views of the oldest mountain chain in the world, the Appalachians? Roan Mountain located just outside of Spruce Pine is another must see, and home to the world’s largest rhododendron garden…over 600 acres of breathtaking blooms.

More outdoor adventure awaits with fly fishing in our Mountain Heritage Trout streams, tubing down the Toe River, hiking the Appalachian Trail or horseback riding through natural forests and streams.

Spruce Pine is known as The Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree and features the Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree store, a unique stop on your trip.  Learn about how over one hundred artists come together to produce handcrafted products  in this non-profit project and how the project has been featured in the White House, USA Today, Family Circle and HGTV to name a few!

We invite you to come to the Festival, but stay for all the wonderful activities and attractions that await you in Spruce Pine.  We look forward to seeing you soon!

_____________________