Beech Mountain: Celebrating Resilence with the Blackberry Jam

The natural beauty of the mountains of North Carolina has beckoned travelers for decades. When autumn arrives and vibrant shades of gold, orange, yellow, and red paint the landscape, even more visitors arrive. Residents and business owners eagerly anticipate the fall season and welcome travelers with a smile. But in September 2024, in the midst of the colorful season an unwelcome guest arrived…Hurricane Helene. The horrific storm caused significant damage to many mountain towns in the North Carolina mountains, and some have still not recovered. Lives, businesses, and property were lost to the storm.

Beech Mountain is one of the charming communities caught in the winds of Hurricane Helene. As Eastern America’s highest town, it offers year-round outdoor adventures and small-town charm.  Although this beautiful town was impacted, it was mercifully spared from the worst of the deadly storm. This resilient community is also fortunate to have committed construction crews, firefighters, town employees, and volunteers who worked tirelessly to help it bounce back. While the North Carolina mountains face years of rebuilding, the spirit of its people cannot be broken. And, in Beech Mountain, those spirited residents want you to know their mountains are open and ready to welcome you back!

Welcome to Beech Mountain’s Blackberry Jam Photo: Shutterstock

Blackberries are Waiting

While autumn typically attracts the largest groups of tourists to the North Carolina mountains, there’s much to experience in the summer months. This is especially true in 2025 as Beech Mountain is re-packaging July and August into a vibrant summer celebration, deliciously named Blackberry Jam!

The celebration combines the town’s lively music scene, cool mountain temperatures, abundant outdoor adventures, and the sweet tradition of blackberry picking. With live performances, blackberry-themed treats from local restaurants, and monthly farmers’ markets, Blackberry Jam offers a fresh take on summer fun.

Blackberry Music Jam

Blackberry Jam’s music offerings include both free and ticketed concerts:

• Beech Mountain Resort Summer Music Series – Featuring nationally acclaimed headliners such as Red Clay Strays, Jason Isbell, Lake Street Dive, Charley Crockett, 49 Winchester and many more. More than 20 artists are set to perform in the famed series, which draws visitors from across the country.

Additional Weekend Music Across Town:

• Fridays – Free live music at Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria
• Saturdays – Scenic lift rides at Beech Mountain Resort to enjoy live music at 5506’ Skybar
• Sundays – Free sunset concerts at Fred’s General Mercantile Gazebo and Concerts on the Lawn at Top of the Beech Inn

Beech Mountain Music Festival Photo: David Simchock

A Perfect Summer Playlist with Blackberry Flavor

Blackberry Jam coincides with Beech Mountain’s ripe blackberry season, and local businesses are joining the celebration by offering mouthwatering themed specials. From desserts to drinks, these seasonal treats add a delicious twist to the summer experience.

• Blackberry Specials – Available July and August:
• Beech Alpen Inn – Rotating blackberry dessert specials
• Slopeview Restaurant – Blackberry pancakes
• Bullwinkle’s Tavern – Rotating blackberry dessert specials
• Brick Oven Pizzeria – Blackberry ice cream
• Fred’s General Mercantile – Lemon cupcakes with blackberry buttercream frosting, assorted blackberry desserts  and specialty blackberry wines
• Holy Smokes BBQ – Blackberry BBQ sauce and blackberry cheesecake fudge
• Whistle Pig Pub – Specialty Blackberry Cocktail
• First Chair Coffee Shop – Blackberry drink special

Free Monthly Farmers’ Markets – Fresh and Local

 Beech Mountain’s monthly Farmers’ Markets will also offer the perfect chance to savor the flavors of blackberry season. From June through October, on the first Friday of each month, the market pops up in town from 2 to 6 p.m., featuring fresh, locally grown produce, blackberry-infused goodies, artisan goods, and more.

With abundant music, blackberry delights, outdoor recreation, scenic vistas, and crisp mountain air, Beech Mountain offers the perfect summer getaway. Go for the rhythm, savor the sweetness, and experience summer at 5,506 feet like never before.

For more details on accommodations and the latest information on Blackberry Jam, visit beechmtn.com/blackberry-jam.

Beyond the blackberries, Beech Mountain offers everything from skiing in the winter to hiking, mountain biking, and live music in the summer making it a top destination for adventure seekers and relaxation enthusiasts alike. As they say in Beech Mountain, “Our mountains are open, come on up!”

Sunset on the Ski Lift Photo:  Kristian Jackson

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