Last Updated on October 25, 2026 4:40 pm
The Town of Blowing Rock’s latest Message From the Manager covers ongoing infrastructure work, leaf collection, early voting, the Halloween Festival and Christmas Parade registration.
Infrastructure projects
- Park Avenue waterline: The replacement is progressing and is expected to be completed by Nov. 13. The roadway is not being closed during work. Work was paused Friday for seasonal traffic.
- Laurel Avenue sidewalks: The project is moving quicker than anticipated. If weather holds, the town expects work to finish this week, and hopes not to have to pause and resume in the spring. Work was also paused Friday for seasonal traffic.
- Morris Street sidewalk repair: The contractor is scheduled to work Nov. 11, while school is out. More dates will be shared as the schedule is finalized.
- Clary Court sidewalks: Work is in progress, with Phase 4 scheduled to be poured Nov. 12.
Leaf pickup
Leaf collection began last week and will run through the end of the year, with regular weekly pickups in each zone. Zone numbers equal the week of the month, so Zone 4 residents have pickup the fourth week of the month, Oct. 26–30. Residents who don’t know their zone can check the town website or call Town Hall at 828-295-5200.
Public Works will continue to collect leaves periodically through the start of spring as weather allows. Estate Maintenance will assist around the middle of November, concentrating on ditch lines. Leaf piles should be placed curbside and cannot block culverts or drainage ways. Bagged leaves should be placed curbside and will be collected with normal residential garbage.
Early voting
Watauga County voters may use any early voting site, and each site has the same schedule: Oct. 26–30, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sites are the Watauga County Administration Building (814 W. King St., Boone), the Blowing Rock American Legion (333 Wallingford St.), Deep Gap Fire Department (6583 Old US 421 S.), Meat Camp Fire Department (4797 N.C. 194), Plemmons Student Union at App State (263 Locust St.) and the Western Watauga Community Center (1081 Old US 421, Sugar Grove).
Caldwell County early voting follows the same schedule at the Caldwell Resource Center (120 Hospital Ave. NE, Lenoir) and the William B. Shuford Recreation Center (56 Pinewood Rd., Granite Falls).
Halloween Festival and Christmas Parade
The 2026 Halloween Festival is Saturday, Oct. 31. The Monster March lineup begins on Park Avenue at 5:15 p.m., trick-or-treating on Main Street starts at 6 p.m., and a costume contest with DJ Taco follows at 7 p.m. A pet costume contest is new this year, and no registration is required.
Parks and Recreation is accepting registrations for the Blowing Rock Christmas Parade, set for Nov. 28.
Parks and Recreation highlight
The manager’s message featured the town’s Parks and Recreation Department, led by Director Jennifer Brown, with a team of four full-time staff, several part-time employees and a number of seasonal workers. The department runs special events along with year-round programs including a summer day camp, a pool program with swim lessons, weekly park activities, after-school programs, pickleball and tennis lessons, a Mahjong league and Tai Chi classes. “Ultimately, we do a little of everything, from cleaning facilities and parks to planning and running events to caring for children, wherever any of us are needed,” Brown said.
New business
The town also congratulated The Lodge on its ribbon cutting Wednesday. The business is at 7815 Valley Blvd.
