There’s plenty happening around Johnson County this week—from live music and dancing to a chance to help care for Watauga Lake, explore the story of Old Butler and learn about the railroads that once served our mountain communities.
Here’s your day-by-day guide for September 17–20, plus a Monday evening opportunity to try something new.
Thursday, September 17
Johnson County Budget Committee and County Commission Meetings
6 p.m. and 7 p.m. | Upper Courtroom, Johnson County Courthouse, Mountain City
The Budget Committee meets at 6 p.m., followed by the County Commission at 7 p.m. Find the meeting notice and agenda packet on the county website.
Friday, September 18
Megs Braap Dirt-Bike Training Clinic
Friday–Sunday, September 18–20 | 9 a.m. each day
Pedro Shoun Property, 343 Pedro Shoun Lane, Mountain City
Three days of hands-on dirt-bike training are scheduled in Mountain City. Each day is listed separately at $300. Check Megs Braap’s registration page for availability and participation details.
Live Music: Tim Nave at Villa Nove
5–8 p.m. | Villa Nove Farm & Vineyard
1877 Dry Hill Road, Butler
Start the weekend with live music from Tim Nave, wine and mountain views. Gather your favorite people and settle in for a September evening in the vines.
High Voltage Community Hoedown
6–8:30 p.m. | Doe Valley Farm
313 Stagecoach Loop, Mountain City
The Young at Heart Square & Line Dance Club hosts a free community dance at the barn. Beginners are welcome.
Saturday, September 19
Johnson County Farmers Market
9 a.m.–Noon | Ralph Stout Park, North Shady Street, Mountain City
Start Saturday with locally grown produce, food and handmade goods from area farmers and vendors. Learn more at the Farmers Market website.
16th Annual Watauga Lake Cleanup
9 a.m.–2 p.m. | Watauga Lake area
Lend a hand caring for one of our area’s most treasured places. Volunteers are invited to help clean up the lake and its surroundings.
Check the Watauga Lake Cleanup Facebook page for check-in locations and updates, or call or text 423-534-4804. An after-party is planned at Villa Nove.
Explore the Town That Wouldn’t Drown — Museum of Butler
11 a.m.–4 p.m. | Museum of Butler
123 Selma Curtis Road, Butler
Discover the people, places, and stories of Old Butler and the Watauga Valley at the Museum of Butler. Admission is $5; children under 12 are free. The museum is a Blue Star Museum.
Ready Johnson County Community Resilience Fair
Saturday, September 19 | Noon–4 p.m.
Ralph Stout Park, 204 North Shady Street, Mountain City
Bring the whole family for an afternoon of emergency-preparedness activities, local resources, and fun, presented by the Johnson County Long-Term Recovery Group. Explore stations covering fire safety, first aid, flood preparedness, power outages, pet preparedness, and more.
Visit six or more preparedness stations and have your passport stamped to earn a Ready Johnson County go-bag filled with practical emergency supplies. The afternoon also includes touch-a-truck activities, food trucks, refreshments, children’s activities, door prizes, and giveaways.
Intro to Wine at Villa Nove
1–2 p.m. | Villa Nove Farm & Vineyard
1877 Dry Hill Road, Butler
This beginner-friendly class explores wine tasting, grapes, wine regions and food pairings. The $43 per-person ticket includes a guided tasting, a take-home reference sheet and personal charcuterie. Space is limited; reserve with Villa Nove.
Longhorn Livestock Auction
2:30 p.m. | 180 Roan Creek Road, Mountain City
Longhorn Auction Company hosts its Saturday livestock auction. Contact the organizer for sale details.
Live Music: Ed Main at Villa Nove
5–8 p.m. | Villa Nove Farm & Vineyard
1877 Dry Hill Road, Butler
Ed Main provides the Saturday evening soundtrack at Villa Nove. Enjoy the music, wine and mountain scenery with friends and family.
Mountain City Weekly Cruise-In
5–9 p.m. | Downtown Mountain City
Bring a vehicle or come admire the lineup at the weekly downtown cruise-in. The event is held weather permitting.
Hank Jr. and Jason Aldean Tribute Show
7–10 p.m. | Old Mill Music & RV Park
7281 Highway 91 N, Laurel Bloomery
Head to Laurel Bloomery for an evening of country-music tribute performances. Find ticket information through Old Mill Music & RV Park.
Sunday, September 20
Explore the Town That Wouldn’t Drown — Museum of Butler
1–4 p.m. | Museum of Butler
123 Selma Curtis Road, Butler
Missed Saturday’s visit? The museum is open again Sunday afternoon. Explore the history of Old Butler and the Watauga Valley. Admission is $5; children under 12 are free. The museum is a Blue Star Museum.
Johnson County Railroads with Doug McGuinn
2 p.m. | Lower Level, Johnson County Welcome Center
716 S. Shady Street, Mountain City
The Johnson County Historical Society welcomes researcher and author Doug McGuinn for the next program in its lecture series.
McGuinn will share his research on Johnson County’s railroads, including the Beaver Dam Railroad and the Crandull and Shady Valley Railway. A retired community college instructor from Boone, he has written extensively about the region’s railroading, logging and mining history.
End of Summer Glaze Workshop with Paige Janeri
2 p.m. | Johnson County Center for the Arts Education Center
Enjoy a creative afternoon with Paige Janeri at the Center for the Arts. Find registration details on the Center’s classes page.
Looking Ahead: Monday, September 21
Beginner Modern Square Dance — First Class
6–8 p.m. | First United Methodist Church
128 N. Church Street, Mountain City
The Young at Heart Square & Line Dance Club begins a new Monday class for beginners, with fun for families and youth.
The first class is free. Later classes are $5 per class, with youth grants and family discounts available.
Villa Nove’s New Seasonal Hours
Planning a visit? Villa Nove Farm & Vineyard has announced its new seasonal hours:
- Thursday: Closed
- Friday: 4–9 p.m.
- Saturday: 1–9 p.m.
- Sunday: 1–6 p.m.
Whether you’re heading out for music, history, local shopping or a little community service, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the weekend close to home.
Event details can change, especially for outdoor activities. Check with organizers before heading out, and follow The Johnson County Line on Facebook for additions and updates.
Have an upcoming Johnson County event we should know about? Send it our way for a future Around the County roundup.
