There is a cure for cabin fever. And it'ss found in Lake Lure and the Blue Ridge Foothills, where the Ignite the Night bonfire series (www.IgniteTheNightSeries.com) is setting winter on fire.
With different bonfire events on five Saturdays in February, March and early April - held on a mountainside beach, surrounded by storytelling (www.IgniteTheNightSeries.com), romantic movies, classic cars (www.IgniteTheNightSeries.com) or
the best in bluegrass (www.IgniteTheNightSeries.com) - weekends will burn brightly all winter long.
Special overnight packages and bonfire merchandise are available. The Ignite the Night series is more than a world class cure for cabin fever - several bonfires are also fundraisers as
well.
Here are the dates and names of the five bonfires, with information below. For more details, go to IgniteTheNightSeries.com or call 800-849-5998.
February 14 - Hearts Afire Bonfire
Where: Downtown Rutherfordton, NC
Time: 7pm
Cost: $10/per person, food sold separately -- childcare included
New spark or old flame, the romance of a Lake Lure and the Blue Ridge Foothills Valentines offers fine food, roses, romantic movies and music, glowing fires, incredible accommodations -
even childcare. And all the magic is found within a few blocks's radius. That'ss one romantic stroll.
February 21 - Beachside Oyster Roast Bonfire
Where: Rumbling Bald Resort, Lake Lure, NC
Time: 6pm
Cost: $15/per person, food included
Bring your friends and join the fun on the beach as Executive Chef Peter Zamowski brings a taste of the low country to the mountains at Rumbling Bald Resort for an evening of food and
music. Gather round the bonfire as we roast fresh oysters over oak coals and serve them by the bucket with all the fixins! (shuckin's tools provided)
March 14 - Little Sparks Fun Bonfire
Where: Maple Creek Farm, Rutherfordton, NC
Time: 6:30 pm
Cost: $25/per car, food sold separately
The best of the camping experience comes alive for you and yours with this bonfire! Bring the kids for storytelling from national champion storyteller, author and musician Doug Elliot.
Kid-friendly foods will be served as you share an evening under the stars.
March 28 - Burning Rubber Bonfire
Where: Bennett Classics Auto Museum, Forest City, NC
Time: 6pm
Cost: $10/adults $4/children, food sold separately
Featured January 1st on UNC-TV'ss NC Weekend, come to Bennett Classics Auto Museum to join other car enthusiasts for an evening of automobiles, fire, and fun. Food and music will shift
things into high gear at this bonfire!
April 18 - Blazing Bluegrass Bonfire
Where: Ottis Cook Music Park, Golden Valley, NC
Time: 6:30 pm
Cost: $10/per person, food sold separately
Come hear the best of the bluegrass best! Music lovers won'st want to miss this evening. Local legends will gather on the stage for a hand-clapping, toe-tapping evening to rival any opry
while several bonfires will be there to keep the audience warm - and the music park kitchen will be serving up a dinner.
Lake Lure 's38; The Blue Ridge Foothills (http://www.rutherfordtourism.com/) operates visitors's centers in Forest City and Lake Lure, N.C.
The area is home to filming locations for the blockbuster movies 's'sThe Last of the Mohicans's's and 's'sDirty Dancing.'s's It is also the site of HGTV'ss Dream Home 2006.