Programs
Special Events
From the elegant Candlelight Christmas dinner in December to rollicking Friday Night Barn Dances in the summer, special events fill the calendar at Montreat Conference Center:
- Spring Planting Day
- Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan
- Friday Night at the Barn
- Firefly Banquet
- Fourth of July Celebration
- Annual Fund Banquet
- Thanksgiving Dinner
- Candlelight Christmas
| Spring Planting Day |
On May 17, 2008, when the last danger of frost is past, Montreat Conference Center volunteers and staff will pull on their gardening gloves, grab their spades and trowels, and disperse throughout the conference center grounds to set out hundreds and hundreds of baby annuals that grow into the beautiful, bright flowers our visitors enjoy throughout the summer. If you’d like to join the fun, contact Polly in the Development office, 828.669.2911, ext. 340, or email pollyc[at]montreat.org.
| Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan |
The annual Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan worship service in Anderson Auditorium features “Pipin’ o’ the Green by the Montreat Scottish Pipes and Drums, along with a procession of Scottish tartans. As part of this Memorial weekend service, military veterans and their spouses are given special recognition. The event is sponsored by the Montreat Scottish Society.
This year’s celebration takes place on Sunday, May 25, 2008. Pipin’ o’ the Green with the Montreat Scottish Pipes & Drums band starts at 10:15 AM, followed by worship at 11 AM with guest preacher the Reverend Dr. Edward A. McLeod, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, NC.
A special luncheon at Assembly Inn follows the service. Menu includes poached salmon, roast pork loin with apple chutney, deviled chicken, lamb stew with scottish ale, chicken tenders, french fries, barley with mushrooms, rumbledethumps, cauliflower cheese, honey-orange carrots, beetroot salad, cucumber salad, mixed field greens, pea salad, marinated vegetable salad, three bean salad, fresh fruit, assorted desserts, trifle, oat cakes, and baps & butter. The price for lunch is $16 for adults and $8 for children ages 5-11. Call the Assembly Inn front desk for reservations at 828-669-2911 ext. 300.
(See photos from 2007)
| Friday Night at the Barn |
Join us on Friday nights from 8:00 pm until 10:30 pm during the summer months, as we celebrate the tradition of “Friday Night at the Barn” with the music of the Stoney Creek Boys and calls by Glenn Bannerman. There’s plenty of Big Circle Mountain Dancing and novelty dances, too.
All are invited; no experience required! Come shuffle your feet and make the Barn Dance one of your favorite family traditions.
| Firefly Banquet |
Early Montreaters carried little lanterns called “fireflies” to light their way home after evening conference center activities. The person carrying the firefly would lift it high, lighting the way for others to follow. It seemed appropriate to choose that historical tradition as the symbol for the Montreat Conference Center Endowment. The Firefly Society Reception and Dinner, June 14, 2008, 6:30 PM, is hosted by the Montreat Conference Center Development Foundation Board of Directors to honor current members of the Firefly Society and welcome new members who wish to join. The Firefly Society recognizes those who have demonstrated their commitment to the future of Montreat by making current or deferred gifts of a minimum of $10,000 to Montreat Conference Center’s Endowment.
| Fourth of July Celebration |
Celebrate July Fourth the old-fashioned way… at Montreat Conference Center! Traditionally a homecoming holiday that brings extended Montreat families together from all over the country, the Fourth of July celebration at Montreat truly captures the essence of American life and has become a popular celebration for everyone in the area.
Download the Fourth of July Schedule of Events for 2008.
Festivities on July 4th, 2008 include:
- Montreat Gait 5k race, 7:00 AM, Montreat Gate
- Presbyterians in Appalachia Exhibit, 9:00-10:00 AM & 1:30-4:00 PM, Presbyterian Heritage Center
- Craft Center Silent Auction, noon-5:00 PM, Wilbur Hoke Currie Craft Center
- Library Book Sale, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, L. Nelson Bell Library
- Parade Units in Formation, 10:00 AM, Geneva Place & Appalachian Way
- Fourth of July Parade, 10:30 AM, Lookout Road/Assembly Drive/Assembly Circle (applications for parade floats available at the General Store, Volunteer Office, or Post Office; application deadline is June 26)
- Flag-raising ceremony following parade, Anderson Lawn
- Cottagers Barbecue Lunch, 11:45 AM, Grounds of Anderson Auditorium, (tickets will be available at the Post Office, General Store and the Bookstore prior to the event)
- Free Pool and Tennis, 1:00-6:00 PM
- Free Boats, 2:00-6:00 PM
- Games on Anderson and Moore Center Fields, 2:00-4:00 PM, Anderson Lawn & Moore Center Field
- Old-Timers’ Softball Game, 2:00 PM, Welch Field
- Barn Dance, 7:00 – 9:30 PM, Upper Tennis Courts by the post Office (Barn in the event of rain)
Check out photos from the 2008 4th of July parade in Montreat!
| Annual Fund Banquet |
In July, the Montreat Conference Center Annual Fund Banquet honors donors who have given $250 or more during the previous fiscal year. If you are already contributing at the Patron level ($250) and above, thank you for your continued support. If you are interested in investing in the Conference Center’s mission and ministry each year, please contact the Development Office at 828.669.2911, ext. 340, email pollyc[at]montreat.org, or contribute online today!.
In order to accommodate the overwhelming success of this year’s Annual Fund, the banquet on July 19, 2008 at 6:00 PM will be a tented, seated gala under two banquet tents in the front Anderson Auditorium parking lots. The Annual Fund Banquet, hosted by the Montreat Conference Center President’s Council, will be a more relaxed affair and will be followed by a concert in Anderson Auditorium from our very own David LaMotte. While there will be reserved seating for donors who give at the Patron level ($250) and above, this concert is a free event and everyone in the Montreat community is invited. The Banquet cost is $20 per person and invitations will be mailed in June. Please contact the Development Office at phoebed[at]montreat.org, or 669.2911, ext. 349 to make your reservations.
| Thanksgiving Dinner |
This Thanksgiving, gather up the whole family and come to Assembly Inn’s historic Galax Dining Room for a traditional Thanksgiving feast (that you didn’t have to prepare…or clean up!). Information about reservations will be available at a later date.
| Candlelight Christmas |
Enchanting Christmas decorations, twinkling candles, a festive reception, and an elegant holiday buffet, plus lively entertainment, are sure to make Montreat’s “Candlelight Christmas” an annual holiday highlight for you and your loved ones.
Be watching for more information about reservations and the holiday menu.
For details on more special events, check out the Quarterly Update. Plus, during the summer months, see the latest issue of This Week in Montreat.