The second annual Denim Ball raises more than $120,000

The second annual Denim Ball was a huge success, raising more than $120,000 for the Foundation's rehabilitation efforts at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We had a blast at Chetola Resort with dancing to the music of The Lucky Strikes Orchestra, a silent and live auction, and a denim attire contest. 

The fun included the crowning of the Denim King and Queens. The capped crusader "Denim Man," aka author Charles David Gelly claimed the king's crown. Mother-daugher duo Susan and Susannah Thomas shared the title of queen. The Cone Experience package offered by Tim Vines with Vx3 Trail Rides garnered the highest bid in the live auction. The winner and guests will enjoy a four course dinner on the porch of Flat Top Manor after a ride on the estate's carriage trails. A special thanks to auctioneer Jesse Miller whose serves were sponsored by First Security Insurance.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Moses H. Cone Memorial Park is a recreational and historical resource for visitors from across the globe and residents of the North Carolina High Country. Unfortunately, the 3,500-acre estate faces critical maintenance issues due to shortfalls in funding from the federal government. The park requires private financial support to supplement the National Park Service’s budget. The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is committed to ensuring the estate remains a cultural treasure and tourist destination that stimulates the local economy.

The changes are already taking shape at the Cone Estate, thanks to you. This summer, crews replaced the leaking flat roof at Cone Manor, and a youth team with the American Conservation Experience began clearing carriage trails of overgrown vegetation and rejuvenating the landscape.

We're going to keep the momentum going! Planning has already begun for the 2018 Denim Ball! We can’t wait to see you all there as we continue our efforts to remake history at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park.

We’d like to extend a special thank you to the Denim Ball committee members: Kathy Crutchfield, Billie Howell, Lauren McDowell, Karen Robertson, Billie Rogers, Emily Stallings, and Pam Vines.

The Denim Ball was sponsored by The Blowing Rock Tourism and Development Authority, Chetola Resort at Blowing Rock, Mountainaire Inn & Log Cabins, Cone Health, Mast General Store, and Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.

Thank you to all the individuals and businesses that donated items to the silent auction:

100 West Union, Alchemy Center for Healing Therapies, The Alleman Law Firm, Aloft Asheville Downtown, Appalachian Ski Mountain, Art of Oil, Tim Barnwell, Barringer Construction, BBQ, Burgers and Brews, Basil's Market Fresh Pasta and Deli, The Best Cellar, Biltmore Company, Bistro Roca Antlers Bar, Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, Blowing Rock Cigar Shop, Blowing Rock Estate Jewelry & Antiques, Blue Ridge Music Center, Georgia Bonesteel, Boone Golf Club, Booneshine Brewing Company, Burton Photography, Capital Genealogy, Casa Rustica, Bob Cavalline, Nan Chase, Classic Stone, CoBo Sushi, Coyote Kitchen, Diamond Brand Outdoors, Discovery Place, Ginger Dixon, Doncaster Outlet, Eastern National, Elevation 3333, Ensemble Stage, Fairway Cafe, Floyd Country Store, Footsloggers of Blowing Rock, Foxcroft Wine, Gaines Kiker Silversmith, The Gamekeeper, Charles David Gelly, Gideon Ridge Inn, Glass Lady, Silvie Granatelli, Grandfather Mountain, Grandfather Vineyard and Winery, Green Park Inn, Gregory Alan's, Hawksnest, Debra Helene, High Country Yoga, High Gravity Adventures, The Horton Hotel, Hotel Floyd, Hound Ears Lodge & Club, Billie Howell, The Inn at Ragged Gardens, Randy Johnson, Kilwin's Chocolates, Carol & Alan Klein, Rita Larkin, Tim Larson, The Last Straw, Lenny Boy Brewing Company, Linville Caverns, Lost Province Brewing Company, Mellow Mushroom, The Mint Museum, Monkees of Blowing Rock, Mozelle's Fresh Southern Bistro, My Mountain Home, Mysterium Escape Adventure, Mystery Hill, Pabst Brewing Company, Peaks of Otter Lodge, Piedmont Opera, Proper, Publix Super Markets, Scott Ramsey, Red Onion Cafe, Rick Reinert, Charles & Billie Rogers, Roots Restaurant, Jim Ruff, The Rug Company, Rustic, Margaret Salisbury, Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts, Serves You Right, Sky Retreat, Southern Highland Craft Guild, Emily Stallings, Stick Boy Bread Company, Sunset Tees and Hattery, Bill & Cynthia Tessien, Jan Todd Photography, Traditions Pottery, Tweetsie Railroad, Velo Girl Rides, Vidalia Restaurant, Village Cafe, Village Jewelers, Pam & Tim Vines, Mary Page Whitley, Wicked Weed, and Wooden Robot Brewery. 

Photography by Jan Todd at DeepCreekPhoto.com.