Hurricane Helene 1 year anniversary events

On Saturday, September 27, 2025, communities across the High Country will gather to mark one year since Hurricane Helene forever changed our landscape and our lives. This list will be updated as needed.

A list of events across western North Carolina is available courtesy of The Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW NC) at https://www.wncrecovery.nc.gov/how-you-can-help-helene-recovery/events-calendar

Downtown Boone. Events are free and considered a gift to the community. David LaMotte’s keynote and his evening concert will be held in the Appalachian Theatre. The free tickets for both events can be reserved at the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country website.

Event Schedule – Saturday, September 27

• 11:00-2:00 PM: “Stories from the Storm” Community Quilting Project (FARM Café). Help preserve history through a traveling quilt exhibit by sharing personal hurricane experiences. Prior registration required: See registration link below.
• 2:00-6:00 PM: Community Resource Fair. The Community Resource Fair will include recovery groups focused on physical recovery needs as well as trauma support and interactive mental health resources. (Jones House Lawn) The resource fair will be relocated to the Community Room at the Appalachian Theatre in the event of inclement weather.
• 3:00-4:00 PM: David LaMotte Keynote “Western North Carolina: Waiting with Deep Hope” (Appalachian Theatre)
• 4:30-6:00 PM: Poetry Readings with Hilda Downer, High Country poet laureate, featuring poets who published in Hilda’s soon-to-be-released storm anthology: “Had I a Dove” (Jones House)
• 7:00-9:00 PM: David LaMotte in Concert with special guests—cast members from this summer's Lees-McRae musical 1940: A New Musical (Appalachian Theatre)

Please visit the Watauga Long-Term Recovery website here for more information! www.wataugaltrg.org

Appalachian State University welcomes you to gather for a community appreciation meal on Tuesday, September 30th, at Central Dining Hall anytime from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Avery County will come together on Saturday, September 27, at 10:00 a.m. at the Avery Square for a solemn yet uplifting Day of Remembrance & Honor, commemorating the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene.

The event will feature moments of silence, recognition of first responders and volunteers, and opportunities for the community to come together in reflection.

Attendees are invited to remember loved ones, honor the bravery of those who served, and celebrate the progress Avery County has made in rebuilding and moving forward.

Event Details:

Admission: Free and open to the public

What: Avery County Day of Remembrance & Honor

When: Saturday, September 27, 2025 – 10:00 a.m.

Where: The Avery Square, 200 Montezuma St, Newland NC

The Town of Banner Elk invites the community to come together Saturday, September 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. for “Banner Elk Remembers.” The gathering will take place on the lawn of the Historic Banner Elk School, where many first turned for help after Hurricane Helene. The event honors first responders, leaders, caregivers, and neighbors who supported recovery. Food and live music will be provided by the Banner Elk Tourism Development Authority.

Town of Boone will host two community events: a
candlelight vigil on the Jones House lawn on Sunday, September 28 at 7:30 p.m., and the
inaugural Appalachian Flag Raising on October 3, 2025 at 5:00 p.m., held in conjunction with
the October First Friday Art Crawl.

September 28th, 2025: Hurricane Helene Candlelight Vigil
Hurricane Helene was the largest natural disaster that has ever hit the High Country in modern
history. Rivaling that of the 1940s Flood, the Town of Boone and surrounding area experienced
immense infrastructure damage, the loss of key communications systems, and the loss of
precious lives in the Boone community.
Parking for the candlelight vigil is available in Downtown Boone. No RSVP is required for this
event.

October 3rd, 2025: Appalachian Heritage Flag Raising Event
The Town of Boone will be hosting the inaugural Appalachian Heritage Flag raising at the
Boone Town Hall, located at 567 West King Street. Those who wish to attend are invited to
arrive at 4:30 p.m., when light refreshments will be available. The Appalachian Heritage Flag
will be raised at 5:00 p.m. and will be raised for the month of October.