North Wilkesboro North Carolina is located in Wilkes county.  Known for its rolling hills and beautiful valleys settled in the heart of the blue ridge mountains its the original birthplace of Lowes Home Improvement.  Lowes continues today to have a large presence in the community and many outreach programs.  Also known for the birth of Nascar at the North Wilkesboro Speedway.  This was the FIRST Nascar-sanctioned track.  Nicknamed the “Key to the Blue Ridge” North Wilkesboro is known for its multiple tourist venues and gateway into the blue ridge mountains.  Originally founded in 1891 when the Norfolk and Southern Railroad built its first line into Wilkes county.  The line thus ended on the Yadkin Rivers northern bank just opposite of Wilkesboro.  Once home to the Carolina Mirror Company, but closed many years later, it was known for being the largest mirror company in the US.  Although there is no longer a relationship with the town and the company since its closing North Wilkesboro still maintains a healthy relationship with Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse, Gardner Glass Products, and Lowes Food which was established in North Wilkesboro in 1954.  In 1946 Lowes Home Improvement was started in North Wilkesboro, known to be the second-largest Home Improvement store in the US, Lowes still maintains a great relationship with the town and the locals.  A major part of the town's economy has been suffering since the 90’s due to the large onset of closing down its many textile and furniture factories thus moving the low-wage locations to Latin America and Asia.  

 

The North Wilkesboro Speedway was placed right outside of the city limits and is known for its predate to now what’s known as Nascar.  The first race of the speedways grand adventure was held on May 18, 1947, and from there it only grew.  In October of 1949, the raceway held its final “ Nascar strictly Stock” and 8th race at the track.  This would soon lead to the first-ever named “Nascar-sanctioned champion” Robert “Red” Byron.  The raceway would then go on to host Nascar events for 50+ years.  In 1996 Jeff Gordon would be crowned the winner of the final race at the speedway, thus following the death of the tracks founder and owner Enoch Staley (1995).  The speedway would then be purchased by two new owners Bob Bahre, and Bruton Smith, and not long after their purchase, they announced they would be closing the speedway to move their Nascar events to other tracks in Texas and New Hampshire.  Although the decision was met with extreme criticism from race fans there were no successful attempts to bringing the speedway back to its former glory. 

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The Local aspect of the town is quite charming.  Downtown North Wilkesboro was recognized as a Main Street Town in 2000.  The Non-profit partnership “The downtown North Wilkesboro Partnership” wanted to revamp the downtown area to hold local events thus boosting the town's economy.  Also, the founder of the “Shine to Wine Festival” the Downtown North Wilkesboro Partnership over the past 20 years recognizes local farmers in the winemaking industry.  Being able to publicly place their wines and accomplishments on display gives the industry a push in the right direction.  This festival also can be traced to its long heritage of moonshiners.  Held on Saturday in May come out and see what Downtown North Wilkesboro is all about, and taste some fantastic wine as well.  

 

The Brushy Mountain Apple Festival is also held in Downtown North Wilkesboro.  It’s held every year to celebrate the harvest from the nearby Brushy Mountains.  Attracting crowds in the hundreds of thousands this is one of the largest single arts days in the Southern US.  Filled with over 425 arts and crafts and hundreds of food concessions, it hosts multiple music venues as well.  Everything from Blue Grass to Cloggers will be featured on this day making it a day of great heritage to be remembered.  Local apple growers are known to set up throughout the entire festival selling ciders and other goods to their consumers.  

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Local attractions include: 

 

The Wilkes Playmakers

 A locally based theater group the Wilkes Playmakers are based out of North Wilkesboro.  Each year during the summer season they set the stage with popular plays and showcase them for the community to see.  Among the few, they showcase Tom Dooley is one they do each year.  Tom Dooley was a local Civil War Veteran who was tried and hang for murdering his fiancee, Laura Foster.  Although he was hung for his fiancee’s murder, it is believed that one of the many jealous ex-girlfriends was actually guilty of this crime thus making Tom Dooley local folklore.  

 

The Wilkes Art Gallery 

Founded in 1962 in Annie Winkler’s home it was later then renovated and moved to its new home at the North Wilkesboro Post office in 2004.  The Gallery includes over 3500 square feet of exhibition space which is complete with a ceramics study, classrooms, drawing and painting studios, and even a Gallery gift shop there’s something for everyone.  The Gallery also sponsors events including the well known “Gallery Crawl” where locals and tourists alike can enjoy fine wines and good times.  

 

Yadkin River Greenway

A non-profit community organization placed the Greenway in areas meeting urban and wildlife to give the locals a place to enjoy nature.  Over 5.1 miles of current trails and 1.7 miles of paved trails it follows the Yadkin Rivers bends as it winds through the valley.  Often enjoyed by animal activists and health addicts alike for a fun, friendly, family environment.   

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Wilkesboro,_North_Carolina