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January 6
Old Christmas Céilí at Roan Mountain State Park – 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Meet at the Conference Center. Price is $2/kids ages 17 and under, $5/adults. Register for the event. An Irish céilí (or cèilidh if you’re Scottish!) is a traditional social gathering that often includes traditional dance, music, storytelling and all kinds of good fun. In honor of our region’s Scots-Irish heritage we’ll be hosting a holiday-themed dance céilí at the Roan Mountain State Park Conference Center.
Highlights include:
Ceili Dances: No previous dance experience is required! These dances are meant for regular people and anyone who can walk comfortably can enjoy learning them.
Traditional Music: The Roan Mountain Céilí Band will play a variety of dance tunes to accompany the dances, and a few other tunes in between (traditional Scottish and Irish musicians are welcome to join us, contact Ranger O’Day for details).
Light Refreshments: Coffee & hot cocoa will be provided, as well as an assortment of holiday treats.
Dress comfortably with good shoes and come well-hydrated!
This is a ticketed event! Adults 18 and older $5 each, kids 17 and younger $2.Volunteers attend free (contact Ranger O’Day for volunteer opportunities).
January 13
Peg Leg Mine Geoventure – 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Meet at the Visitor Center Porch. Price is $15. Register for the event. Join Park Ranger Phil Hylen at the Roan Mountain State Park Visitor Center porch to take part in a unique iron mining history tour of the Peg Leg Mine. Located on the edge of the Cranberry iron ore vein, the Peg Leg Mine offers participants a 1.2-mile hike through Southern Appalachian Cove forest to see how iron mining in the mountains was conducted at the turn of the 20th century.
While exploring, participants will take on the role of iron miners in the late 1800s, test iron deposits for quality, and open your very own iron ore and geodes. This guided experience is limited to 12 participants with a ticket fee of $15.00 per person. This program will begin and end at the VIsitor Center porch. Be sure to dress warm and bring a camera!

January 14
Roan Mountain Night Sky Party – 8 p.m. – 9 p.m. Meet at Roan Mountain Cabins Parking Lot. Coming to a night sky near you! January 14th’s night sky is set to showcase Saturn’s closest approach to the moon of the year. With a partial moon, the night sky will be dark enough to enjoy brilliant views of Saturn’s rings as well as the many deep sky objects and constellations that grace us with their presence in winter. Celebrate this spectacle with Roan Mountain State Park at the Cabin 21-30 parking lot. Stay warm by a bonfire with snacks and hot chocolate while park rangers guide you through the night sky. Binoculars and a telescope will be available to enjoy closer views of Saturn.
Weather is typically cold in January with the possibility of bad weather. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for updates on weather and the status of the program as time nears. We also recommend bringing a comfy camp chair with blankets. Dress warm and see you under the stars!

January 20
Fancywork for Beginners & Enthusiasts: Winter Birds – 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Meet at the Conference Center. Price is $12/Attendee Only (Includes Refreshments), $16/Attendee + Stick & Stitch Sheet of Patterns, $25/Attendee + Project Kit (Pattern Sheet, Towel Blank, Floss), $45/Attendee + Project Kit + Full Embroidery Kit. Register for the event.
Decorative hand-stitched embroidery (fancy work) was all the rage in the early 20th century and continues to be an important traditional art across the world. Although beautiful embroidery work can be complex, every needleworker starts from the beginning.
Join our workshop and take your first steps, or continue a journey you’ve already started (bring a project to show off, if you like!). We’ll look at examples of embroidery and designs inspired by the winter birds that can be found here in Roan Mountain. We’ll then review 10-15 basic stitch techniques to help you build your confidence.
*Also*
Stash Swap: For this workshop, we’ll be hosting a table for stash swapping. If you have embroidery tools and supplies you no longer need, bring them along and pass them to someone who will use them.
Refreshments: Tea & Cookies
If you’d like to volunteer to assist with embroidery workshops, please visit this link.
Full Embroidery Kit Contents: If you are just getting started, this take-home kit provides every basic embroidery tool, and a few handy extras.
Zip Pouch
8″ plastic hoop
Scissors
Needle set
Needle threader
Thimble
Washable transfer pencil & transfer paper
Card-style thread organizer
Beginner Stitch Sampler (pre-printed cloth, to follow along while learning stitches in the workshop)

January 21
Snakes of East Tennessee – 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Meet at the Visitor Center. Register for the event. Join Park Ranger Phil Hylen and our snake ambassadors at the Roan Mountain State Park Visitor Center to familiarize yourself with the local snake species found in the mountains of East Tennessee and the important jobs they have. This free program is limited to 10 participants, so be sure to register your spot today! Meet your host at the Visitor Center Gift Shop to begin.