Blast on the Mountain struggling to get noticed

A Roan Mountain community event with at least five years of history is falling into obscurity, as the local residents seem to forget the event, or even the park it takes place in, even exists.

John Bland and Rhodyjane Meadows have been organizing Blast on the Mountain for the past five years, a collage of different community-focused events and activities, including an open mic time, tai chi and a weekly band series called Tuesday Blues, which brings different local or national bands to perform for participants.

It also includes a community farmer’s market, where the product is so fresh, he said the vendors often pick the vegetables the morning of the market.

“We are having a hard time getting the word out,” Meadows said.

The weekly event runs from May through September and takes place at the Roan Mountain Community Park, located behind the post office. Not only do residents often confuse this with the Roan Mountain State Park farther down the highway, but many residents seem surprised the community park exists at all.

“Eric Anderson is in charge of the park,” Bland said. “Someone asked him when they built the park. It is 15 years old.”

He said they were desperate to find any way to get the word out about this yearly project.

“What can I do to further promote this?” he said. “[Anderson] said the people that want to know already know. The rest do not care.”

The duo said this is often the case in Roan Mountain, which they described as a somewhat insular yet fluid community. Many residents come in and out throughout the year.

“We have a lot of passing-through people,” Meadows said. “We have a designation for snowbirds.”

The result, however, has some negative effects. Even though out-of-town travellers often come through the region and enjoy its beautiful sights, many of those same sights go unnoticed by the residents.

“My neighbors have never been to the top of Roan Mountain,” she said. “There is a special-ness in having an intimate experience, but you want people to know about it.”

The details of each event are featured in the Star’s Roan Mountain Community Calendar.

SportsPlus

Local news

Israel and Georgia representatives give aid to Carter County

Local news

City of Elizabethton outlines steps for homeowners impacted by Hurricane Helene to obtain building permits

Local news

JCPD investigates deaths of two children; suspect identified

Local news

Is removal of a DA a bridge too far?

Local news

Dugger Band will present Higher Than The Flood fundraising concert

Local news

LampLight Theatre presents ‘Yuletide 2024’

Local news

Speedway In Lights partners with regional grocery retailer to spread holiday cheer

Local news

TCAT Elizabethton President McMillian receives appointment to TN Council

Local news

Watauga Genealogists meet Nov. 5

Local news

Charles C.Y. Peters to release new books honoring local sports legends

Local news

Monday City Council workshop discusses alternate Christmas Parade route

Local news

‘Relay For Life Pageant’ offers hope after dark times

Local news

Supreme Court board temporarily suspends Holly’s law license

Local news

A Life Lived: Ronnie Heaton was a winner on and off the battlefield

Local news

It’s that time of year for pumpkins to come to Ivy Hall

Local news

One month after Helene, thousands apply for FEMA aid in Carter

Local news

ETSU invites community to expanded Holiday Lights Celebration

Local news

Food City to host annual Johnia Berry Toy Drive

Local news

UETHDA energy assistance outreach scheduled in November

Local news

Tennessee gas prices continue to decline, average drops to $2.78

Local news

ETSU recognized for serving adult students

Local news

Dr. Stephen Waers installed as Milligan University’s 16th president

Local news

Three JCPD officers complete Southeastern Leadership Academy

Local news

Crafting guitars: ETSU students blend art and engineering