Saluda Winterfest celebrates winter in Saluda with a series of three exciting dining and music events to take the bite off the frosty nights and ward off the winter blues, while you wine and dine listening to regional live bands.  Saluda Winterfest will be held at Historic Thompson Store/Ward’s Grill with Chef Irmy Chmielewski serving up delicious winter comfort food.  The grill is located at 24 Main Street, Saluda.

The dates are Saturday, January 17, February 28, and March 21 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The ticket price covers food and entertainment and there will be a cash bar for wine and beer. Each event is limited to 50 tickets, which are on sale now at Historic Thompson’s/Ward’s Grill, The Dressing Room and Cathy Jackson Realty, all on Main Street in Saluda. Tickets may be reserved by calling Judy Ward at 828-749-2321.

If there is inclement weather, please call Irmy at 828-243-5007 or Judy at 828-674-5958 to check for cancellations and rescheduled dates.

Music and Menus

January 17
Tom Fisch has his own publishing company and his songs have been recorded by a number of artists, including the Oak Ridge Boys and Swiss country singer Erica Arnold. Tom continues to pitch his songs to other artists but his main focus now lies in his own career as a performer. In 2004, Tom relocated to Western North Carolina and its thriving acoustic music scene. With the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains for inspiration, Tom and his music have found a comfortable place to call home. And wherever he performs, audiences continue to connect with the warm, appealing style, diverse range of material, and talent this seasoned performer brings to the stage. Visit tomfisch.com for more details.

Chef Irmy will be serving chicken parmesan, with a Caesar salad, pasta marinara sauce, garlic bread, dessert, tea and coffee, with a beer and wine cash bar.

February 28
Letters to Abigail is an Appalachian/Americana band based in Western North Carolina. Some folks describe their music as a simple southern pleasure. Digging down into the roots of the region, they blend a classic approach to a new original sound, drenched in powerful lyrics, acoustic melodies and soulful harmonies. They released their debut CD, “Say Anything” in July 2013. The full-length album was recorded at the internationally recognized and award winning Echo Mountain Recording Studios in Asheville, N.C. Visit letterstoabigail.net for more details.

Chef Irmy will be serving roast loin of pork, with a butternut squash soup, herb mashed potatoes, vegetable medley, bread, dessert, tea and coffee, with a beer and wine cash bar.

March 21
Terry Wetton grew up in London where he played rock music during the 60’s. Since moving to North Carolina in 2003, he continues to perform concerts at listening rooms in the Western North Carolina area, entertaining audiences with original songs that reflect his unique style and perspective. At his solo shows, he supports his distinctive vocals with finger picked acoustic guitar and piano. He released his successful, original CD “This Time it’s Personal” in 2011 and his latest CD, “Simply Love ..” is scheduled for release in January 2015. Visit terrywetton.com for more details.

Chef Irmy will be serving shrimp and grits, a thick stew of shrimp, sausage, peppers and onions on top of creamy cheese grits. Also available are a garden salad, bread, dessert, tea and coffee, amd a beer and wine cash bar.

Saluda Winterfest is sponsored by the Saluda Downtown Foundation and proceeds will go toward funding projects to benefit downtown. Cresting at the top of the steepest railway grade, ribboned by the deep valley of the Green River Gorge, the historic town of Saluda, N.C. calms the restless, inspires the creative, and incites the adventurist.

–Submitted by Cathy Jackson