As most of you know, Hemlock Inn is located just 4 miles outside Bryson City. Our town has a booming year round population of 1500 and surrounding Swain County has about 14,000 full time residents. When I first moved here 21 years ago, it took me a while to adjust to living in such a small community. There were fewer stores and shops, no movie theater, everything closed up early in the evening, and I couldn’t find a radio station to my liking.
But small towns have their advantages also. Everyone calls you by your name, ask how you are and means it. You get to know the postman, your kid’s teachers, the folks who repair your car, and most importantly the hair dressers and barbers.
I believe there is an old saying something like this…”The best thing about living in a small town is everyone knows you and knows what you are doing and the worst thing about living in a small town is everyone knows you and knows what you are doing.” But there is one more advantage…
In Bryson City, every holiday is celebrated by a festival. That is what is happening this weekend for Fourth of July. Freedom Fest will go on all day Saturday with food, games, and music. The highlight may be the goat patty bingo and watermelon eating contest. All this is caped off by “the biggest firework display in Western North Carolina”. A great time is had by all.
We still have rooms available for the July 4th weekend. Come visit us and enjoy the fun. We look forward to seeing you.
–Mort
