Gem Valley LLC is a family-owned business just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Founded in 2006 by Debbi Farmer and Harry Davis, Gem Valley is the only public panning facility in Ashe County, NC. We are located near the historical Ore Knob Mine that was in operation from the mid 1800’s to the mid 1900’s. Our creeks feed into the New River, which is the second-oldest river in the world! Please visit our Directions page for how to find us!
Gem Valley is a Seasonal gem mining, fluming and gold panning business. At Gem Valley you have opportunity to find and take home some truly beautiful and valuable gems of all sorts! The Appalachian Mountains of NC have a huge variety of precious and semi-precious stones in its soil! Our flume workers will be glad to assist you in identifying your stones!
Our Gem Shop and Museum offers a variety of jewelry, stones, souvenirs and information on geology, paleontology, and the lapidary arts. Our experienced gem cutters will be glad to take custom stone-cutting and jewelry setting orders.
The park has a picnic area with tables and grills if you wish to spend lunch. Restrooms are available inside the gift shop.
We invite you to browse our website for more information on our prices, services, and to answer any questions you may have. Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page for more detailed information on our business.
Ashe County Cheese is Carolina’s oldest cheese plant, producing quality cheese since 1930. We are located in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains.
Watch the fascinating process of cheese making from our viewing area (check cheese making schedule) and visit our cheese and gift shop. We sell over 20 varieties of original Ashe County Cheese as well as our own county butter, homemade fudge and everyone’s favorite, fresh cheese curd. We also offer other fine cheeses, locally made wines and a variety of gifts, souvenirs and old fashioned snacks and candies.
A hometown street festival in the heart of downtown West Jefferson, NC, featuring handmade arts and crafts, traditional mountain music, food & family fun.
Sharing our Mountain Heritage! The Christmas in July Festival is one of the best, old fashioned summer festivals in the South drawing thousands to historic West Jefferson, NC each July! The Festival began in 1987 as a celebration of the Christmas Tree Industry Ashe County, NC is known for. In 2015, Ashe County, NC was named the #1 Christmas Tree producer in the United States. The Festival is a free-admission event held in Downtown West Jefferson featuring the very best in traditional mountain music, handmade arts & crafts vendors throughout the region while still celebrating the Christmas Tree industry. Numerous food vendors feature a variety of the infamous delicious festival foods & more.
Children’s activities, roving performers, fun competitions, non-profits and the Farmers’ Market are also part of the festival each year.
Nowhere else will you find such an excellent array of local & regional music, food vendors, fun and festivities for the entire family than at Christmas in July in Downtown West Jefferson! Hope to see you there!
