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The allure of the open road is calling you. Taking to the road, exploring America’s best small towns, checking out local diners and shops and meeting locals is thrifty, nostalgic, and back in fashion.

So dust off the old hard-case suitcase, throw in some casual wear and a tooth brush, and hit the road for an adventure retro-motel style, where the nostalgic simple getaway vacation is just a few miles down the road in Brevard, North Carolina.

We at the Sunset Motel celebrate the best of the classic roadside motel experience. We’re the real deal: clean, comfortable rooms, friendly hometown staff, chairs right outside your door so you can visit with neighbors, and an ice maker just around the corner. And yes, for all you city folks, we do have free wi-fi in the all the rooms!

Assault on the Carolinas

road-cyclingThe Sunset Motel is proud to be a sponsor for the 13th Annual Assault on the Carolinas taking place on April 14, 2012 in Brevard, North Carolina. 

Brevard is fast becoming a mecca for outdoor enthusiast and a hub for all things cycling and mountain biking. With hundreds of miles of trails through Pisgah National Forest, Dupont State Park and surrounding area’s we are “America’s Best Kept Secret” according to Bike Magazines, 2012 Bible.

The Assault on the Carolinas offers 3 different rides; 100K (65.8 miles), 60K (37 miles), 40K (25 miles).

The 100K takes the riders through punishing up-climbs, at Caesars Head, near the  North Carolina-South Carolina border, to some heart-pounding descents on Hwy 178 and miles of winding, curving roads. Hwy 11 gives relief with rolling hills and flat sections. At the bottom of Caesars Head they head back up for a tough and challenging 6 mile climb to the top. Once at the top it is 15 miles back to Brevard.

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White Squirrel Festival 2012 is just around the corner

The 2012 White Squirrel Festival buzz is just starting. This is the 9th Annual Festival which takes place white squirrel festival logoover Memorial Day weekend, May 26th and 27th. It is promising to be “bigger and nuttier” then ever.

The White Squirrel Festival happens in downtown Brevard and offers FREE live music and many other activities. You can’t beat that! The headliners this year include; Firecracker Jazz Band, Jeff Sipes Band and 14 other acts that will play through out the entire weekend. Make sure you get there early and scope out a prime space to put your lawn chair and settle down for some amazing music. Continue reading →

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Hunger Games Fan Tours Launch in Brevard, NC

The Hunger Games movie opens on March 23 and Brevard, NC is getting excited! A lot of the scenes in the “games” were shot here in DuPont State Recreational Forest. Tammy Hopkins, Film Liaison and TCArts Council Director for Brevard and Transylvania County said, “My phone has been ringing off the katnesshook with folks wanting to go see the film locations. So Leigh Trapp with the marketing trapp and myself have put together Hunger Games Fan Tours which will feature the filming locations used by The Hunger Games movie in DuPont State Recreational Forest.”

Leigh Trapp, who has produced and guided a variety of fan-based experiences based on franchises such as Harry Potter and the Twilight series says, “Fan tours for movies and books have become increasingly popular – as readers and viewers alike want the opportunity to experience the world their characters live in first hand – and share in their adventures. These tours give them a great way to see some of the movie locations – and share in the experience of participating in Hunger Games–themed adventures with other like-minded fans.” Continue reading →

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Shannon Whitworth Benefit Concert at the Porter Center – Brevard College

shannon whitworthOn Sunday, March 11 singer/songwriter Shannon Whitworth will perform at the Porter Center on Brevard College’s campus in a benefit concert that will support the fundraising efforts for the Friends of the Animal Shelter (FOTAS). This community volunteer group is raising money to bridge the gap between the public money committed by Transylvania County and the cost to build the long awaited new animal shelter on Ross Rd off Highway 64.

Shannon, an animal lover and resident of Transylvania County, in conjunction with Mountain Song Productions are graciously working together to bring this event to the Porter Center.

This concert will feature Shannon’s full band. There will be a pre-party in the lobby of the Porter Center starting at 6pm where wine, beer and other refreshments will be served. Continue reading →

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North Carolina gets ready for ‘Hunger Games’ fans

By MARTHA WAGGONER, Associated Press – 21 hours ago

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Fans of “The Hunger Games” are already turning up in North Carolina, seeking out places where the movie was shot, from old-growth forests to an abandoned mill town.

And the tourism industry is prepared to cash in on them, with everything from hotel packages and zip lines tours, to re-enactments of scenes from the film and lessons in survival skills.

The movie, which opens this weekend and is expected to be a box office smash, is based on a best-selling book about a post-apocalyptic world where teenagers compete to the death in fighting games.

It was filmed entirely in North Carolina, from the mountains, where fake trees were planted, filled with propane and blown up, to Charlotte, which served as the Capitol from the story — the seat of power where the teens are sent for training.

Also prominently featured in the movie is the Henry River Mill Village near Hildebran, about 70 miles from Asheville, which was the setting for District 12, home of the three main characters, Katniss, Peeta and Gale.

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Hunger Games Filmed in DuPont State Forest

hunger gamesHollywood is calling and it’s hungry for the mountains of North Carolina.

Of the state’s 100 counties, Transylvania County, on the western side, has come into focus with movieproducers.

“My phone has been ringing off the hook,” says Tammy Hopkins, Film Liaison and TCArts Council Director for the City of Brevard and Transylvania County.

The area is known as the ‘Land of Waterfalls’, scored the production of The Hunger Games, one of 2012′s most anticipated movies.   It hits theatres March 23rd.

The Movie is based on the first novel of Suzanne Collins’ bestselling “The Hunger Games” trilogy.

The story is set in the future where the main character 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen is living with her mother and little sister in what’s left of North America. She is one of 24 minors chosen to fight to the death in a survival match up called The Hunger Games.

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Biking in the Area

Sycamore Cycle
Distance from Sunset Motel: 9 minutes, 4 miles

The Hub
Distance from Sunset Motel: 8 minutes, 3.81 miles

Interested in biking? While you’re visiting, you should check one of our local bike shops.

While in town be sure to visit Sycamore Cycles, located just 9 minutes from the Sunset Motel. Sycamore Cycles is a great place to see the new gear or rent a bike.

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Happy New Year!

A big thank you to all our guests for your patronage of The Sunset Motel. We wish you all a happy and successful New Year and we look forward to seeing you in 2012.

When you visit next, you will see some great new changes - flat-screen TV’s in each room, more surfaces to put things on, retro furniture and linens plus updated bathrooms with much more to come…

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The Sunset Motel Under New Ownership

sunset-motelLori Roberts has just recently purchased The Sunset Motel located in Brevard, North Carolina. This quaint, retro motel, reminiscent of the 50′s is a must-see when passing through Brevard. When you first drive in you are transported back in time and expect the staff to be sporting beehive hairdos and all the fixin’s.

Lori, has made some major improvements and will be continuing to update the charming motel throughout the season. She says business is booming and she has been running at a high occupancy rate since she has taken over the motel so reserve your room early.
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