Quality of Life
Climate
The climate varies greatly with elevation. Central Burke County or the Catawba River Valley is sheltered by the surrounding mountains creating a moderate climate particularly in the Morganton and Valdese areas.
Average Tempatures (Fahrenheit):
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Annual Precipitation:
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Recreational Facilities
Burke County is home to the largest state park in North Carolina. South Mountains State Park is 6000+ acres offering hiking and horseback riding, camping and picnicking. Clearly marked trails take visitors through dense forested areas including a steep challenging trail which leads to a magnificent waterfall.
In the northern portion of Burke County is the largest canyon east of the Grand Canyon. The Linville Gorge offers hiking, backpacking and rock climbing. Trails through the area lead to majestic overlooks and waterfalls. Linville Gorge is within the Daniel Boone Wildlife Management Area which is a part of Pisgah National Forest.
Several man-made recreational areas including Lake James in the western part of the county and Lake Rhodhiss in the eastern part of the county are noted for fishing, boating and swimming. Lake James, the larger of the two with 154 miles of shoreline, is the first lake along the Catawba River chain. A state park with public access areas is located on the lake offering swimming, fishing, canoeing and picnic facilities.
Burke County, Morganton, Valdese and numerous community groups and organizations sponsor adult softball and basketball, youth soccer, basketball, football, and baseball and a wide variety of programs. Both Morganton and Valdese offer year-round swimming.
Morganton is home to the Catawba River Greenway Park. This facility offers a handicapped-accessible paved walking trail extending approximately 5 miles along the Catawba River. The park features overlooks, public rest rooms, a playground, picnic shelters and other amenities. The park will also be the home of a recreational facility that will include a five field, lighted, youth baseball complex with (professionally designed with grass infields), camping, picnic shelters, rest rooms and a variety of sports fields. This will be located on a recently acquired 250 acre tract. Development began in 2003.
Cultural Organizations, Entertainment and Venues
Organizations include the Burke Arts Council, the Art League of Burke County, Burke Choral, Burke Community Concert Association, Burke Cultural Arts Coalition, Morganton Community Band, Morganton Youth Theater, Old Colony Players, Schubert Music Club, Valdese Music Club, South Mountain Hand weaver’s Guild, WPCC Drama 120, WPCC Portfolio Art Club, and the Waldensian Church Museum.
The City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium, locally known as CoMMA, presents Broadway performances, international dance troops, comedy performances and concerts. The auditorium seats 1000. The ceiling of the CoMMA lobby features an original fresco by renowned artist, Ben Long. Entitled “The Muses” the fresco is Long’s largest and last ceiling work.
The Old Rock School Auditorium in Valdese hosts plays, nationally known entertainers and local performances. Valdese also presents an annual outdoor drama “From This Day Forward.” This historical pageant honors and recreates the Waldensian settlement of Valdese. The Glorious Return Festival held in late summer in downtown Valdese is the oldest annual street festival in Burke County.
The Historic Morganton Festival is one of the largest street festivals in western North Carolina. It is held the first weekend following Labor Day each year in downtown Morganton. Downtown events also include free outdoor concerts, car shows, art crawls, parades and holiday celebrations.
The Western Piedmont Symphony serves Burke, Alexander, Catawba, and Caldwell counties. Approximately 60 professional orchestra musicians participate in the symphony.
The Jail House Gallery and Jail House Gallery East serve as the county art museums featuring exhibitions of local, regional and national artists. The Historic Burke County Courthouse in the center of town square is home to the Historic Burke Foundation, the Visitor’s Center and a small museum.