It's been a High Country holiday tradition for 14 years, "The Nutcracker" presented by Studio K Dance Workshop. It's a wonderfully intricate telling of Clara, her nutcracker doll, the Land of Snow, the Kingdom of Sweet and the Sugar Plum Fairy.

The locally produced show involves hundreds of dancers, more than 400 costumes and five backdrops on the stage of Appalachian State University's Farthing Auditorium. The production will run for three days, beginning today through the weekend.

“It’s the tradition to my children, a lot of the children in this area, myself and the students,” Studio K owner Cay Harkin said. “I really do not remember what Christmas is like without it. It’s just as much of a tradition as putting up my Christmas tree.”

The High Country has strong youth dance programs. It's a regular Christmas gift to see so much talent and hard work on display!