117 West Court Street
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
828-287-6113 ~ 828-287-6122 (fax)
rutherfordtourism.com
rctd@rutherfordtourism.com
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, NC
LOCATION PROPOSAL FOR DIRTY DANCING REMAKE
OVERVIEW
The original version of Dirty Dancing was filmed primarily in Lake Lure & the Blue Ridge Foothills of North
Carolina, and the area has embraced the film’s legacy for decades. The citizens, businesses and governing
officials community welcome the chance to provide top-notch, “turn key” services to the cast and crew of the
Dirty Dancing remake. There is no greater honor for our area than to have Dirty Dancing return home.
Several video clips of the area and its assets are included, showcasing the plentiful options available to simplify
the production of the Dirty Dancing remake. We would love the opportunity to showcase our area to you in
person and demonstrate how seamless we would make your filming experience.
Regardless of whether the storyline exhibits a decades-old or modern-day approach to the remake, Lake Lure &
the Blue Ridge Foothills can accommodate either scenario.
A SAMPLE OF SHOOTING LOCATIONS
The 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa (lakelure.com)
If you are looking for a nostalgic backdrop reflective of the original version
of Dirty Dancing, then this historic landmark -- where the cast and crew of the
original Dirty Dancing all stayed -- has the perfect ambiance. It was, in fact,
originally chosen as the façade of Kellerman’s Resort; however, town officials
at the time passed on the offer for (the now long-gone) concern that the film
might be scandalous.
Amenities Include: 69 guest rooms, two cabins and six meeting/dining spaces totaling more than 6,100 sq. ft.
The Haynes Mansion, located on the highest peak facing the Lake Lure Inn, is the residence of the Inn’s
owners and is also available as a potential filming location.
Rumbling Bald Resort on Lake Lure (rumblingbald.com)
A picturesque, gated mountain resort nestled at the base of the majestic 2,800-
foot Rumbling Bald Mountain, hole #16 on the Resort’s Bald Mountain Golf
Course was the backdrop for the Dirty Dancing scene where Baby asks her
father for money.
Amenities Include: A host of lodging options such as golf course condos and
lakefront vacation home rentals, two 18-hole championship courses, a full-
service spa and salon in addition to fine and casual dining, a wellness center, swimming pools, lighted tennis
courts, recreational activities, boat rentals, and narrated lake cruises and a brand new business center.
117 West Court Street
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
828-287-6113 ~ 828-287-6122 (fax)
rutherfordtourism.com
rctd@rutherfordtourism.com
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, NC
Firefly Cove at Lake Lure (fireflycovenc.com)
This high-end lodge and housing community on Lake Lure is the site of the
former Boys Camp and the backdrop for a majority of the original Dirty
Dancing, including the famous “lift” scene, interior shots, Johnny’s cabin, and
the stairs where Baby carried a watermelon and practiced dance moves.
Although most of the camp structures have since been destroyed, Firefly Cove
treasures the land's history and has preserved the remaining ruins of the
camp's gym, dining hall as integral parts of the community. Recently the famous rock staircase has been
renovated and is occasionally open to the public. The homeowners at Firefly Cove embrace their Dirty Dancing
legacy and welcome production upon its historic grounds once again.
Camp Golden Valley (camplikeagirl.com)
Camp Golden Valley is located outside of Bostic in Rutherford County on
600 acres. It is a multipurpose site with a 15-acre spring fed lake, archery
range, wading creeks, hiking trails and a 110-year-old log cabin where girls can
become immersed in the history of Rutherford County's own pioneers. Units
include some winterized cabins, tree houses and troop houses.
Camp Occoneechee
Camp Occoneechee, Lake Lure’s old Girl Scout camp, is no longer in use and was
recently purchased by private individuals. With a variety of cabins, outdoor
pavilions and large interior spaces, production of the Dirty Dancing remake is
enthusiastically welcome on the 162-acre property.
Carolina Event & Conference Center (carolinaevent.org)
This state-of-the-art, multimedia equipped facility spans 13,000 sq. ft. including a
ballroom, two meeting rooms, a conference room, gardens and dining rooms.
All proceeds from the center benefit Hospice home care. It is possible that the
venue fee could be waived and catering for the cast and crew could be offered in
exchange for a donation to Hospice of Rutherford County.
Chimney Rock (chimneyrockpark.com)
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park is recognized as one of the Southeast’s most iconic sites. The Park’s
535-million-year-old 315 ft. tall monolith called Chimney Rock offers guests 75-mile panoramic views of the
Lake Lure area and the second highest waterfall of its kind in the eastern United States.
117 West Court Street
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
828-287-6113 ~ 828-287-6122 (fax)
rutherfordtourism.com
rctd@rutherfordtourism.com
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, NC
INCENTIVES & AMENITIES
A complete list of all vendors is available for the production team; below is a
selected overview of the area’s incentive and amenity offerings.
Convenience
Lake Lure is conveniently located 90 miles from Charlotte, 30 miles from Asheville and 200 miles from Atlanta.
Air Transportation
Rutherford County has a regional airport for private planes; helicopter transportation to and from Lake Lure
can also be arranged. We are 30 minutes to an hour and a half from three major airports: Charlotte, Asheville,
and Greenville/Spartanburg.
Ground Transportation
The Lake Lure Inn has a 30-passenger trolley that can be used for transportation in Lake Lure. Use of local
school buses may be available, and the Rutherford County Department of Transportation may also assist with
transportation needs.
Boat Rentals & Lake Access
Large pontoon boats are available free of charge for the production team as needed with capacity up to 25
people. The Town of Lake Lure also has barges available for small to medium size loads. Larger barges can
also be obtained if needed.
Lodging
Several lodging properties in Lake Lure and the surrounding area are prepared to offer comped and/or heavily
reduced rates on lodging. Not only can Lake Lure offer comfortable hotel rooms, we can also supply gorgeous
condos, cabins and homes through our partners at Rumbling Bald Resort for a secure, quiet hideaway for the
film’s major players. Owners of The 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa are amenable to the needs of the production
team as well, including temporary alterations, discounted or comped lodging and storage and office space.
Privacy
Lake Lure is a town of 1,200 residents and only half of them are full time. As a prime destination for both
family vacations and retirees, privacy comes naturally here, allowing added security for cast and crew and also
freedom from distractions on set.
Security
The Rutherford County Sherriff’s office can provide traffic control at little to no cost, and sworn deputies as
security at a discounted rate. The Town of Lake Lure is poised to offer additional security.
Office Space
Office space in Arcade Building adjacent to The 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa is
available for use at a significantly reduced rate. Formerly a real estate office, the
117 West Court Street
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
828-287-6113 ~ 828-287-6122 (fax)
rutherfordtourism.com
rctd@rutherfordtourism.com
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, NC
newly renovated space includes 13 telephone and Internet ready offices plus kitchen, meeting rooms,
bathrooms and lobby.
High Speed Internet & Cell Phone Service
While challenging for many mountain locations, Lake Lure & the Blue Ridge Foothills is equipped with high
speed Internet capacity and is ready to meet cell phone infrastructure needs.
Parking
All proposed film venues have plenty of parking for cast and crew and large vehicles like 18-wheeler trucks.
Shipping & Postal Services
Lake Lure has a local post office, and daily transportation arrangements would be made for service to and from
Hendersonville or Asheville for overnight FedEx or UPS deliveries.
Meals
Several area restaurants will offer discounts on meals to cast and crew members. Some meals may be comped.
There is also a full-service Ingles grocery store equipped with a gas station located in the center of Lake Lure.
Town officials are working to secure discounts here.
Local Film Crew
Several local residents of Lake Lure and Rutherford County have extensive backgrounds in the film industry,
especially North Carolina’s film industry, and are available to assist in the production needs of the Dirty Dancing
remake. Some bios are attached.
Classic Cars
If the Dirty Dancing remake is set in a 50s/60s time period, the Bennett Classics Auto Museum in Rutherford
County has a collection of more than 70 classic cars on hand. More info at bennettclassics.com.
Butler Services
David Robinson, Internal Customer Services Manager for Rutherford County Tourism, is also the Vice
President of the International Association of Butlers and can make arrangements for any number of his
colleagues to be on staff in Lake Lure. Robinson has trained butlers all over the country, including the butlers
at the New York Plaza Hotel.
For more information on film production options in Lake Lure & the Blue Ridge Foothills,
please contact Rutherford County Tourism officials
Michelle Whitaker, Executive Director, at 828-287-6113 or Michelle.Whitaker@rutherfordcountync.gov
Michelle Yelton, Communications Manager at 828-980-2883 or michelle@mcconnellgroup.biz