Forge Valley Event Center FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
How many guests can this venue seat?
Our newly remodeled Event Center can provide full dinner seating for up to 200. This includes tables for your guests, buffet, beverages and cake.
We can accommodate up to 428 seated and up to 600 guests, standing room only.
This still leaves space for your dance floor and platform to serve as a stage.
For a larger event, tents can accommodate up to 2,000. A tent is picturesque, adding a fairytale atmosphere to your occasion. There are several locations for open or enclosed tents or pavilions to be set-up. Tents can be fully enclosed and heated or air-conditioned.
Tents and canopies come in a variety of sizes and colors. A smaller 20’ x 20’ tent accommodates up to 40 guests for intimate dinner seating. A larger 20’ x 40’ tent seats up to 200. A large 60’ x 100’ pavilion accommodates 500 or more guests. You may even set up several tents or canopies to take full advantage of our beautiful vistas.
There is plenty of room for all of your guests to be comfortable at Forge Valley Event Center. Hold your Outdoor Wedding Ceremony or other event overlooking scenic Lyday Lake and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Follow with an elegant reception in our Event Center, just a few steps away. Whether you hold your event indoors, outdoors or both, there is no limit to the number of guests you can include on your special day.
What kind of sound amplification equipment is available?
Forge Valley Event Center has high-quality audio video equipment for your use.
We provide quality sound and amplification equipment. Our custom installed concealed speakers provide full concert-quality sound. We supply two wireless hand-held microphones and we have a Sound Room for your Sound Engineer.
We have a built in 8’ x 16’ video screen and a state-of-the-art professional ceiling-installed video projector with remote control. Perfect for special effects behind your entertainment or to present at your conference or business meeting, this easy- to-use AV equipment will really make your event a success.
Generally your DJ or Band will provide their own speakers and amplification equipment and we have plenty of electric outlets dedicated to their equipment. You won’t be left in the dark with a blown fuse.
The event space is designed for excellent acoustics. This is not an empty community center filled with echoes.
If you are having an outdoor event, a portable public address system or complete sound equipment packages can be rented. The location is private and quiet, so sound amplification equipment will not be competing with outside noise or traffic. Our Event Coordinator can help you work out these details.
Are there restrictions with the music?
There are no zoning restrictions or noise ordinances that limit the volume of your music. There is no local curfew imposing a time limit on your event.
Is parking ample and close to the facility?
The large level parking lot right in front of the event center accommodates 43 cars. Below the building, our overflow parking holds 31 additional cars. Both lots are paved, level and well-lighted. Your guests won’t destroy their shoes picking their way through a gravel lot.
There is a drop-off zone and waiting zone for limousines.
For very large events, nearby paved parking is available, with shuttle service to transport your guests to your event.
Are restroom facilities adequate?
Our brand new bathroom amenities are as elegant as the rest of the Event Center. The Women's restroom has facilities for 7 and includes a salon-style touch-up area and baby-changing area. The Men's Restroom has facilities for 4. Both Men’s and Women’s restrooms are handicap accessible.
This is really important in making your decision. You don't want your guests lined up at the ladies room door. We provide ample facilities that are new and always immaculately clean.
Does the facility have adequate air conditioning? Adequate heating?
Forge Valley Event Center has new (BRAND?) high efficiency heating and air conditioning. Our advanced system provides optimal indoor air quality. With continual temperature and humidity control, ventilation and air cleaning, you and your guests will be comfortable no matter what time of the year you are hosting your event.
What does heat or AC sound like when it is running?
Our new HV/AC system runs silently. You will not have to compete with the fans or window rattlers other local venues provide.
Are there restrictions on vendor delivery times?
There are no zoning rules restricting access to certain days or times. There are no limits on vendor delivery times, but please coordinate with our Event Coordinator. We don’t want your delivery to interfere with another event. We will ensure no delivery interferes with your event.
With direct access to the kitchen area, performer area and two doors to event area, you can have multiple vendors delivering simultaneously. We have plenty of paved parking for even the largest trucks to park and turn around in.
Are there restrictions on flowers?
There are no restrictions on the use of flowers. Some event centers and churches have restrictions on floral arrangements that may be used or how flowers may be displayed. Forge Valley Event Center has no such restrictions on the size or type of flower arrangements that may be used either indoors or outdoors.
Rose petals, fake or real, are permitted in the building with an additional cleaning fee and damage deposit. There are no additional fees for use of rose petals outside the building.
The Event Coordinator will cooperate with your florist to deliver and set up flowers up to four hours prior to the event start time.
For insurance reasons, we cannot permit throwing rice or birdseed, releasing bubbles or balloons inside the Event Center. Please restrict this to outside the building.
Are there restrictions on candles?
Flameless candles only may be used in the niches provided on the walls. Candles may be used on tables. Any lit candles inside the building must be contained by glass. Talk to our experienced Event Coordinator about where else candles may be safely used as decorations.
Are there restrictions on decorations?
There are no restrictions on decorations. Our facility is already beautifully and tastefully decorated, but if you wish, our decorations can be removed. Of course we won't allow you to put staples into our beautiful new moldings, but feel free to decorate our indoor and outdoor settings to reflect your taste and style. Our on-staff Event Coordinator will work with you to help you express your personal style.
Forge Valley Event Center is beautifully decorated in a rustic elegant style that perfectly suits the mountain setting. Lighting effects enhance the casual comfort, lending an intimate feeling. No further decorations are really needed, but the Event Center can be dressed up for a formal elegant event or accessorized for a themed party or wedding. Excessive decoration is not needed to hide ugly block walls.
How much time will be allowed for my event?
You can reserve as much time as you would like for your event.
How much time will we have to set up for the event?
The Event Coordinator will cooperate with you, your family and friends, event planner, florist and DJ or Band up to four hours prior to the event start time.
Is there a cleaning deposit?
What do we have to do to return the facility?
What are we supposed to clean up?
Talk to our Event Coordinator. We can take care of all after event cleaning. If you contract for us to provide a cleaning service for you, we do not require a cleaning deposit.
If you choose to provide your own cleaning, there is a $200.00 cleaning deposit. The cleaning deposit will be returned to you, by mail, within 14 business days. Your deposit will not be returned if there are additional fees, damage, drugs or alcohol found on the premises.
Your deposit or a portion will not be returned if excessive cleaning is required to return the facility to its condition when you event began. Excessive cleaning is required when food or drink is ground into the carpet, trash is not removed from the building, kitchen floor and countertops are not clean, or food, dishes or decoration are left behind.
What is the cancellation policy?
We require cancellations to be made 2 weeks prior to the event, or deposit will be forfeited.
What is the policy on smoking?
There is no smoking in the building. There is a covered porch and deck where smoking is permitted. This does not block the entrance, so your guests can enter and leave the facility without walking through a cloud of tobacco smoke.
May we serve alcohol at our event?
A licensed bartender is required for any event where alcohol is served.
If you wish to serve mixed drinks, spirits or fortified wine, you must either hire a caterer with an off-premise liquor license or apply for a Limited Special Occasion Permit from the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. ABC charges a $50 fee. You may download the application here: http://reports.ncabc.state.nc.us/uploads/resources/757bfff6872a40938ba4a0c20e1c87c4.pdf
(Document will open in a new window.)If you wish to serve only beer, wine or champagne, no license or permit is required.
You are legally responsible if you provide any alcohol to your guests. We require you purchase event insurance from your homeowner’s policy or purchase Private Event Insurance or Wedding Insurance.
Here are web sites where you may purchase event or wedding insurance:
www.wedsafe.com
www.privateeventinsurance.com
(Sites will open in a new window.)
Are there restrictions on photos? Can we come early to take photos?
There are no restrictions on photos. You may take photos anywhere on our eleven acres. We have many locations ideal for photographs and video. Schedule a photo shoot on our grassy hill, dock, porches and decks with the lake and the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background. Plenty of natural light and the stunning scenery will make beautiful pictures to remember your special day forever. Inside the Event Center there are no bad views. We have a fully controllable lighting system with a variety of lighting scenes. The tasteful décor ensures that every photo is a sensation.
Talk to our Event Coordinator. A Photo Shoot can be scheduled or included in your Event Package.
Is the event room large enough to accommodate my guests or attendees?
Talk to our Event Consultant. We have a variety of indoor and outdoor locations that can provide seating and parking for all of your guests. Our newly remodeled Event Center can provide full dinner seating for up to 200. This includes tables for your guests, buffet, beverages and cake.
We can accommodate up to 428 seated and up to 600 guests, standing room only.
This still leaves space for your dance floor and platform to serve as a stage.
Is the dance floor big enough?
Our dance floor can accommodate up to 98 persons, 49 couples. This is allowing 9 square feet per couple, which is plenty of room for most types of dancing.
The dance floor is completely customizable. It comes in separate 3' x 3' parquet wood panels that securely fasten together providing a safe, stable surface. It can be set up anywhere you would like. Put it in front of the band, or in the center of the room. It can even be set up for your open-air, tent or canopy event. There are 441 square feet in all. Use your imagination! Lay it out as a square as large as 21’ x 21’ or as a rectangle.
How many of my guests will be dancing at one time?
This depends a lot on the mix of guests you have invited and the entertainment. You know these people and might guess how many will dance. A skilled DJ or band will have more people on the floor.
You can usually count on only 40% of your guests dancing at one time. Your guests don't all dance to the same type of music. As some stand up to dance for a slow song, other couples will leave the floor. So if you have 250 guests, 100 people is the most you will have dancing at any one time.
Do any of your guests or attendees have special needs?
Forge Valley Event Center has a level, paved parking lot. There are two ramps into the building and a smooth paved drive to the lake. The bathrooms are wheelchair accessible. The doors are wide enough to easily accommodate a wheelchair. The floors inside are smooth and safe. The Event Center is all on one level. Level paved parking close to entrance has dedicated handicapped parking spaces.
Will your guests be able to see and hear the band?
Guests feel cheated if they cannot s and hear the band. Talk to our Event Consultant about a number of set-up solutions. Seating can be arranged on the hill or the edge of the lake. A hill top set-up elevates the band to be clearly visible. We also have a portable platform to serve as a stage for your outside event or inside the Event Center.
We have two wireless remote microphones and portable amplification equipment available. The Forge Valley Event Center is in a quiet, private location, so you will not have to compete with traffic or other noise.
Is the platform area large enough to accommodate the entertainment?
Forge Valley Event Center has a 192 square foot portable staging platform available for your special occasions. It is large enough to accommodate even large groups for your stage production, graduation or other event. Our staging system is extremely versatile and strong. It is assembled from 12 separate 4' x 4' sections that are 18" high. Each section will support up to 150 pounds per foot and can be configured to fit any situation.
The staging platform is completely customizable and can be used for an indoor or outdoor event. It will accommodate your band, even including a separate 8' x 8' drum riser for an additional 8".
Indoor / Outdoor Portable Staging Platform shown with drum riser
Forge Valley Event Center's versatile staging system can be configured to fit any situation. The portable staging platform is assembled from 12 separate 4' x 4' sections for a total of up to 192 square foot. It is 18" high with an optional drum riser for an additional 8". it is completely customizable and may be used for indoor or outdoor events. It may be skirted for a more finished appearance.
Planning an event?
It is never too early to contact us about a date. Complete the Event Proposal Request and we will review your information and and respond quickly with recommendations and pricing.
Ready to reserve your date?
Complete the Event Date Reservation Request to reserve your dates at Forge Valley Event Center.
