Central Park, NC Blog - festival

Celebration of Seagrove potters

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:36:00-0500

November 21-23, 2008 Celebration of Seagrove Potters www.celebrationofseagrovepotters.com Held at the former Lucks Bean Cannery Located on NC Pottery Highway 705, half a mile south of the traffic light in Seagrove Friday, November 21 6:30 PM TO 9:00 PM Gala Preview $35 Meet the artists and enjoy the opening night festivities of this fabulous new festival as you and your friends have the first opportunity to browse and purchase from the thousands of pieces, sip a favorite beverage and enjoy hors d'oeuvres. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to preview a select collection of one of a kind collaborative pieces. This is a first time venture, teaming Seagrove artists, to produce highly collectable one of a kind pieces. These pieces will be auctioned at 8: PM on Friday evening! Dress is casual. Saturday, November 22 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM $5 admission at the door Fundraising auction will be held at 4:00 PM Sunday, November 23 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM $5 admission at the door

3rd Annual Uwahrrie Mountain Festival THIS weekend!

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:04:00-0500

The 3rd Annual Uwharrie Mountain Festival, celebrating the ancient mountain range of the same name, will be October 11, 2008. Held in the Montgomery County community of Eldorado, festivities will also be taking place at Kings Mountain Point, a newly developed recreational day use area in the Badin Recreation Area in the Uwharrie National Forest.

The festival will also host the Annual Central Park Century Ride taking riders along the region's scenic roads along the edge of the Sandhills and north into Randolph County as far as Pisgah Covered Bridge. Other active events include the Uwharrie Mountain Festival 5-Mile Trail Run. Click the provided link for more information about these events including how to register.

This festival doesn't short change you-beginning at 9 a.m. with activities and events like a canoe adventure race, lumberjack competition, geocaching, and a wine tasting way up into the wee hours of the afternoon (about 6 p.m.). Of course, no festival is complete without live music and vendors galore and the Uwharrie Mountain Festival will offer both.

For more information on the Uwharrie Mountain Festival including event schedules, registration, directions, and contacts click the linked text above.

10th Annual Blues and Jazz Festival, October 11th

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:03:00-0500

The Rowan Blues and Jazz Society will sponsor the 10th Annual Blues and Jazz Festival on Saturday, October 11th in Downtown Historic Salisbury, NC.

Featured artists and performers include:

Ladies auxiliary Blues Band, Greensboro

Big Bill Morganfield, Atlanta

Blazing Bob Paolino, Salisbury

Joe Robinson Jazz Band, Winston Salem

With "Special Attraction" performer Homemade Jamz Blues Band, Tupelo MS.

So bring out your blankets and comfortable chairs to Downtown Historic Salisbury and enjoy a jazz filled day! For more information contact Eleanor Qadirah of the Rowan Blues and Jazz Society at 704-636-2811 or visit the Rowan Blues and Jazz Society website.

Seagrove celebrates Southern Randolph Country Days

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:33:00-0500

Country Days will kick-off in Seagrove on Thursday, September 18th. Bring the whole family out and enjoy carnival rides, live music and dancing, arts and crafts, and a parade on Saturday.

D.T. Grass from Burlington will be performing on Friday from 6-10 p.m. Saturday's annual parade will begin at 2pm led by Fox 8 News anchor Julie Luck as the grand marshal.

For more information on County Days including a schedule of events, performers, and vendors check out this article in the Courier Tribune.

3rd Annual Uwharrie Mountain Festival being held in October 2008

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:03:00-0500

The 3rd Annual Uwharrie Mountain Festival, celebrating the ancient mountain range of the same name, will take place on October 11, 2008. Held in the Montgomery County community of Eldorado, festivities will also be taking place at Kings Mountain Point, a newly developed recreational day use area in the Badin Recreation Area in the Uwharrie National Forest.

The festival will also host the Annual Central Park Century Ride taking riders along the region's scenic roads along the edge of the Sandhills and north into Randolph County as far as Pisgah Covered Bridge. Other active events include the Uwharrie Mountain Festival 5-Mile Trail Run. Click the provided link for more information about these events including how to register.

This festival doesn't short change you-beginning at 9 a.m. with activities and events like a canoe adventure race, lumberjack competition, geocaching, and a wine tasting way up into the wee hours of the afternoon (about 6 p.m.). Of course, no festival is complete without live music and vendors galore and the Uwharrie Mountain Festival will offer both.

For more information on the Uwharrie Mountain Festival including event schedules, registration, directions, and contacts click the linked text above. For a recap of the 2nd Annual Uwharrie Mountain Festival, check out this Montgomery Herlad article written by Marla Coulthard.

Get "electrified" at the Denton Autumn Festival with The Voltage Brothers

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:34:00-0500

If you're looking for a family fun event with a little spark, check out the annual Denton Autumn Festival on September 6th. Festivities kick-off at 9 a.m. with a parade followed by the presentation of local awards including: Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and the Lifetime Achievement Award.

So what if you're not a Dentonian nominated for one of these awards? Don't be sad because the fun doesn't end with the awards. Throughout the day, festivalgoers will enjoy shopping at a wide variety of vendor booths showcasing crafts, jewelry and other merchandise as well as yummy sweets and tasty treats.

The Voltage Brothers, set to take the stage at 12 p.m. for a two hour performance, are sure to provide an "electrifying" show but don't fear gray skies! Performing the hits of legends such as Earth, Wind, and Fire, Jackson 5, and Stevie Wonder- will keep the crowd on their feet for sure! So dust off those dancing shoes and witness "America's Number One Show Band,"as they take the crowd on a time-travel from 1920 into the new millennium with everything from Swing to Motown, Disco to Rhythm & Blues - and definitely some good ole Carolina Beach music! Admission is FREE!

For more information about the Denton Autumn Festival, contact the Denton Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information about The Voltage Brothers, click here.

Farm Fest is One Month Away

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:01:00-0500

Ann at Rising Meadow Farm wrote to me this week to tell me a bit about the sixth annual Farm Fest event on their farm in Liberty (Randolph County.)

Ann writes, "Farm Fest is a Celebration of the Fiber Arts and Good Living! Everything is homemade, handmade, homegrown, etc. I believe this is the only fiber-connected event in central North Carolina."

"All of the most popular fiber animals will be here. Sheep, llamas, and angora goats from Rising Meadow Farm, Alpacas from Caraway, Alpacas in Asheboro, NC and angora rabbits from Avillion Farm in Efland, NC. There will be numerous fiber artists here, some as vendors and others demonstrating their craft."

"There are also a number of other fine artisans - potters, wood carvers, jewelry makers, soap makers, etc. This provides a fabulous opportunity to see how things are made and certainly to purchase some of the crafts. It's a great chance to do some unique gift shopping!"

Ann says there will also be:

Sheep Dog demonstrations
live celtic music all day (featuring "Seamus Stout" from Texas and "Ashegrove" from Asheboro)
fabulous food, starting with our Rising Meadow Lamb in several offerings, hamburgers from TT Grassfed Beef, and wonderful middle-eastern fare from Zaytoon Restaurant in Greensboro.
ALSO, homemade cider from Windy Hill Orchards in VA, homemade Lemonade from Girl Scout Troop 578, ice cream from Homeland Creamery, homemade Cocoanut Cake and cookies, etc.

Sounds like a great event! There is a $5 admission and attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket but leave the pets behind. Again, the event will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2008 from 10am to 4pm at Rising Meadow Farm ( 3750 Williams Dairy Rd. Liberty, NC 27298)

Farmer's Day Festival Hits Robbins

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:36:00-0500

One of the biggest festivals in the area is the Farmer's Day Festival in Robbins and it kicks off this Thursday and runs through Saturday evening.

Routinely attracting 30,000 visitors over a three-day period the festival has music on multiple stages, a parade, rides, a climbing wall, a mechanical bull, guitar makers, metal engraving demonstrations, gunsmithing, a performance by a parachute jump team, and quite a bit more.

Fireworks are on Friday only and start at 10:15pm.

This festival is well worth a visit, you'll be amazed at how a town with a little over 1,100 residents can really come alive for three summer days. My wife and I experienced the Farmers Festival in Robbins last year without knowing what it was. On our way into town we saw people riding horses eating ice cream and realized that maybe something was a little different about that day. Although mobbed with people the event as we experienced it was lots of fun and we're looking forward to it again.

Hope to see you there.

Candor Peach Festival

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:41:00-0500

The ripe time is now!

Groan if you will at that pun but the Candor Peach Festival is this weekend and it is time to grab life by the peaches. There will be lots of vendors and fresh fruits and vegetables, it looks like the weather will be perfect for a country festival.

The Montgomery Herald has all the details. For more information specific to Candor, NC visit their website.

6th Annual Davidson County Photo Contest

Wed, 14 May 2008 10:05:00-0500

Dust off those cameras, it is time to make some money by capturing the beauty of Davidson County on film.

The Tourism Recreation Investment Partnership (TRIP) of Davidson County is organizing the photo contest and handing out cash prizes from multiple sponsors according to TRIP executive director Jo Ellen Edwards.

"$75 cash prizes will be awarded to the best photos in these categories: heritage, landscapes, attractions or destinations and public events. $75 cash awards will also be given for the best student entry from those categories. To celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Old Davidson County Courthouse on the Square, the Davidson County Historical Museum will also award a $75 prize for the best image of the building."

Seems like a nice opportunity to make some side cash while celebrating where you live and play. More information is available on the Davidson County TRIP website.

16th Annual Beach Blast in Albemarle this Weekend

Fri, 09 May 2008 14:47:00-0500

Why spend seven hours in traffic to get to the Outer Banks when Albemarle is bringing the beach to you?

The 16th Annual Beach Blast kicks off on Saturday, May 10th with food, activities, and music all afternoon and into the evening. The featured band, the Part Time Party Time Band will play from 7:30 to 11:00 pm. Activities for children start earlier, at 4pm, and food vendors will start just in time for a late lunch at 2pm.

Saturday looks like beautiful weather for all the events we've reported here - only 10% chance of rain and temperatures in the mid to high 70s.

Sunset Street Festival Makes Its Debut This Weekend!

Thu, 08 May 2008 10:03:00-0500

A new one day festival is coming to the Central Park and making its debut Saturday, May 10th in Asheboro, NC. The Sunset Street Fesitval will be held on Sunset Street located in historic downtown Asheboro in Randolph County with festivities kicking-off at 9A.M. and the party doesn't stop until the break of dawn (or at least 6P.M.). Elements of the festival will include arts and crafts, a kids area, a farmer's market, live music, a car show, and Asheboro's very own spin-off of "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" called "Are You More Literate Than a Fifth Grader?"

The Sunset Street Festival is one of many events sponsored by Asheboro Parks and Recreation. For more information on the Sunset Street Festival including a complete listing of times of live performances, click here. Also, visit Asheboro Parks and Recreation website for more information on other sponsored events taking place like the Summer Music series.

Carthage Buggy Festival: The OTHER 4 Wheel Event of the Weekend

Tue, 06 May 2008 09:50:00-0500

While there will be 4 wheelers tearing it up in the Uwharries this weekend, about 40 miles to the east there will be another annual event - the Carthage Buggy Festival.

The Buggy Festival is reportedly one of the largest events in the Central Park region with 15,000 visitors attending the two day event. Among the highlights are a barbeque cook-off at Nancy Kiser Park (located at the corner of Rockingham Street and South McNeill Street) at 6pm on Friday, May 9th and vendors surrounding the Historic Courthouse from 9am-4pm on Saturday, May 10th. The Courthouse is also the site of the Buggy Festival Idol contest and street dance on Saturday night from 5pm to 11pm.

The festival is named for the town's Buggy Factory which brought wealth and recognition to the town of Carthage in the late 1800s. Originally the Tyson-Kelly Buggy Factory, the facility soon transferred hands as Jones bought out Tyson following the Civil War. According to the Southern Pines Pilot the new owner acquired his wealth in an unusual fashion:

"It was said Jones came by the fortune that enabled his purchase of the Kelly interest by making moonshine liquor while a Confederate prisoner of war. Jones apparently figured out a way to turn scraps of bread and other prison food into whiskey. He sold the drink to his Union guards for hard cash and returned to Carthage after the war with ready money."

This is only one bit of what is a terribly interesting history of this small town of 2,000. If Wikipedia's history of Carthage is to be believed, Henry Ford sought unsuccessfully to use the buggy factory as a manufacturing facility for his automobiles. Think Carthage is cursed? The same history notes that the institution now known as University of North Carolina tried unsuccessfully to be located in Carthage. The town also was once home to the first president to have been impeached, Andrew Johnson.

If you're game to experience the festivities in Carthage this weekend and need a place to stay there are a number of bed and breakfasts located in historic homes throughout town. The stunning Old Buggy Inn was built in 1880, the Blacksmith Inn is right down the road and was built in 1870, and Lauren's Haven (contact by phone at 910-947-2633) is nice as well.

Big Lick Antiques Festival this Weekend

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:22:00-0500

Is it clear by now that we don't plan our weekends in this office until late in the week?

The Big Lick Antiques Festival is this weekend - although if you miss it this weekend it will be back in October. Located just outside Oakboro, NC the festival will have antiques, a blue grass festival, an ATV drag race, a petting zoo, and much more.

The Stanly News and Press has a brief story and Hinson's Auction has full details on all events.

Robbins Spring Music and Craft Festival

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:34:00-0500

Looking for something to do this weekend? The town of Robbins is having an all-day music and craft festival -- and when I say "all-day" I mean it. The festival starts with a kayak short course for young people at 9 am and concludes at 11pm following a biathlon, a boomerang demonstration, boxcar racing, extensive crafts show, and live music.

John Chappell of The Pilot has the full story.

Robbins has a lot to praise but one recent addition to the town is the Deep River Coffee Company which has terrific coffee and features live music on Thursday nights. The coffee shop is often mentioned in conjunction with the towns redevelopment efforts. My wife and I have stopped-in several times and always enjoyed the atmosphere, food, drink, and the customers -- it is probably one of the top coffee shops in Central Park.

Want to advertise your festival or event in the Central Park region? Just leave a comment or drop me a line (tim -at- centralparknc.org) and we'll do our best to mention it.