Weekend Fun in Stanly County, NC

01/31/2012 By Leave a Comment






This Weekend in Stanly County

By Bridget Huckabee

Stanly County loves the sporting life and as participants and spectators they find plenty to satisfy that love. But being the well-rounded folks that they are, they also love cultural events. And they love to share their enthusiasm for both these activities with visitors.

Let’s start with sports participation. We have the Uwharrie Running Club that puts on more running events than anywhere else in the region. The Uwharrie Wheelmen is for all those that share a passion for cycling whether recreational or competitive. The Uwharrie Hikers provide opportunities for regular hikes and outings for those who love the outdoors. Our lakes provide boating, water sports and fishing, and the visitor can even borrow rods and reels from the Albemarle Parks and Recreation Department. Our parks provide opportunities for camping and hiking, and did we mention the area golf courses?

We also love spectator sports and this weekend provides several opportunities. On Thursday, the Pfeiffer Women’s Basketball team takes on the women’s team from St. Andrews at 5:30 pm on the Pfeiffer University campus. At 7:30 pm, the Pfeiffer Men’s Basketball team takes on the men’s team from St. Andrews. Take a trip to Misenheimer to support the home teams.

On Sunday, the Stanly Community College’s Men’s Baseball team will take on USC Lancaster at 1 pm. The game will be played at Don Montgomery Park. Come on out and support those Eagles.

Now for those cultural treats. On Friday head for downtown Albemarle when the Falling Rivers Gallery begins its two-week Jewelry Show and Sale, From the Heart. In a Stanly News and Press readers’ choice survey in 2011, the Gallery was chosen as having the most artistic jewelry. Many of these local artists will have their jewelry on display during this show and sale. The items are varied, beautiful and one-of-a-kind.

The Falling Rivers Gallery is a cooperative sales venue of the Stanly Arts Guild and is staffed and managed by volunteers who show and sell their creations that include paintings, textiles, wood, bronze, jewelry, pottery and much more.

The Stanly Arts Guild also sponsors month-long shows in the lobby of the Agri-Civic Center. Throughout February the work of nature photographer Dan Wray will be on display. Dan’s first love is nature photography, but he has worked as a self-employed photographer, and is represented by The Image Works in Woodstock, New York. He has published photographs for commercial, advertising and wedding venues. His interest in photography began with film cameras, but now he works with digital including small format cameras. Dan makes his home on the family farm in Mount Gilead, North Carolina where he now specializes in finding a wealth of subjects to photograph close to home. Drop by and see his show.

Sports, culture, friendly folks, beautiful scenery, pristine lakes, Stanly County offers it all. Enjoy!

Filed Under: Albemarle, Falling Rivers Art Gallery, North Carolina, Pfeiffer University, Stanly County

Winter Wine Weekend

12/08/2011 By Leave a Comment

Print out the coupon and present it while at Dennis Vineyards for the available specials!!

Filed Under: Albemarle, Dennis Vineyards, North Carolina, North Carolina Wine, Stanly County, Winter Wine Weekend

Fall Festivals

10/25/2011 By Leave a Comment

~Fall Festivals in Stanly County~

It’s time for the Fall Festivals to begin and there are plenty to choose from!

Albemarle Downtown Fall Festival : Thursday, October 27th… The entire downtown area will be alive with children strolling from door-to-door trick-or-treating at the local businesses. There is a costume parade that starts at 4:00 and the Trick-or-Treating starts at 6:00pm.

Stanfield Fall Festival : Saturday, October 29th… The town of Stanfield will have trunk-or-treating going on, along with Hay rides, kids games, contest, music and much more! Everything starts at 6:00pm!

New London Fall Festival : Saturday, October 29th… The New London town Park will be filled with music and people enjoying the day at their inaugural Fall Festival! They will have plenty of food, entertainment and music for everyone! Everything will get started around 11:30am.

City Lake Park Fall Festival : Monday, October 31st… City Lake Park in Albemarle will be full of Ghost and Gobblins trunk-or-treating and enjoying the annual Fall Festival! In addition to trunk-or-treating there will be games, balloons, music and even a costume contest! It all starts at 5:30pm.

Badin Inn Golf Resort & Club Fall Festival : Monday, October 31st… Badin Inn will have plenty of Trick-or-Treating for the kids, along with tons of fun and even a spooky Hayride. Everything will get started at 5:00pm.

Filed Under: Albemarle, Fall Festivals, Fun, kid events, North Carolina, Stanfield, Stanly County

Weekend Fun in Stanly County, NC

10/11/2011 By Leave a Comment


This Weekend in Stanly County

By Bridget Huckabee


Here in Stanly County the pumpkins are fat, leaves glow with color and lakes gleam like blue silk. October is a grand month in our neck of the woods and there are plenty of ways to enjoy it. From the challenge of sporting clays to a quiet walk through an art gallery and from the nostalgia of Gershwin’s music to a Fright Night in a haunted wood there’s a variety of activity and entertainment to be found throughout the county.

Start on Thursday in downtown Albemarle where the Falling Rivers Gallery (next door to Starnes Jewelers) presents the Stanly Arts Guild Member Show. Drop in to see the work of local artists and stay to browse in the Gallery. This charming venue is open 5 days a week and offers for sale a wide variety of wall art, jewelry, pottery and more.

On Friday take a ride down to Norwood to the beautiful Fork Farm and Stables to watch the CAGC Sporting Clays Championship. There will be food, drinks, tournament awards and raffle prizes at the conclusion of the event. Sporting Clay shooting is a shotgun sport suitable for the whole family. With minimal coaching, even someone who has never shot before can participate in a round of Sporting Clays while also enjoying the pristine natural surroundings of the Fork Farm. Come and watch the experts and see if this is the sport for you.

During the month of October head out to the Get Lost Corn Maze on Highway 73 and stay for the Maze of Terror, a guided walk on a haunted trail through a separate maze. Bring your courage with you.

On Friday evening the Pfeiffer Women’s Volleyball team takes on Belmont Abbey on the Pfeiffer campus at Misenheimer. Let’s hear that cheer for the home team.

On Friday night the place to be is on the porch at the Badin Inn. The live music of Taylor Chandler & the CRS Band entertains from 7 pm to 10 pm in this inviting venue overlooking the lush green fairways of the Badin golf course. This regularly scheduled Friday night event, Pickin’ on the Porch, is free and open to the public. Food and drink is available.

Saturday morning is the time to visit the Stanly County Farmers’ Market at downtown Albemarle’s Market Station. The market has been in operation for 12 years. Join the many satisfied regular customers who return again and again for good local produce, homemade goodies and local crafts.

On Saturday afternoon ride up to Misenheimer to watch the Pfeiffer Women’s Volleyball team take on Lees McRae at 2 pm on the Pfeiffer campus.

Later in the afternoon, Big Lick Festival Park hosts the ATV Drag Races from 4 pm to 10 pm. All riders are required to wear a helmet and riders under 18 must have a parents’ signature to race. There’ll be first place trophies awarded to the winners of each class. There’ll also be plenty of food and drink available, and don’t forget to bring your own chair. The park is located on Highway 205 in Oakboro.

Sunday night is a special night at the Get Lost Corn Maze on Highway 73. It’s Youth Fright Night. Local church youth groups are invited to attend this scary event.

While the youth of the county are being scared, the rest of us can attend a more calming event on this autumn Sunday evening. Ride out to the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center where the Stanly County Concert Association presents the Spectrum Brass Quintet. Imagine a performance where a brass quintet commands the stage with power and grace, a concert pianist displays dazzling virtuosity (Rhapsody in Blue) and a soprano quietly sings heartfelt Gershwin favorites. The Spectrum Brass Quintet delivers a Gershwin tribute with the first half suited for a symphony hall (think Porgy and Bess) and the second half a night on the town.

Who could ask for anything more?

Filed Under: Albemarle, Get Lost Corn Maze, Morrow Mountain State Park, Stanly County, Stanly County Farmers Market

~Weekend Activities~

07/26/2011 By Leave a Comment

This Weekend in Stanly County
By Bridget Huckabee

Imagine this: dancing under the stars, dining on a fan-cooled porch, a lively musical, an art show, baskets filled with delicious fresh veggies, fish jumping in a sparkling lake. You’ll find it all this weekend in Stanly County. Imagine that!
On Thursday afternoon in western Stanly you’ll find Locust Farmers’ Market on the Locust Ace Hardware front patio. From 2 pm to 6 pm vendors fill their stalls with baskets brimming with seasonal fruit and vegetables.
Back in downtown Albemarle the Stanly Art Guild presents its Summer Art Explosion at the Falling Rivers Gallery. The show runs through August 5, 2011 and features painting, photography and sculpture. The Gallery also features a permanent collection of the work of local artists, all of which is for sale. The Gallery is open Tuesdays through Saturdays
For your evening entertainment there’s no place better than Market Station. This week, Thursdays at the Station free concert series presents Wing and a Prayer Band. The performance starts at 8 pm. The concession stand is open, so bring your lawn chair and relax to good music in the cool of the evening.
There are lots of choices for your evening entertainment on Friday.
Uwharrie Players present All Shook Up at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center. The performance combines all-time favorite Elvis hits with a healthy dose of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. This is surefire fun for rock and roll fans of all ages. The show runs through Sunday night.
There’s dancing, wine and refreshments waiting for you at Rocky River Vineyards. “Jen and Tonic” perform music from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Bring your dancing shoes.
Over at the Badin Inn you’ll find Pickin’ on the Porch with live music from The Invaders Band. There’s a fully-stocked bar and food and drink available, or you can just sit and enjoy the music on this fan-cooled porch overlooking Badin’s beautiful golf course.
For a quiet evening on the lake there’s the Friday Night on Tillery Fishing Tournament. It starts at 7 pm and ends at midnight with a weigh-in at the Swift Island Landing.
Saturday morning is the time to head to Market Station for the weekly Stanly County Farmers’ Market. For over twelve years local vendors have been selling seasonal fruits and vegetables, homemade goodies and crafts to Stanly County residents. Come and fill your bag or basket with the best Stanly County has to offer.
Russell’s Bass Fishing Tournament gets underway on Tuckertown reservoir at the Flat Creek Landing on Saturday. Crank up the bass boat and go in search of that big one.
You don’t have to use your imagination in order to enjoy your weekend. You can enjoy it ‘for real’ right here in Stanly County.

Filed Under: Albemarle, Badin Inn Golf Resort and Club, Farmer's Market, Fishing Tournament, North Carolina, Stanly County

Weekend Fun in Stanly County

07/06/2011 By Leave a Comment

It’s summertime and the heat is on, but Stanly County has some ‘cool’ events to tempt you out of the house this week. So gather up friends and family and set off to enjoy them.
On Thursday afternoon, Locust Town Center Merchant’s Association has collaborated with the Rural Cooperative Extension to bring a Farmers’ Market to the front patio of Locust Ace Hardware. Here you can take your pick from brimming baskets of fruit and veggies.
Then it’s back to Albemarle downtown for Thursdays at the Station, a weekly series of free concerts put on at Market Station by the Albemarle Parks and Recreation Department. This week it’s the Singing Americans Band. Showtime is 8 pm and the concession stand is open during the event. Grab a cool drink, settle into your lawn chair and get ready to enjoy some fine entertainment.
Friday at sunset with the heat of the day subsiding, it’s time to take the whole family to Locust to enjoy a Movie in the Park. This week the movie is Grease. There is a pre-show before the main feature and vendors are set up to enable you to have a meal while you watch the movie. And the event is free. How ‘cool’ is that?
On Saturday morning it’s time to rise early and hurry to Albemarle for the pick of the crop at the Stanly County Farmers’ Market. For over twelve years local farmers have brought their fresh seasonal produce to town to sell at this weekly event. Fruits and vegetables are coming into their peak and under the canopy of Market Station vendors’ tables are loaded with squash, tomatoes, green beans and much more. Fill your basket, but leave a little space for that homemade cake or pie.
Two fishing tournaments top off this summer weekend. Saturday Nights on Badin Lake Fishing Tournament starts at 7 pm and ends with a weigh-in at midnight at the Alcoa Pier. Up the road, or should we say upstream, Russell’s Bass Fishing Tournament Series gets underway at Tuckertown’s Flat Creek Boat Landing. Rumor has it the fish are really biting, so bait that hook and try for the big one.
Summer weekends are made for fun. There are parks and pools and lakes and rivers scattered in and around Stanly County, places where you can enjoy a variety of activities or where you can find a shady spot to simply sit and enjoy our beautiful scenery. Stanly County is a ‘cool’ place.
Filed Under: Albemarle, Downtown Albemarle, Fishing Tournament, Fun, North Carolina, Stanly County

This Weekend in Stanly County

05/23/2011 By Leave a Comment

This Weekend in Stanly County

By Bridget Huckabee

The weather is heating up and weekend activity in Stanly County is heating up right along with it. Bands are tuning up, horses are being saddled, fresh produce is ripe and ready, classic cars are getting a last polish and those old tires are ready to explode for your entertainment. We’ll explain that last comment in a moment. Meanwhile, read on to find a list of activities you won’t want to miss.
Every Thursday at 8 pm come rain or shine Albemarle Parks and Recreation Department puts on a concert at Albemarle’s Market Station. It’s free and there’s a concession stand. This Thursday pack your lawn chair and come on down to hear the Forever Forgiven Band.

Friday, those shiny classic cars will line the streets of Oakboro for the town’s monthly Cruise-in. The event starts at 5 pm. If the weather’s pretty you’ll find around 500 cars and 6,000 people enjoying this unique event. Take some photos, grab some goodies from the concession stands and then at 9 pm head over to the Burn-out to watch cars with locked brakes spin their tires until they burn. When a tire pops be sure to join in the hooting and the hollering. It’s part of the fun.
For a very different Friday event, dust off those dancing shoes and head to Rocky River Vineyards for the first of their summer concerts. From 7 pm to 10 pm, the Salisbury Swing Band performs music to dance to. $20 includes a glass of wine and refreshments.

Saturday is time to saddle up that horse and take advantage of a two-day clinic by award winning Canadian equestrian, Rebecca Howard. The event takes place at the beautiful Fork Stables, a world class equestrian facility located in Norwood. All level of riders and horses are welcome.
Saturday is also time to visit the Stanly County Farmers’ Market to find fresh home grown produce fit for a King’s table. Local vendors sell everything from vegetables to jams and jellies to flowers and crafts. Come early for the pick of the crop.
Want to see talent in the making? Don’t miss the Dimensions Dance Arts Recital at the Stanly Agri-Civic Center.
And try your own talent at a ceramic sculpture workshop with Joe Rock from White Rock Art Studio in Mint Hill. The workshop is held at the Falling Rivers Gallery in downtown Albemarle.
On Sunday, to complete your weekend, head down to Norwood and laze in the Darrell Almond Community Park from 2 pm to 5 pm as you listen to a summer concert featuring Too Much Sylvia.
Those long golden days of summer stretch before us and weekends in Stanly County beckon with choices galore.

For more information about Stanly County, please visit our Website, Twitter or Facebook!

Filed Under: Albemarle, Facebook, North Carolina, Norwood, Stanly County, Too Much Sylvia

This Weekend in Stanly County

05/16/2011 By Leave a Comment

This Weekend in Stanly County

By Bridget Huckabee

Create your own pace this weekend. From art galleries to cruise-ins, from heritage festivals to music under the stars, our deceptively quiet county has something for everyone. Go take a hike up Morrow Mountain, catch the big one in one of our rivers or lakes, water ski, cycle or run. Have more urbane pleasures in mind? How about art galleries, heritage festivals and book readings?
Let’s get down to details. The Stanly Arts Guild and Falling Rivers Gallery have a permanent exhibition of work by local artists, but from now until May 21 they are presenting the added attraction of work of a more crafty nature: Hop into Spring Arts and Craft Show. And there’s more at this unique downtown Albemarle venue. This weekend and for the next ten days the Gallery presents Art Exhibit: Relay for Life, a book created by Kelly Story of her photographs of cancer survivors, victors and their loved ones.
In the mood for a literary luncheon? Author, poet and former photojournalist from Monroe, NC, Barbara Funderburk, is a guest at the Stanly County Senior Center. Her latest book is Count Their Lives in Womanyears.
Thursdays at the Station concert series continues to provide weekly free concerts. Rain or shine, the show goes on. This week it’s Borderlyne, so bring your lawn chair, sip a coke from the concession stand and make a donation to further the cause.
On Friday head for Locust where every third Friday of the month the town hosts a cruise-in at the Locust City Center. This Friday they’ll have vendors and local restaurants and later in the evening the Locust Concert Series presents SummerDaze Band.
The early bird catches the worm. OK. So it’s Saturday and the Farmers’ Market doesn’t sell worms, but the ‘early bird’ gets the pick of the fresh produce grown by local farmers at the Saturday Stanly County Farmers’ Market. There are also local homemade goodies, flowers, plants and crafts to choose from, and all at reasonable prices.
Stanfield has a unique heritage and on Saturday they’ll celebrate the history of their community with a Stanfield Heritage Festival. The emphasis is on craftsmanship from the past and the visitor will have the opportunity to buy handmade items from many area vendors. There’ll be a tribute to railroads, agriculture, milling and ginning, antique tractors and vehicles, woodworking, quilting and more.
Head over to the Little Creek Music Park on Saturday for the Little Creek Music Park Spring Festival featuring Southern Junction, Helms Family and the Grass Strings. There are door prizes and a dance floor. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy.
And last but by no means least take the family over to the Stanly County Fairgrounds for the 2nd Annual Spring Figure 8 Race for an evening of food, fun, racing and car crashing.

Unique, educational, laid-back, we have it all in the way of activities here in Stanly County. All you have to do is show up.

Filed Under: Albemarle, City of Locust, North Carolina, Stanfield, Stanly County

This Weekend in Stanly County

05/03/2011 By Leave a Comment
Weekend Fun in Stanly County
The amount of events that took place last weekend surely broke a record! There were tons of things to do for everyone and they were taking place in almost every municipality in Stanly County. This weekend looks a little calmer but there still is plenty of fun to be had in the area!
If you haven’t ever been to the Fork Farm & Stables in Norwood then this is your chance to check it out. They are hosting a Fun Shoot at their World Class Shooting Facility. For a mere $50.00 you get to take a shot at 100 targets at 12 different stations throughout the course. They are offering prizes for the highest scorers. The weather looks like it’s going to be great and the facility is wonderful so swing by and take a shot at winning a prize!!!
The Uwharrie Players are one of many performing arts groups within Stanly County. This weekend they will be performing “Dearly Departed” at the Albemarle High School Auditorium. If you’ve never heard of the play it is hilarious and the Uwharrie Players are experts when it comes to comedy. You will not want to miss this show!

The Beach Blast 5K will take place on Saturday in Downtown Albemarle with around 500 runners competing! Vac & Dash and the Uwharrie Running Club always host this event and it keeps growing and growing. This year they capped the race at 500 runners so that it would be a quality race! If you’re up for the challenge, give them a call!
If you’re looking to get some locally grown produce then Downtown Albemarle has just what you’re looking for. The Farmer’s Market, which takes place at Market Station in Downtown Albemarle, has plenty of fresh locally grown produce! It’s also a great way to get to know the local Farmer’s and to see what they recommend during the different times of year!
There is always something going on in the Stanly County area. Even if there isn’t an event taking place, there are tons of different options for everyone; especially for the Outdoor Enthusiast!
Filed Under: Albemarle, Fork Farm and Stables, North Carolina, Norwood, Stanly County

This Weekend in Stanly County

04/18/2011 By Leave a Comment

~This Weekend~

Whew, did we have some crazy weather this weekend or what! Unfortunately a few of the events that were planned had to be cancelled due to the weather but, it’s April and the weather is always crazy in April!

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This weekend is going to be a great weekend to check out a few things happening in the Stanly County area! Of course the Largest North Carolina Downtown Cruise-In will take place in Oakboro this Friday, April 22, 2011! They usually have anywhere from 400-500 cars lined up on the street or cruising the main drag! If you’re a car or truck enthusiast, there is something in Oakboro that will catch your eye! There are usually around 3,000 – 5, 000 people in attendance just hanging out with friends and checking out the customized cars! Make sure you check it out if you’re in the area!

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Saturday will be a great day for the kids! Head out to City Lake Park for the Albemarle Easter Egg Hunt hosted by the Albemarle Parks & Recreation Department. Mr. Bunny will be on hand for pictures and there will be prizes for the golden eggs! The Easter Egg Hunt will start at 11:00am so, don’t be late! Also on Saturday, the Farmer’s Market in Downtown Albemarle will have plenty of fruits and vegetables! The Market starts at 7:00am and is a great way to spend a Saturday Morning! After the Market, Morgan Ridge Vineyards is hosting a “Shrimp & Grits Spring Festival!” Starting at 2:00pm they will be serving Shrimp & Grits and of course their wonderful wine while you’re sitting back enjoying the sounds of a Swing Band! Morgan Ridge Vineyards is a new Vineyard that opened up right outside of Richfield!

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There are also plenty of College Athletics taking place at Pfeiffer University and Stanly Community College, so get out and enjoy your weekend in Stanly County!
Filed Under: Albemarle, City of Locust, Farmer's Market, North Carolina, Stanly County, Wine
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