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?
