This Weekend in Stanly County
By Bridget Huckabee
For 54 years, the small town of Oakboro has celebrated America’s birthday on the 4th of July. Each year that celebration gets bigger and better. This year’s festivities may be the biggest and best yet. Starting on Friday and finishing on Wednesday, the Fourth itself, this small close-knit community outdoes itself with rides, BBQ, pageants, music, dancing and of course fireworks.
But there’s plenty of time between Oakboro’s parties to enjoy the other delights offered this weekend in Stanly County.
A good place to start is at Market Station in downtown Albemarle at 7 pm on Thursday evening. The Albemarle Parks & Recreation Department hosts another of its free summer concert series titled “Thursdays @ The Station”. Each week from May through August on Thursdays, Market Station comes alive with all types of music from gospel and rock to pop, bluegrass and more. This Thursday come on down and enjoy some gospel music courtesy of a Wing & a Prayer.
On Friday evenings the porch at the historic Badin Inn comes alive with music. This Friday the Invaders entertain in the relaxed atmosphere and beautiful scenery of this unique venue. The concert is free but food and drink are available at the Inn’s Pub.
Over in Oakboro, the Fourth of July festivities get underway this Friday. The rides open at 6 pm. There’s also a Firefighters Competition starting at 6 pm where teams of local firefighters compete in timed events related to their firefighting skills. At 8:30 pm the Fantastic Shakers perform on the Union Power stage.
Saturday and it’s time for the Stanly County Farmers’ Market at Market Station in downtown Albemarle. From 8 am until noon come and browse the stalls of fresh produce, home-made goodies, crafts, plants and more as you choose items to tuck into your market basket. Do your body a favor with healthy locally grown fresh produce while supporting our local farming economy with your purchases.
It’s the last Saturday of the month and time for the Stanfield Motorcycle Cruise-in. From 4 pm to 9 pm you can walk down the center of town and reminisce about the time you owned or almost owned one of those classic bikes. Meet old friends, make new friends, kick tires and tell stories of the days when…….There’s food, fun and more.
There’s music in the air again over in Badin at the Badin Inn with Brent Lawrence Pickin’ on the Porch from 7 pm to 10 pm.
In Oakboro the rides open at 6 pm followed by the Little Miss 4th of July Pageant. At 8:30 pm Sea Cruz performs on the Union Power stage. The rides open at 6 pm on Monday and Tuesday. Monday’s festivities bring a talent show and the Craig Woolard Band on stage at 8:30 pm. Big Sam performs on stage Tuesday at 8:30 pm.
Wednesday and it’s July 4th and Oakboro begins its Happy Birthday salute to America with a parade at 9 am, rides at 10 am, and a BBQ dinner at the Fire Department at 11 am. Promptly at 11 am Mayor Danny Long makes his welcoming remarks followed by an invocation and the National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance and flag raising. In the afternoon the 2012 Miss Stanly County Fire Queen is chosen. At 8 pm Atlantic Groove performs on stage and at 11:30 the grand finale Fireworks Show brings this great celebration to a close.
Happy Birthday, America!
