September/October 2008 Happenings

SEPTEMBER:

4 thru 7 Lake Lure, N.C. 2008 Hickory Nut Gorge Olympiad IV. Family sports festival with 30 events for all ages and skill levels, including food festival, entertainment and medals. Schedule and registration available online. Free to watch. www.hickorynutolympiad.com.

5 thru 6 Winnsboro, S.C. 6th Annual Tat Days. Weekend of tatted lace crafts for beginners through advanced levels; visitor’s day on Saturday. White Oak Conference Center. Cost varies depending on activities. www.palmettotatters.org.

6 Fayetteville, N.C. Free Day at Cape Fear Botanical Garden. Located at intersection of Cross Creek and Cape Fear River. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. www.capefearbg.org.

6 Mooresville, N.C. 11th Annual Charlotte Antique and Classic Boat Show. Over 70 antique and classic boats from 12 states on display on Lake Norman. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Queen’s Landing, Highway 150 W. Free. www.charlotteantiqueboatshow.com.

6 thru 7, 13 thru 14, 20 Hendersonville, N.C. 28th Annual Friends of Henderson County Public Library Book Sale.  10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays, 1-5  p.m. on Sundays. 1940 Spartanburg Highway. Free. Call (828) 692-0028.  

13 Asheville, N.C. 3rd Annual Mustangs for Hospice Pony Run. Join in attempt to break the world record for number of mustang cars in the “pony run” through the Pisgah Forest and Blue Ridge Parkway benefiting CarePartners Hospice, including music, local food, raffle items and prizes. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. $25 per car. www.brmcoa.org.

13 Owings, S.C. 6th Annual Owings Pioneer Day. Parade, Revolution and Civil War reenactors, horses and wagons, and live bluegrass. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Call (864) 876-3712.

13 Winston-Salem, N.C. BOOKMARKS, Festival of Books. Writers, illustrators, storytellers and chefs offer readings, presentations, workshops and book signings. Bethabara Park. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Free.
www.bookmarksbookfestival.org.

13 Linville, N.C. Kidsfest at Grandfather Mountain.  Guided hikes, games, storytellers, music and fun to introduce kids to the nature of the N.C. mountains. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free with regular admission. www.grandfather.com.

18 Charlotte, N.C. 3rd Annual Look at Her Power. Fundraiser for Dress for Success Charlotte features actress Andie MacDowell, Joi Gordon, CEO, Dress for Success Worldwide, fashion show, silent and live auctions, refreshments, and exclusive preview of Southern Women’s Show. Charlotte Merchandise Mart. 6-9 p.m. $40. (704) 525-7706.

19 thru 20 Seneca, S.C. Lake & Mountain Quilters Guild Festival of Quilts Show. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Shaver Center, 698 W. 4th St. $4. Call (864) 882-6065. (910) 295-4017.

19 thru 20 Wilmington N.C. 5th Annual Secret Garden Tour. Self-guided walking tour of private gardens in downtown Wilmington historic district, benefiting Lower Cape Fear Historical Society. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $15 thru Sept. 5, then $18. www.latimerhouse.org.

19 thru 20 Pinehurst, N.C.  Event-Quilting in the Pines. Judged quilt show, quilt boutique, demonstrations and silent auction. Pinehurst Fair Barn, near harness track on Rte. #5. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $5. www.sandhillsquilters.org.

19 thru 21 Raleigh, N.C. 2008 Greek Festival. Greek food, pastries, marketplace, music and dancing. Expo Center, N.C. State Fairgrounds. 5-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. $3, $2 for seniors and ages 13-18, free for 12 and under. www.holytrinityraleigh.org.

20 Aiken, S.C. Children’s Book Festival. Meet authors, illustrators and storytellers who produce books for tots to teens. Aiken Technical College, U.S. 1 and Highway 78 S. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. www.aikenbookfestival.org.

20 thru 21 Kure Beach, N.C. 6th Annual Southern Coastal Bluegrass Festival. Bluegrass bands, storytelling, activities, crafts and food. Ft. Fisher Military Recreation Area. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. $15 per day, free for 12 and under. www.coastalbluegrassfestival.org

20 Elizabeth City, N.C. 20th Annual Moth Boat Regatta. Boat races, book-signings, boat-building demonstrations, kids’ activities and BBQ and chicken dinner. Waterfront. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Fees to enter, free to attend. www.museumofthealbemarle.com.

26 thru 28 Flat Rock, N.C. Flat Rock Music Festival with emerging songwriting contest and showcase, all-star jams, workshops, open mikes and kids’ village. At Camp Ton-AWandah. 3-12 p.m., Friday, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sunday.  Prices range from $17.50 to $80, based on day rates or passes. www.flatrockmusicfestival.com.

27 Wilmington, N.C. African-American History Day at Bellamy Mansion.
Tours, short lectures, storytellers, kitchen interpretations of African-American slave life in the 19th-century Cape Fear region. 503 Market St. 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Museum admission of $10 adults, $4 for children. www.bellamymansion.org.

27 thru 28 Hampstead, N.C. North Carolina Spot Festival. Celebrating 45th year; includes juried arts/crafts, food including spot fish (for which the festival is named) dinners, kids activities, live entertainment and fireworks with all proceeds to the schools and fire department. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. $2 adults, under 16, free. www.ncspotfestival.com.

OCTOBER:

1 thru 21 (Thursday through Saturday) Huntersville, N.C. Amazing Maize Maze. Adults and children use clues to try to navigate the cornfield maze. Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Rd. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $10 adults, $6 children ages 5-14. www.ruralhill.net.

2 thru 4 Camden, S.C. 12th Annual Carolina Downhome Blues Festival club crawl. Two-block radius of Broad St. (Hwy. 521) and DeKalb St. (Rte. 1) in downtown Camden. 5:30-11 p.m., Thursday, 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m., Friday, 12:30 -11:30 p.m. Saturday. $15 a night or $40 pass. (803) 425-7676.

3 thru Nov. 1 (Fridays and Saturdays) Blowing Rock, N.C. Tweetsie Railroad’s Ghost Train Halloween Festival. Trick or treating, Haunted House and spooky train ride. U.S. Highway 321. $26, Free for 2 years and under. www.tweetsie.com.

3 thru 4 Laurens, S.C. Squealin' on the Square. State BBQ championship cook-off, food, music, crafts, children's events, tractor and car shows and fireworks. Downtown courthouse square. 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Saturday. Free. www.mainstreetlaurens.org.

4 Flat Rock, N.C. Flat Rock Art and Wine Festival. Juried art and craft show with wine, music and entertainment to benefit the Flat Rock Playhouse. Flat Rock Wine Shoppe, 2702 Greenville Highway, Singleton Centre. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. www.flatrockwineshoppe.com.

4 thru 5 Brasstown, N.C. Fall Festival. Fine crafts, music and dance, demonstrations and food. John C. Campbell Folk School. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $5 adults, $3 for ages 12-17, under 12, free. www.folkschool.org.

4 thru 5 Roebuck, S.C. Festifall at Walnut Grove.  Revolutionary War reenactors with demonstrations and hand-on activities. 1200 Otts Shoals Rd. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. $7 adults, $4 ages 6-17, under 5 free. www.spartanburghistory.org.

10 Salisbury, N.C. 10th Annual Blues and Jazz Festival. Salisbury Post parking lot, W. Fisher and Church Sts. 2-10 p.m. Free. www.rowanbluesandjazz.com or (704) 636-2811.

10 Brevard, N.C. An Evening with Tim Bruce. Art reception and silent auction; fundraiser for Transylvania Community Arts Council. Gallery on Main, 36 E. Main St. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free. www.tcarts.org.

11 Hampstead, N.C. Fourth Annual Big Fall Festival. Hayrides, pumpkin patch, crafts, children’s games and homemade food. 15395 U.S. Hwy. 17 N. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. www.hampsteadumc.org.

11 Pumpkintown, S.C. 30th Annual Pumpkin Festival. Parade, children’s activities, arts and crafts, bluegrass music, food and pole climbing. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Call (864) 898-0261.

11 Charlotte, N.C. 12th annual Ciao, Italia! Festival. Italian traditions, arts, wine and cuisine and children’s events. Wachovia Atrium building, S. Tryon and 2nd Sts. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. $2 adults, 12 and under, free. www.italian-club-charlotte.org.

11 thru 12 Myrtle Beach, S.C. Art in the Park. Juried art show featuring artists from the East coast hosted by Waccamaw Arts and Crafts Guild. Chapin Park, 1400 N. Kings Hwy. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. www.artsyparksy.com.

16 thru 17 Greenville, N.C. Four Seasons Chamber Music Festival at East Carolina University School of Music. Concerts, master classes, open rehearsals and children’s concerts. 7 p.m., Thursday, 8 p.m., Friday.  $10 for students, $25 for adults or season passes. 1-800-ECU-ARTS or www.ecu.edu/music.

17 thru 18 Maggie Valley, N.C. Raymond Fairchild Mountain Music Jamboree. Indoor bluegrass festival celebrating banjo players with hometown player Raymond Fairchild. Eaglenest Entertainment, 2701 Soco Rd., Highway 19. Prices range from $10 to $65, depending on number of days and age. www.eaglenestnc.com.

17 thru 19 Black Mountain, N.C. Lake Eden Arts Festival with global music line-up and workshops benefiting community outreach organizations. Prices range from $23 to $120 for weekend passes with camping. 9 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Sunday. www.lakeedenartsfestival.org.

18 thru 19 Banner Elk, N.C. Wooly Worm Festival. Participate in or watch wooly worms (wooly bear caterpillars) race in heats on a three-foot length of string and view winning worms, live entertainment, food and crafts. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Free. www.averycounty.com.

23 thru 25 Ridge Spring, S.C. Harvest Festival. Family-pace festival celebrating rural farming and its products, including rides, live music, rock climbing, petting zoo, classic car show, street dances and fireworks. Town Square and Main St. 7-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday. Free. www.ridgespringsc.com.

24 thru 25 Blythewood, S.C. BlytheFest. Community festival with music and entertainment, auction, crafts, exhibits, children’s activities and Greek chicken dinner. Trinity UM Church, 155 Blythewood Rd. 5-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Free. www.blythefest.com.

24 thru 26 Beaufort, S.C. Fall Festival of Houses & Gardens. Includes candlelight walking tour, tours of private homes, gardens, plantations and historical buildings, concert and area cuisine, benefiting Historic Beaufort Foundation. 5-8 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday, 12-3:30 p.m., Sunday. Individual ticket prices range from $30 to $40. www.historic-beaufort.org.

25 Pawleys Island, S.C. 13th Pawleys Island Tour of Homes. Beach homes in seaside location open to the public benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Georgetown County. $25 in advance, $30 at the door. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. www.habitatgeorgetown.com.