China Grove Farmers Day kicks off Friday

CHINA GROVE — Beginning as a special event to honor local farmers by inviting them to bring their produce to sell at market, Farmers Day has grown to become one of the best street festivals in North Carolina with attendance estimated at over 15,000 visitors. Farmers Day is held the third Saturday in July.

The fun kicks off Friday night with the Bout Tyme band from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Then on Saturday, the food, fun and entertainment lasts from the opening ceremony at 9 a.m. until the last firework at 11 p.m.

Locally grown produce is a huge hit at Farmers Day, as are the more than 200 food and merchandise vendor booths that line Main Street.

The Children’s Stage features clowns, magicians, and puppets plus rides and games and don’t miss the ever-popular “Little Mr. and Miss Farmer” contest.

Farmers Day boasts free entertainment all day on two stages — enjoy the music of Southern Breeze, 9Day Trip and Outshyne, as well as local singers, dancers, gymnastics, karate demonstrations, clogging and more while sitting in the shade of the trees.

Ramble through the displays of antique farm equipment and cars — ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s with the display of muscle cars, classics, hot-rods and racers.

The street vendors pack up at 4 p.m. and the town gets ready for the street dance at 7 p.m. So, bring a lawn chair to enjoy the band and be ready to dance.

The evening ends with a fireworks display.

Farmers Day is hosted by the Town of China Grove.

2017 Chickweed events start Sunday

Sunday, July 16: Breaking the Chain – Community Bike Ride, a CHICKWEED event. Advanced riders meet at noon; ride out at 12:30, approximately at 24-mile ride around Salisbury. All-Skill riders meet at 2 p.m.; ride out at 2:30 p.m. for a leisurely ride through Salisbury, about 7 miles. Stop for light fare at Across the Pond Bed & Breakfast. Win tickets for CHICKWEED July 22nd Festival, win t-shirts. Donations accepted. Meet across from the Rowan Public Library, 201 W. Fisher St.

2-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 19: Big or Small – Save Them All: CHICKWEED Mobile Mammogram Day. CHICKWEED, in partnership with the Novant Health Breast Center, is hosting a Mobile Mammogram Day. Most insurance cover mammograms as a preventive screening or wellness. Novant will file a claim with your insurance provider on your behalf. (If you do NOT have insurance, we have the means to offer you your mammogram. Call Jill McNeely at 704-210-6927 and ask about a scholarship.) We request that all make appointments, however, walk-ins are welcome. To sign up call Rhonda Puckett at 704-210-5924. Held at Morgan Ridge Rail Walk Brewery, 421 N. Lee St., enter from E. Cemetery Street.

The Main Event: 4-11:30 p.m. Saturday, July 22: Chickweed ~ Celebrating Indestructible Women, an all-woman revue featuring music, art, massage, and more in an event that raises funds and awareness for the Rowan Family Crisis Council shelter for women victims of violence and their children.

Supported by event tickets, art sales, silent auction, donations and sponsorship, CHICKWEED donates 100 percent of event profit to the women’s shelter annually. Tickets are $15 in advance, available at Pottery 101, 101 S. Main Street; South Main Book Co, 110 S. Main Street; Mean Mug Coffee Company 1024 S. Fulton Street; and at www.Eventbrite.com. $20 at the gate.

Watch this space for more details in next Thursday’s Time Out, including the entertainment lineup.

 

Goldmine Tall Tales & Ice Cream Contests 

 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, July 15

Goldmine Toastmasters hosts its annual free event. Come hear exaggerated tales and eat ice cream. Toastmasters may sign up to participate. Guests are welcome. Learn more from Tina at 330-705-5751 or Moses at 248-212-4658.

 

Line Dancing night at the Y 

 7-10 p.m. Saturday, July 15

Delmonicos Band hosts Line Dancing night. Bring a covered dish. $8 per person. Guests are welcome.J.F. Hurley Family YMCA, 828 W. Jake Alexander Blvd., 704-636-0111, www.rowanymca.org

 

Dance at Harold B. Jarrett Post 342

7-10 p.m. Friday, July 14

Music by deejay Lee Clark aka Rawhide. $10 admission, finger foods served. 1024 Lincolnton Road. Info 704-637-1722.

 

RPL Summer Reading Film Series

July 14, 10 a.m.: Dolphin Tale, PG, HQ.

July 17, 5:30 p.m.: Dear Dumb Diary, PG, East.

July 18, 6:30 p.m.: Dear Dumb Diary, PG, HQ.

July 19, 2 p.m.: Pay it Forward, PG-13, South.

Free, open to the public, adult must accompany children under age 9. Free popcorn and lemonade. East branch, 110 Broad St., Rockwell. HQ, 201 Fisher St., Salisbury. South branch, 920 Kimball Road, China Grove.

 

H.O.T. = History on Tap

6 -8 p.m. fourth Thursdays July-August: Explore Salisbury’s past by visiting some of the city’s most intriguing historic properties. Historic Salisbury Foundation, www.historicsalisbury.org/

July 27: Grievous Gallery. Have some fun throwing bottles, dishes, and glassware at 313 East Council St. Check out the Grievous Gallery while learning a little about the Civil War, Cheerwine and old luggage. Explore this building’s unique connections to Salisbury’s past while enjoying a pair of local craft beers from New Sarum Brewery. RSVP at https://app.hatchbuck.com/OnlineForm/71385054204

Aug. 24: Church at 121 Ridge Ave. The H.O.T. finale will be held in celebration of a historic church recently saved from demolition. See what’s inside this unique brick building during renovation as it is transformed into a new music venue, the future “Beacon Hall,” while enjoying craft beer tastings from New Sarum Brewery.

RSVP at https://app.hatchbuck.com/OnlineForm/71385054205

 

Corvette Club appreciation ceremony 

In recognition of the club’s 20 years in existence, the Vette Set Corvette and Old Chevy Car Club will gather on  July 15 (postponed from June due to weather) from noon-4 p.m. at Kelsey Scott Park for a time of acknowledgment and appreciation.

Salisbury’s Vette Set Club grew out of a core group of men in the Fairview Heights neighborhood who have been friends since they were kids. The event begins at noon with an opening prayer, and at 1 p.m. Marvin Shaw will lead the dedication of the memorial to deceased members. Throughout the afternoon there will be food and door prizes and an award presentation. Merchandise vendors are welcome. Call Danny Thompson at 704-738-7049 to learn more.

A reminder: the Corvette car show is July 22 at the Civic Center from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Contact Marvin Shaw for more details at 704-202-3952. The club meets the first Saturday of each month to talk about current events, cars and what kinds of things the club can do to help the community.

 

‘Fledermaus’: Opera and Wine

6:30 p.m. July 22. $15

troutman — The Little Opera Company of Charlotte presents “Die Fledermaus,” the sensational comic opera by Johann Strauss II, in an immersive theater event pairing alcohol with opera.

Champagne toasts mix with mistaken identities in “Fledermaus,” the story of Eisenstein, an ex-playboy who skips out on his prison sentence for a night at a high-society party. Little does he know that his wife is also attending — in disguise. Will their relationship last the night? Grab a drink and join the fun in this immersive, interactive theater event. (Sung in English. Families welcome. Fine attire welcome but not required.)

Davesté Vineyards, 55 Lytton Farm Road, Troutman. For tickets and information, visit https://littleoperacompany.ticketleap.com/fledermaus-daveste-vineyards/

 

Blumenthal Charlotte hosts free outdoor performances

Every Friday night this summer from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Square at Spirit Square. Concessions and beverages available for purchase. Bring a chair.

July 14: Caroline Calouche & Co (Aerial Dancing) followed by a showing of the movie Royal Wedding (8:45 p.m.)Learn more at 704-372-1000 or www.blumenthalarts.org