Discover Statesville
Welcome to "Discover Statesville," the show that takes you on a captivating journey through the heart of one of North Carolina's most charming towns. Co-hosted by community advocates, Richard Griggs and Cindy Sutton, this weekly show brings you the pulse of Statesville, recording live at various spots throughout Statesville in partnership with Sow Media studios.
Join Richard and Cindy as they uncover the hidden gems and local treasures that make Statesville truly special. From the top-notch attractions and exciting events to the remarkable individuals who shape the community, "Discover Statesville" promises to leave no stone unturned.
Hungry for a culinary adventure? Tune in for their delightful restaurant reviews, where they'll guide you to the best places to eat in town. Whether you're a resident or a visitor, this podcast is your ultimate guide to all the things that make Statesville great.
You're invited to come along on this immersive journey, as "Discover Statesville" brings you closer to the heart of our vibrant town. Be prepared to be entertained, inspired, and enlightened each week, as Richard and Cindy share their passion for all things Statesville!
Discover Statesville
Statesville's August Adventures: Events Rundown
Welcome to Discover Statesville! In this episode, we are joined by John and Dylan, our summer interns from UNC Charlotte, as they share insights from their capstone project. John discusses the need for better transportation options, like Uber and Lyft, to boost tourism and support local businesses. Dylan highlights how Statesville's prime location at the crossroads of I-77 and I-40 can attract more visitors.
Get ready for a packed August with events for everyone. From the Piedmont HealthCare Friday After 5 concert series to the Statesville Kids Biz Expo by the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce, there's plenty happening. Don’t miss the Iredell Statesville Schools' back-to-school bash at West Iredell High School and the Recreation and Parks Department's end-of-summer bash at Harris Park, both offering free school supplies and activities for kids.
Discover more treasures in Statesville, including the 29th annual Iredell Coin Club event, an end-of-summer s'mores cookout at Lake Norman State Park, and thrilling freestyle stunt riding by Stunt Army at Great Western Motorcycles. Plus, check out the downtown cash mob initiative, N-Spire Band’s all-white party, and Chozen Outdoors' annual banquet and raffle.
A big thank you to John and Dylan for their contributions this summer. Stay tuned as we continue exploring Statesville’s unique experiences, culinary delights, and hidden gems!
Summer in Statesville, north Carolina, is not over yet, folks. We're heading into August with a full lineup of exciting events that you don't want to miss. Tune in now.
Speaker 2:Welcome to Discover Statesville, the show that takes you on a captivating journey through the heart of one of North Carolina's most charming towns.
Speaker 3:All right, welcome back to Discover Statesville for our August event rundown. Today we're joined by John and Dylan, who are two summer interns with the UNC Charlotte and they're working closely with the CVB this summer, the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Welcome fellas.
Speaker 4:Thank you, thank you.
Speaker 3:Glad to have you here to help us. We've got a lot of stuff to talk about, so extra people helping pull that weight is appreciated.
Speaker 1:A lot of stuff to talk about in August, but before we dive into that, I'd like our listeners to hear for just a minute kind of what you guys have been doing this summer. You are working together on a capstone project from two different perspectives kind of marketing and community, and you're both marketing majors at UNC, charlotte right One communications PR communications and John you are general marketing and I will say it's been a pleasure to have you guys helping us this summer. I've learned a lot because I think people well, what I found that is people are that open, honest and candid, with you guys letting you know what we need. Or maybe sometimes we're too busy, maybe to sit down with somebody and hear these things or they feel like maybe we know already and we don't, because I really have learned a lot.
Speaker 1:So you guys are working on a capstone project to interview all the leaders in our community from the chamber downtown, statesville, the city, the board for the Statesville Convention and Visitor Bureau, and ask them very pointed questions about, uh, what kind of states will means to them and what we're missing, and um like to make sure that we understand everything we need to know to make sure we're doing the right marketing programs for statesville. So just real quick, what I would like for each of you to do. I know every week you send me like your top five findings and things that we need to be focusing on. So for today, I'd like for you to share with our listeners we can start with you, john, but just like what is one of your top five findings that you think is something we need to be focusing on, trying to bring Statesville yeah.
Speaker 4:So my general focus is in just the tourism aspect of things, how we're going to get people here and staying here and enjoying Statesville. And one of the biggest findings that most people have told me or stressed to me is the lack of kind of transportation with Ubers and Lyfts and it's extremely hit or miss I've heard from those. I'm not a local, I'm from the Concord-Harnesville area but have been learning a lot of Statesville but everyone says kind of hit or miss with those. And then a lot of folks have been saying the first hotel that offers a transportation service or a shuttle within a half hour of Statesville or even down to the airport, things like that it's going to kind of set the local industry standard and it's going to be huge and it's going to be super effective for businesses and wedding venues and just getting people in and out of town. So I think that's one of my top three, for sure top five.
Speaker 1:That's legit feedback. I love that you're hearing that it is something that's on our three to five-year strategic plan, but just a hard nut to crack, unless you both want to just come back to Statesville and start a shuttle business to get our.
Speaker 3:You could probably be Uber drivers by the end of today.
Speaker 1:That's what I should have done. I should have had you just both sign up for Uber for the summer.
Speaker 3:I'm going to get both of y'all's number before this is over.
Speaker 1:I'm going to start calling you guys directly, that's great feedback, john, and I promise you it's something we're going to keep focusing on, even after you go back to school this next month or this month. We're going to be laser focused on that. Thank you. You said you're not from Statesville, so, not being from Statesville, were you surprised. What do you think about Statesville?
Speaker 4:So the first, I guess, big conversation with you was, you asked me about Statesville. I've been here and I said I've driven through. And then you rolled your eyes and said that's what everyone says, yeah, and it's just being from a little bit more north of Charlotte and visiting my brother in Boone and things like that Family up in New York always traveling through. But really getting to be here and learn about Statesville has been awesome and I go home and I tell my parents about it and my family about it, my girlfriend about it and how awesome everything is here in the small town and the community. And I brought my grandmother and mom to come see the old depot where we were working out of and show them around town and took them down to 220. And they loved it and she couldn't stop raving about the streetscape and everything like that. So it's a great, great town. That is just kind of a I want to say a hidden gem of the greater Charlotte area.
Speaker 1:Good, I did not pay him to say that.
Speaker 3:Not at all. We're going to use that soundbite.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we're going to, we're going to, we're going to make it a meme, right? So, dylan, how about you? So you, born and raised in Statesville.
Speaker 5:Yes.
Speaker 1:So what was your standout? Finding that you're hearing from the people you're interviewing?
Speaker 5:So I've been focusing on quality of life in my interviews. But a big thing that John actually kind of just touched on is how we are at the cross point of I-77 and I-40, which is super important for our town, with people traveling through, like you said, your grandmother coming from New York, canada, ohio, everybody driving through here. And how do we make ourselves stand out specifically from that? Obviously, we had the highway project and we've been improving the ways of coming through Statesville. Really, there hasn't been construction in Statesville no.
Speaker 3:It's just standard Statesville.
Speaker 5:Yeah, not anymore. Making Statesville attractive from the interstates, making it a place that people want to stop and spend a day or two on their travelings from up north to down south or wherever they're going, doing that through gateways and just marketing states so well from the highway so it looks like an attractive place to stop and stay during their travels.
Speaker 1:Well, that's great feedback and also good to know that we're on the right track, because there is a group of city CVB, downtown chamber everyone coming together working on solutions for our gateways, downtown chamber everyone coming together working on solutions for our gateways. And it was refreshing to hear that in your interviews you were hearing it from people not knowing that we're working on it, like over and over and over again that it's a need. So it was nice to know that we're on the right track. And so Richard's mentioned before that you know he grew up here, born and raised here, and through this show, through this podcast we did together. He learned something new every week. So how about you? Through the internship, did you learn that you really don't want to run away from here, did you?
Speaker 5:Yeah, it's a lot different than where I've spent my last four years in Charlotte, but I think it's a good place to raise a family and to visit, honestly, charlotte, but I think it's a good place to raise a family and to visit, honestly. There's a lot more attractions here, a lot more fun things to do that people don't really realize, and I hope through our capstone project maybe we can highlight that and really get that information out. But yeah, no, through this it has made me love Statesville more and more, instead of not liking it and want to run away or anything like that.
Speaker 5:I really enjoy living here and having my family here.
Speaker 1:Well good. We thank you both for the time and effort you're putting into answering these questions and we encourage our listeners and our followers to stay tuned for more final information about this project you're working on and have the opportunity to have your voice be heard and answer some of these great questions. They've come up for their Capstone project. So thank you, guys for being here. And thank you for helping us do this August event rundown, because there is a lot of events a lot of things coming up.
Speaker 3:We're going to have to sort of speed run this thing.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we are going to go through Meredith and our team has done such a good job putting all the details of these events. But we're going to keep it very high level because there's a lot to talk about and we're trying harder and harder to include as much information as we can. There's so much to do and if I forget to say at the end, you can always go to states1ccom, click on the events calendar and there's thousands of events on there every month. Something to do for everyone. So we're kicking off August Actually this week, on August 1st the Boys and Girls Club of the Piedmont. They do great things in our community. Our community is full of amazing people, but they're having a community fun day inviting people to bring their friends and family out, help bridge the gap and make a positive impact in our community. There's going to be free food, games, lots of activities for people to do. So check that out. Boys and Girls Club on August 1st Great partnership with the Statesville Police Department.
Speaker 3:Yeah, For sure. Friday, August 2nd. The Piedmont Healthcare Friday After 5 August concert series features.
Speaker 1:Chocolate Chip and Company, providing funky heat and making it look all so cool. You wrote that, richard Funky heat.
Speaker 3:That sounds like something you would say, but this will be right downtown on West Broad Street, right in front of Mitchell Community College Always a great time. There will be some food vendors. They'll have a bar. Come out and support that event. Also, in conjunction with that, the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce is hosting their Statesville Kids Biz Expo. Commerce is hosting their Statesville Kids Biz Expo, which is an opportunity for our youth to come out and sell crafts, art, baked goods, provide a service, anything like that. That's 530 to 8. Set up for that is at 430. They will have judges on site. You do need to register for that. That Kids Biz Expo is sponsored by Randy Marion and that's on the lawn there of Broad Street, united Methodist Church. There's a cost of $10 per table to set up at that event and you should go to the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce website for more information.
Speaker 3:Yeah that's— Pretty cool All the things that your kids are doing, like making—like my daughter makes bracelets, you know. So that kind of stuff. They can come sign up and go out and participate.
Speaker 1:Is she going to be out there this year? I?
Speaker 3:don't know this is the first I'm learning about it.
Speaker 1:Okay, I wasn't aware.
Speaker 3:So who knows, we'll see. But really cool. They've been doing this for several years now and it's a really cool opportunity for kids to kind of showcase what they're doing as hobbies.
Speaker 1:Growing entrepreneurial minds for our future. Actually, richard, two opportunities. I won't let you talk about one of them because you're integrally involved in them, but for it's back to school. I can't believe it's back to school already. That seems like that should be end of summer, but we've got almost a month and a half of summer left until we have fall. But Iredell Statesville Schools is hosting a back-to-school bash at Statesville High School for K-12 um. Free school supplies, backpacks and shoes. So go check out ireland statesville schools for their back to school bash. I believe that's an annual event I think it is.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and so the other one, um, is an event that we, uh, the recreation and parks department's been doing for a number of years. We partner with village intervention partnership. Um, they are a great organization, so we'll host an event over at Harris Park from 11 to 2. It's another back that we call the end of summer bash. We'll have some inflatables, there will be free food, school supplies, things like that. Just got to show up, yeah. One thing to note about the first one at Statesville High School, you do have to register for that event, so people just need to know that for that event, so people just need to know that you can't just show up at that one, you need to register in advance, so don't want you to show up and be turned away because you're not registered.
Speaker 3:Harris Park, just show up.
Speaker 1:Jump in. Thanks to you and your team for everything you guys do in partnership with Village Intervention to make that possible for our youth. I think it's a great again, just good humans in Statesville, North Carolina. So States for North Carolina. So, John, how about you lead us into the next one?
Speaker 4:Yes, the Iredell Photography Club is actually hosting the Carolina Photography Competition Showcase on Wednesday, august 7th. The club is dedicated to furthering the interest and knowledge of photogenic art in Iredell County. They're going to host a competition and awards will be given in three categories and the top entrants and winners will have their photographs installed in the old jail galleries. Um so, they said they gather the second and fourth mondays of every month at 7 pm and they said for any more information you can visit wwwiridelphotographyclubcom wonderful.
Speaker 1:They're a good group of people too. Um, so we're. We've been talking more and more about Lake Norman State Park. I mean, it's so great to have an asset like that for tourism and community as our partners right on the edge of Statesville. So we're encouraging them to make sure we have their events. And we're talking about back to school. So if you are an educator and you're looking for activities that can be used for students K through 12 to educate them, they're having a workshop and giving out guidebooks filled with activities and information to support water literacy in the classroom and outdoors, which I know makes you happy, richard, that's right. On Friday, august 9th, project Wet at Lake Norman State Park from 9 am to 4 pm. So if you're an educator or just have interest in that, make sure you reach out.
Speaker 3:Limited space. Go ahead and register. Friday, august 9th, the Recreation and Parks Department is hosting a back-to-school dance out at the Fitness and Activity Center. Just have a For adults, it's for the whole family. So just a good opportunity to come out and get silly dance, have a good time, listen to music. There will be some refreshments. You do have to register, but it is free.
Speaker 1:So we're going to finally get to see you dance, Richard.
Speaker 3:On Friday, august the 9th. I'm not sure that I'm going to be in town.
Speaker 1:It's out there, though, if you look hard enough.
Speaker 3:There's videos of me dancing it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, he's holding out people. Actually, I've seen a video of you dressed up and dancing, or maybe singing. Was it singing? It was singing. Yeah, for a good cause. Don't bother looking for that. We might have to feature that sometime soon folks, so bring that event.
Speaker 1:It'll be my last episode. Back to Lake Norman Park. They're going to have a star party underneath the night sky. So Piedmont amateur astronomers I can't speak are coming out to the Swim Beach parking lot to show the stars through their telescopes. So people who want to participate? It'll be on Saturday, august 10th, and they're just asking people to meet at the swim beach Enjoy the night sky at the state park. That's great.
Speaker 3:Yeah, that's awesome.
Speaker 1:Dylan how about you.
Speaker 5:Next we've got on Friday, august 9th. We've got the dive-in movies at the Stateswood Leisure Pool and they're showing Elemental, so maybe I'll have to go. I've never seen that movie. It's a good movie. But yeah, the gates will open at 8 pm. The movie will start at 8.30. There will be no outside food or beverages allowed and there's an exclusion for annual fitness and activity memberships. Is that right?
Speaker 3:Yeah, so yeah, and there's an exclusion for annual fitness and activity memberships. Is that right, yeah, so yeah, your typical membership would include access to the leisure pool, but not for an event like this. You still have to pay for a ticket to come to an event.
Speaker 5:Gotcha and swimming is allowed during the movie, but once the movie begins, the slide of water features will be turned off. The cost is $7 per person, regardless of age, and tickets will go on sale online beginning the Monday before each dive-in movie. And there's a capacity. There's only 200 tickets available per event, so make sure to go ahead and get your ticket, and a ticket is required for everyone entering the pool area on that day 200 is still a good amount of people.
Speaker 1:We have movie theaters. You just have to think outside of the box.
Speaker 3:Between what we're doing at the Rec Department and the Arts Council, there's several movie options every month.
Speaker 1:And those usually sell out, right, Richard.
Speaker 3:The diving movies definitely do yeah.
Speaker 1:So, again, thanks to you and your team. So what's up next, richard? Oh.
Speaker 3:Saturday, august the 10th, out at Equivation. They've got the Equivation Benefit Obstacle Challenge competition. Equivation Benefit Obstacle Challenge Competition. So if you are a rider or a fan of horse riding and competitions like that, go out there. They're located off of Snow Creek Road. They'll have a lot of different categories you can enter. It's $30 per division entry and classes ranging from green one all the way up to silver, and if you know what that means, I assume those are levels of difficulty, yeah, but super cool. I also do not know what that means Super cool and you know just this kind of different stuff that you wouldn't. You know on a Saturday this may not be your bag, but it's not my bag, but I would enjoy going to see something like this. So that's kind of what we're trying to do here is bring things to light that if you're not a horse rider, you may have no idea that this is happening here in our backyard.
Speaker 1:Something for everyone.
Speaker 3:Something new, something different, mix it up.
Speaker 1:That's right, yeah, and support, support the people in the community that are trying to give us things to do. So, speaking of giving us things to do, second Saturday is in downtown Statesville. Now, this is a group of merchants and makers who have come together to— we've talked about downtown Statesville development before. They do great things, but small team, team of one. Right now, the merchants have really bonded and come together to think of ways to promote themselves, like, come together in unity to promote themselves and give people a specific reason, or extra reason, to come down the second Saturday of every month. So I think this is going to be their third month doing this and it's it's. You come down and shop, dine, shop, discover, basically, downtown Statesville.
Speaker 1:And if you want to learn more about this, we're going to have Tori from Mercantile On Broad, who has been spearheading this, along with one of her makers, michelle. They are going to be on our show with us next week to talk about this in more detail. So make sure you tune in next week for more information on that. In advance of Second Saturday.
Speaker 3:Awesome next week. For more information on that in advance of second Saturday. Awesome Also that weekend is the Iretl Statesville Coin Club Vendor Show at the Statesville Civic Center, 10 to 4. Well, saturday is 10 to 5. Sunday is 10 to 3. They'll have all kinds of stuff going on. They'll have raffles, they'll have some drawings, they'll have information about their club and being a coin collector. I think it's probably one of these things. If you've got some coins that you're interested in finding more information about, bring them, Ask somebody. But a pretty cool event here in downtown Statesville and that's free admission.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and thank you to the Iredell Coin Club for I don't know how many years it's been 29th year hosting this event.
Speaker 3:29th year Civic Center's opened 25, but they've been hosting this event in Statesville for 29 years and they've been at the Civic Center since it opened, I think. They've been there a long time.
Speaker 1:They've been a great partner and Civic Center's definitely an amazing asset that we have here in the center of Statesville, so looking forward to that. So back at Lake Norman State Park I didn't do that on purpose, but I've got all the State Park stuff.
Speaker 3:No, it's cool, they're all from all those events.
Speaker 1:Yeah, great job to them. Thank you for their partnership. But they're doing an end-of-summer s'mores and cookout at the park, which is at 759 State Park Road, if you don't know, in Troutman, or, as I like to say, right right at Statesville, 12 pm to 6. 30 pm. Um, and it's friends of lake norman state park. They've come together and the lake norman staff to put on this cookout. So, starting at 12 pm it says all boat rentals will be free of charge. Uh, thanks to the friends group until 5 pm. So come out and do a free boat rental and enjoy the cookout, uh, with them at the park yeah thanks, guys, yeah uh, wednesday, august the 14th, is the downtown statesville cash mob.
Speaker 3:The next installment of the cash mob. Um, this is a really great, pretty simple event that takes place in downtown statesville. So five o'clock you meet outside the downtown statesville development office, which is at 104 court street, um, and then they'll basically tell you then hey, we're gonna go today, we're going to. You know this particular business, maybe 25 or 30 people along with you, and the goal is to go and support these local downtown businesses. So you go, you're encouraged to purchase something from that local business of at least $20. And then, once you guys have mobbed that business, then everybody goes and goes to another establishment downtown to grab a cocktail or anything like that. Hang out. So it's a good opportunity to meet some people, support our downtown businesses and restaurants.
Speaker 1:I've been to the last two and the the feeling that the business owner seems to have from just having the opportunity to be mobbed by the cash mob is pretty cool.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I think it's awesome. Just experiencing that makes me want to keep going to more of them, a lot of people doing a small gesture that goes a long way for a local business, which is cool.
Speaker 1:So thanks to the Promotions Committee at Downtown Statesville Development for putting that together for the community. And here's your chance, richard, get your outfit ready. Inspire Our friends at Insp. Um, and here's your chance, richard, get your outfit ready. Um, inspire our friends that inspire band, again back at the Statesville Civic Center, are putting on. I think this is an annual event too. They've done this before. The all white party. Um, if you have not heard inspire band in concert, uh, this is, we encourage you to do it now. This is your chance to do it. Uh, so it says get ready to dance the night away in your freshest white outfit. So this is on Friday, august 16th, at 8 pm. Doors open at 6.30 pm. No reserved seats General admission. So make sure you check that out and make plans to be there and have a fun night with Inspire.
Speaker 4:Yeah great band. So this one I was really excited to talk about. Stunt Army is back for another free event at Great Western Motorcycles. They say here prepare to be amazed as these masters of sport bike freestyle stunt riding defy gravity with jaw-dropping stunts and mind-blowing maneuvers. From heart-stopping wheelies to mind-bending acrobatics, stunt Army will leave you on the edge of your seat. That sounds really fun. So that's going to be happening August 17th, like I said earlier, at Great Western Motorcycles, and it's a completely free event and it seems like a great thing for all ages, whether you're a motorcycle enthusiast, dirt bike rider or just a kid wanting to be amazed.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and if you want to see more about it, because it sounds so exciting. But I went out on Facebook on Great Western Motorcycles and looked at Stunt Army because this is, I think, the second time they've done this they did it six months ago, I think and saw some of the pictures and the videos of what they did before and it's really cool. So looking forward to that.
Speaker 5:Stunt Army. Moving on to Saturday, august 17th, chosen Outdoors C-H-O-Z-E-N is having their second annual banquet and a huge raffle and dinner at the Statesville Civic Center from 5 to 10 pm. The event is free but you must pre-register by calling, emailing or texting. But you must pre-register by calling, emailing or texting. And basically Chosen Outdoors is a ministry group that uses outdoors and sportsmanship to minister to people. So they teach people all about hunting, fishing, all the things involved with the outdoors and sportsmanship to encourage, witness and uplift especially young people and be a support to the surrounding communities. So for more info go to stateswildnccom and there should be some stuff about Chosen Outdoors Banquet on there.
Speaker 1:Yeah and Richard, I had a chance to talk to them and they've been doing this for several years, but it's growing. They outgrew their previous place so they moved to the Civic Center. Last year had to do it on thursday because the civic center was booked and um, so this this year they've moved it to a saturday and they've got. They plan on staying there and growing that event here at the civic center, so we're yeah, excited about that.
Speaker 1:So we don't. We don't get to talk about wine maestro a lot, but we have an amazing wine bottle shop. Well, we have several bottle shops in the area, but Wine Maestro here in downtown Statesville Did I skip. I skipped something. We'll get back to that, richard, but here at Wine Maestro, wine tasting with Three Keys on Tuesday, august 20th, from 530 to 730. So you get to try five great wines from Three Keys. Talk to wine rep, learn how wines are made. So maybe if you're not sure or what wine is great for your palate, this would be a good opportunity to come out and speak to the experts and do some wine tasting. So that's Tuesday, august 20th, from 5.30 to 7.30 pm at Wine Maestro in downtown Statesville.
Speaker 3:Well so. And to make a full day of that at Weinmeister in downtown Statesville, well so, and to make a full day of that. Also. On that same day, the Recreation and Parks Department is relaunching day trips. We used to do a lot of these and haven't done them in several years. So we're starting off by the first day trip on Tuesday. August the 20th is going to be an Explore Statesville day. So really just an opportunity. Our focus is going to be on. We're going to take people to Fort Dobbs, to Rescue Ranch and to Southern Distilling. So you can sign up for that trip. It's 930 to 430. It's $45. That includes admission to all the different amenities that we're going to see there tastings, things like that. So that would get you back to the fitness and activities center by 430. You get downtown by 530 for the wine tasting. That is a full day of enjoying all the things that we have right here in our backyard in Staten.
Speaker 1:Be a tourist at home.
Speaker 3:That's right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and camaraderie right. Meet some maybe you don't have some people that want to go do it. Yeah, make some new friends, Go experience these things that Staple has to offer. I love that you guys are doing that. I skipped you, Richard, since you jump into the next one.
Speaker 3:Well, I had to go back. Yeah, thursday, august 22nd, art and Arts Council is hosting Spoken Word Night. This is something they do every couple of months. It's a great time down there at the old jail If you haven't been to the Arts Council. There's multiple things going on there every week, so go check out Spoken Word and hear a lot of the talented poets that we have here in our community.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and then after this again, I think this is an annual event, but the Angel Wings Foundation is having their Memorial Gala again back at the Statesville Civic Center. It's hopping in August, that's right. So it's a fashion show, awards dinner and dancing. That's Friday, august 23rd, from 7 pm to 11 pm. So Angel Wings Memorial Gala. So go check that out, get you tickets, make sure you don't miss that. If you can go to Angel Wings Foundation formal memorial gala actually on our community calendar on states1nccom, to get a link to more information, it's $50 per ticket and they are celebrating their 10-year anniversary of this event. So congrats to you guys. And then, richard, the next thing is actually happening at the Recreation Center too, so can you just talk about that?
Speaker 3:Sure yeah, saturday August the 24th, we're offering another barn quilt class. This is something we do usually every couple of months. We've got a great instructor that comes in and teaches these barn quilt classes, where you get to make your own two-by-two barn quilt and she's got a variety of patterns that you can do and everything's provided but a pretty cool opportunity to come out and make a piece of art that you can hang inside your home, outside your home, on somebody else's home.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you can hang them on my home. I love them.
Speaker 3:I love them Really pretty cool and we always get a great turnout for these and they do fill up. So if you're interested, register soon, because they do have a limited amount of space per class.
Speaker 1:Yeah, farm quil or soon, because they do have a limited amount of space per class. Yeah, barn quilting and also, like you just said, limited space. It sells out. I think the last two times you've done it it has sold out. But glad to have programs like that available. That's right.
Speaker 3:And the other event that we have on that same day ties into the barn quilting, and that's the Rescue Ranch's annual Boots, buckles and Bourbon fundraiser.
Speaker 1:Great event.
Speaker 3:Yeah, whereas I would have to buy new clothes to go to the Inspire White Party, I do not need to buy anything to go to the Boots, buckles and.
Speaker 3:Bourbon fundraiser, the Rescue Ranch, and have been to this several times. It's a great time. Tickets are on sale. This year it's going to be hosted at the Statesville Country Club, so this is Saturday, the 24th, from 6 to 10. They are limiting ticket sales this year to 250, so you need to jump on that really soon If you're interested. There's a great food. There's always a silent auction. It all goes to support a really great organization here in Statesville.
Speaker 1:Yeah, rescue Ranch definitely a destination for animal encounters here in Statesville.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and your ticket includes dinner, beer, wine and a bourbon tasting we're in.
Speaker 1:We're in, yeah, so you guys there. So, uh, we've talked about this for the past um, probably several event rundown months, but that's because we're so excited that haunted statesville ghost tours don't just happen in october, now they happened several months out of the year on. I think that's the third Saturday, right August 24th. So August 24th, haunted Statesville Ghost Tours. I think there's still some spots available, 8 pm to 10 pm. So get out and hear all of our ghost stories with our friends at the Historic Sharp House in downtown Statesville Development.
Speaker 3:That's right. Also, let's see. Is this the same day? Yep, so this is Sunday, the 25th. Statesville Pride Alliance Murder Mystery Dinner is at the Statesville Civic Center as well. That's 6 pm to 9 pm, and this is something that I think has happened before, but pretty cool. If you've never been to to a murder mystery dinner party, that's what this is and should be a great time. You can check out more info through Statesville Pride Alliance.
Speaker 1:Yeah Well, thanks, richard, lots going on, there's tons going on, but this doesn't even scratch the surface of, like I said, thousands of events, if you go out to statesvillenccom and look at the events calendar and find just the perfect event for you.
Speaker 1:Be remiss not to mention again that the Discover Statesville podcast is made possible by the support and sponsorship of the Statesville Convention and Visitors Bureau. We're working really hard to bring visibility to all the cool things there are to do to Statesville and what an amazing community we are, to you listeners who are visitors who want to come see us, but also to our locals just to know what a hidden gem we are, as John said, and we'd like to thank John and Dylan for joining us, coming out of their comfort zone, being on their first podcast. Hope you have many more podcasts, maybe even back on this podcast in the future. So we appreciate you guys, but we invite you guys to Discover Statesville. We appreciate you tuning in once again and we'll see you next week. Thanks everyone.
Speaker 2:Thank you for joining Discover Statesville. You can email us at discoveratstatesvillenccom. Check us out on Facebook at Discover Statesville, nc hashtag Discover Statesville and our website statesvillenccom. Catch us next week as we continue on our journey to uncover the hidden gems, culinary adventures, entertainment, and to be inspired and enlightened as we Discover Statesville.
