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
Exploring November in Statesville: Festivals and Fun Await
Get ready to experience the November events Statesville, NC has to offer this month. From haunted trails to community gatherings, this episode brings a comprehensive guide to an event-filled month. We embark on a journey through the Midway Wicked Woods and the theatrical production of "The Cemetery Club," all happening in the first week of November. As the Statesville Pumpkin Fest celebrates its 21st year with pumpkin-themed activities, Harmony introduces its inaugural Fall Fest, ensuring there's something for everyone. Don't miss the Pumpkin Fest after-party with the Uptown Dueling Pianos, or the Masquerade Ball fundraiser, both sure to make your evenings unforgettable.
November in Statesville is bursting with community spirit, and we spotlight events that bring people together. Experience history at Fort Dobbs Historic Site's Military Timeline event, or support local craftsmanship at a barn quilt class. Second Saturdays boost downtown businesses, while the Statesville Women's Club hosts a friendly chili cook-off. GG's annual holiday open house is a must-visit, featuring local author Joe Hudson. Pay tribute to Veterans Day at Mitchell Community College and catch "Tommy," at the Full Bloom Film Festival showing. Wrap up the month with the Cash Mob event, showing your love for local businesses. Tune in as we guide you through a vibrant line-up of events, ensuring you won't miss a moment of Statesville's November excitement!
It's November and we sure are thankful for the amazing community we have here in Statesville, North Carolina. Tune in for this month's events rundown.
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 1:Welcome back to Discover Statesville everyone. It's my favorite show of the month. I mean, I miss it when we don't have a guest, but I love our events rundown and being to share all the amazing things that are happening with everybody here in Statesville North.
Speaker 3:Carolina. So, richard, we hadn't made it yet. So there's still time, that's right. There's still time, richard, and.
Speaker 1:I are not scary scary Wicked Woods people, but I heard it's amazing and if you have not had the opportunity yet, you have one weekend left. So this weekend, midway Wicked Woods Terrifying journey through the dark woods and haunted houses for thrill seekers. So this is the last weekend. If you have not been out to Midway Wicked Woods, be sure and check them out.
Speaker 3:November 1st and 2nd, from 8 to 11 pm, your jump scare, jump scare fix.
Speaker 3:Yes, also, this weekend, the Center Stage Alliance will be premiering their performance of the Cemetery Club. That's at their space which is right there on East Broad Street, next to Broad Street Burger. Yeah, but they'll have shows running beginning November the 1st all the way through November the 9th, so the 1st and 2nd, then again the 8th and the 9th, and then they've got matinees on the 3rd and the 10th. So go check them out and get your tickets for the Cemetery Club.
Speaker 1:Yeah, go to Center Stage Alliance for those.
Speaker 3:They do great work.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and then back for its 21st year. I can't believe it. Statesville Pumpkin Fest. So the teams at the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Statesville Development Corporation come together with all their amazing volunteers and put on the Statesville Pumpkin Fest for us right in downtown Statesville. Shut down the streets from 10 am to 5 pm. Downtown will be bustling with vendors, live music, cruising, pumpkin smashing, right Kid zone and more. Lots of stuff, yeah.
Speaker 3:All the pumpkin-themed activities.
Speaker 1:Lots to do this weekend, yeah.
Speaker 3:So also at Pumpkin Fest, the Statesville Police Department will kick off their Fill the Trailer toy drive that they do every year. This is a huge community give-back opportunity. They collect a lot of toys to get donated back here to kids here in Statesville and that will kick off at Pumpkin Fest as well. So look for the Fill the Trailer toy drive at Pumpkin Fest.
Speaker 1:Yeah, very exciting. I love that the police do that. So our friends in Harmony actually Sean, the mayor of Harmony reached out and said hey, we are having an inaugural fall fest and wanted to make sure we tell everyone about it. So also this weekend, november 2nd, from 1130 am to 6 pm at Tomlinson Moore Family Park they are going to be having a starting with a breakfast, but all day family fun activities, local vendors, live music and food from 1130 to 6. So maybe you've been to Pumpkin Fest a lot and you want to check out a new festival or you're on that part of town see what they have going on there in Harmony, that's right. So thanks, sean, for bringing that to our attention.
Speaker 3:And then come back to downtown Statesville for the Pumpkin Fest after-party concert featuring Uptown Dueling Pianos. That's going to be cool, which they started doing this sort of after-party concert several years ago. It goes over really well. They set the stage up right there on Center Street in front of City Hall and this is a dueling piano performance. If you've never been to a dueling piano bar, it's pretty dang entertaining. So come check this out. That's 530 to 830.
Speaker 1:Yep, and then Richard, we've talked about dressing up a lot. I think maybe we should make it to the Masquerade Ball.
Speaker 3:It's a busy day.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's a very, very busy day. So our friends over at the Village Intervention Partnership local nonprofit, doing some really good things, are putting on their this is annual right the Masquerade Ball. They do this year every year, I believe so so it's a fundraising event and they're going to be having music by the Real McCoy Jazz Band. So that's from 7 to 11 pm at the Statesville Civic Center.
Speaker 3:Yeah, go support those guys. They're a great community partner.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 3:On Wednesday, November the 6th, at the IRL Arts Council we will have the reception for the Amy Sullivan Art Show. Amy Sullivan's a local artist. We do an art show at the Arts Council featuring Amy every year. It's always very well attended. She makes beautiful work, so please come out to that 6 pm. Come out and support that. There will be artwork for sale, refreshments, all the things that make a good time.
Speaker 1:Wonderful. I love Amy's work. And speaking of November and family, the Statesville Recreation and Parks Department has come together to have a nature night, family night, at the Statesville Fitness and Activity Center, and that is on Thursday, the 7th, from 6 pm to 8 pm. So explore the wonders of the outdoors through engaging nature activities and fun crafts for all ages.
Speaker 3:And you do need to register for those in advance.
Speaker 1:Okay, is there a cutoff for that?
Speaker 3:Probably not, unless it fills up. Okay, so we'd take registration day of.
Speaker 1:Yeah, okay, so register next Thursday.
Speaker 3:We will now, because I've said it For nature night.
Speaker 1:It's out there, that's right.
Speaker 3:Yeah, November the 8th, 6 pm to 10 pm at the Statesville Civic Center is the third annual Heart of Jazz event featuring music by Inspire, food and spirits. All to benefit the Cardiac and Vascular Care Fund for Iridal Health Systems.
Speaker 1:Also an annual event?
Speaker 3:Yeah, they do a really good job with that. Yeah, that's the third one.
Speaker 1:Great band Heart of Jazz and I believe tickets for that usually sell out.
Speaker 3:I would think it would.
Speaker 1:As well. So check that out, idle Hill Systems. So, speaking of theater here in Statesville, we have such great performing arts groups here. So Theater Statesville is partnering with American Renaissance School in their new Arts and Science Center and we'll be putting on Into the Woods Jr, starting premiering on November 8th and going all the way through the month, through the 23rd, which shows at 7.30 pm. I guess that's weekend nights 7.30 pm through November, and then matinees on the 10th and the 17th at 2.30 pm. So Into the Woods Jr. Thank you, theater Statesville, for bringing us that.
Speaker 3:Great. Also, on November the 9th, the Fort Dobbs Historic Site will be hosting their Military Timeline event. That's from 10 am to 4 pm and ultimately you get to learn what it's like to be a soldier throughout North Carolina's history. Two-dollar admission.
Speaker 1:I heard something really fun about this year's military timeline. They're actually partnering, I think, with Pumpkin Fest to take the leftover pumpkins, but I think you can bring your own pumpkins too, or they might have some pumpkins there for a donation and you can. They came up with a really fun name and I'm sorry, Scott, that I can't remember, but you can blow up your pumpkin.
Speaker 3:I was going to ask if you can like shoot black powder or something.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you can blow up your pumpkin. They're doing it as a fundraiser for Western North Carolina, so make sure to check that out online at Fort Dobbs Historic Site Excellent. And then all the merchants our friends in downtown Statesville are back again for Second Saturdays. Tori was on the show several months ago when they kicked that off and that's really taking hold. That's Second Saturday. They're doing a great job throughout downtown. So second Saturday in downtown Statesville, again on November 9th, from 11 am to 5 pm.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I think it's super cool and I think just worth noting that this is something that these local merchants just got together on their own and decided, hey, we want to do something to attract more business downtown. So you get a group of people together with a concerted effort and you can move the needle Kudos to them.
Speaker 1:They're making great things happen.
Speaker 3:Also on November the 9th, at the Statesville Fitness and Activity Center they're hosting a barn quilt class. This is something we do over there every couple of months. There is limited space available, so you need to register as soon as possible. It's $85. That furnishes all your supplies to make a really cool barn quilt.
Speaker 1:Yeah, have you painted a barn quilt?
Speaker 3:I have not?
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think I want to do that. That class always sells out.
Speaker 3:It does always fill up.
Speaker 1:Yeah, by the time I go to register it's always full. So November 9th, make sure you check that out. And then are you a chili connoisseur, Richard?
Speaker 3:I really like chili, but I don't eat beans.
Speaker 1:You don't eat beans.
Speaker 3:So I'm particular about my chili.
Speaker 1:We won't go down that rabbit hole. But Brandon makes really good chili, so I wonder if they're still taking champions, potential champions, but the Children Chili Cook-Off. The Statesville Women's Club is coming together to do a chili cook-off benefiting children's homes of Iredell and they're going to do that on November 9th from 1130 am to 3 pm and that's going to be at the Statesville Women's Club, right, I believe. So, November 9th. Come out and help them crown a champion at the chili cook-off.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I think that's awesome. Yeah, november the 10th GG's annual holiday open house, so they'll have refreshments, store prizes, all kinds of stuff. Local author and city council member Joe Hudson will be there. Oh, I didn't even realize this was happening. I guess he's got a second collection A View from the Front Porch. He writes a weekly article and so he released a book a number of years ago and so I guess this is a second collection of his favorite articles from the last, the most recent five years. So he'll be there signing books. Clay Lunsford and Matthew Weaver will be playing, playing music, so just a good time.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's, it's. Gigi's open house is just a great way to kick off the holiday season.
Speaker 3:Yeah, it's cool.
Speaker 1:They do a really good job.
Speaker 3:You can knock out a lot of your holiday gift shopping there and there's just a lot of stuff in there. You could spend a long time just wandering around the store.
Speaker 1:Yes, don't miss that. November 10th, from 1 to 4. And then the following day, on the 11th, honoring our veterans. Here in Iredell County, mitchell Community College does a great job with their Veterans Day ceremony, honoring men and women who have served our country. So that will be on Veterans Day, november 11th, at 11 am and that is in Shearer Hall, mitchell Community College. So thank you, guys for doing that.
Speaker 3:Tuesday November the 12th will be the November installment of the Full Bloom Film Festival's monthly film series and we will be screening Tommy, which is the who's Rock Opera Also your DVD. I own it. I'm not sure if we're using it or not. It is awesome. A whole bunch of celebrities you know musicians in the movie Tina Turner, elton John. It's just a super cool, weird film about a deaf, dumb and blind kid who becomes a pinball wizard.
Speaker 1:I'm seeing from your face that you have not seen this. I have not seen it. Oh man, Isn't that the lyrics to a song? Yeah, well, that's the song. Yeah, that's the song. Pinball Wizard, oh, Pinball Wizard.
Speaker 3:Okay, yeah so I encourage everyone who has not had the opportunity to enjoy the film Tommy to come out and participate. It's really great.
Speaker 1:Yeah, regardless of how well you think Richard and I get along, we have nothing in common. Do not have the same movie or music. Well, maybe some of the same music, not the same movie collection.
Speaker 3:You might like the who you just haven't seen, tommy.
Speaker 1:Yeah. So I myself have been to this event many times and think it's a great thing that they do in downtown Statesville. But the cash mob is back on November 13th and you gather outside of downtown Statesville development on Court Street and they surprise you. They let you know which downtown business you're going to go mob and then you go have a beverage and good conversation in downtown Statesville. So Cash Mob at 5 o'clock on November 13th, it's a good way just to support local.
Speaker 3:Yeah build community meet some people. November, the 14th, the Key Concert Series at the Ardle Arts Council will feature Desmond Myers. Desmond's a local musician. Well, he is from Statesville. He's lived away for a long time. He's coming back.
Speaker 1:I didn't know Desmond was back, coming home for the holidays.
Speaker 3:Yeah, a little homecoming concert here, so we're excited about that. Tickets are $20.
Speaker 1:And all the Key Concert Series sell out, and this one certainly will as well, with Desmond being from here. So, yeah, if you're interested in that, jump on it soon. If it's not already sold out, it might be. Yeah, amazing artist Desmond. So welcome home, desmond. Um, and then jumping on November 16th, the World Falconery Day. Uh, if you have not experienced the Allison Woods Learning Center in Statesville, north Carolina, you have are missing out, and the World Falconery Day celebration would be a great time to do that. But it november 16th, from 10 am to 2 pm. Um, you can learn about their, their birds and what it takes to bea falconer.
Speaker 1:So falconry is cool yeah, it really is, and they, they do a great job and, uh, great great opportunity for photographers to get some great pictures of those of those birds.
Speaker 3:So don't, don't miss that uh, also on the 16th at Matt Gray Auditorium they will be bringing the musical comedy team Duo Baldo to Statesville. That's 7 o'clock. That features renowned violinist Brad Ripp and pianist actor Aldo Gentileschi. I think I did pretty good on that.
Speaker 1:You did good.
Speaker 3:So it should be a really great time. It's going to feature music and comedy and all the things that make a fun evening.
Speaker 1:Yeah Again. Performing Arts in Statesville is.
Speaker 3:Yep Tickets are on sale for $25.
Speaker 1:Happening, yeah, and then the premier Turkey Bingo event longstanding, that's right, benefiting the Iredell County Special Olympics. Premier turkey bingo event long standing, that's right, benefiting the ireland county special olympics. Um, you don't want to miss out on turkey bingo. Do you know how many years it's been now that you've?
Speaker 3:been doing that. I am guessing this might be the 15th, or it's right there at it, and I know that because? Um so I started working for the city in 2009, and when I interviewed for my first full-time job with the city, I had to bring an idea for an event, and I brought this it was Turkey Bingo. Yes, which I stole from a community that I lived at in Colorado.
Speaker 1:We used to play Turkey Bingo there. They should make you a director.
Speaker 3:And so when I when I pitched I had to come pitch an event, I thought, oh, we should do this. And so doing it ever since and the first year we used to do it at the Fitness and Activity Center. It's grown a lot. Food Lion's been a longtime partner and the first year we had I don't know maybe 20 turkeys to give away and we had maybe seven people at the event. So everybody went home with the multiple turkeys. And now it's really grown and we do it at the Civic Center and two different nights.
Speaker 1:It's sold out now, right, it's like a showstopper. Yeah, it's a big time.
Speaker 3:People wait all year People love supporting Special Olympics, and people love winning stuff.
Speaker 1:Turkey bingo. Well, 15 years, Richard, it's time for some new ideas. We're looking for some more.
Speaker 3:Hey, if it ain't broke.
Speaker 1:Yeah, no, I don't mean change turkey bingo, I mean what's next?
Speaker 3:Let's have some more events at the Civic Center Far better and more creative staff that are coming up with events now than me.
Speaker 1:All right, so we're looking forward to that.
Speaker 3:Like I said, I had to steal this one from Colorado.
Speaker 1:Another thing that's longstanding that you guys partner. You partner with someone on the Statesville Artisan and Crafters Expo. That's at the Statesville Fitness and Activity Center, but they do a really good job, that group, bringing in artisans and crafters. Another great opportunity to shop for the holidays.
Speaker 3:Yeah, absolutely. That's grown into being a really large event. They set up in the gymnasium at the Fitness and Activity Center, which is a big space, so you can imagine how many vendors that is. So, yeah, a great opportunity to come out and support local artisans and craft aficionados, I guess.
Speaker 1:I decided I was just going to do the rest of it.
Speaker 3:No, that's good, you go.
Speaker 1:Yeah, craft aficionados, I guess I decided I was just going to do the rest of it. No, that's good. No, you go ahead, go ahead. But I love the artisan and craft desk, but.
Speaker 3:I guess I just got excited so I wanted to talk about your event as you should.
Speaker 1:So I was going to say the Sharp House. Is this at the Statesville Fitness Night too? This is at the Sharp House, correct? The? This is at the Sharp House, the annual.
Speaker 3:Utah Tea that is at the Sharp House.
Speaker 1:Yes, it's at the Sharp House. That is also a longstanding event. There's so many great events that have been going on for so long, but Keith Ryan and his team over at the Sharp House put on lots of amazing events, but this is one to miss. On November 23rd, from 11 to 4, the annual Yuletide Tea.
Speaker 3:And I have not been to the Yuletide Tea, but I have seen the Sharp House around the holidays and I would imagine if you are a fan of Christmas decorations, that is probably it's an experience. I haven't been inside over the holidays, but I bet that they do a top-notch job they do an amazing job. With Christmas decorations.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 3:The opposite end of the Griggs household. They have a tree and stockings and paper plates. Similar to the Thanksgiving I talked about, on the 25th Iredell History Teller Series will feature Bill Moose and Steve Hill and you know, if you know anything about longtime history in Statesville you know both of those folks so they'll be talking about a lot of local history.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we're looking forward to that. On November 25th, from 6 to 7. And then you cannot have November without Small Business Saturday.
Speaker 3:That's right.
Speaker 1:So small businesses make up the backbone of our community and we're so thankful for all the small businesses we have here in Statesville, North Carolina. So, November 30th, from 10 to 8 pm this is specifically in downtown Statesville they rally around that theme and have an event for small business Saturday in downtown. So with more than 55 unique shops in downtown boutiques, restaurants you can find someone for everyone on your list. Yeah, Please come out and support. You can find someone for everyone on your list.
Speaker 3:Yeah, please come out and support. We've got a lot of great independently owned businesses that rely on our local community to support them.
Speaker 1:Shop local, that's right, we'll see you there Be thankful. Yeah Well, we appreciate you tuning in to this month's event rundown. We hope you enjoy it Again, like we say every month is, this is only a high level snapshot of the thousands of events that are happening throughout the month. There's something happening every day in Statesville, north Carolina, so we invite you to discover Statesville. For the full community calendar, go to Statesville, nc dot com. Thanks everyone, thank you for joining Discover Statesville.
Speaker 2:You can email us at discover at statesfulnccom. Check us out on Facebook at Discover Statesville, nc. Hashtag Discover Statesville and our website, statesfulnccom. 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.
