Photos from Faith, NC 4th of July Week 2009

Faith, North Carolina pulled out all the stops for the annual 4th of July week of fun. While most towns have some fireworks after dark on the 4th (and they do at Faith too), this town makes the 4th of July a full week of rides, fun, and games.

If you haven't heard of Faith, NC, that's probably because it's a town of 600 people. So, it's just not going to get much press most days. But, they sure do know how to put on a huge party to celebrate red, white, and blue and all this country stands for.

For more information if you plan to go tonight or next year, see the Faith 4th of July web page.


The weather in North Carolina can be pretty hinkie. But, you'd do well to carry sun screen and to wear sunglasses like the young lady above. In July, we're usually really hot, sticky and muggy here. But, we get a fair amount of rain and especially in the evenings. An umbrella is not a bad idea to have in the car or truck . . . just in case.


They have a good number of rides, and they offer specials. Today, for example, they had unlimited rides for $20 from noon through 5 p.m. I think it was. Nice deal. And, the lines weren't long in the middle of the day.

Things crank up more at night of course. They also have live entertainment each evening, and they sponsor and Idol contest.


My guys enjoyed the smoothies. It was a good day for one - that's for sure. I tried a peach and pineapple smoothie, and tht was a pretty good combo flavor. I think I still like strawberry/banana the best.


If things get a little hot for you at the Faith 4th of July festival, there are a number of tables with some under tents and quite a few under trees. People also bring lawn chairs and blankets and rest in the park area which is pretty.

All in all, this is good small town fun. People are relaxed. A lot of folks dress up with the patriotic theme. Service groups are out helping too. For instance, they did eye checks at a trailer today.

Last Call for the Faith, NC 4th of July Festival - 2009

The weather is just perfect today to wind up the Faith, North Carolina 4th of July festival. Well, it is a little hot. But, there are smoothies and sodas and water plus plenty of shade trees in this small Southern town of 600 people.

Faith, NC is right south of Salisbury, NC. If you get off I85 at a Salisbury exit, then you can ask, and someone will tell you how to get to Faith. Or, you can just put Main Street, Faith, NC in your GPS. In a town of 600, if you find Main Street, you will find the festival and all the people.

I've seen estimates that Faith swells to 30,000 across the week for the yearly Faith celebration. No. I did not stand and count, but I can tell you that they had a lot of folks over there having fun today.


There are a number of kiddie rides. I've found that some of the big amusement parks go skimpy on the rides for little ones, but Faith had several including this cute little bumble bee ride which the toddler crowd seemed to like a lot. My boys, now being teens, were not much interested in bee rides. Oh well. There will be grandkids some day huh?


The swings went over well with kids and adults. I always liked the swing rides except after eating junk food. I learned that lesson quick though, so I eat last now and not before riding especially in circles.


The little boys (and girls too) loved these cars and motorcycles. This is, after all, NASCAR country. Brrrrr. Start your engines please.


Slides just seem to get bigger every year. The big yellow slide drew a few brave souls who rode down on burlap sacks. I'm guessing that plastic got pretty got today, so I just watched the slipping and sliding.

In addition to the carnival style rides, they had loads of good food at the Faith 4th of July Festival and also entertainment each evening. Contests included the Apple Ugly chow down and Faith Idol. And, the week will end with fireworks tonight.

If you missed out this year, don't worry. This is an annual Faith tradition and very popular with locals and visitors. Just check the Faith Festival page and plan for next year if you missed it for 2009.

Faith, NC 4th of July Celebration - 2009

It's time for the annual Faith, North Carolina 4th of July throw down. There are only around 600 people who live in Faith - give or take with a birth or death. But, they sure know how to throw a patriotic party and a week long one at that. By parade day, they estimate that they get 30 thousand out and that's rain or shine.

The Faith 4th of July week is kind of like a home town carnival and street fair. You've got rides, entertainment and, or course, loads of great food. They also have an Idol contest with the winner being the Faith Idol.

The good people of Faith have been hosting this patriotic gathering since 1946, and it keeps growing. In addition to the locals, people who grew up in Faith love to come back for the big yearly event, and then the word passes and out-of-towners like to get in on the action too. That's OK though. It still have that small town flavor and is fun for all ages.

Faith is right outside Salisbury, NC, and it's not a long drive from Charlotte. I'd guess maybe a half hour or so.

Saturday is the big day, but any night is fun.

Here is the schedule for June 2009.

Happy 4th of July - Faith, NC

Saturday, June 27th, 2009
6:00 pm Food and rides
7:30 pm Band to be announced
8:30 pm Faith Idol Competition - TBA

Sunday, June 28th
5:00 pm Faith Patriotic Program at Faith Baptist Church
6:00 pm Food and rides
7:00 pm Gospel groups to be announced - Sponsored by Miller Davis

Monday, June 29th
Dollar Night - All rides $1.00
6:00 pm Food and rides
7:30 pm Sea Cruz - Sponsored by Apple Baking Company
8:30 pm Idol Competition


Tuesday, June 30th
6:00 pm Food and rides
7:30 pm The Entertainers - Sponsored by F&M Bank and Rowan Regional Medical Center
8:30 pm Idol Competition


Wednesday, July 1st
Food Lion MVP Armband Night -Show MVP card & get $5.00 off a $20 armband
6:00 pm Food and rides
7:30 pm Too Much Sylvia - Sponsored by Food Lion
8:30 pm Idol Competition


Thursday, July 2nd
6:00 pm Food and rides
7:30 pm Hip Pocket- Sponsored by Smokey Mountain Amusements and Cloninger Ford-Toyota
8:30 pm Faith Idol Competition


Friday, July 3rd
6:00 pm Food and Rides
7:30 pm The Extraordiniaires
8:30 pm Idol Competition


Saturday, July 4th
10:00 am Parade - Grand Marshal (TBA)
*Flag raising and National Anthem and crowning of Miss Rowan County Veteran
12:30 pm Apple Ugly Eating Contest - at main stage
12:00 - 5:00 pm $20.00 armband
6:30 pm Nostalgia Band - Sponsored by IFH, Neil's Paint & Body, Memories 1280 WSAT and United Beverages (Miller Lite)
7:00 pm Races, games and watermelon eating contest
7:30 pm Idol Contest
9:00 pm Nostalgia Band
10:00 pm Miller Davis Patriotic Tribute
10:30 pm FIREWORKS!

Southeast Old Threshers Reunion - Denton, NC - June 30 through July 4, 2009

This year (2009) marks the 39th year for the Denton, NC Southeast Old Threshers Reunion. It's a good festival with loads of things to see and do. My uncle came in from Virginia a couple of years ago just to attend. He loved seeing all the old farming eqiupment and cars. His wife liked the crafts and country cooked food. I thought it was all good including the entertainment.

This year, you can even see Elvis at the Old Threshers' Reunion.

Singer and entertainer Eddie Miles, considered one of the nation’s best Elvis-tribute performers, will be one of the headliners at this year’s Southeast Old Threshers Reunion when he performs two shows on July 2 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. The Reunion will be held June 30-July 4 at the Denton FarmPark in Denton, N.C.

With Miles performing in costume, the shows will pay tribute to Elvis and his music and feature many of the late singer’s greatest hits. Shortly after the date was posted on Miles’ Website, the phone started ringing at the FarmPark with jubilant callers asking, “Is it true Eddie Miles will be there?” “Can we really see two shows for the price of one?”

“I’ve traveled far and wide, and Eddie is the closest to sound and looks of Elvis as you’ll find,” said the late Charlie Hodge, Elvis’ lifelong friend and band member.

Miles is no stranger to the stage. He has performed his show, “Eddie Miles: A Salute to Elvis & Country Legends,” since 1990, when he first took his show on the road. During the early 90s, Miles was a regular at Pigeon Forge, T.N., and later, a regular at Myrtle Beach, S.C. Today, traveling throughout the Southeast, he performs more than 100 shows yearly.

Miles began doing his tribute show part-time, but it quickly grew into a sensation when audiences began to recognize his talent.

“It was a dream of mine since I was a young boy to pursue an entertainment career because I’ve always loved music,” said Miles, a native of Bardstown, Ky. “I chased those dreams, and it seemed like the Elvis songs always got the most reaction, so the show just grew out of that,” said Miles, describing his start.

During his usual two-hour show, Miles begins with tributes to the great country legends such as Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and George Jones. His Elvis tribute is typically performed during the second hour of the show.

Because of time restraints at the Denton performances, Miles will perform only the Elvis-tribute section during his two shows. According to Miles, each show is different since he takes audience requests and gears his show around the songs the audience wants. His repertoire includes more than 200 Elvis songs.
Miles was invited to Memphis to perform his Elvis tribute during the 25th anniversary of Elvis’ death. He performed at the sold-out house with all the great acts that had appeared with Elvis during the singer’s long career.

“We’ve seen a lot of Elvis tribute shows, and Eddie’s is certainly one of the classiest ever,” said Gordon Stoker, a member of the legendary Jordonaires, one of the premier backup-vocal groups ever and a mainstay in Elvis’ recording career.

For Miles’ tour schedule, photos, sound clips and other Web links, go to his Web site. He can also be found on MySpace and Facebook.

Admission to the Southeast Old Threshers Reunion is $13 for adults, $6 for children under 12 and free for preschoolers.

There is no extra charge to see musical shows.

Hours are 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily.

Camping is available.

The Denton FarmPark is located 20 miles southeast of Lexington off NC Hwy. 49. For more information, visit the Threshers web site or call 336-859-2755.

Lake Norman State Park (near Charlotte, NC)

Lake Norman State Park sits right outside Charlotte, NC near Mooresville.

The park is relatively new, since it is on Lake Norman which is a manmade lake and the largest manmade lake in the state of NC. Duke Power put in a dam between 1959 and 1964 to create more power and created this large lake. They also set aside land for the general public (about 1000 acres), and that is how this park came about.

As you drive down I77 between Statesville and Charlotte, you'll see the lake. Take exit 42 (Harmony) and follow the signs to the park.

The big drawing cards for the lake park are lake swimming and fishing.

The lakefront area is sanded like an ocean beach. They have a bathhouse to change and shower. Visitors can swim from June through Labor Day. Lake temperatures are generally warm especially near the top of the water. The view is terrific. You can see boats out farther in the lake as you swim.

As far as fishing, Lake Norman is considered to be one of the best fishing areas in the state. Brim, crappie, and bass are the main fish in the lake. There are some catfish too. You need a license in NC. You can get a license at most any community store and even at Wal-Mart. Kids under 16 years don't need a license, but an adult with a license needs to be along to cover the younger kids.

In addition to the swimming and fishing, the park has picnic areas, walking trails, and camping.

There are two picnic areas. One is right at the swimming area, so you'll probably want to bring a cooler with food if you decide to swim. The other area is in the camping section. That area is more spread out with trees in between trees. Nice and shady.

A large picnic shelter with grills is available. It will hold up to 125 people, so it's good for group outings. You'll probably want to reserve the shelter if you're visiting with a group.

Six miles of hiking trails run along the lake and through the woods. You'll see lots of trees and usually some small animals. Hiking is pretty easy. This is the foothill area, so you don't have the slopes of the mountain areas of NC.

If you want to stay longer and relax in the outdoors, the park has camping. There are 33 spaces. All are for tent or trailer camping really. No RV hook ups or electricity etc. They do have water available in several spots and a nice bathhouse.

If you have your own boat, then you'll need to look for one of the marinas to put in. They had been renting small boats to visitors, but boat rentals and the concession stand are closed right now due to budget cuts in the state (2009).

Duke Power State Park is a nice little area off I77. If you live in the Charlotte or surrounding areas or if you're traveling on I77, then this would be a great place to check out especially during the summer.

Carolina Beach State Park (near Fayetteville, NC)

Carolina Beach State Park is really an island. In 1929, Snow’s Cut (the land connecting the thin strip of land between the sound and the Cape Fear River to the Atlantic Ocean) was dug out to provide a waterway to the ocean. Basically, this means that you get both the coastal inland experience on the backside with a boat ride out to the big ocean. Land protected is quite different from the ocean front stretches, so this is a neat spot to visit for the contrast. You’ll get a much more laid back and less touristy beach trip than at places like Myrtle.

Venus Fly Traps Growing in the Wild

The big draw at Carolina State Park are the natural growing Venus Fly Traps. If you don’t know about the Fly Traps, then those are plants that close in around “animals” (most likely small flying critters like flies) and then use the fuel from those critters for growth. You may have seen these neat plants at school or even at Lowe’s Home Store. You stick your finger in the little open space, and the plant closes up like a bear trap. With big human fingers, this is not dangerous, but flies and other flying insects do need to beware. Monsters based on these meat eating plants can be seen in TV shows like the Adam’s Family and movies like Little Shops of Horrors

The Fly Trap walking trail is set off with walkways and visitors can’t wander into the Fly Trap land and step on plants and stick fingers in the triangle trap heads though it can be very tempting. Since the Carolina Beach area is one of the few places on earth where the carnivorous plants grow in the wild, they are protected from curious people so that everyone can get a look. If you want to touch Venus Fly Traps, then get a plant from the store. If you want to see them in the wild, then take a trip to Carolina Beach State Park.

Hiking

There are several hiking trails. They are all easy trails and don’t take all day—generally just an hour or so with stops to enjoy the view. These are good kid hikes, since the land is not rolling like other parts of NC. Hikers can ramble along and look at the water, sea vegetation and birds. It is a very calm kind of place to visit.

Picnics

A nice picnic area is at Snow’s Cut, which is between the marina for boat launching and the campground for overnighters. This is a pretty shady area with tables and grills. Day-trippers can bring a picnic or food to cook on the grill. Grilling is the most fun, but it does take more work. I like to pack up a cooler with cook out fixings, but it is also fun to stop by Kentucky Fried Chicken and get a fast take out and totally kick back.

Educational Family Fun

Since this space is slightly inland and also government protected (since 1969), Carolina Beach State Park is more of a family and educational kind of area. That doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun, but if you are looking for beer on the beach while hot babes play volleyball, then you will be disappointed. This is not the party spot of the east coast. It is simply a neat spot with camping and fishing and quiet to get away for a weekend or a few days.

The Park is close to Fayetteville, so many military families do visit. If you are stationed in the area, be sure to check out the Park. They also offer programs focusing on education, so small groups of Scouts and such visit too. You can call ahead if you want a tour included in a visit to highlight the history and the ecological features of the park. These are well put together tours and interesting as well as educational. They cover the Native American background as well as the interesting Venus Fly Trap history. If you are a teacher, then you can even get free resource materials to share with your classes.

Boating

If you want a day trip and have a boat, then you can launch and go into the Atlantic from Carolina Beach State Park. They have 2 slips and 40 dock spots. This area has a small shop with snacks and restrooms. This is bare bones and not gourmet, so if you want filet mignon, then pack it.

Fishing

Fishing is good in the area with spot, flounder, sheepshead and striped bass being the most common catches. You can boat out and fish in the inland areas or in the ocean though waters can be pretty choppy. If you don’t have a boat, then you can fish from the banks. They also have a handicap assessable pier for catching.

Camping

If you have more time, then you can camp at the Park. There are 83 spaces with two of those being wheelchair accessible. All sites have a picnic table and grill, but drinking water and restrooms with hot showers are at the bathhouses. This is not a full hook up spot, so if you want plush camping, then this is not the spot. You can dump out for a fee at the camp, but I don’t have a fancy camper, and I don’t really want to go all out on camping. Still, that is available.

Two group areas are available, but you have to reserve ahead. One can hold 20 people and the other 35 people. You get pit toilets in these spaces but no water and showers. This is the rough-it option for groups like Boy Scouts. I may end up having to go since Eli is in Scouts, but I really do not like primitive camping one bit.

The really nice thing about the camp areas (individual and group) is that they are shaded with trees. If you have been camping at the beach, then you know that many sites are in the full sun. Your tent or camper gets hot as blazes. Here, you get some relief with natural shade, which is most welcome. If you ever did bake in a sunny tent (which I did when younger) then you will appreciate the tree shade at Carolina Beach State Park.

Quick Tips

If you are not from NC or if you don’t rough it very often, then be sure to bring sunscreen and bug spray. The sun is hot and the mosquitoes can be vampirish. Wear cotton clothing that will breath and plan to change if you go out to town later. Make sure your shoes are comfortable—tennis shoes or sandals broken in are best.

Relax and enjoy. The slightly inland areas of NC tend to be slow paced. You won’t get 24-hour service, but you get good and friendly service when places are open. Bring a stash of necessities like food and toilet paper just in case. It is really bad to be hungry and paperless out in the boonies. If you can adjust a bit, then you will have a wonderful time and learn a lot to boot.

Pisgah National State Forest, North Carolina

Pisgah National Forest covers 157,000 miles including 40 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are 9 campground areas (5 group areas) and over 340 trail miles. You could spend years exploring the park, but you probably have a job and things to do, so I’ll tell you about my favorite portions of the park and surrounding areas.

The Davidson River Area is a good spot to start out. To get to DRA, look for Brevard, NC which is known as the land of waterfalls around NC. Where NC 280 and US 276 join, take 276 NW. The park area is about 1 ½ miles from the 280/276 intersection.

On 276 (which is a scenic highway), you see Looking Glass Falls and Sliding Rock. You can see these natural attractions from your car, but that is kind of defeating the purpose of visiting the “land of the falls.”

Be sure to take your swimming suit too, since Sliding Rock really is a natural slide of slick rock. You line up with a rope to help you pull up the mountain side and then slide down the rock into the stream-fed pool below. That is sure cold I can promise, but you will remember sliding on Sliding Rock. I slid as a kid, and then I took my boys back so they could slide too.

On into Brevard, take 64 if you want to see more waterfalls. Two good ones are Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. You can walk behind Dry Fall and drive your car behind Veil Fall.

Those are really the big name falls I’ve mentioned. You’ll really have an “experience” if you do take the time to hike into the woods and make your own discoveries. The boys and I went in deeper and found a fall with a vine to swing out and drop into a big pool. The boulders were huge. We swung and swam, and the boys even did karate forms on top of the boulders. I would tell you where that fall is at, but I have no idea. We just followed a trail marked with a tie after parking on the side of the road.

From what I understand there are 100s of falls back in the Pisgah. You can ask around, and locals can direct to favorite spots or you can explore and just happen across really neat spots like the one the boys and I found.

With all that water, you can imagine that there are fish. This is the big trout fly fish area. That is when you stomp up and down in the cold stream dragging all your stuff with you while constantly throwing the fish line out and reeling back fast. My uncle talked me into doing this, so I know it is sure not sitting on the creek bank waiting for a fish to come or not. Anyway, some folks love trout fishing. My dad is one, and he says this is a good area. I will take his word for it.

There is the hatchery nearby, which is why the fishing is so good I guess. You can visit the hatchery. My boys thought that visit was neat. Millions of fish waiting to go into the streams and be caught. The boys got to throw fish food in to the fish on that visit. Just look for the Fish Hatchery signs, and stop. Folks working there will answer questions and let you feed the fish.

Another neat place to stop off is the Cradle of Forestry on 276 near the waterfalls. The Pisgah Forest is the first protected forest with studies for students to learn more about nature and cutting out trees while leaving some and planting new trees. You see the old school house and learn about the educational field of forestry. It may sound pretty dull, but it was a good stop. I’ve been about 10 times I think, and I always enjoy Cradle of Forestry.

When you’re ready to bunk down for the night, you can camp there at the Davidson River area. There are 161 spaces set up in loops. Some are in meadow areas and others lightly wooded. Each site has a table and grill. Each loop has a bath house with hot water. There are also some group camping spots with pit toilets and back country camping is allowed with some really gorgeous scenery.

If you’re more of a motel person, then you can stay in Brevard. They have several inns and B&Bs. There are also some new motels at the main intersection. I would check ahead and know where I would be staying rather than driving in and taking a chance.

Once I went into Brevard late at night, and the rooms were filled up in the chains. I saw a motel sign on a side road. I think I stayed in the Howard Bate’s garage motel. The man was quite sloshed and it seemed to me I stayed right in his house when the newspaper thumped up against the door the next morning. I will say the fellow was nice though a bit hung over the when I gave him his paper and checked out (handed him the key actually).

The only time I would suggest Brevard as the home base is during the summer during the Brevard Music Festival. Over 70 performers play music of all types. Some of the music is free, and some shows include a fee. If you plan to stay in the summer for the music festival, then you need to reserve several months ahead.

Since Ashville is only 30 miles away, I would say that staying in Ashville makes sense. You have the full range of sleep-over options in Asheville even if you don’t plan ahead. There are lots of restaurants and cultural activities in the Asheville area. It doesn’t take long to drive into Pisgah which is part of the land holdings owned by the Vanderbilt family (built the Biltmore House and donated the land for Pisgah to be saved for all to enjoy). Be sure to visit Biltmore House which looks like a palace and is the largest privately owned home in the US.