1000 x 90

Today’s Email Announcements

1) Free June Workshops Offered for Liberty Day Preparation in Todd

Workshops will be held throughout June to prepare for the Elkland Art Center’s Fourth of July Liberty Parade.

Have you ever said to yourself, “I want to make a giant puppet”? Well, here’s your chance!

The Liberty Parade takes place annually in Todd on the Fourth of July and is the kind of parade where everyone is in the parade. Elkland Art Center provides costumes, giant puppets and props for celebrants of all ages and abilities. This year’s Liberty Parade will take place on Saturday, July 4 at 11 a.m. in Todd at the corner of N.C. Highway 194 N. and Railroad Grade Road. Come at 10:30 a.m. to get costumed.

Workshops are being held in June on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Fridays from 1-4 p.m. at the Elkland Art Center, 10279 Three Top Road in Todd. Bring a bag lunch or something to share if coming on a Monday. Lunch hours are noon to 1 p.m. Workshops are free for all through the support of many generous contributors.

2) Dinner Options Announced for July 24 Symphony by the Lake

The following dinner options will be offered during this year’s Symphony by the Lake event at Chetola Resort on July 24:

Picnic on the Lawn: 5:30 p.m. to dusk, $14 per person, includes tea or lemonade, reservations not required. Hickory-smoked pulled pork barbecue, mesquite grilled chicken breasts with caramelized onion and peach sauce, cole slaw, potato salad, baked beans, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes and gravy, cornbread and banana pudding.

Pre-Symphony Dinner: Seating at 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., $65 per person (includes parking), four course meal, reservations required. Appetizer, salad, entree, dessert.

Celebration at the Arbor: Bar opens at 5 p.m., dining at 6 p.m., $90 per person, includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, private cash bar, best fireworks view and onsite parking. Reservations required (limited to 44 people). Shrimp cocktail, artisanal cheese and fruit tray, vegetable crudite with housemade dipping sauces, lightly seared ahi tuna with kale slaw and tomato horseradish aiolo, sausage-stuffed button mushrooms, bruschetta bar with assorted tapenades and pimento cheese, shortcake bar with fresh fruit and assorted toppings.

Dinner on the Patio: Seating at 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., $110 per person, four course meal, reservations required. Appetizer, salad, entree dessert.

Call 828-295-5521 for details.

3) Summer Clay Camp at Art of Living Retreat Center June 24-28

The Art of Living Retreat Center’s Clay Studio will offer a Community Clay Camp from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for ages 9-15 June 24-28. The program will cover handbuilding, glazing, demonstrations, design, techniques and creative play. All skill levels welcome. $150 registration includes all materials. Contact Studio Manager Laurie Caffery Harris at 800-392-6870 ext. 519 or at clay@artoflivingretreatcenter.org.

4) North Wilkesboro to Host Zombie Apocalypse and 2K on May 30

North Wilkesboro will host its inaugural Zombie Apocalypse and 2K on Saturday, May 30.

The Downtown North Wilkesboro Partnership, Kinetic Fitness, Wilkes County Library, Carolina Blood Centers of the Carolinas and the Wilkes Playmakers are partnering to bring the fun-loving dead together for a good cause. Proceeds will go to help North Wilkesboro School aid in the fundraising for a Beanstalk Adventure Playground, that will be available to the school and community alike, the Wilkes Playmakers (as the designated non-profit of choice) and a food drive to benefit Wilkes Ministry of Hope.

Event organizers have worked hard to bring something new and different to the streets of North Wilkesboro.

“We are pleased with the positive feedback from all those contacted so far to be a part of this event in Downtown North Wilkesboro, whether in partnerships, sponsors, vendors, schools, or special guests so far,” they said. “There’s plenty of room for more, and we can’t wait to make this event, well, ‘apocalyptic.’

“We enjoy doing these kinds of events — not only do we have lots of fun at them but we love that it benefits our community, especially when it involves the children, like with the Beanstalk Adventure Playground and Community Theatre Arts. It just shows that charity work doesn’t have to be such a solemn event; you can really have fun with it.

“We’ve been involved in several Zombie Walks and this is going to be different than anything else out there. From the response we’ve been getting on social media and around town this is going to be quite the epic event.”

Crystal Keener of the Downtown North Wilkesboro Partnership said, “The DNWP is happy to support any family friendly event that brings visitors to downtown North Wilkesboro. We’re looking forward to seeing great costumes, hearing live music and enjoying the evening with zombies, super heroes and more.”

Megan Griffith of Kinetic Fitness agreed, saying, “We have such a great downtown area for events like this. I’m so excited about it.”

Paula Joines, president of the Wilkes Playmakers said, “The Wilkes Playmakers are very happy to support the Downtown North Wilkesboro Partnership in this project by sharing our time and talents. What’s not to love about an event that promotes our town, local businesses, healthy ‘living’, and the arts?”

Even the local downtown businesses are getting into it. The Dispensary Restaurant will have food and drink specials and the staff will be “dressed up” for the occasion.

Special guests will include: Hillside Horror, Digger the Zombie, Carolina Coffin Cruisers, Wilkes County Zombie Response Unit, Rowan County Zombie Outbreak Response Team Unit 12, Forbidden Forest, Ghoul Skool and more!

Some vendor spaces are still available to sell wares and food. Sponsorship packages are available. More information is available on our NWZA and 2k Facebook page.

Tickets for the 2k Zombie run are $10 per person, no age limit, with parent or guardian, or $5 with a donation of 2 or more canned goods for The Wilkes Ministry of Hope. Registration is available at Kinetic Fitness, online, and at the registration booth on the day of event, beginning at 4 p.m. Free T-shirt with pre-registration for the first 25 runners by May 23.

Tickets for the walk are $7 per person, no age limit, with parent or guardian, or $5 with a donation of 2 or more canned goods for The Wilkes Ministry of Hope.

Tickets are on sale now online or in Downtown North Wilkesboro businesses Electric Steel Tattoo, The Record and Thursday Printing, or at the registration booth on the day of the event.

For more information about the Zombie Apocalypse, rules for cosplay, and close ups on the Special Guests, go to the event’s Facebook page or the website.

  • 3 p.m. A film trailer from “Night of the Stalkers”. By Ghoul Skool members Jon Stewart & Evan Anderson.
  • 3:30 p.m. “Infectious” by Debi Waddell. A film about the rise of Zombie Culture in the South. Both films will be shown in the Wilkes County Library. A panel discussion with Heather Dean, Digger the Zombie, & filmmakers follow each showing.
  • 4-7 p.m. Ticket booths open. Zombie make-over’s begin, free with ticket purchase, by some of our area’s finest make-up artists. (Tipping your artist is recommended)
  • 4:30-7 p.m. Community Blood Center of the Carolinas will have the bus on hand for “donors” Blood Donors will receive a free ticket for the Zombie Walk. (Please bring a valid ID to donate blood)
  • 5-7 p.m. The Hunter and the Hunted, a Dark Genre Cosplay Contest. Come in costume as your favorite Zombie, Hero, Witch, Villain or monster, etc… Prizes for best costumed character will be awarded after the Zombie Walk finishes at 8:15 p.m.
  • 6:30 p.m. Wilkes county’s first ever Run for your life Zombie 2k will start and loop around the town.
  • 7.30 p.m. Zombie Walk down Historic Main Street. Both will begin in the Ruritan Park on 10th Street.
  • Live music from Salisbury’s Graveyard Boulevard from 6-7:30 p.m. and Wilkes County’s own Three Quarters Dead plays from 9-10:30.