November 26, 2024 • 26 mins
What makes the holiday season in Statesville, NC, truly magical? Our special guest, Liz Petree, the Community Engagement Manager for Downtown Statesville Development Corporation, joins us to share all the details. From the chance to win $100 in "downtown dollars" on Small Business Saturday to the horse-drawn carriage rides, Liz reveals the vibrant atmosphere and experiences awaiting visitors. We dive into the details of the variety of local events that make downtown Statesville a holiday hotspot.
This episode is your guide to the heartwarming traditions that define Statesville's holiday charm. Learn about Santa's visit to City Hall and dance performances, alongside creative events like Imperial Muay Thai's Christmas punch and paint session. Get ready to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Statesville Civic Center with a New Year's Eve bash. Whether you're a local or planning a visit, the holiday cheer in Statesville promises an unforgettable experience.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Tis the season in Statesville, north Carolina.
Tune in now, as we're joined byLiz Petrie, community
Engagement Manager for DowntownStatesville.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Welcome to Discover Statesville, the show that takes
you on a captivating journeythrough the heart of one of
North Carolina's most charmingtowns.
Speaker 3 (00:15):
Welcome back to Discover Statesville.
Today, we're joined by LizPetrie, the Community Engagement
Manager with DowntownStatesville Development Liz, how
are you?
I'm great.
Speaker 4 (00:23):
How are you?
Speaker 3 (00:23):
I'm doing great Welcome back with.
Speaker 4 (00:25):
Downtown Statesville Development.
Liz, how are?
Speaker 3 (00:26):
you?
I'm great.
How are you?
I'm doing great.
Welcome back.
Thanks for having me, thanksfor being here, thanks for
making time today, busy holidayseason coming up.
Speaker 4 (00:30):
Absolutely Lots going on.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Outstanding.
So what's first?
What's on tap first?
Speaker 4 (00:41):
Well, we always kick off the holiday season with
Small Business Saturday andthat's what I consider kind of
the beginning of the shoppingseason, even though some people
probably start shopping before.
But we like to say in downtownthat that's really the kickoff
for us.
So DSDC, downtown StatesvilleDevelopment, we offer a $100
giveaway of our downtown dollars.
Very cool, you know whatdowntown dollars are.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
I do, but some people listening may not, so I think
you should share that with us.
Speaker 4 (01:06):
So downtown dollars is kind of like a downtown.
It's our own downtown money,and so we do them in increments
of $5, $10, and $20 bills.
Purchase them from us on ourwebsite and you can spend them
at 56 different places indowntown.
That's retail, that'srestaurant, that's places like
Key to Escape.
You can buy tickets to the ArtsCouncil.
You can do all kinds of thingswith those dollars.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
Yeah, great gift.
If you just don't know theperfect gift or can't find the
perfect gift, but want to dosomething nice for somebody,
it's a great thoughtful idea, agreat alternative to your just
standard gift card or somethingRight, yeah, a nice alternative,
yeah it spins just like cash.
Speaker 4 (01:39):
You could even tip with it at the restaurant.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
So go back.
How do you win this?
How do you win the $100?
Speaker 4 (01:44):
So when you go into any of our participating shops,
there's a QR code that you scanwith your purchase, every
purchase.
So if you shop in 10 shops, youget to enter 10 times.
And then, on December 4th, Ibelieve, we are doing a drawing
and you'll get a phone call thatsays, hey, you get $100 in
downtown dollars to spendwherever you like.
(02:04):
Very cool, I'm going to win.
I'm going to win.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
Am I allowed to win?
Speaker 4 (02:08):
You are allowed to win, but that starts this
Saturday.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
Right For Small Business Saturday Small.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
Business Saturday Absolutely Black Friday and
Small Business Saturday you canenter to win Okay, those
downtown dollars.
So come support local when youshop small.
Most of that money stays inyour community.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
So it's very important Just hit pause on your
Christmas shopping.
I'm not one of those peoplethat has my shopping done.
It will be mid-December.
So come downtown, see what youcan find for the people, and
then you fill in the gaps afterthat.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Right, I'm the same way Eat Thanksgiving, then game
on.
I skipped the whole footballprocess that, richard goes
through Missing out, yeah,missing out.
Speaker 4 (02:45):
Make a day of it.
Come downtown.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
Looking forward to it , thank you.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
So then, as we get into December, so I guess one of
the first events that we havecoming up is the Art of Arts
Council Member Art Show.
That's December the 15th.
They monthly do an artistgallery opening reception there,
so that's at 530.
December the 5th Sorry, this isreally cool.
This one's a really cool showbecause it spotlights um local
artists that are members of theart and arts council.
(03:10):
So, um, there's probablyprobably artists in there that
you'll recognize and know whenyou come out.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
So please join us at that free event richard, do you
know, can you buy art at thatart show?
Speaker 3 (03:19):
well, it's up to the artists.
If yes, I mean as long as theartists have artists, art
that're willing to sell you arecertainly welcome to buy art at
that show.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
If someone who is looking for art for Christmas,
that might be a good place to dothat.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
And, based on the list that we have so far of
artists that will be on display,it will be very diverse the
type of art that's being offeredthere.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
Yeah, and you can meet.
Got to give her a shout out,but our Arts Council has a brand
new executive director, MissSydney Koppelmeyer, who you've
seen here with us on the show.
So stop in and congratulateSydney For sure Very exciting.
Absolutely.
And so, Liz, something else isexciting happening that same
night.
Let's talk about that and thenlead into all the great things
(03:58):
that are happening in downtown.
Speaker 4 (03:59):
Yeah, it's very much one of my favorite things that
we do every year at Christmas.
I had a phone call this morningabout it.
Our horse-drawn carriage rides,so we do it the three Thursdays
in December.
We have three beautifulcarriages that come in for us.
So that's the Thursday, the 5th, the 12th and the 19th.
(04:19):
And listen closely becausethese things sell out very fast
Within minutes, right.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
Yes.
Speaker 4 (04:26):
The tickets will go on sale the Tuesday prior.
So for the 5th they'll go onsale the Tuesday the week prior,
which is like— Next Tuesday.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
Yeah, no, today, today yeah.
Speaker 4 (04:40):
So they'll go on sale at 11 am and so right now you
need to be buying your ticketsright now.
The first one always sells outin about 15 hours it takes a
little bit longer.
The second one sells out inabout two hours and the third
one sells out last year in 16minutes, wow.
So it is insane, but it'sbeautiful.
And even if you don't get aride, come down shop.
(05:02):
The shops stay open late onthose nights.
You can see the beautifulwindow displays.
We're having a window displaycontest again, right?
So everybody kind of goes alittle extra and decorates and
you can see the horses, you cansee the Christmas tree, you can
shop.
We will have the.
That is also the night of thetree lighting, the first one,
yeah.
So we'll have the Little BlueChew, we'll have the snow
(05:23):
machines going.
It's going to be a really,really fun night.
So, yeah, let me just go aheadand talk about the tree lighting
too, while we're in it, so,yeah, we'll have the Little Blue
Chew, which is this crazy funguy that drives this Little Blue
Choo Choo train around theparking lot at Griffin Insurance
.
Griffin is an amazing Christmassponsor for us and the
(05:46):
Statesville Civic Centeractually helps us pay for that
train too.
We want to give them a shoutout.
They have an event going on sowe don't get to drive the train
at the Civic Center, but we doappreciate them sponsoring with
us.
And again, the stores will stayopen.
So, Mr Cutay, Mayor Cutay willnot be with us this year, so
Councilman David Jones is goingto help us light the tree.
(06:06):
Okay, We'll have the Boys andGirls Club singing Christmas
carols.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Very nice.
Speaker 4 (06:11):
AP Vintage is kind enough to be having Santa arrive
in style.
Okay, so City Estates will helpus put on that event as well.
The tree's going to bebeautiful.
We thank Cartner Tree Farms forhelping us get a tree.
We were worried about that.
This year they also put a treein the White House, that's right
.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
In the blue room.
Yeah, we were talking aboutthat this morning.
I was letting Brooke know onour team that Cartners live here
in Statesville.
You want me to keep?
Speaker 4 (06:40):
going.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
December 5th is a big night, but you guys really roll
out the red carpet literallyfor the holiday shop and stroll,
and I know that's what you guysare focused on.
But then you know, maybe,richard, we can talk about Santa
Central and City Hall a littlebit too.
Speaker 4 (06:54):
Yeah, that is a part.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Yeah, yeah, let's go straight into that, Okay.
Speaker 4 (06:58):
So yeah, our Christmas spectacular holiday
shop and stroll is a huge nightfor us and we're really pulling
out the stops.
This year we're kind ofswitching things up a little bit
and creating a little festivalarea in addition to everything
downtown.
We are blocking off down infront of Mitchell College where
(07:19):
we do our Friday After Fiveconcerts and making it kind of a
little special area where we'reputting the train.
Little blue chew, He'll be backthat night.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
We'll put him down there yeah.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
Wow, yeah, we liked that train.
I've never gotten to ride it.
I think this is the year foryou.
I think I'm going to get someextra volunteers so I can sneak
down there and hop on the train,and because everybody's hooting
and hollering down there, soI'm going to check it out.
We also have the StatesvilleFire Department, so it's just
not a kiddie train, oh no, youcan hop on.
(07:51):
Okay, the Statesville FireDepartment is going to be down
there doing our s'mores againthis year.
So again we thank them and thecity for helping us put that
together.
They are free.
You can go down there.
You get a little s'mores kitand your stick and have a good
old time.
We're going to have a musicsetup.
I think you're helping us withthat, richard.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
Sure yep.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
So that's going to be fun down there.
We'll have the snow machinegoing, you can be taking
pictures, and we might have acouple other things down there.
I've got a few ideas up mysleeve so we'll see what else I
can get down there, that'sawesome.
And so, in addition to thatyou've got, we'll have carolers
Victorian carolers walkingaround singing for you.
(08:30):
We have a live activity atFirst ARP.
They're wonderful.
They do two shows.
They do an amazing job At 630and 730.
We're going to have selfiestations set up around.
We do one at City Hall.
We're going to have maybesomething special out in front
of Steve Hill's new museum.
He's planning on being openthat night, so we're really
(08:52):
excited about that.
We've got the open house at theSharp House.
He does a magnificent job ofdecorating the gardens behind
the house and he'll have hotcocoa and treats that you can
get down there.
Of course, all of our shops aregoing to be open and decorated
and beautiful.
We have the Holly Jolly Trolleygoing around and on the trolley
(09:16):
we're going to have CenterStage Alliance doing Polar
Express oh, very cool.
And they're going to have theirspace open as well, doing some
shows in there.
So they will be a trolley stopso you can ride and see them on
the trolley and then you canstop and go in and see some
performances in their space aswell, not to miss kickoff to the
holiday season in downtown.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
Statesville, North Carolina.
I feel like I'm forgettingsomething.
Well you haven't talked aboutSanta at City Hall.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
Well, I think that you want to talk about that
right.
Speaker 3 (09:45):
Well, I don't know much more than that.
Santa will be at City Hall andI believe the Recreation
Department will set up SantaCentral and we'll have a kid's
craft and cookie decorating.
Speaker 4 (09:54):
You do a craft and, yeah, santa's there taking
pictures.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Um, To clarify, it's not Richard's project.
I think April does most of thatwork.
She absolutely does.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
Thank you, april, we're support staff.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
Yeah, there you go.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
Support staff.
Yeah, but it's a good time,it's nice.
City Hall is always decoratedbeautifully for Christmas.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
Keith from the Sharp House decorates the City Hall.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
But come see Santa.
Have your picture made withSanta.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
Absolutely yeah, make a craft.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
Yeah, they do a great job.
Speaker 4 (10:23):
So I'm looking forward to it.
We have something on all sidesof Statesville downtown that
night.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
Well, thank you for your hard work too.
I mean, I know you've got acommittee, but mainly—.
Speaker 4 (10:33):
I call it Christmas shenanigans.
Speaker 2 (10:35):
Yeah well.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
Thank you for your hard work to bring that for the
community.
It's very much appreciated.
Speaker 4 (10:41):
We can't wait.
The best part is seeingeverybody out and about.
I do believe the Grinch isgoing to make an appearance
again as well, so he's alwaysfun to take pictures with.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Richard was available .
You are no fun today.
Speaker 4 (10:53):
He's too hairy, he's too hairy to be the Grinch.
I love Christmas.
I am not a Grinch.
Speaker 3 (10:57):
I love the holiday season.
I usually get to pick on.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
Richard.
He's being very serious today,it's because you locked him out.
No, is that what it is?
So?
Speaker 3 (11:07):
also on this same night, just on the edge of
downtown, at Macra Auditorium,there will be a performance of
the Nutcracker Ballet, which isone of those holiday staples as
well.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
It is.
Everybody looks forward to itevery year.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
That's right.
So Nutcracker Ballet ticketsare $10, $5 for children in
advance.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
Yeah, more at the door, and I mean there's time,
the way the timing everythingfalls.
You could do a little bit ofboth.
You can do it all.
Yeah, you can do it all.
And then our friends over atGreasy's Garden on December 7th
the next day are having theirannual Rocky Ridge Holiday Craft
event, which is part of theNorthern Iredell Holiday Crawl.
They do this every year.
(11:49):
Greachy's Garden is one of ourUPIC partners that do muscadine
grapes during grape season andthey also do blackberries.
But they're a great partner andthey have been doing this event
very successfully for years.
So if you want some handmadecraft gifts, that's a good place
to go.
Speaker 3 (12:07):
Awesome, yep.
Also on the 7th as well as the14th, the Statesville Police
Department will be set up at thelocal Walmart for their
fill-the-trailer toy drive.
This is an initiative they doevery year.
They collect a ton of toys thatget redistributed to kids
locally.
So if you're out that way atthat shopping center, drop by
and drop off a toy.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
And if you are not out that way, I believe you can
go to the toy drive that's beengoing on.
Speaker 3 (12:35):
It started at Pumpkin Fest weekend.
It started at Pumpkin.
Speaker 1 (12:37):
Fest weekend and was very successful.
But they also have an Amazonwish list.
I mean, we want you to shoplocal and go local for your toys
, but if there's something veryspecific you're looking for or
you don't have time to make itout for this event, you can go
on the Amazon wish list and be apart of that.
So there's many ways toparticipate.
Speaker 4 (12:54):
I think there's a couple of downtown businesses
that have boxes also.
Okay.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
Good.
Speaker 3 (12:59):
No shortage of opportunities to do it yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
That's all on the city's website too,
statesfuldncnet, so you can gocheck that out.
And then also on December 7thgosh, it's a busy, busy weekend
Statesville Dance and PerformingArts is presenting Tis the
Season back at Macrae Auditorium.
So a Christmas show for thewhole family, also a ticketed
(13:22):
event.
So make sure you get thosetickets.
But that's December 7th at 2 pm.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
That's right.
Also on the 7th Imperial MuayThai up on Turnersburg Highway
is hosting a Christmas punch andpaint.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
That's where I'm going, seriously.
And that's not punch like youdrank, that's punch like Muay
Thai.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
That's right, that's right.
You get to paint a customornament, they'll have snacks,
santa will be there, all kindsof stuff, yeah, and you do need
to purchase tickets for that.
So go look up Imperial MuayThai and get your ticket in
advance.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
That's cool that small businesses are leaning in
and thinking outside of the boxand coming up with events like
that, yeah, nice.
On the 7th, on the Grinch, Iwill so you guys remember when
we had the team from Blake Farmhere.
They do amazing events out atBlake Farm Family Resort and
(14:11):
also on December 7th, from 5 to9, they're having Blake's
Christmas, so they're going tohave food treks.
Elsa and Anna, the Grinch is onthe move.
The Grinch is going to head outto.
Anna, elsa and Anna.
I know where they're from.
I need Brooke up here talkingabout that, but over 100,000
(14:31):
Christmas lights is going to bethe coolest thing that's awesome
.
So it's $10 a person, so checkthat out at Blake's Blake Farms.
And then, Liz, we got somethingelse cool happening downtown,
right.
Speaker 4 (14:42):
I know.
Another favorite of mine is theStatesville Christmas Parade,
so that is on Sunday, december8th.
It's proudly presented by the30th Masonic District of North
Carolina.
It starts at 3 pm, so come ondown.
That's always a really fun timeand you can see the parade.
People are always calling usasking how to sign up, so that
(15:05):
is, you can go on, gosh.
You can go on our website andget information.
You can go on.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
It's paradestatesflancycom.
Yeah, you can pretty much goanywhere and link to it.
Speaker 4 (15:15):
You can Google it and you can find it very, very easy
, but that's always a fun time.
Speaker 3 (15:21):
And just about anybody can sign up, right yeah.
Speaker 4 (15:23):
To drive afloat.
Yeah, yeah, if there's a smallfee.
Speaker 3 (15:25):
Scout troop or whatever you can sign up.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
Yeah, I think you might have a couple more days
before the cutoff, but there hehas had lots of vendors sign up
this year.
The city has afloat this year.
I understand that's right andthere might be some surprises.
Speaker 4 (15:39):
People start calling our office in July to get in the
parade and we do have quite afew of our businesses do open up
on that Sunday, so you can do alittle shopping and get there
early.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
I mean, the parade draws a lot of people to
downtown, so anticipate that,get there early, figure out
where to park.
The streets will be closed andthings like that, so don't roll
out at 2.55 and be like, oh,let's head to the parade.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
Straight 55 and be like oh, let's head to the
parade, straight up.
It starts down at the bottom ofcenter right.
Speaker 4 (16:03):
It comes straight up All the way to high school, yeah
.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
Okay, yep, and shout out to John Campbell.
He owns Beaver Lock and Key.
He's a locksmith here in townand he is a member of the Masons
, but he spearheads this eventor at least has for the past
couple years Past few years,yeah and does a great job.
So thank you, john, for yourhard work and dedication to that
.
But another market, anotheropportunity to shop, is at the
(16:29):
Statesville Women's Club onDecember 11th, the Leading
Ladies Mistletoe Market, and allthe proceeds from this market
are going to go support FifthStreet Ministries and my
Sister's House here locally.
So be sure and put that on yourcalendar, december 11th, from 5
to 8.
Speaker 4 (16:46):
Chamber of Commerce is doing that.
And they've got some reallycool vendors coming in for this
oh good yeah, so that'll be fun.
Speaker 1 (16:52):
You don't want to miss that Awesome.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
On December, the 12th , the City of Statesville
partners with Opus FinancialAdvisors and brings the
Greensboro Symphony Orchestra tothe Civic Center advisors and
brings the Greensboro SymphonyOrchestra to the Civic Center.
We've been hosting a holidaypops symphony type event for as
long as I've been with the city.
We've been working with theGreensboro Symphony Orchestra
for probably coming up on 10years and it's really great.
(17:15):
It's a lot of fun.
It's high energy.
If you would not think that thesymphony would be your thing, I
promise it's probably more funthan you anticipate.
Speaker 1 (17:23):
Are there still some tickets available?
There are tickets available.
Speaker 3 (17:26):
If you purchase eight tickets, you could reserve a
table if you've got a group thatyou want to bring along with
you.
But it's a lot of fun.
There's usually a sing-along.
It's just a really fun sort ofway to kind of get in that
holiday spirit.
And it's an all-ages thing.
Kids will enjoy it as well.
Speaker 4 (17:40):
Oh good, bring some cash, because the bar proceeds
are going to Leadership.
Speaker 3 (17:47):
Statesville.
That's right, there's always acash bar and the folks from
Leadership Statesville staffthat bar to raise money for
their project, which this yearis to support my sister's house.
So a great project and they'llhave information on that, but a
really cool family event.
Speaker 4 (18:01):
My child is in that program.
Speaker 3 (18:02):
I'm aware I a really cool family event.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
My child is in that program this year.
I'm so proud of him.
He's not a child anymore, Mom.
I know my young man.
Speaker 1 (18:09):
Yeah, yeah.
So that's great.
You don't want to miss out onthat if you have not seen it
before, because it does sell out, right, richard?
Speaker 3 (18:15):
Yeah, it sort of can yep.
Speaker 1 (18:18):
Yep, and so PT Marvels continuing to bring us
great things on December.
They've actually got fourshowings December 13th, 14th and
20th and 21st, so two weekendsin a row.
Twas a death before Christmas,chilling murder mystery dinner.
So theater performance out atPT Marvels.
(18:38):
So that's at 316 Sharon SchoolRoad and the shows will be from
630 to 845 pm.
But definitely something tocheck out this holiday season
Awesome.
Speaker 3 (18:48):
On the 14th out at Westward Farms, they'll be
hosting Christmas on the Farmand they'll have Santa live,
animals, crafts, s'mores, cookiedecorating, local vendors, food
and all the other things thatmake for a great afternoon $10 a
person.
So go check out Christmas onthe farm.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
Yeah, thanks Westward Farms.
So, Liz, another growing thingthat's happening because of the
merchants downtown Tell us.
We've talked about it a lot,but do you tell us about it?
Speaker 4 (19:15):
So our merchants have gotten together and formed a
little merchant association,which has been a great thing.
They're getting to know eachother and they're starting these
collaborative things.
So on the second Saturday ofevery month they're doing a
second Saturday sidewalk stroll,where they kind of have a theme
every month and they'rebringing in pop up vendors,
(19:36):
they're doing specials, they'redoing buy something from one
place and get something free ordiscounted at another place,
like buy something at theMercantile Unbroad and get a
free beer at Red Buffalo orsomething like that, you know.
So in December it's December14th.
It's just another great way tocome downtown, support your
local merchants, grab a socialdistrict beverage and walk
(20:00):
around and shop and have a greattime.
Speaker 1 (20:03):
Well, yeah, you open the door on that.
You got to tell us what thesocial district is now.
Speaker 4 (20:06):
Oh well, I love the social district.
So the social district is a waylike you can purchase an
alcoholic beverage.
They give you a nice littlesticker and you can walk around
with it outside and shop.
You finish that beverage andyou can walk into another place
and have another nice littlebeverage and walk around with it
.
You'll see a sticker on thedoor that says hey, a social
(20:29):
beverage drink can be purchasedhere.
Or you can walk into storesthat do not serve alcohol with
your beverage if it has asticker that says beverage is
allowed here.
So there are some places thatdon't allow it, but most of them
do.
Speaker 1 (20:41):
Yeah, we've got it going on in Statesville, north
Carolina, folks.
Pretty cool thing, yeah.
But the Full Bloom FilmFestival always keeping us going
with their films, and inDecember they're going to
showcase the Gremlins for us.
I love the Gremlins.
Speaker 4 (20:58):
Holiday classic Gremlins Fantastic, mayhem,
troublesome creatures.
I love Gremlins Fantastic.
Speaker 1 (21:01):
Mayhem Troublesome Creatures.
I love Gremlins.
So that is December 17th.
Speaker 3 (21:06):
How long has it been since you've seen Gremlins?
It's scarier than you recall.
Five years, five years maybe.
Speaker 4 (21:12):
Yeah, I wasn't just saying that I love that movie.
I watched it pretty recentlytoo.
Speaker 3 (21:17):
It's scarier than I think most people remember if
they haven't seen them in like25 years.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
They're not as cute as you thought they were.
The first time you saw it, Ithought they were cute.
Well before they got wet Right.
Speaker 3 (21:27):
Right.
Speaker 1 (21:27):
And then they're scary.
Speaker 3 (21:29):
I mean it's a scary.
So bring the kids and come out.
It's a good time.
Yeah absolutely Okay.
So on the 20th the Recreationand Parks Department will be
hosting our annual holiday event, which this year is themed as
Jack's Holiday Nightmare.
So we always will have somecrafts and activities and
different things out at theFitness and Activity Center and
(21:50):
then we'll screen a film, whichthis year is the Nightmare
Before Christmas, which isanother great holiday movie, tim
Burton.
I'm not sure if you guys haveseen that, but really good time.
This is a fully free event forthe family, so come out to the
Fitness and Activity Center onthe 20th.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
Thank you guys for doing that for us.
And then, liz, I know um you,there's a place right on the
outside of downtown that doesamazing things, and um, tell us
a little bit about what's goingon at the sharp house, and just
the sharp house overall, forpeople who may not know about it
so the historic sharp house isan amazing place place and you
can host events there.
Speaker 4 (22:24):
He does a lot of wedding receptions and things
like that, but what he does, hedoes at least quarterly, if not
more often.
He does these very these teasand they're very authentic teas.
So if you ever watch DowntonAbbey, downton Alley, what was
that Downton Abbey, I think it'sAbbey.
I never watched it, I justcouldn't get into it, but I know
(22:46):
the premise of it.
It reminds me of the BiltmoreHouse kind of thing, but it's
very, very much like that.
He has footmen, he has theseyoung men that go through his
program and they learn how toserve, how to do manners, and
they will serve you thisbeautiful tea.
He is having one.
What's the date on it?
December 28th, yep 28th.
Speaker 3 (23:07):
I would assume those sell out too right.
I assume those sell out.
Speaker 4 (23:10):
Most of them do yes, so he's having his New Year's
tea, so if you've never been toone, it's such a nice thing to
do, especially if you haveyounger children.
They love it.
They love going and beingserved and fancy, and you get to
put your pinky out and so thosetickets are on sale.
You can go to his Facebook pageor his website.
(23:33):
Just look for the HistoricSharp House.
That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
Yeah, thank you, keith and the team over there
for all you do for that.
And then Richard closing us out.
We got something prettyexciting happening this year.
Speaker 3 (23:44):
Yeah, so this is the 25th anniversary of the
Statesville Civic Center.
It opened on December 31st 1999, 2000 switch Yep.
So we're really excited tocelebrate the 25th anniversary
of that facility and all thegreat things it's done for
downtown and for this community.
And so we haven't in years thecity has not in years hosted a
(24:06):
New Year's event.
But we are this year and we'regoing to have the Insomniacs
sort of kick things off,entertainment wise, and then
Inspire so two great local bandsentertaining us that night.
There'll be heavy horsd'oeuvres, there'll be a cash
bar that DSTC and the Chamberare partnering on we are and
There'll be a cash bar that DSTCand the Chamber are partnering
on we are and some other thingsthere.
But it'll just be a really coolopportunity to come out and
(24:28):
celebrate, you know, bring inthe New Year's with the local
community at our local communityevent space.
Yeah, congratulations to theCivic Center and so tickets are
on sale for that now they're $40.
And we will hopefully ideallybe working with you guys as well
and sort of encourage everyoneto just come spend all of New
Year's here in downtown states,you know, get a dinner
reservation at one of our localestablishments, come to the New
(24:50):
Year's event and just really,really spend the whole evening
here in downtown.
Speaker 4 (24:53):
Yeah, we're encouraging our shops to stay
open a little bit later that day, too Great.
Speaker 1 (24:57):
Yeah, and I'm sure there'll be some after we have
lots of nightlife.
For when, when, the when?
That party's ever keep going.
That's right.
Speaker 4 (25:04):
Red buffalo or delaney's I'm sure it's a
tuesday night, so there'll be.
There'll be plenty of placesopen for, yeah, a little little
extra, extra.
Speaker 1 (25:13):
Yeah, absolutely well .
Thank thank you so much forbeing with us thank you for
having today liz and always fun.
Um, folks, it's the season ofthanks.
We hope you have an amazing,blessed, blessed Thanksgiving
this week, and then don't missout on all the great holiday
festivities happening right herein Statesville, north Carolina.
We appreciate you.
Happy holidays.
Speaker 2 (25:33):
Thank you for joining Discover Statesville.
You can email us at discover atstatesvillenccom.
Check us out on Facebook atDiscover Statesville, nc hashtag
Discover Statesville and ourwebsite, statesvillenccom.
Catch us next week as wecontinue on our journey to
uncover the hidden gems,culinary adventures,
entertainment, and to beinspired and enlightened as we
(25:57):
Discover Statesville.
Tis the season in Statesville, north Carolina.
Tune in now, as we're joined byLiz Petrie, community
Engagement Manager for DowntownStatesville.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Welcome to Discover Statesville, the show that takes
you on a captivating journeythrough the heart of one of
North Carolina's most charmingtowns.
Speaker 3 (00:15):
Welcome back to Discover Statesville.
Today, we're joined by LizPetrie, the Community Engagement
Manager with DowntownStatesville Development Liz, how
are you?
I'm great.
Speaker 4 (00:23):
How are you?
Speaker 3 (00:23):
I'm doing great Welcome back with.
Speaker 4 (00:25):
Downtown Statesville Development.
Liz, how are?
Speaker 3 (00:26):
you?
I'm great.
How are you?
I'm doing great.
Welcome back.
Thanks for having me, thanksfor being here, thanks for
making time today, busy holidayseason coming up.
Speaker 4 (00:30):
Absolutely Lots going on.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Outstanding.
So what's first?
What's on tap first?
Speaker 4 (00:41):
Well, we always kick off the holiday season with
Small Business Saturday andthat's what I consider kind of
the beginning of the shoppingseason, even though some people
probably start shopping before.
But we like to say in downtownthat that's really the kickoff
for us.
So DSDC, downtown StatesvilleDevelopment, we offer a $100
giveaway of our downtown dollars.
Very cool, you know whatdowntown dollars are.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
I do, but some people listening may not, so I think
you should share that with us.
Speaker 4 (01:06):
So downtown dollars is kind of like a downtown.
It's our own downtown money,and so we do them in increments
of $5, $10, and $20 bills.
Purchase them from us on ourwebsite and you can spend them
at 56 different places indowntown.
That's retail, that'srestaurant, that's places like
Key to Escape.
You can buy tickets to the ArtsCouncil.
You can do all kinds of thingswith those dollars.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
Yeah, great gift.
If you just don't know theperfect gift or can't find the
perfect gift, but want to dosomething nice for somebody,
it's a great thoughtful idea, agreat alternative to your just
standard gift card or somethingRight, yeah, a nice alternative,
yeah it spins just like cash.
Speaker 4 (01:39):
You could even tip with it at the restaurant.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
So go back.
How do you win this?
How do you win the $100?
Speaker 4 (01:44):
So when you go into any of our participating shops,
there's a QR code that you scanwith your purchase, every
purchase.
So if you shop in 10 shops, youget to enter 10 times.
And then, on December 4th, Ibelieve, we are doing a drawing
and you'll get a phone call thatsays, hey, you get $100 in
downtown dollars to spendwherever you like.
(02:04):
Very cool, I'm going to win.
I'm going to win.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
Am I allowed to win?
Speaker 4 (02:08):
You are allowed to win, but that starts this
Saturday.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
Right For Small Business Saturday Small.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
Business Saturday Absolutely Black Friday and
Small Business Saturday you canenter to win Okay, those
downtown dollars.
So come support local when youshop small.
Most of that money stays inyour community.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
So it's very important Just hit pause on your
Christmas shopping.
I'm not one of those peoplethat has my shopping done.
It will be mid-December.
So come downtown, see what youcan find for the people, and
then you fill in the gaps afterthat.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Right, I'm the same way Eat Thanksgiving, then game
on.
I skipped the whole footballprocess that, richard goes
through Missing out, yeah,missing out.
Speaker 4 (02:45):
Make a day of it.
Come downtown.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
Looking forward to it , thank you.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
So then, as we get into December, so I guess one of
the first events that we havecoming up is the Art of Arts
Council Member Art Show.
That's December the 15th.
They monthly do an artistgallery opening reception there,
so that's at 530.
December the 5th Sorry, this isreally cool.
This one's a really cool showbecause it spotlights um local
artists that are members of theart and arts council.
(03:10):
So, um, there's probablyprobably artists in there that
you'll recognize and know whenyou come out.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
So please join us at that free event richard, do you
know, can you buy art at thatart show?
Speaker 3 (03:19):
well, it's up to the artists.
If yes, I mean as long as theartists have artists, art
that're willing to sell you arecertainly welcome to buy art at
that show.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
If someone who is looking for art for Christmas,
that might be a good place to dothat.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
And, based on the list that we have so far of
artists that will be on display,it will be very diverse the
type of art that's being offeredthere.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
Yeah, and you can meet.
Got to give her a shout out,but our Arts Council has a brand
new executive director, MissSydney Koppelmeyer, who you've
seen here with us on the show.
So stop in and congratulateSydney For sure Very exciting.
Absolutely.
And so, Liz, something else isexciting happening that same
night.
Let's talk about that and thenlead into all the great things
(03:58):
that are happening in downtown.
Speaker 4 (03:59):
Yeah, it's very much one of my favorite things that
we do every year at Christmas.
I had a phone call this morningabout it.
Our horse-drawn carriage rides,so we do it the three Thursdays
in December.
We have three beautifulcarriages that come in for us.
So that's the Thursday, the 5th, the 12th and the 19th.
(04:19):
And listen closely becausethese things sell out very fast
Within minutes, right.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
Yes.
Speaker 4 (04:26):
The tickets will go on sale the Tuesday prior.
So for the 5th they'll go onsale the Tuesday the week prior,
which is like— Next Tuesday.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
Yeah, no, today, today yeah.
Speaker 4 (04:40):
So they'll go on sale at 11 am and so right now you
need to be buying your ticketsright now.
The first one always sells outin about 15 hours it takes a
little bit longer.
The second one sells out inabout two hours and the third
one sells out last year in 16minutes, wow.
So it is insane, but it'sbeautiful.
And even if you don't get aride, come down shop.
(05:02):
The shops stay open late onthose nights.
You can see the beautifulwindow displays.
We're having a window displaycontest again, right?
So everybody kind of goes alittle extra and decorates and
you can see the horses, you cansee the Christmas tree, you can
shop.
We will have the.
That is also the night of thetree lighting, the first one,
yeah.
So we'll have the Little BlueChew, we'll have the snow
(05:23):
machines going.
It's going to be a really,really fun night.
So, yeah, let me just go aheadand talk about the tree lighting
too, while we're in it, so,yeah, we'll have the Little Blue
Chew, which is this crazy funguy that drives this Little Blue
Choo Choo train around theparking lot at Griffin Insurance
.
Griffin is an amazing Christmassponsor for us and the
(05:46):
Statesville Civic Centeractually helps us pay for that
train too.
We want to give them a shoutout.
They have an event going on sowe don't get to drive the train
at the Civic Center, but we doappreciate them sponsoring with
us.
And again, the stores will stayopen.
So, Mr Cutay, Mayor Cutay willnot be with us this year, so
Councilman David Jones is goingto help us light the tree.
(06:06):
Okay, We'll have the Boys andGirls Club singing Christmas
carols.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Very nice.
Speaker 4 (06:11):
AP Vintage is kind enough to be having Santa arrive
in style.
Okay, so City Estates will helpus put on that event as well.
The tree's going to bebeautiful.
We thank Cartner Tree Farms forhelping us get a tree.
We were worried about that.
This year they also put a treein the White House, that's right
.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
In the blue room.
Yeah, we were talking aboutthat this morning.
I was letting Brooke know onour team that Cartners live here
in Statesville.
You want me to keep?
Speaker 4 (06:40):
going.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
December 5th is a big night, but you guys really roll
out the red carpet literallyfor the holiday shop and stroll,
and I know that's what you guysare focused on.
But then you know, maybe,richard, we can talk about Santa
Central and City Hall a littlebit too.
Speaker 4 (06:54):
Yeah, that is a part.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Yeah, yeah, let's go straight into that, Okay.
Speaker 4 (06:58):
So yeah, our Christmas spectacular holiday
shop and stroll is a huge nightfor us and we're really pulling
out the stops.
This year we're kind ofswitching things up a little bit
and creating a little festivalarea in addition to everything
downtown.
We are blocking off down infront of Mitchell College where
(07:19):
we do our Friday After Fiveconcerts and making it kind of a
little special area where we'reputting the train.
Little blue chew, He'll be backthat night.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
We'll put him down there yeah.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
Wow, yeah, we liked that train.
I've never gotten to ride it.
I think this is the year foryou.
I think I'm going to get someextra volunteers so I can sneak
down there and hop on the train,and because everybody's hooting
and hollering down there, soI'm going to check it out.
We also have the StatesvilleFire Department, so it's just
not a kiddie train, oh no, youcan hop on.
(07:51):
Okay, the Statesville FireDepartment is going to be down
there doing our s'mores againthis year.
So again we thank them and thecity for helping us put that
together.
They are free.
You can go down there.
You get a little s'mores kitand your stick and have a good
old time.
We're going to have a musicsetup.
I think you're helping us withthat, richard.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
Sure yep.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
So that's going to be fun down there.
We'll have the snow machinegoing, you can be taking
pictures, and we might have acouple other things down there.
I've got a few ideas up mysleeve so we'll see what else I
can get down there, that'sawesome.
And so, in addition to thatyou've got, we'll have carolers
Victorian carolers walkingaround singing for you.
(08:30):
We have a live activity atFirst ARP.
They're wonderful.
They do two shows.
They do an amazing job At 630and 730.
We're going to have selfiestations set up around.
We do one at City Hall.
We're going to have maybesomething special out in front
of Steve Hill's new museum.
He's planning on being openthat night, so we're really
(08:52):
excited about that.
We've got the open house at theSharp House.
He does a magnificent job ofdecorating the gardens behind
the house and he'll have hotcocoa and treats that you can
get down there.
Of course, all of our shops aregoing to be open and decorated
and beautiful.
We have the Holly Jolly Trolleygoing around and on the trolley
(09:16):
we're going to have CenterStage Alliance doing Polar
Express oh, very cool.
And they're going to have theirspace open as well, doing some
shows in there.
So they will be a trolley stopso you can ride and see them on
the trolley and then you canstop and go in and see some
performances in their space aswell, not to miss kickoff to the
holiday season in downtown.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
Statesville, North Carolina.
I feel like I'm forgettingsomething.
Well you haven't talked aboutSanta at City Hall.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
Well, I think that you want to talk about that
right.
Speaker 3 (09:45):
Well, I don't know much more than that.
Santa will be at City Hall andI believe the Recreation
Department will set up SantaCentral and we'll have a kid's
craft and cookie decorating.
Speaker 4 (09:54):
You do a craft and, yeah, santa's there taking
pictures.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Um, To clarify, it's not Richard's project.
I think April does most of thatwork.
She absolutely does.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
Thank you, april, we're support staff.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
Yeah, there you go.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
Support staff.
Yeah, but it's a good time,it's nice.
City Hall is always decoratedbeautifully for Christmas.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
Keith from the Sharp House decorates the City Hall.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
But come see Santa.
Have your picture made withSanta.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
Absolutely yeah, make a craft.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
Yeah, they do a great job.
Speaker 4 (10:23):
So I'm looking forward to it.
We have something on all sidesof Statesville downtown that
night.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
Well, thank you for your hard work too.
I mean, I know you've got acommittee, but mainly—.
Speaker 4 (10:33):
I call it Christmas shenanigans.
Speaker 2 (10:35):
Yeah well.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
Thank you for your hard work to bring that for the
community.
It's very much appreciated.
Speaker 4 (10:41):
We can't wait.
The best part is seeingeverybody out and about.
I do believe the Grinch isgoing to make an appearance
again as well, so he's alwaysfun to take pictures with.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Richard was available .
You are no fun today.
Speaker 4 (10:53):
He's too hairy, he's too hairy to be the Grinch.
I love Christmas.
I am not a Grinch.
Speaker 3 (10:57):
I love the holiday season.
I usually get to pick on.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
Richard.
He's being very serious today,it's because you locked him out.
No, is that what it is?
So?
Speaker 3 (11:07):
also on this same night, just on the edge of
downtown, at Macra Auditorium,there will be a performance of
the Nutcracker Ballet, which isone of those holiday staples as
well.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
It is.
Everybody looks forward to itevery year.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
That's right.
So Nutcracker Ballet ticketsare $10, $5 for children in
advance.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
Yeah, more at the door, and I mean there's time,
the way the timing everythingfalls.
You could do a little bit ofboth.
You can do it all.
Yeah, you can do it all.
And then our friends over atGreasy's Garden on December 7th
the next day are having theirannual Rocky Ridge Holiday Craft
event, which is part of theNorthern Iredell Holiday Crawl.
They do this every year.
(11:49):
Greachy's Garden is one of ourUPIC partners that do muscadine
grapes during grape season andthey also do blackberries.
But they're a great partner andthey have been doing this event
very successfully for years.
So if you want some handmadecraft gifts, that's a good place
to go.
Speaker 3 (12:07):
Awesome, yep.
Also on the 7th as well as the14th, the Statesville Police
Department will be set up at thelocal Walmart for their
fill-the-trailer toy drive.
This is an initiative they doevery year.
They collect a ton of toys thatget redistributed to kids
locally.
So if you're out that way atthat shopping center, drop by
and drop off a toy.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
And if you are not out that way, I believe you can
go to the toy drive that's beengoing on.
Speaker 3 (12:35):
It started at Pumpkin Fest weekend.
It started at Pumpkin.
Speaker 1 (12:37):
Fest weekend and was very successful.
But they also have an Amazonwish list.
I mean, we want you to shoplocal and go local for your toys
, but if there's something veryspecific you're looking for or
you don't have time to make itout for this event, you can go
on the Amazon wish list and be apart of that.
So there's many ways toparticipate.
Speaker 4 (12:54):
I think there's a couple of downtown businesses
that have boxes also.
Okay.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
Good.
Speaker 3 (12:59):
No shortage of opportunities to do it yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
That's all on the city's website too,
statesfuldncnet, so you can gocheck that out.
And then also on December 7thgosh, it's a busy, busy weekend
Statesville Dance and PerformingArts is presenting Tis the
Season back at Macrae Auditorium.
So a Christmas show for thewhole family, also a ticketed
(13:22):
event.
So make sure you get thosetickets.
But that's December 7th at 2 pm.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
That's right.
Also on the 7th Imperial MuayThai up on Turnersburg Highway
is hosting a Christmas punch andpaint.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
That's where I'm going, seriously.
And that's not punch like youdrank, that's punch like Muay
Thai.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
That's right, that's right.
You get to paint a customornament, they'll have snacks,
santa will be there, all kindsof stuff, yeah, and you do need
to purchase tickets for that.
So go look up Imperial MuayThai and get your ticket in
advance.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
That's cool that small businesses are leaning in
and thinking outside of the boxand coming up with events like
that, yeah, nice.
On the 7th, on the Grinch, Iwill so you guys remember when
we had the team from Blake Farmhere.
They do amazing events out atBlake Farm Family Resort and
(14:11):
also on December 7th, from 5 to9, they're having Blake's
Christmas, so they're going tohave food treks.
Elsa and Anna, the Grinch is onthe move.
The Grinch is going to head outto.
Anna, elsa and Anna.
I know where they're from.
I need Brooke up here talkingabout that, but over 100,000
(14:31):
Christmas lights is going to bethe coolest thing that's awesome
.
So it's $10 a person, so checkthat out at Blake's Blake Farms.
And then, Liz, we got somethingelse cool happening downtown,
right.
Speaker 4 (14:42):
I know.
Another favorite of mine is theStatesville Christmas Parade,
so that is on Sunday, december8th.
It's proudly presented by the30th Masonic District of North
Carolina.
It starts at 3 pm, so come ondown.
That's always a really fun timeand you can see the parade.
People are always calling usasking how to sign up, so that
(15:05):
is, you can go on, gosh.
You can go on our website andget information.
You can go on.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
It's paradestatesflancycom.
Yeah, you can pretty much goanywhere and link to it.
Speaker 4 (15:15):
You can Google it and you can find it very, very easy
, but that's always a fun time.
Speaker 3 (15:21):
And just about anybody can sign up, right yeah.
Speaker 4 (15:23):
To drive afloat.
Yeah, yeah, if there's a smallfee.
Speaker 3 (15:25):
Scout troop or whatever you can sign up.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
Yeah, I think you might have a couple more days
before the cutoff, but there hehas had lots of vendors sign up
this year.
The city has afloat this year.
I understand that's right andthere might be some surprises.
Speaker 4 (15:39):
People start calling our office in July to get in the
parade and we do have quite afew of our businesses do open up
on that Sunday, so you can do alittle shopping and get there
early.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
I mean, the parade draws a lot of people to
downtown, so anticipate that,get there early, figure out
where to park.
The streets will be closed andthings like that, so don't roll
out at 2.55 and be like, oh,let's head to the parade.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
Straight 55 and be like oh, let's head to the
parade, straight up.
It starts down at the bottom ofcenter right.
Speaker 4 (16:03):
It comes straight up All the way to high school, yeah
.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
Okay, yep, and shout out to John Campbell.
He owns Beaver Lock and Key.
He's a locksmith here in townand he is a member of the Masons
, but he spearheads this eventor at least has for the past
couple years Past few years,yeah and does a great job.
So thank you, john, for yourhard work and dedication to that
.
But another market, anotheropportunity to shop, is at the
(16:29):
Statesville Women's Club onDecember 11th, the Leading
Ladies Mistletoe Market, and allthe proceeds from this market
are going to go support FifthStreet Ministries and my
Sister's House here locally.
So be sure and put that on yourcalendar, december 11th, from 5
to 8.
Speaker 4 (16:46):
Chamber of Commerce is doing that.
And they've got some reallycool vendors coming in for this
oh good yeah, so that'll be fun.
Speaker 1 (16:52):
You don't want to miss that Awesome.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
On December, the 12th , the City of Statesville
partners with Opus FinancialAdvisors and brings the
Greensboro Symphony Orchestra tothe Civic Center advisors and
brings the Greensboro SymphonyOrchestra to the Civic Center.
We've been hosting a holidaypops symphony type event for as
long as I've been with the city.
We've been working with theGreensboro Symphony Orchestra
for probably coming up on 10years and it's really great.
(17:15):
It's a lot of fun.
It's high energy.
If you would not think that thesymphony would be your thing, I
promise it's probably more funthan you anticipate.
Speaker 1 (17:23):
Are there still some tickets available?
There are tickets available.
Speaker 3 (17:26):
If you purchase eight tickets, you could reserve a
table if you've got a group thatyou want to bring along with
you.
But it's a lot of fun.
There's usually a sing-along.
It's just a really fun sort ofway to kind of get in that
holiday spirit.
And it's an all-ages thing.
Kids will enjoy it as well.
Speaker 4 (17:40):
Oh good, bring some cash, because the bar proceeds
are going to Leadership.
Speaker 3 (17:47):
Statesville.
That's right, there's always acash bar and the folks from
Leadership Statesville staffthat bar to raise money for
their project, which this yearis to support my sister's house.
So a great project and they'llhave information on that, but a
really cool family event.
Speaker 4 (18:01):
My child is in that program.
Speaker 3 (18:02):
I'm aware I a really cool family event.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
My child is in that program this year.
I'm so proud of him.
He's not a child anymore, Mom.
I know my young man.
Speaker 1 (18:09):
Yeah, yeah.
So that's great.
You don't want to miss out onthat if you have not seen it
before, because it does sell out, right, richard?
Speaker 3 (18:15):
Yeah, it sort of can yep.
Speaker 1 (18:18):
Yep, and so PT Marvels continuing to bring us
great things on December.
They've actually got fourshowings December 13th, 14th and
20th and 21st, so two weekendsin a row.
Twas a death before Christmas,chilling murder mystery dinner.
So theater performance out atPT Marvels.
(18:38):
So that's at 316 Sharon SchoolRoad and the shows will be from
630 to 845 pm.
But definitely something tocheck out this holiday season
Awesome.
Speaker 3 (18:48):
On the 14th out at Westward Farms, they'll be
hosting Christmas on the Farmand they'll have Santa live,
animals, crafts, s'mores, cookiedecorating, local vendors, food
and all the other things thatmake for a great afternoon $10 a
person.
So go check out Christmas onthe farm.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
Yeah, thanks Westward Farms.
So, Liz, another growing thingthat's happening because of the
merchants downtown Tell us.
We've talked about it a lot,but do you tell us about it?
Speaker 4 (19:15):
So our merchants have gotten together and formed a
little merchant association,which has been a great thing.
They're getting to know eachother and they're starting these
collaborative things.
So on the second Saturday ofevery month they're doing a
second Saturday sidewalk stroll,where they kind of have a theme
every month and they'rebringing in pop up vendors,
(19:36):
they're doing specials, they'redoing buy something from one
place and get something free ordiscounted at another place,
like buy something at theMercantile Unbroad and get a
free beer at Red Buffalo orsomething like that, you know.
So in December it's December14th.
It's just another great way tocome downtown, support your
local merchants, grab a socialdistrict beverage and walk
(20:00):
around and shop and have a greattime.
Speaker 1 (20:03):
Well, yeah, you open the door on that.
You got to tell us what thesocial district is now.
Speaker 4 (20:06):
Oh well, I love the social district.
So the social district is a waylike you can purchase an
alcoholic beverage.
They give you a nice littlesticker and you can walk around
with it outside and shop.
You finish that beverage andyou can walk into another place
and have another nice littlebeverage and walk around with it
.
You'll see a sticker on thedoor that says hey, a social
(20:29):
beverage drink can be purchasedhere.
Or you can walk into storesthat do not serve alcohol with
your beverage if it has asticker that says beverage is
allowed here.
So there are some places thatdon't allow it, but most of them
do.
Speaker 1 (20:41):
Yeah, we've got it going on in Statesville, north
Carolina, folks.
Pretty cool thing, yeah.
But the Full Bloom FilmFestival always keeping us going
with their films, and inDecember they're going to
showcase the Gremlins for us.
I love the Gremlins.
Speaker 4 (20:58):
Holiday classic Gremlins Fantastic, mayhem,
troublesome creatures.
I love Gremlins Fantastic.
Speaker 1 (21:01):
Mayhem Troublesome Creatures.
I love Gremlins.
So that is December 17th.
Speaker 3 (21:06):
How long has it been since you've seen Gremlins?
It's scarier than you recall.
Five years, five years maybe.
Speaker 4 (21:12):
Yeah, I wasn't just saying that I love that movie.
I watched it pretty recentlytoo.
Speaker 3 (21:17):
It's scarier than I think most people remember if
they haven't seen them in like25 years.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
They're not as cute as you thought they were.
The first time you saw it, Ithought they were cute.
Well before they got wet Right.
Speaker 3 (21:27):
Right.
Speaker 1 (21:27):
And then they're scary.
Speaker 3 (21:29):
I mean it's a scary.
So bring the kids and come out.
It's a good time.
Yeah absolutely Okay.
So on the 20th the Recreationand Parks Department will be
hosting our annual holiday event, which this year is themed as
Jack's Holiday Nightmare.
So we always will have somecrafts and activities and
different things out at theFitness and Activity Center and
(21:50):
then we'll screen a film, whichthis year is the Nightmare
Before Christmas, which isanother great holiday movie, tim
Burton.
I'm not sure if you guys haveseen that, but really good time.
This is a fully free event forthe family, so come out to the
Fitness and Activity Center onthe 20th.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
Thank you guys for doing that for us.
And then, liz, I know um you,there's a place right on the
outside of downtown that doesamazing things, and um, tell us
a little bit about what's goingon at the sharp house, and just
the sharp house overall, forpeople who may not know about it
so the historic sharp house isan amazing place place and you
can host events there.
Speaker 4 (22:24):
He does a lot of wedding receptions and things
like that, but what he does, hedoes at least quarterly, if not
more often.
He does these very these teasand they're very authentic teas.
So if you ever watch DowntonAbbey, downton Alley, what was
that Downton Abbey, I think it'sAbbey.
I never watched it, I justcouldn't get into it, but I know
(22:46):
the premise of it.
It reminds me of the BiltmoreHouse kind of thing, but it's
very, very much like that.
He has footmen, he has theseyoung men that go through his
program and they learn how toserve, how to do manners, and
they will serve you thisbeautiful tea.
He is having one.
What's the date on it?
December 28th, yep 28th.
Speaker 3 (23:07):
I would assume those sell out too right.
I assume those sell out.
Speaker 4 (23:10):
Most of them do yes, so he's having his New Year's
tea, so if you've never been toone, it's such a nice thing to
do, especially if you haveyounger children.
They love it.
They love going and beingserved and fancy, and you get to
put your pinky out and so thosetickets are on sale.
You can go to his Facebook pageor his website.
(23:33):
Just look for the HistoricSharp House.
That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
Yeah, thank you, keith and the team over there
for all you do for that.
And then Richard closing us out.
We got something prettyexciting happening this year.
Speaker 3 (23:44):
Yeah, so this is the 25th anniversary of the
Statesville Civic Center.
It opened on December 31st 1999, 2000 switch Yep.
So we're really excited tocelebrate the 25th anniversary
of that facility and all thegreat things it's done for
downtown and for this community.
And so we haven't in years thecity has not in years hosted a
(24:06):
New Year's event.
But we are this year and we'regoing to have the Insomniacs
sort of kick things off,entertainment wise, and then
Inspire so two great local bandsentertaining us that night.
There'll be heavy horsd'oeuvres, there'll be a cash
bar that DSTC and the Chamberare partnering on we are and
There'll be a cash bar that DSTCand the Chamber are partnering
on we are and some other thingsthere.
But it'll just be a really coolopportunity to come out and
(24:28):
celebrate, you know, bring inthe New Year's with the local
community at our local communityevent space.
Yeah, congratulations to theCivic Center and so tickets are
on sale for that now they're $40.
And we will hopefully ideallybe working with you guys as well
and sort of encourage everyoneto just come spend all of New
Year's here in downtown states,you know, get a dinner
reservation at one of our localestablishments, come to the New
(24:50):
Year's event and just really,really spend the whole evening
here in downtown.
Speaker 4 (24:53):
Yeah, we're encouraging our shops to stay
open a little bit later that day, too Great.
Speaker 1 (24:57):
Yeah, and I'm sure there'll be some after we have
lots of nightlife.
For when, when, the when?
That party's ever keep going.
That's right.
Speaker 4 (25:04):
Red buffalo or delaney's I'm sure it's a
tuesday night, so there'll be.
There'll be plenty of placesopen for, yeah, a little little
extra, extra.
Speaker 1 (25:13):
Yeah, absolutely well .
Thank thank you so much forbeing with us thank you for
having today liz and always fun.
Um, folks, it's the season ofthanks.
We hope you have an amazing,blessed, blessed Thanksgiving
this week, and then don't missout on all the great holiday
festivities happening right herein Statesville, north Carolina.
We appreciate you.
Happy holidays.
Speaker 2 (25:33):
Thank you for joining Discover Statesville.
You can email us at discover atstatesvillenccom.
Check us out on Facebook atDiscover Statesville, nc hashtag
Discover Statesville and ourwebsite, statesvillenccom.
Catch us next week as wecontinue on our journey to
uncover the hidden gems,culinary adventures,
entertainment, and to beinspired and enlightened as we
(25:57):
Discover Statesville.
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