There are things in life you can know because you’ve read about them. Maybe you’ve even seen the pictures.

And then there are things you know because you’ve been there. You’ve lived it. All five senses pulled into the moment. It shifts from something you understand to something you feel in your bones.

That’s what happened to me at Muddy River Distillery last weekend.

I knew it was there. I just didn’t know how much of it was actually there.

The family and I were out and about on a Saturday night, already in the neighborhood, looking for a place to eat and hang out on a beautiful spring evening. So we decided to stop in.

I knew Muddy River had moved from Belmont to Mount Holly in 2024. What I didn’t fully grasp was the setting. A 150-year-old cotton mill along Dutchman’s Creek, reworked into more than a distillery. It’s a place to gather.

The moment we walked in, I knew it was my kind of spot. Live music from Imaginary Friends filled the space, with the band bringing a steady hum of classic rock across the room.

This isn’t your grandfather’s Gaston County anymore. These old spaces are being brought back to life in new ways.

I never thought I’d take my family to a rum distillery on a Saturday night, but there we were, sitting together, taking it all in.

And it made me think. At some point, you have to stop reading about these places and go experience them. And when I say “you,” I mean me.

The time is now. Go visit the spots you’ve read about but haven’t stepped into yet. Give these places the full five-senses treatment.

I knew Muddy River was doing big things. I’d read about it. I’d seen the events.

But now I know. I’ve been there. I’ve felt it in my bones. And I can tell you, it’s worth it.

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Gaston County Tourism has released a helpful guide to local farmers markets, with spring openings starting April 4 in Gastonia, Mount Holly, and Belmont. From fresh produce to handmade goods, these markets offer a true local experience. Kings Mountain follows April 25, with more openings to come.

The Belmont Drive-In Theatre first opened in 1948 with room for 150 cars and grew into a local staple. The Lawing family purchased it in 1983, keeping it alive through storms, loss, and closure. After reopening in 2023 and surviving tornado damage, the drive-in continues today. Opening weekend returns April 10–11.

Belmont’s Simply American Dog Treat Company is rolling through with North Carolina’s only mobile dog treat truck. Pure, single-ingredient meats, fish, and sweet potatoes. No fillers. No additives. Track the truck @simplyamericandog and treat your pup to something better today! ($)

If you’re looking for something nutty in the area, we have just the place for you. Nutty for Nutcrackers in Kings Mountain features over 5,000 nutcrackers, from pop culture characters to historic figures, making it one of the largest collections of its kind in the region.

Mount Holly is launching the Piedmont Arts & Cultural Experience on May 2, a new downtown festival celebrating art, music, and community. Expect artisan vendors, live performances, interactive art projects, and activities for all ages. The free event runs 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and highlights the region’s creative spirit.

Webb Custom Kitchen is giving one lucky winner a complimentary Easter meal for four, valued up to $200. To enter, follow their social pages, like the post, and tag who you’d bring. The more tags, the more chances to win. Winner announced March 30.

Disclaimer: News items marked with ($) in this section indicate sponsored content.

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Piedmont Arts & Cultural Experience
📍 Downtown Mount Holly
📅 Saturday, May 2
⏰ 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
New arts festival featuring live music, artisan vendors, food, and hands-on community art like chalk and string projects. Enjoy performances, family activities, and a full day celebrating creativity downtown. More Details.

The Looks Consignment Sale - Spring 2026
📍 103 Main St., McAdenville
📅 Thursday, March 26 - Monday, March 30
⏰ times vary
Shop a curated spring consignment sale featuring designer and boutique women’s fashion in McAdenville. Public shopping begins Thursday morning and continues through Monday afternoon. More Details.

Trivia Thursday
📍 The Rooster, Gastonia
⏰ 7–9 p.m.
Bring your team for a laid-back trivia night with surprising categories, plenty of laughs, and friendly competition. No sitter? Kids are welcome, too. More Details

A Night of Unspeakable Joy with Tyler Gaulden and Peach Goldman
📍 Second Baptist Church, 740 Rankin Avenue, Mount Holly
⏰ 7 p.m.
An evening of worship and music featuring Tyler Gaulden and Peach Goldman, bringing the community together for a powerful night of faith and celebration. More Details.

Eggs in the Park
📍 Harold Rankin Park, 519 Park Circle, Lowell
⏰ 6 p.m.
Lowell’s annual egg hunt brings candy-filled eggs, prizes, photo ops, and a visit from Bunz the Easter Bunny, plus funnel cakes and sweet treats. More Details.

Live Music with Caleb Davis and the Album Series Band
📍 Muddy River Disillery, 250 N. Main St., Mount Holly
⏰ 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Step back into the 90s with an unplugged night of stripped-down favorites, raw vocals, and plenty of nostalgia at Muddy River Distillery. More Details.

Hops + Hike
📍 The Trailhead Store, 6500 S. New Hope Rd., Belmont
⏰ 7–9 p.m.
Explore Daniel Stowe’s trails after hours with friends, flashlights, and a drink in hand during this guided adults-only evening hike. Pre-registration is required. More Details.

Strong Like AK Women’s Impact Giving Circle Brunch Kickoff
📍 Creative Solutions Showroom, Belmont
⏰ 10–11:30 a.m.
Join Strong Like AK for an uplifting brunch featuring a Kendra Scott pop-up and guest speaker Denise Thomas. This Women’s Impact Giving Circle kickoff focuses on connection, compassion, and collective support for families facing childhood cancer. More Details.

Baseball & Softball Opening Day
📍 Carr Elementary, Dallas
⏰ 9 a.m.
Dallas Parks and Recreation opens the season with youth baseball and softball games, plus concessions and a full morning of hometown ballpark energy. More Details.

Easter Egg Scramble
📍 Stuart W. Cramer High School, Cramerton
⏰ 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Cramerton’s egg scramble features more than 6,000 eggs, age-based hunts, face painting, games, prizes, concessions, and an Easter Bunny photo opportunity. More Details.

Belmont Easter Egg Hunt
📍 Stowe Park, Belmont
⏰ 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Families can enjoy egg hunts by age group, free face painting, a soap bubble circus, Easter Bunny photos, and a full morning at Stowe Park. More Details.

Gaston Multicultural Arts Xperience
📍 Rotary Centennial Pavilion, Gastonia
⏰ 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Gastonia’s multicultural arts event showcases food, music, dancing, literature, activities, and culture in a family-friendly celebration of the community’s many voices. More Details.

Easter Carnival
📍 First Baptist Church, 409 Old Mt. Holly Rd., Stanley
⏰ 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
This Stanley church carnival offers games, food, and family fun, with free lunch tickets available for those who RSVP in advance. More Details.

Pups and Cups Adoption Event
📍 Durty Bull Brewing, 126 S. Trenton St., Gastonia
⏰ 12–2 p.m.
Sip a drink and meet adoptable dogs at this Gastonia adoption event, where the pups get their own special cups too. More Details.

WSGE’s Hwy 321 Blues with Max Hightower
📍 334 W. Main Ave., Gastonia
⏰ 7–10 p.m.
Help support Gaston County’s independent radio station during this blues fundraiser featuring Max Hightower at The Rooster in Downtown Gastonia. More Details.

Movies In The Park - Peter Rabbit
📍 24 S. Main St., Belmont
⏰ 7:30–10:30 p.m.
Belmont’s outdoor movie season begins with Peter Rabbit at Stowe Park, complete with a big screen, concessions, arcade games, and bring-your-own-chair seating. More Details.

How to Buy Your 1st Home in 2026
📍 121 W. Main Avenue, Gastonia
⏰ 10 a.m.
Free small-group class covering homebuying steps, real costs, and a 2026 plan in plain English. Limited to 15 seats, so reserve early and come ready to learn. More Details.

Easter Event at Hampton Homestead Farm
📍 3200 Mt. Olive Church Road, Gastonia
⏰ 1 p.m.
Spring celebration with egg hunts, food trucks, local artisans, kids activities, and giveaways. Hosted by Beyond Elite Home Care. Free tickets and plenty of family-friendly fun. More Details.

Lunch & Learn
📍 First Presbyterian Church, Belmont
⏰ 12 p.m.
Learn about Arin’s Good Girl Dog Treats, a nonprofit creating jobs for individuals with disabilities. Enjoy lunch while hearing the story behind this meaningful, community-driven mission. More Details.

Toddler Egg Hunt
📍 Tuckaseege Park, 165 Broome St., Mount Holly
⏰ 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Mount Holly’s free toddler egg hunt includes Easter Bunny visits and family fun at Tuckaseegee Park for little ones and their grownups. More Details.

Disclaimer: Event details are subject to change or cancellation. Please check with the event organizers for the most up-to-date information. We are not responsible for any changes after publication. Events marked with ($) in this section indicate sponsored content.

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