Hello, Gaston! (my old friend),

It’s weekends like this one that make this county so special. On one side of the county, in Dallas, you have the inaugural Cotton Ginning Days Tractor Ride. Think of it like a parade of just tractors motoring down the road. And on the other side of the county, in Downtown Belmont, the (Charlotte) Symphony is coming to town.

Here you have two different events taking place in two different towns that are separated by about 13 miles. Maybe Gaston County is the Donny and Marie Osmond of counties. We are a little bit country, and a little bit rock ‘n roll. Or in this weekend’s case, a little bit classical.

Either way, it all seems to work. It’s like Santa’s bag. There’s something for everyone. 

And lastly, a shameless plug if you will. My baby boy needs your vote. My wife nominated our six-month old, Finnley, for this contest around the time he was first born. Last week, we found out that he was selected to move on to the next round.

Now I know, there are a lot of babies out there, but there can only be one Baby of the Year. Help our little Finnley get into the pages of Good Housekeeping (and win the $25,000 prize money)!

You can vote here once per day: https://babyoftheyear.org/2024/finnley-dungan

Thank you voting and thank you for reading,

Ben

P.S. If you enjoy this week’s newsletter, please share this with someone you think would enjoy it!

THE GAS-TEN
(The ten things you need to know about Gaston County this week.)

1. Ever wondered what it's like atop North Carolina's tallest structure? Years ago, Jeremy Markovich climbed the 1,860-foot WBTV broadcast tower in Gaston County with David Haas, the man who regularly scales it. Read about his incredible journey and what it's like to work at such dizzying heights. [North Carolina Rabbit Hole]
   

2. Jerry and Jenny Simpson, owners of Creekside Nursery in Dallas, run a popular YouTube channel (Gardening with Creekside) about gardening. In a recent video, they share four simple garden tasks for September to prepare for fall and next year.
   

3. Bo still needs your vote! Gastonia Police Department's K9 Officer 'Bo' is a national semifinalist for Hero Dog of the Year! At just 17 months old, this brave Bloodhound has already made a name for himself with some incredible rescues. Let’s help Bo bring home the title by voting daily until October 9!
   

4. We’re about a month away from peak fall colors in the mountains. However, if you want to stay in the know, check out Explore Fall. They have interactive maps showing peak color times along the Blue Ridge Parkway from North Carolina to Virginia. Visit this site to prepare for this season’s vibrant foliage!
   

5. Burger fans, rejoice! Smalls Sliders, an Atlanta-based chain backed by NFL Hall of Famer Drew Brees, has Gastonia in its sights for one of 12 new locations planned for the Charlotte area over the next six years. Known for their unique setup, Smalls Sliders operates from drive-thru shipping containers, offering a simple yet delicious menu. (Charlotte Observer)
   

6. SHOUT OUT to Judah D., an 11-year-old community hero! Whenever it rains, he cleans the storm drain by his house. The City of Gastonia's stormwater team found out about this and honored Judah with a Certificate of Appreciation and gave his family a special tour of their facilities. Thanks, Judah, for your service to our community! [Facebook]
   

7. Gaston County Schools has launched a new video series where they go “In the School”. This episode highlights Sherwood Elementary School, featuring Principal Kristie Gorto discussing the school's dedication to students and innovative teaching methods. A longtime teacher shares her passion for creating a fun learning environment.
   

8. Laresa Thompson visits Ray’s Smokehouse in Downtown Gastonia for a flavorful barbecue feast. From brisket to the biggest burger you’ve ever seen, this spot, owned by Butch and Rhonda for 27 years, offers classic Southern favorites. You’ll want to check it out after watching this video! [Laresa Thompson TV / Gastonia City Sights]

9. Kings Mountain residents, the wait is over! Jersey Mike’s Subs is now open at 110 West King Street.
   

10. A new mural is coming to Downtown Belmont! The Simpson Group at Allen Tate has commissioned artist Natalie Daratony to create a set of wings featuring Belmont landmarks at S. Main and Myrtle Street. There will even be a smaller set of wings for kids and pets to enjoy! Preview it here.

THE FOUR-DAY FORECAST

GO-SEE-DO GASTON (this week)

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

Cherryville Main Street Merchants 3rd Thursday
📍Downtown Cherryville
⏰5 - 8:00 p.m.
Cherryville’s Main Street comes alive with food trucks (featuring lobster!), live music, a wine and beer garden, and special shopping deals. More Details.

Trucks In The Park
📍Harold Rankin Park (519 Park Circle) in Lowell
⏰4 – 6 p.m.
Bring the kids out to see, touch, and explore different types of vehicles. This family friendly event is a fun, hands-on experience for kids of all ages! More Details.

Belmont Farmers Market
📍Glenway Street Stowe Park in Belmont
⏰4 - 7 p.m.
NOTE: The market is being moved to Glenway Street this week only due to the heavy rains earlier this week. Stop by to purchase local fruits, veggies, sustainably-raised meat, fresh baked goods, and unique crafts. More Details.

Gastonia Farmers Market
📍410 E. Long Avenue in Gastonia
⏰7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Locally sourced fresh produce. Meats from nearby farms. Homemade baked goods. Fresh flowers grown locally. More Details.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

Bliss Gallery presents “A Fall Collective” – Opening Night
📍Bliss Gallery in Belmont
⏰5 – 7:00 p.m.
The opening reception of this new exhibit features talented artists from the McAdenville Artist Workshop, including May Barger, Carol Carstarphen, Lisa Livengood, and more, along with Holy Angels’ resident artists. Exhibit runs through November 9, 2024. More Details.

Friday Night Football (Week 5)
📍Locations vary
  - Ashbrook (3-0) at Crest (3-0) – 7:30 p.m.
  - Burns (2-2) at Highland Tech (3-0) – 7:30 p.m.
  - Hunter Huss (1-1) at Kings Mountain (2-1) – 7:30 p.m.
  - North Gaston (2-1) at Forestview (0-3) – 7:30 p.m.
  - Mountain Island Charter (1-2) at Pine Lake Prep (0-3) – 7:00 p.m.
  - Shelby (2-2) at Cherryville (1-3) – 7:30 p.m.
  - South Point (2-0) at Stuart Cramer (1-2) – 7:30 p.m.
  - Thomas Jefferson (2-2) at Bessemer City (2-2) – 7:30 p.m.

History and Ghost Tour: Down The Catawba River
📍Riverside Marina in Belmont
⏰7:00 PM
Love ghost stories mixed with history? This nighttime kayak ghost tour features tall tales under the full moon. Space is limited, so reserve your spot now. More Details.

Charleston Dirty Birds at Gastonia Baseball Club (Game #3)
📍CaroMont Health Park in Gastonia
⏰7:00 p.m.
This best-of-five series concludes in Gastonia, with Games 4 (9/21) and 5 (9/22) played if necessary. It's a best-of-three matchup, with the winner advancing to the Atlantic League title series. More Details.

Downtown Belmont presents The Charlotte Symphony
📍Stowe Park in Belmont
⏰7:00 p.m.
Bring your chairs and enjoy an evening under the stars with live music from professional musicians!  More Details.

The Little Theater of Gastonia presents “ANNIE"
📆 9/20 - 9/29/24
📍The Little Theater of Gastonia
⏰times vary
The sun will come out tomorrow! Enjoy the beloved musical ANNIE from September 20-29. Experience this classic performance with talented local actors. More Details. 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

Cotton Ginning Days Tractor Ride
📍Dallas Park in Dallas
⏰8:00 a.m.
The inaugural Cotton Ginning Days Tractor Ride, hosted by GAMTRA, will motor across the county. Meet at Dallas Park at 8:00 a.m. for a 9:00 a.m. departure. All tractor owners are welcome! More Details.

3rd Annual Brew & Que Festival
📍Downtown Bessemer City
⏰12 - 9:00 p.m.
Enjoy craft beer, a barbecue competition, and live music, with “Landslide” (the Premier Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band) performing at 6 p.m. Non-competing vendors will offer barbecue and sweets all day long. More Details.

Autumn Festival
 📍The Schiele Museum in Gastonia
⏰10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
This family-friendly event will feature games and activities at the museum and on The Farm & Nature Trail! Enjoy live animals, carnival games, pumpkin picking, crafts, hayrides, and more. Oh yeah, and pie-eating contests too! More Details.

Gastonia Farmers Market
📍410 E. Long Avenue in Gastonia
⏰7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Locally sourced fresh produce. Meats from nearby farms. Homemade baked goods. Fresh flowers grown locally. More Details.

Mount Holly Farmers Market
📍226 S. Main St. in Mount Holly
⏰8 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
This market supports local farms, promotes fresh local food, and educates the community on growing their own food. More Details.

Movies in the Park presenting The Land Before Time & The Iron Giant (Double Feature)
📍Stowe Park in Belmont
⏰7:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m
Enjoy a big screen experience with immersive sound, free retro arcade games, and snacks for purchase. Don’t forget your chairs and blankets! More Details.

The Downtown Gastonia FALL Bar Crawl
 📍Downtown Gastonia in Gastonia
⏰5:00 p.m.
Visit six bars, enjoy live entertainment, and explore the Misfits Merchant Market on Main St. Get your card stamped at each spot for a chance to win prizes! More Details.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 (Happy First Day of Fall!)

Carolina Panthers (0-2) at Las Vegas Raiders (1-1)
📍Away
⏰4:05 p.m. (CBS)
After an upset win over the Ravens, the Las Vegas Raiders (1-1) face the Carolina Panthers (0-2) in Week 3. With Carolina switching to veteran Andy Dalton at quarterback, the Raiders hope to continue their momentum.

Chicken Hill Buckin' Bulls - Bull Riding
📍Chicken Hill in Cherryville
⏰6:00 p.m.
Enjoy Sheep Riding, Calf Riding, Steer Riding, Amateur and Open Bulls! Every Sunday. Don’t forget to bring your chair! More Details.

Dallas NC Farmers Market
📍Sandcastle Farms in Dallas
⏰12 - 4:00 p.m.
Enjoy Sunday brunch, local vendors, food trucks, and The Bar serving beer, wine, and mimosas! More Details.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

Gastonia Farmers Market
📍410 E. Long Avenue in Gastonia
⏰7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Locally sourced fresh produce. Meats from nearby farms. Homemade baked goods. Fresh flowers grown locally. More Details.

Touch-A-Truck
📍Stinger Park in Bessemer CIty
⏰4 - 6 p.m.
This family-friendly event allows kids to explore and interact with a variety of vehicles. The first 30 minutes will be a quiet time—no horns, lights, or sirens. This free event is open to the public. More Details.

PLAN AHEAD

One Night Build Gala - A Benefit for Habitat Gaston
📆 Thursday, October 24
📍Gaston Country Club
⏰6 - 10 p.m.
Enjoy food, music, cocktails, and meet inspiring families while supporting affordable housing in Gaston County. Help make dreams of homeownership a reality. Don't miss this chance to change lives for the better! 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.

#GASTONGRAM

SEE YA LATER, GASTON!

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Was there something I missed this week? Let me know at [email protected]. Want to get your business in Hello, Gaston!? Let’s talk!