63rd Annual Robbins Farmers Day
Begun in 1955 when Curtis Hussey and his cousins obtained permission to have a parade through downtown Robbins, Farmers Day festivities begin on Thursday, Aug. 2, at 6 p.m. with the 5K Run/Walk and gospel music on the depot stage. Friday from 6 to 11 p.m., dance to Bluegrass by the Hill Family of Sanford and William Willard’s Country Storm Band. On Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., enjoy carnival rides, entertainment, demonstrations and — of course— the Farmers Day Parade. The horses and wagons arrive at 11 a.m., competing for trophies in 21 categories, including best buggy, horse, mule team and donkey. Bring your lawn chairs, but please no golf carts or ATVs — they’re not allowed inside the barricades. For more information, call (910) 295-7808 or visit robbinsfarmersday.com.
Step Back in Time
You can still see the bullet holes in Colonel Philip Alston’s House in the Horseshoe, where his revolutionary band of citizen soldiers fought the Loyalists in 1781. See a re-enactment of this Revolutionary War battle at 2 p.m. on Saturday or Sunday, Aug. 4 or 5, at the 237th anniversary of the Battle at the House in the Horseshoe. From 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., you can tour the 18th century plantation house and view militia encampments and a blacksmith shop. Watch demonstrations featuring musket/artillery firings, colonial brewing, gardening and spinning/weaving. Admission is free, but parking is $5. Food trucks will be on-site. The House is located at 288 Alston House Road, Sanford. For more information, call (910) 947-2051 or visit www.nchistoricsites.org/horsesho/.
Seagrove Potters and Sweet Tea
Spend a lazy day in Seagrove on Saturday, Aug. 11, enjoying two of the area’s finest traditions: iced tea and pottery. Local potters will be offering iced teas and homemade treats for you to sample as you browse through their shops on this gallery crawl. Participating potters include Blue Hen Pottery, Dean & Martin Pottery, Eck McCanless Pottery, From the Ground Up, Thomas Pottery and Red Hare Pottery. Their featured wares for this special event will be pitchers and tumblers. Shops are located along N.C. 705 (the Pottery Highway) and will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pick up a pottery map at your first stop. For more information, call (336) 879-4145 or visit www.teawithseagrovepotters.webstarts.com.
Fine Arts Festival
The 38th Annual Fine Arts Festival will open on Friday, Aug. 3, at the Campbell House Galleries. The FAF, started by the Arts Council of Moore County in 1980 to showcase local artists, now features artwork from all over the country. The opening reception, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, offers the opportunity to view the artwork, meet the artists and friends, and enjoy wine and light hors d’oeuvres. Prizes and ribbons will be awarded in painting, drawing or pastel, photography, mixed media, pottery and sculpture. The artwork will be for sale and on display at the gallery through Aug. 30. The Campbell House is located at 482 E. Connecticut Ave. in Southern Pines. For more information, call (910) 692-2787 or go to mooreart.org.
Musicians Jam Session/Song Circle
All members of the public are invited to bring their instruments and join other musicians for an informal evening of music and song — or just come to enjoy the company and surroundings. Please bring your own beverage. This free event will be held Tuesday, Aug. 28, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Great Room at the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave. in Southern Pines. This event is held throughout the year on the last Tuesday of each month. For more information, call (910) 692-6261 or www.weymouthcenter.org.
Bocce in the Backyard
The 11th annual Sandhills Children’s Center Backyard Bocce Bash takes place on Saturday, Aug. 18, and you are invited to join the tailgate party and play a little bocce for a good cause. This private, nonprofit organization provides much-needed day programs for children with and without special developmental needs. Register your team of four players for $100 (basic) to $350 (VIP). All proceeds benefit the children. VIP teams get a courtside tent to decorate — and a prize is awarded to the best decorated tent. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. at the National Athletic Village, 201 Air Tool Road, Southern Pines. For more information and registration, call (910) 692-3323 or visit sandhillschildrenscenter.org.
Live After 5
On Friday, Aug. 10, the village of Pinehurst invites you to Tufts Memorial Park for another evening of great music and family activities. Food trucks will offer a wide variety of fare, or bring your own picnic basket — but no outside alcohol allowed. Beer, wine and other beverages will be available for purchase. The event is free, as are parking at the Village Hall and shuttle service to downtown and back. Berryfield performs from 5:15 to 5:50 p.m., and The Royal Suits from 6 to 9 p.m., performing classic rock, funk, Motown and more. The park is located at 1 Village Green Road W. For more information, call (910) 295-8656 or visit www.vopnc.org.
Sandra Brown to Present New Thriller
New York Times best-selling author Sandra Brown will be at the Hannah Center at The O’Neal School on Aug. 8. Her new book, Tailspin, is a spine-tingling thriller and tantalizing romance about a daring cargo pilot, Rye Mallett, caught up in the intrigue surrounding his mysterious cargo and the alluring woman doctor who intercepts its delivery. Tickets to this event are $35, general admission, which includes a copy of the book. Tickets are available at Ticketmesandhills.com and at The Country Bookshop. The event starts at 6:30 p.m., and doors open 30 minutes prior. The O’Neal School is located at 3300 Airport Road, Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-3211.
Om’erica: The Yoga Fest
Hot Asana Studio is hosting a day of yoga to celebrate military veterans on Saturday, Aug. 4. Veterans, all of whom are certified yoga instructors, will teach the event’s three outdoor classes. The businesses and vendors represented are owned by and support vets. The cost is $30, which includes access to vendors and three classes. A portion of the proceeds will send one vet through training at the Hot Asana Yoga University, another portion goes to the Exalted Warrior Foundation, which facilitates yoga instruction for wounded warriors. Vendors will open at 7:30 a.m., and classes will be at 8, 9 and 10 a.m. Tickets are available at the door, but space is limited, so reservations are suggested. The Yoga Fest will be held at the Sunrise Theater Greenspace, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. For more information and tickets, visit www.hotasanastudio.com.
Sandhills Broadway Series
The Sandhills Repertory Theatre presents Marissa McGowan and Michael Mendez in “Out of The Friend Zone,” a cabaret-style concert. Through Broadway songs, the two stars relate how they started working together, became friends, and ultimately fell in love. The concert will be at the Hannah Theater Center at The O’Neal School, 3300 Airport Road in Southern Pines. It starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19. Tickets are $32/general; $30/seniors and military; $20/students and can be purchased online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3438061. The Given Library and The Country Bookshop are selling senior and military tickets only. Tickets at the door will be $35. Proceeds will help fund arts programming in the schools and special needs arts programming in the community. For more information, call (347) 385-4207 or (910) 692-6920.
