Don’t forget about voting for Asheboro

ASHEBORO — The City of Asheboro has been nominated in the America’s Favorite Small Towns competition presented by Parade and Steller. 

This nationwide program highlights outstanding communities with populations under 250,000, places that exemplify the spirit, charm and character that make small town living special. The winning town will enjoy a Parade and Steller activation at its July 4th festivities — complete with potential celebrity involvement, sponsor giveaways and national media coverage.

Residents and supporters can take part by voting daily. To vote, visit americasfavoritesmalltowns.parade.com, select “Vote Now!” and then select “North Carolina – Asheboro.” A valid email address is required to submit each vote. 

One voter will win a travel voucher worth $1,500 to visit your favorite small town. Finalists will appear in Parade’s “Favorite Small Towns in America” special print issue! The winning town gets use of the “Favorite Small Town in America” badge and signage.

THIS WEEK

Local basketball tourneys set for the holidays

ASHEBORO — A high school basketball tournament for boys and girls and a jayvee tournament also for boys and girls are on the horizon.

The jayvee tournament — the Bank OZK JV Classic, now in its 26th year — begins first, with games scheduled for Friday, Dec. 26, Saturday, Dec. 27, and Monday, Dec. 29. Games are played over three days at the Asheboro-Randolph YMCA and the Southwestern Randolph High School gym.

Games are scheduled throughout the day, with action running from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are Adults, $18 for a 3-day pass or $7 daily; Students, $15 for a three-day pass or $6 daily.

The high school tournament — the 2025 SportsTone.Net Christmas Invitational — is Saturday, Dec. 27, and Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 29 and 30. All games are played at Asheboro High School.

All three days are also chock full of play, with eight games a day, girls teams playing at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and boys games starting at 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Participating teams are Asheboro, SW Randolph, Randleman, Trinity, Wheatmore, Chatham Charter, Jordan-Matthews and Eastern Guilford.

Four Saints hosts ‘early bird’ New Year’s Eve party

ASHEBORO — Lots of people have their own New Year’s Eve plans, but in case you don’t (or even if you do), Four Saints Brewing Co. and The Pharmacy are hosting a bash that lets you both have your cake and eat it, too.

The Early Bird New Year’s Eve party begins at 4 p.m. and promises to have you home by 9:30 p.m. It’s free, and there’s even sparkling grape juice for the teetotalers.

A Mexi-Cali food truck will serve food from 4 to 8 p.m., then a countdown begins at 8, for which complimentary champagne (and sparkling grape juice) will be available. A singalong of “Auld Lang Syne” follows, and the party ends at 9, giving attendees time to return home for their own celebrations.

Later on New Year’s Eve, it’s Hindsight at Sunset

ASHEBORO — Once again, the bluegrass band Hindsight will ring out the old year with a concert at the Sunset Theatre in downtown Asheboro.

Admission is $10. The concert begins at 8 p.m. and doors open at 7.

You can get tickets in advance at Brightside Gallery, 170 Worth St., Asheboro or at Silver Dollar Pawn, 6787 Jordan Road in Asheboro. 

Or you can contact the band directly at 336-302-2274 or hindsightbluegrass@ gmail.com.

A few dates left to visit Linbrook Hall this week

If you were too busy this Christmas season to take one of the Home for the Holidays Christmas Tours at Linbrook Hall in Trinity, there’s still a few dates left.

Two-hour guided tours are set up for visitors. Each room of the estate comes alive with elegant Christmas décor, glowing lights and festive displays that celebrate the beauty of the holidays.

The remaining time slots and dates as of the deadline for this issue were: 

■ 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Dec. 27. 

■ 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 27. 

■ 10 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, Dec. 30. 

■ 10 a.m. to noon, Friday, Jan. 2.

You can reserve ticket times and get more information at www.linbrook.org.

Tickets are $20 for students and $30 for adults. Large groups should call the main office at 336-861-6959 for group rates.

The visit concludes in the Christmas Gift Shop, where you can browse a curated selection of holiday treasures.

UPCOMING

The Isaacs kick off new year at Liberty Showcase

LIBERTY — The Liberty Showcase Theatre in Liberty, is offering several events in January to kick off 2026. 

Here’s a peek:

■ Friday, Jan. 2 — The Isaacs, 8 p.m. Tickets: $35 to $65.

■ Saturday, Jan. 10 — Lonesome River Band, 7 p.m. Tickets: $29 to $49.

■ Saturday, Jan. 17 — Authentic Unlimited, 7 p.m. Tickets: $29 to $49.

■ Saturday, Jan. 24 — Steven Freeman’s Elvis Presley Tribute, 7 p.m. Tickets: $24 to $49.

Find more details in the print edition’s Calendar on page 5A and even more information at thelibertyshowcase.com.

The theater is located at 101 S. Fayetteville St. in Liberty.

Thrifty Thursday movies start back up Jan. 8

ASHEBORO — The first Thrifty Thursday movie of 2026 is teed up for Thursday, Jan. 8, at the Sunset Theatre in downtown Asheboro.

Thrifty Thursday movies typically appear on the first Thursday of each month, but January’s is on the second week due to the New Year’s Day holiday on the first Thursday.

Thrifty Thursday movies are typically classic movies. They’re shown at 1 p.m. on Thursday for a reasonable cost ($5, which includes popcorn and a drink). Best of all for folks 50 or older, they’re free thanks to local sponsorships.

The first movie is “King Creole” starring Elvis Presley, Carolyn Jones and Walter Matthau, about a young man with a troubled past facing a choice of life as a musician or a life of crime. The 1958 film is rated PG with a runtime just under 2 hours.

A list for all of the Thrifty Thursday movies for the year will be on the sunsettheatre.org website soon.