Happenings: It's a back to school bash weekend

Invictus Project 5K walk/run, community event at Bicentennial Park

ASHEBORO — On Saturday, there’s a 5K walk/run that will benefit the Invictus Project that raises awareness of child exploitation and trafficking.

In addition to the run, there will be food trucks, live music, educational booths and guest speakers from the law enforcement community. All proceeds raised will go toward the Invictus Project.

The race is from 9 to 11 a.m. while the activities continue on afterward.

Later in the day, the Invictus Project and the Asheboro / Randolph Chamber of Commerce will host a Back To School Bash Youth Concert presented by WZOO and WKXR radio and Journey Worship, built around a 6 to 8 p.m. concert plus food trucks, live worship, a dunking booth and a performance by guest artist Elijah McCormick of American Idol fame. The event is free. Bring a blanket or lawn chair for the concert.

Meanwhile, at Cox Harley-Davidson ...

ASHEBORO — Also on Saturday, Cox Hardley-Davidson of Asheboro will host an event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its NC 134 location, the 2nd Annual Road 2 Recovery Benefit Ride and our Back to School Fundraiser.

Registration begins at 10 a.m. for a charity ride to support Unchained Ministry that begins at 11 for $20 per bike or $25 with a passenger. 

A BBQ Parfait (layers of smoky pulled pork, savory baked beans, and creamy mac-n-cheese, all topped with refreshing slaw) awaits the riders upon their return as part of their fee, or can be purchased separately for $10. There will also be a silent auction and gun raffle happening at 2 p.m.

Donations are being collected to help students and teachers succeed. Donations will be collected at 2795 NC Highway 134, Asheboro.

THIS WEEK

August’s Summer Cruise-In set for Saturday, Aug. 23

ASHEBORO — Asheboro Summer Cruise-In Series, organized by Grounded Elegance Car Club (Michael Allred) and Brightside Gallery (Mary Murkin), will host its fifth event of the season on Aug. 23 from 6 to 10 p.m. in the parking lot of its 2025 summer sponsor, C4 Church, at 1128 N. Fayetteville Street, Asheboro. The theme: Cars, cruising, fellowship and yummy food.

Along with the cruise-in gathering of cars to view, the event also pays homage to the Asheboro tradition of cruising up and down Fayetteville Street. 

At least once each evening, Michael Allred will lead a group of cars out onto Fayetteville Street to get the group back into the swing of cruising the drag.

There’s no cost to visit or participate. Many people actually pull up chairs alongside Fayetteville St. and watch the cruising cars go by.

Gene Watson returns to Liberty Showcase Aug. 23

LIBERTY — Gene Watson has been piling up the songs and road acts for some 60 years, and fans still want more. The proof is in the pudding: His return to Liberty Showcase Theater promises to provide a packed house with just a few tickets remaining.

And for who? A country crooner whose nickname is “The Singer’s Singer.” A Grand Ole Opry Hall of Famer, Watson has more than 75 charted titles, 23 Top 10 hits, six No. 1 country singles and five No. 1 gospel hits.

Tickets range from $40 to $70. Find out more at www.thelibertyshowcase.com.

Bio prof to explore glowing insects in NC in library talk

ASHEBORO — North Carolina is home to an impressive diversity of glowing insects, including fireflies, glow worms and a really interesting little fly that lives in the mountains.

Learn about this phenomenon in a talk entitled “Synchronous Shows and Foxfire Glows: The Bioluminescent Insects of North Carolina” by Dr. Clyde Sorensen of North Carolina State University, at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25, at the Asheboro Public Library, 201 Worth St.

Sorensen will discuss the diversity of the state’s bioluminescent insects, how they make their light, and what they do with it. He also will talk about threats to the glowing insects and what individuals can do to help them.

Sorensen, who resides in Clayton, is Alumni Association Distinguished Professor of Entomology at NCSU, where he has served on the faculty for 29 years. His research interests include biology, ecology and management of insects and other arthropods in agricultural ecosystems.

He also specializes in the ecology of insects, and rare and endangered plants in longleaf pine ecosystems. For the last eight years, Sorensen has intensively studied the occurrence and distribution of fireflies in North Carolina. 

To learn more, call 336-318-6803.

Bugs return to FarmPark for Aug. 23-24 weekend

DENTON — VW bugs, that is.

The Bug’N at The FarmPark VW Show seeks to bring together Volkswagen enthusiasts for the second year in a row.

The two-day event begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, and ends at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24.

Enjoy camping (available Friday night and Saturday night), vendors (new ones for this year),  show cars, train rides and more.

Admission is $10. Denton FarmPark is located at 1072 Cranford Rd, Denton.

UPCOMING

Aug. 29: Brandon Shepherd takes you back to the ’80s

ASHEBORO — Local entertainer Brandon Shepherd takes over Sunset Theatre on Friday, Aug. 29, to offer a musical tribute to the 1980s — complete with a costume contest.

Tickets range from $15 to $20. Doors open at 6 p.m. The concert begins at 7.

Aug. 30: A tribute to Elvis and classic country music

ASHEBORO — This time, it’s a non-local musician making his way from Georgia to offer a musical journey across multiple genres that includes a heartfelt tribute to Elvis Presley, plus some legendary country crooners. 

Tickets range from $25-$35 for this Saturday night event at Sunset Theatre. The concert begins at 7 p.m.