LOCAL HAPPENINGS: July hike takes walkers to Cooler’s Knob, Col. Balfour’s gravesite

ASHEBORO — Here’s another chance to celebrate history during the America 250 celebration with a hike to Cooler’s Knob, the northern terminus of the 40-mile Uwharrie National Recreation Trail. 

In the process, visit the nearby grave site of Col Andrew Balfour who was the Commander of the Randolph County Regiment of the local militia during the Revolutionary War.

When: Sunday, July 12, 2026.

Where: Tot Hill Farm Trailhead at 3091 Tot Hill Farm Rd.

Time: 1:30 p.m. Meet at the Farmer’s Market in Downtown Asheboro, 134 S. Church Street. Or meet at 2:00 p.m. at Tot Hill Farm Trailhead. NOTE: Parking is limited at the trailhead!

Length: About 2.7 miles round trip from the trailhead.

Degree of Difficulty: This is a difficult hike due to the climb of over 300 vertical feet to the top of Cooler’s Knob, the highest point in the Uwharrie     National Forest’s Birkhead Wilderness.

Dogs: Dogs are welcome but must be under control at all times.

Bring water and a walking stick, if needed. Dress appropriately for a warm weather hike. If it is raining at the time of the hike, the hike will be cancelled. There is no cost to participate, and no pre-registration is needed. The hike is open to all who can hike this distance unaided.

Questions: Contact Mary Joan Pugh at 336-963-2715 or

maryjoan.pugh@randolphcountync.gov.

THIS WEEK

Still two more 250th celebrations to enjoy

The Fourth of July may have passed, but the parties celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday haven’t passed. Here are the remaining celebrations you can attend for free:

■ LIBERTY, July 11, 4-10 p.m.

North Fayetteville Street, downtown Liberty. The town’s typical week-after-the-Fourth celebration is a day-long affair that includes bounce houses and water slides, food trucks, vendors, ice cream, a hotdog contest, music featuring Deep River Revival and other goodies. And the Liberty Fire Department will be watering down kids with its ladder truck. Fireworks commence at 9:30 p.m.

■ TRINITY, July 17, 5:30-9 p.m.

7037 NC Hwy 62, Trinity. The night will be filled with music by the Warren Phillips Band and The Collegiates, plus some of the area’s best food trucks. Fireworks will follow after the concert.

Stepping Out with Seagrove Potters continues

SEAGROVE — July is another good time to enjoy a chance to get up close and personal with the many potteries littered throughout Seagrove and nearby areas. Stepping Out with Seagrove Potters happens on every Saturday every July. Take a self-tour of potteries and enjoy kiln openings, demonstrations and even some hands-on experiences as you learn how these local artisans go about their craft. Find out which potters are doing what and when by visiting https://discoverseagrove.com. 

UPCOMING

CUOC event showcases local singers and entertainers on July 17

ASHEBORO — The latest version of Randolph’s Got Talent is right around the corner, with room still for sponsors to take part and tickets on sale.

The annual event, scheduled for Friday, July 17, is produced by Christian United Outreach Center and sponsored by Advisors Financial Center of Asheboro. It’s held at the AVS Catering & Banquet Centre at 2045 N. Fayetteville St., Asheboro.

Tickets are $60 each or you can sponsor a table for $500 that includes eight tickets. 

Other sponsorship options include $2,500 (Gold, and includes four seats and other advertising benefits) and $1,000 (Silver, 2 seats and other advertising benefits).

Included for the evening are dinner and the show. 

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the event begins at 6:30.

This year’s finalists include:

■ Abbey Alderman — Singing “Brother.”

■ Jackson Turner — Playing original song “A Glimpse of Light” and “Iearus” on piano.

■ Leigh Ann Luck — Singing “Live with Jesus.”

■ Winona Stalvey — Singing original “The Wolf and Me.”

■ Denise Wilson — Comedy act as “Edith Ann.”

■ Cindy Cheek — Singing “Colors in the Wind.”

■ Brian Campos — Dancing to “The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B”

■ Bethany Lamar — Singing “Hold onto me.”

CUOC is a faith-based, community supported, short-term financial crisis intervention center. Incorporated on Nov. 12, 1993, it first opened its doors in 1994 after numerous churches and community leaders determined that many Randolph County residents were not getting adequate help during times of financial crisis. CUOC was created to provide that help, and has since been a sustaining resource for more than 40,000 families who live and work in the area. 

For more information, call 336-625-1500.

Up next for Friday Night Bluegrass: Hammer-N-Song

ASHEBORO — Friday Night Bluegrass is a monthly series sponsored by the City of Asheboro and the Sunset Theatre. On the third Friday of each month, a local or regional act takes stage. This month, it’s Hammer-N-Song on Friday, July 17. This gospel group is from Robbins. Members include Mike Garner (guitar), Monica Williams (vocal), Ronnie Hinshaw (bass), Tim Williamson (banjo) and Racy Maness, Jr. (mandolin). Tickets are $10 and can be ordered online at sunsettheatre.org or bought at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m. The concert begins at 7.

The Catalinas are next up for a Sunday night concert 

 ASHEBORO — Asheboro’s Summer Concert Series continues on Sunday, July 19, with The Catalinas on stage. The Catalinas are a beach music band that formed in Charlotte in late 1957, and since then, more than 60 guitarists, keyboardists, trumpet players, drummers, bass players and singers have been a part of the band. The concert begins at 6 p.m. and lasts until 8:30 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy food from food trucks or downtown restaurants open that evening. The concert is free.

Time for another Quiet Day at the Zoo

ASHEBORO — One Tuesday every month, the North Carolina Zoo turns off all loud music and announcements, doesn’t accept large group reservations and offers free sensory bags to guests who prefer or need a quiet outing to enjoy the nation’s largest habitat zoo. This month, it’s Tuesday, 21. Check the calendar item in the printed Randolph Hub for more details.