Local Happenings: Veterans activities, a couple of concerts and the Seagrove pottery festivals this week

THIS WEEK

Walk Thru the Past returns with veterans stories 

ASHEBORO — Ricky Allred will curious listeners on another Walk Thru the Past in the Old Asheboro Cemetery on Sunday, Nov. 16. This one begins a half-hour earlier than usual, at 1:30 p.m.

Admission is free for folks to join Allred on a stroll through the cemetery to hear about the residents there. This month, the focus will be on the stories of veterans, and on how times of conflict influenced life in Asheboro and Randolph County. 

The Old Asheboro Cemetery is located at 180 West Salisbury St., Asheboro.

Seagrove’s pottery festivals around corner

SEAGROVE — The big weekend is coming up next week in Seagrove.

The small town becomes a major magnet with the advent of its two renown pottery festivals, the legacy 43rd Annual Seagrove Pottery Festival and the newer 18th Annual Celebration of Seagrove Potters — the two taking place about a mile apart from each other as the crow flies.

The Celebration of Seagrove Potters is a three-day event, beginning on Friday, Nov. 14, with a gala and continuing on Saturday and Sunday with the festival itself. 

The gala costs $65 to attend and includes and catered reception, entertainment, a live auction and the chance to shop early for pottery ahead of the weekend rush.

The Celebration takes place in the new Lucks Comer Lail Center in the revamped Historic Luck’s Cannery. The address is 798 NC Hwy 705, Seagrove. 

Admission on Saturday and Sunday is $8.

Band takes audience back to the ’80s on Nov. 13

ASHEBORO — A group called SPANKthe80s is setting up a time machine at the Sunset Theatre on Nov. 13 when it reintroduces the audience to 1980s music, lights and fashion. Get tickets for this ’80s tribute band show online at sunsettheatre.org or in person at Brightside Gallery, 170 Worth St. Asheboro.

Southern Gospel group plays for charity Nov. 16

ASHEBORO — The Southern Gospel group Glory Road Gospel Band will play for free on Nov. 16 at Sunset Theatre in downtown Asheboro. The reason? An effort to raise food for local food banks and funds for The Rady Lady Foundation, Inc., a local nonprofit that helps people in need. The canned food entry concert will be from 3 to 5 p.m. with a love offering taken at intermission. 

The Gifting Tree Project looking for tree sponsors

ASHEBORO — Asheboro Cultural & Recreation Services has opened registration for its 5th Annual Gifting Tree Project.

Bicentennial Park is transformed into a dazzling Christmas tree display with trees decorated by local families, schools and organizations in a competition to win a donation (provided by Modern Toyota) to the nonprofit of their choice.

Entry fee is $45 per tree, with a limit of 12 trees. The $45 entry fee includes one (1) Christmas tree with stand, approximately 6 feet tall, and set up for the tree with a printed sign indicating the name of the family, school or organization decorating the tree.

To register visit https://asheborocrs.recdesk.com/Community/Program. For questions or additional info, contact Kelli King with Asheboro Cultural & Recreation Services at 336-626-1240 ext. 5.

Signups ready for ‘Tranquil Time with the Clauses’

ASHEBORO — Asheboro Cultural & Recreation Services has opened registration for its “Tranquil Time with the Clauses” holiday event. This year’s event will be held at the historical GateKeepers House, 312 Lanier Ave., Asheboro. 

“Tranquil Time with the Clauses” is designed for individuals with an intellectual disability and young children to visit with Mr. & Mrs. Claus in a calm, low sensory environment that will allow the individual to have a magical one-on-one experience. Wait times are short with designated time slots. Each participant will get to enjoy a story, open a personalized present and get their picture taken with Mr. & Mrs. Claus.

Registration ends Nov. 30. Register in person at the Asheboro Cultural & Recreation Services office, 241 Sunset Ave., or online at https://asheborocrs.recdesk.com/Community/Program. The cost is $15 for a 15-minute time slot. Any additional gift required for a sibling will have an additional $15 fee. Space is limited.

For questions or additional information, contact Kelli King at 336-626-1240 ext. 5 or kking@ci.asheboro.nc.us.

UPCOMING

Salvation Army kicks off Red Kettle Campaign Nov. 20

ASHEBORO — The Salvation Army of Asheboro will officially launch its annual Red Kettle Campaign with a community celebration on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at its store location, 472 E. Dixie Drive, Asheboro.

This year’s Annual Red Kettle Kickoff is being held in partnership with the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce’s “Chamber After Hours” event and will feature live music, craft items for sale, door prizes and a special Christmas sale inside the store. The evening will also include the first official donation of the season, made by Whitaker Farms, with co-owner Faylene Whitaker presenting the contribution.

The Annual Red Kettle Campaign is one of The Salvation Army’s most recognized and vital fund-raising efforts. All proceeds stay local to support programs that provide food, clothing and assistance to families in need throughout the year.

For more information, contact Lilly Whitaker, public relations coordinator, at Lilly.Whitaker@uss.salvationarmy.org or call 336-625-0551.

November’s Cruise-In also a Toys for Tots event 

ASHEBORO — The Asheboro Summer Cruise-In Series, organized by Grounded Elegance Car Club (Michael Allred) and Brightside Gallery (Mary Murkin), will host its eighth and final event of 2025 on Nov.  22.

The theme of the evening will be the event’s annual donation drop-off for the Randolph County chapter of the Toys for Tots organization. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to the cruise-in to donate for youngsters in the area who would not have a very Merry Christmas otherwise.

The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m. in the parking lot of C4 Church at 1128 N. Fayetteville St., Asheboro. Later, as always at least once each cruise-in evening, Allred will lead cars onto Fayetteville Street for an old-fashioned cruise up and down the heart of downtown Asheboro. 

FitForLiberty Expo coming up on Saturday, Nov. 22

LIBERTY — Liberty will be the site for another FitForLiberty Expo & Festival, set for Saturday, Nov. 22, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown Liberty.

The event includes a Turkey Trot 5K, a fitness competition, a kids obstacle course and even free fitness classes. There will also be a Vendor Village, food trucks, and karaoke and a live DJ among live entertainment options. 

The event is free but pre-registration is required for some activities. Call 336-622-4796 to learn more.