Date:
Apr 05, 2008 to May 18, 2008

Cost:
Admission charge to enter Estate

Location:
Biltmore
1 Approach Road
Asheville , NC 28803

1st Annual Horse Shoe Tournament

Date: May 24, 2008
Time: 1 - 4pm
Cost: $10 (team consists of two players)
Location: Lake Julian Park
Registration: April 21 - May 24, 2008

The 2nd Annual Horse Shoe Tournament will take place on Saturday, May 24, 2008 at Lake Julian Park. The cost is $10 per team. Trophies will be awarded for the first place team. A game will consist of 21 points. This will be a double elimination tournament. Women will throw from 30 feet, while men will throw from 40 feet.

For more information, call Jay at 250-4269 or email him at jay.nelson@buncombecounty.org . You may register on the day of the event.

Spring Along the French Broad River

Spring is the perfect time to explore the beautiful scenery of the French Broad River. This peaceful eight- mile guided canoe trip will take about four hours to complete. Paddle downstream through perhaps the most beautiful section of the entire river. Join one of our experienced river guides and encounter the beauty and tranquility of this ancient river as it springs to life with the melodic chatter of wildlife and the colorful burst of new foliage.

Date:
Apr 01, 2008 to Jun 01, 2008

Time:
09:30 AM-09:30 AM

Cost:
Reservations are required and are confirmed with a 50% deposit. The trip fee is $50.00 per person which includes; canoe, paddle, life jacket, transportation to & from the river, and river guide.

Details:
April dates: 19th & 26th
May dates: 3rd, 10th, & 24th
June dates: 7th & 14th

Location:
Headwaters Outfitters
PO Box 145
Rosman , NC 28772

Antique Farm Equipment Celebrates Agricultural Heritage

RALEIGH  More than 700 pieces of antique tractors and farm equipment will be on display as part of the Got to be NC Festival June 5- 8 at the N.C.State Fairgrounds. Machines dating back to the 1930s and representing brand names such as Ford, Allis- Chalmers, John Deere, Cub Cadet and Massey Ferguson will be part of the inaugural four-day event.

Many of these tractors will compete in the antique tractor pulls on Saturday and Sunday.

More than 20 clubs from across the state will be showcasing equipment such as tractors, hit-and-miss engines, plows, corn shellers and mowers. In addition, prizes will be awarded for the best tractor equipment display in three different age categories: prior to 1930, 1930-1949 and 1950-1960.

Being a farmer myself, I am particularly excited to see all of the antique equipment that will be brought in, said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. This is shaping up to be one of the largest antique tractor and farm equipment shows in the eastern United States, and it will be a lot of fun to see all of the old names and models on display.

Participating clubs include Carolina Antique Tractor Pullers Association, Iron Peddlers Antique Power Club, Apple Country Antique Engine & Tractor Association, Pee Dee Antique Power Club and Ford/Fordson Collectors Association.

The show will be fun and educational for the whole family, said Pat Short, the festivals motorsports coordinator. Adults can reminisce about the equipment they used or grew up with on the farm, while children can learn all about the agricultural heritage of North Carolina.

In addition to the tractors and equipment on display, the Sandhills Antique Farm Equipment Club from Lillington will run antique farm equipment several times a day to demonstrate how the pieces work and what they were used for. This includes a corn shredder, thrashing machine, hay baler, corn shellers, grist mill, feed mill, tobacco stick cutter and other pieces of belt- driven equipment.

Festival hours will be 3 p.m.-midnight Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free. Tickets to events in the Sam Rand Grandstand will be $5.

The antique tractor and farm equipment show will be open during the festivals normal operating hours. The festival will also feature a food expo, carnival rides and games, the state barbecue cooking championship and more. For more information, go to www.ncagfest.com.

Silent Beauty: A View of the Changing Seasons
Photography of Cynthia Walker

Experience the mystery and beauty of nature in this photography exhibit showcasing flowers and insects. Local artist Cynthia Walker exposes the hidden simplicity that exists within the complexity of natures patterns and light.

Date:
Apr 23, 2008 to Oct 14, 2008

Location:
The North Carolina Arboretum
100 Fredrick Law Olmsted Way
Asheville , NC 28806