Rutherford Weekly

OUR 23 rd YEAR • ISSUE NO. 16 • APRIL 23, 2015 RutherfordWeekly.com 828-248-1408 FREE FREE RUTHERFORD COUNTY'S FAVORITE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER RUTHERFORD COUNTY'S FAVORITE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FATZ.com Like us Follow us Jammin' Pimento Cheeseburger Weekdays 11am – 3pm New Lunch Menu Try Our Y'all Vera Kizer | General Manager 828-286-8996 Vera Kizer | Gener l al Manager Visit FATZ Cafe in Forest City at 118 Hill Top Way today! APRIL SHOWERS LEAD TO MAY FESTIVAL AND FUN An annual festival in downtown Rutherfordton is providing a way for folks to gather just as they did so many years before. "I call it your front porch," said Cindy Adair, director of Rutherford Town Revitalization, of the annual MayFestival event, set for this year on Saturday, May 2. "People don't sit and chat like they used to, but if you walk up and down the street at MayFest, it's that same type of old- fashioned feeling of everybody getting together." It comes as no surprise. The event, now in its 43rd year, began during a time when front porch sitting was more common. MayFest was created, Adair continued, to bring people downtown to foster a sense of community. "I think that MayFest really creates an awareness of the merchants in downtown," Adair said. "A lot of people come back later to purchase things they don't maybe purchase that day. Many of our vendor booths are non-profit organizations and youth groups, and it serves as a great way to get their message into the community." Vendor fees go back into the town, she added, to continue to provide events and activities to bring people into downtown as well as providing facade grants to downtown businesses. While street fair food and arts and crafts will again be featured at this year's event, there are also several newcomers bringing more fun to the fest. "Rowdy's Rodeo will be bringing a bull riding machine for children and adults to have a hand at for a fee," Adair said. "We also will have Race Day Motorsports, who bring a 40-foot school bus that's set up with eight virtual racing simulation stations." Arts and crafts vendors from as far away as Virginia are also new this year, and Rutherfordton Police are offering a dunking booth, she said. Outdoorsmen and women have an opportunity to take part in bicycle and running events with the Rutherford Women's League Color Blast 5K and the Gears and Gables bike ride, which benefits Rutherford Housing Partnership (see related story.) All of the fun isn't just limited to May 2. Fridays Unplugged on Central, an acoustic, pick-up type music event, will be held as a kick off to MayFest on Friday, May 1. "We encourage people to bring their lawn chairs and sit outside and enjoy listening to the music," Adair said. "Fridays Unplugged will continue on the first Friday of each month through September. We're hoping it does well so that we can also have an October event, which would lead into OctoberFest." Participating bands will be up for prizes, and a traveling trophy that will be moved from the winning band from month to month is planned. There is no charge for the Friday music events or to attend MayFest, Adair said. For more information, visit Rutherford Town Revitalization at www.rutherfordtown.com $ 2 DRAFTS • $ 2 CANS • $ 3 SHOTS Back by popular demand! FREE concert to the public! 161 Park Lane Dr. Rutherfordton • 828-287-2171 STRAWMAN STRAWMAN BIKE NIGHT BIKE NIGHT SATURDAY, MAY 2ND SATURDAY, MAY 2ND 6PM-10PM 6PM-10PM ©Community First Media Community First Media RIDING FOR A REASON: GEARS & GABLES HELPS RHP The 43rd Annual MayFestival event is Saturday, May 2, in downtown Rutherfordton. The event includes food and craft vendors, kids activities, musical performances and more. What if just by riding a bicycle on a scenic route meant you provided roofing nails to replace the roof of someone in need? The 8th Annual Gears & Gables event, set for Saturday, May 2, does just that. An annual fundraiser for Rutherford Housing Partnership, the bicycle ride helps to provide home repairs for low income homeowners. The event is the organization's second largest fundraiser, said Linda Tribou, resource development associate for RHP. The event features a route with markers that denote three different distances - 33.2 miles, 62.1 miles or 100.3 miles. Most riders, said Alan Herrick, a participant and member of Rutherford Outdoor Coalition, ride for the 30-mile ride, but more and more riders are starting to go for longer distances. "Two-thirds of the people who take part come from outside of Rutherford County," Herrick said. "We have folks from Raleigh, Asheville and Knoxville." For those who want to participate from the comfort of home may do so, Tribou said. "This year you can register as a ghost rider. You can stay home in your PJs and then come over for the after ride meal," Tribou said. You can also show your support by purchasing raffle tickets for gift baskets. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling RHP at 828-248-3431 or during MayFestival, also on May 2. "This event helps a lot of people in high need of home repairs," Tribou said. "With the proceeds we've raised before, as many as four roofs can be completed." Registration for the ride is $30, and may be completed online at active.com by searching for Gears & Gables. The 8th Annual Gears & Gables event, which raises funds for Rutherford Housing Partnership, will be held Saturday, May 2, beginning at 8 a.m. The event features several distances for riders to participate, and the event is held in conjunction with the annual MayFestival. Location: Chase High School Location: Chase High School •Sales Sales •Service Service •Parts Parts 101 Oak Grove Rd, 101 Oak Grove Rd, Kings Mountain Kings Mountain Just right off Just right off Oak Grove Exit Oak Grove Exit Hwy. 74 Hwy. 74 CountryCamping.com CountryCamping.com OPEN OPEN HOUSE HOUSE 4/25/15 4/25/15 LP & LP & Dump Dump Station Station ©Community First Media Community First Media

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