The North Carolina Mason

Page 6 The North Carolina Mason March/April 2018 our masonic charities at Work ■ see PIG JIG, page 7 Come see the tractors or drive your own at the 7th Annual South- east Old reshers' Reunion Tractor Ride this summer. e June 29 event, which will be held before the opening of the reshers' Reunion, benefits the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford. e Southeast Old reshers' Reunion is the largest steam, gas and antique farm machinery show in the Southeast and takes place at the Denton FarmPark, an historical park with 15 restored buildings including a general store, grist mill, church, plantation house, blacksmith shop and log cabin. A full-size steam train encompasses the park on a 1.5-mile track. e campground accommodates 500 campsites. Starting at the Denton FarmPark entrance at 4259 Handy Road, Denton, and winding through Randolph County, the annual Tractor Ride covers approximately 22 miles of scenic countryside Cost to drive your own tractor in the ride is $25 per person. A tram is also part of the procession and seats are $35. Each rider/driver will receive a commemorative T-shirt and a goody bag. Lunch is also included when the ride returns to the Farm- Park. is year, a new category has been added to the ride. Anyone unable to attend but wishing to support the MHCO can be a "Ghost Rider" for $25 and a T-shirt will be mailed to them. Businesses, individuals, and Masonic lodges or districts can show their support for MHCO as a sponsor for the Tractor Ride. Diamond Sponsorships are $1,000 and those names will be displayed on the back of the event T-shirt. Platinum Sponsorships are $500 with names listed on the front of the T-shirt. For $200 as a Gold Sponsor, your name will be displayed on a sign displayed at the Ride. On June 30, the five-day South- east Old reshers Reunion opens and the children of the MHCO will be the guests of the Denton FarmPark. Hunts Concessions will provide lunch and supper for the children that day. At 6 p.m. that day, an auction of donated items will raise additional funds for the children's home. Items are being sought for the auction but items already donated include Masonic cornhole boards, toy pedal tractor, Masonic watch, Masonic wooden inlay art item, and many more items. For more information about being a sponsor, Ghost Rider or to donate an auction item, please contact Kirby Matthews at kirby@minute- mansupply.com or visit dentonma- soniclodge.com Raleigh #500 invites your lodge and best chef to participate in the 13th Annual Carolina Pig Jig on May 19. e Carolina Pig Jig has become the premier Masonic barbecue contest and celebration in the state. is event brings together dozens of lodges from throughout North Carolina and as far away as Delaware, with each lodge vying for the chance to be crowned a barbecue champion. A panel of judges will taste all offerings in three categories: pork, chicken, and sauce. ey will award trophies for first, second, and third place in each category. Competition for the coveted People's Choice Award is tough, and the bragging rights that come with it are highly sought after amongst partici- pating lodges! More importantly, since the incep- tion of this event, the Carolina Pig Jig has raised more than $100,000 for Masonic charities and is a proud accomplishment for all participants. e proceeds are traditionally divided between the Masonic Home for Children and the Central Children's Home. e brothers of Raleigh #500 know that the success of this event lies within the fellowship with other lodges and we want you to join us. As always, we are proud to partner with North Carolina Department of Agriculture and hold this event during the "Got to be NC Festival" at the NC State Fairgrounds (next to the Expo Center). e festival is a large, carnival-like, family friendly environment, is free to attend, and draws thousands of visitors from across the South. What better way to get involved with the community, demonstrate what masonry is about, and raise money for charity? To participate, you must pay an entry fee ($200.00 if paid by April 16, 2018 and $250.00 if paid after). e entry fee gets you a whole hog, pork shoulders, and chickens for you to prepare beginning the reshers want to harvest help for MHCO Traffic is heavy so get to the Thresher's Reunion early! The only real danger is missing the Pig Jig! Get ready to get 'Piggy'

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