More Free Family Events Added to the Calendar for December!

Just added to our calendar!

Many events added to our calendar of free, family events!  There is always something fun to do!

Details for all these events on our calendar!

One of our favorite holiday traditions is my mother's Christmas Village

December 6

WS Candle Tea - Free Family Activity, Craft and Bake Sale

December 7 

Downtown Mayodan Christmas Stroll & Tree Lighting
LEX 2018 Annual Festival of Lights
WS Fire Department Holiday Open House

Kernersville Parade 2012

December 8

KVILLE Third Annual Re3 Holiday Bazaar
GSO Holiday Market Cafe at Revolution
RH Santa at the Caboose

December 9 

WS Christmas Cantata and Love Feast
LVILLE The Winter Rose - A Cantata
WS UNCSA Cantata Singers, James Allbritten, Conductor

December 13

GSO Christmas in the Park

December 14

WS Holiday Hymn Festival/Sing Along
GSO I'll Be Home For Christmas Musical Drama at Hickory Grove UMC

December 15

WS Krankies Craft Fair 2018

December 16

LVILLE Moravian Christmas Open House

December 18

WS Salem Band Holiday Concert

December 20

WS Christmas for the City
WS Salem Band Holiday Concert

May 11, 2019

LVILLE Trial by Fire, Journey Tribute Band

Sneak Peak to This Weekend

Free Family Events in the Piedmont Triad

Today is the start of the Arts on Sunday Festival in downtown Winston-Salem.  Every Sunday in September, enjoy arts, crafts, and music on N Liberty St in downtown Winston-Salem.

Later this evening, you can enjoy concert band music by the Winston-Salem Community Band Concert or jazz at LeBauer Park.

Next Saturday, September 8, there are twelve free family events listed on our calendar!  NC Folkfest is a weekend of fun in Greensboro, the 14th Festival of Books & Authors takes place throughout downtown Winston-Salem, the 3rd Annual Hi-Fest will be at the Mendenhall Transportation Terminal in High Point, and Kernersville is celebrating the Annual End of Summer Fest.

These events and many others for you to enjoy with your family without spending a penny.  Of course, most of these events will have food and other items for sale, but you can have a lot of fun for free!

 

The Piedmont Triad in the News!

 








Support a New Local Business!

Quarry Park in Winston-Salem, NC

By Jessica Thomas Lewis

Hidden off Reynolds Park Road in Winston-Salem, Quarry Park offers a nice place for passive activities and relaxation.  The access road is next to the William Roscoe Anderson Jr. Recreation Center.   Just minutes from downtown,  this 228-acre park includes a 12-acre quarry with 130-foot bluffs that overlook waters that are so clear you can see dozens of feet below the surface.

The park includes open green space with walking/biking trails, overlooks and an observation platform over the quarry.  Quarry Park also has an event lawn and lawn amphitheater. Winston-Salem's downtown skyline and the Sauratown mountains can be seen in the distance.

The park includes the Waughtown Greenway Connector, providing access from Reynolds Park and the Salem Creek Greenway.  There is a greenway rest area with bike parking and several bike racks throughout the park.

Cool sculptures made for sitting adorn the walking trails and there are lots of metal benches for quiet moments and spectacular views.  The metal benches were designed to resemble the screens once used to sort gravel in the old quarry.  Water fountains and trash receptacles are placed along the trails and there are picnic tables.

There is a public restroom tucked under the observation platform. The walls to the restroom are made of large gravel, such as the gravel that was produced by the old quarry for use in the construction of Business 40 and US 52.  The park is handicap accessible and is stroller and dog friendly.

Entry is free and there is plenty of parking.  Quarry Park is perfect for a quiet afternoon outside.

FREE Summer Reading Programs in the Piedmont Triad

Growing up, my Dad would repeatedly tell us, "Readers are leaders!"  Everyone I've known for any length of time has heard me say it and now my own children say it, too!  Summer Reading programs are a fun way to keep your kids excited about reading all year long.

You can access an awesome list of FREE summer reading programs here.  This includes programs that will reward kids with free prizes such as books, pizza, even tickets to a theme park!

One of your best resources for a good summer reading program is at the local public library!  Find more information about your county's summer reading program below!






Alamance County
Learn more about Alamance reading programs on their website here.



Caswell County 
Learn more about Caswell reading programs on their website here


Davie County
Learn more about Davie reading programs on their website here

Davidson County
Learn more about Davidson reading programs on their website here



Forsyth County
Learn more about Forsyth reading programs on their website here




Guilford County
Learn more about Guilford reading programs on their website here


Montgomery County
Learn more about Montgomery reading programs on their website here


Randolph County
Learn more about Randolph reading programs on their website here


Rockingham County
Learn more about Rockingham kids reading programs on their website here
Learn more about Rockingham teens reading programs on their website here

Stokes County
Learn more about Stokes reading programs on their website here


Surry County
Learn more about Surry reading programs on their website here


Yadkin County
No information

View our calendar filled with more events in the Piedmont Triad Here.

Week of June 13, 2016 FREE Family Fun in the Piedmont Triad!

Planning your week? 

Here are a few highlights for family fun in the Piedmont Triad!

FREE - no admission charge but there may be items and/or food/drinks for sale

$ cost of admission under $20 for a family of four
$$ cost of admission over $20 for a family of four

Monday, June 13

GSO  6:00pm-7:00pm  FREE Fitness by the Fountain at Center City

Wednesday, June 15

GSO  12:00pm-1:30pm   FREE   Lunchtime Music Downtown Greensboro

GSO  5:00pm-7:00pm     FREE   Family Night ArtQuest at Greenhill

GSO  6:00pm-7:00pm     FREE   Fitness by the Fountain at Center City  

Thursday, June 16

W-S   4:00pm-4:30pm     FREE    Art in the Overlook Gallery

W-S   5:30pm-7:30 pm    FREE    Thursday Night in Old Salem

GSO   5:30pm-9:00pm    FREE    Greensboro: The City Market

GSO   6:00pm-7:00pm    FREE    "Murals" City Market

Friday, June 17

WS    4:00pm-7:00pm      $            Family Friday Night at SciWorks

HP     6:00pm-8:00pm    FREE      The Ignite High Point Whistle Stop Concert Series

WS    6:00pm-9:00pm    FREE      Live Jazz Outdoors DTWS   

Saturday, June 18

Rural Hall   10:00am-3:00pm       Junkies Vintage Boutique's Spring Junk Revival Flea Market

Colfax   11:00am-4:00pm   FREE    Wingfest 2016 by The Arc of High Point

WS     12:30pm-3:00pm   FREE    Saturday ART Jam

WS    7:00pm-10:00pm   FREE    Summer on Liberty

Sunday, June 19

FATHER'S DAY

GSO   5:00pm-7:00pm     FREE     Music Series at Barber Park

Details are on our calendar.  If you have questions about an event, please contact the sponsor directly.  All information is correct and accurate at the time of it's posting.

Downtown Jazz Season Begins in Winston-Salem

FREE Live music is abundant in downtown Winston-Salem!
The season has begun for the Downtown Jazz series!

Downtown Jazz concerts begin at 6pm Saturday nights and last until 9pm.  


Brian Simpson & Elan Trotman headlined last night's show with opening performer Reggie Buie.

Bring a lawnchair.  There are food trucks on site!

June 10:   Brian Simpson & Elan Trotman
Opening performer – Reggie Buie


June 24:  Matt Marshak
Opening performer – Titus Gant


July 8: Eric Darius
Opening performer – Saundra Crenshaw

July 22: Urban Jazz Coalition & Will Donoto
Opening performer – Will Donato


August 12:  Dee Lucas
Opening performer – Vince Crenshaw


August 26:  Joey Sommerville
Opening performer – Galvin Crisp

Details of this and other FREE family events are on our calendar.  If you have questions about an event, please contact the sponsor directly.  All information is accurate at the time of it's posting.

Visit DowntownWS here

Photo Credit: Dave Hampton

Week of June 6, 2016 FREE Family Fun in the Piedmont Triad!

Planning your week? 

Here are a few highlights for family fun in the Piedmont Triad!

FREE - no admission charge but there may be items and/or food/drinks for sale
$ cost of admission under $20 for a family of four
$$ cost of admission over $20 for a family of four

Monday, June 6
GSO 6-8pm  FREE Fitness by the Fountain at Center City

Tuesday, June 7
WS 7pm  $$ All You Can Eat at the Winston-Salem Dash. Pay regular price for game and eat FREE
WS 7:30pm FREE Concert at Old Salem

Wednesday, June 8
GSO 12-3pm FREE Lunchtime Music Center City Park Downtown Greensboro
GSO 5-7pm FREE Family Night ArtQuest at Greenhill
GSO 6pm FREE Fitness by the Fountain at Center City

Thursday, June 9 
WS 3:30-4:30pm FREE Art in the Overlook Gallery
WS 5:30-7:30pm FREE Thursday Night Music in Old Salem
WS 6-8:30 pm FREE Concert Band Family Evenings at Bethabara

Friday, June 10
WS 11am-11pm $ Twin City Rib Fest Adults $7, Children 12 and under FREE
HP 6-8pm FREE The Ignite High Point Whistle Stop Concert Series
WS 6-9pm FREE Live Jazz Outdoors DTWS

Saturday, June 11
Pinnacle 11am-3pm FREE Baa, Moo, & Cock-A-Doodle-Do! at Horne Creek Farm
WS 11am-11pm $ Twin City Rib Fest Adults $7, Children 12 and under FREE

Sunday, June 12
WS 11am-11pm $ Twin City Rib Fest Adults $7, Children 12 and under FREE
GSO 5-7pm FREE Music Series at Barber Park
WS 3-6pm FREE Second Sundays on 4th


Details are on our calendar.  If you have questions about an event, please contact the sponsor directly.  All information is correct and accurate at the time of it's posting.

Free Concert Series at Barber Park

Free Concert Series at Barber Park

Greensboro

Starting May 1, 2016

Music Starts at 6pm

Info from the facebook event:  Join us each week at Barber Park, starting May 1 through July 9, for a great night of FREE, live music at the Levitt AMP Greensboro Music Series! This series features a diverse lineup of outstanding artists in genres ranging from blues, spoken word, Latin, soul, funk, rock 'n roll, and more. There will be something for everyone to enjoy!

The Levitt AMP Greensboro Music Series will kickoff on May 1 with Greensboro's own Gate City Divas and The Bailey Heavenly Sounds from Greensboro's United House of Prayer. The grounds at Barber Park open at 5 pm, and the music starts at 6 pm.

About the Gate City Divas: The Gate City Divas’ debut record, Goin’ to Town, hit the Greensboro music scene in March 2016, and its fifteen original hits—filthy with funk, R&B, and blues—were quickly met with high praise, both on the streets and in the press. The project is a celebration of these women and their common—but diverse—musical backgrounds, their shared and singular voices as songwriters, and their eight hearts overflowing for their community.

About the Bailey Heavenly Sounds from Greensboro's United House of Prayer:the Bailey Heavenly Sounds Shout Band from Greensboro’s United House of Prayer for All People (UHOPFAP) will kick off our entire Levitt AMP Greensboro Music Series in a big way! We dare you to keep still when the tuba, baritone, and all those trombones start swinging! (Hint: It’s impossible!)

The Levitt AMP Greensboro Music Series is supported in part by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, a private family foundation that empowers towns and cities across America to transform neglected public spaces into thriving destinations through the power of free, live music. In 2016, more than 450 free Levitt concerts will take place in 21 towns and cities, all featuring a rich array of music genres and high caliber talent. Learn more at levitt.org.

View our calendar filled with more events in the Piedmont Triad Here.

Free Outdoor Showing of Willy Wonka April 28 in Winston-Salem

B.Y.O.C. (Bring Your Own Chair) Event

April 28, 2016

Sundown

Free Outdoor Showing of the Original 1971

Willy Wonka

Marketplace Cinemas

2095 Peters Creek Parkway

Winston-Salem

Weather Permitting

More information on the facebook page here.  

Fun Afternoon with Walk and Roll in Downtown Winston-Salem

Walk and Roll was a delightful way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  This event, which takes place during National Bike Month, started at  Research Parkway and Third Street. In it's third year, traffic was closed on Research Parkway and people were able to walk, cycle, skateboard or skate in the street.

There was a bounce castle, hula hoops, bike decorating, face painting, performers and more. Free helmets were given to the children and they were asked to say a pledge to always wear it. We're always happy when Kona Ice is available and Camel City Grill, a local food truck, was in attendance.

Looking down Research Parkway toward Third

Bike Rodeo

As we entered the festival

Face painting by Girls, Inc.    #ROAR

Hula hooping

Sporting the free bag and helmet

Winston-Salem Fun Fly-In

Fund-raiser/can-raiser for the Maple Springs Food Pantry!  Free food and helicopter tours of Winston-Salem.   Bring a friend.  

Saturday,  May 9.   10am-2pm

Triad Solarize Launch Party

TRIAD SOLARIZE LAUNCH PARTY

THURS JAN 29 (6:30-8:30p)

FINNIGAN'S WAKE RESTAURANT

620 N. TRADE ST.

WINSTON-SALEM, NC

Please come if you're interested in getting a FREE Solar or Energy Efficiency Assessment on your home, you want solar and/or EE done to your house or you want to volunteer to help bring these to others in the Triad at a discounted price. Up to 65% tax credits are available for 2015. Plus, we'll have free food, a presentation and reliable installers who can answer your questions, 

SIGN UP FOR FREE ASSESSMENTS AT

 SOLARIZE-NC.ORG OR COME SEE US THIS THURS!

 Email Porterkim7@gmail.com if you have questions.

Free Tax Prep in Winston-Salem and Surrounding 2015

By Jessica Thomas Lewis

I use this service myself.  Once again  this year United Way will be supporting the VITA ( Volunteer Income Tax Assistance ) program. The VITA program, through Forsyth Working Families Partnership,  is designed to help low income families save on tax preparation fees as well as to maximize their refund particularly by utilizing the Earned Income Tax Credit where possible. This program is open to families with incomes of $53000 or less ( $60000 if filing single).

There will be a Launch Party on Thursday, January 22 at The Old Winston Social Club on Burke Street in Winston-Salem to kickoff this year’s program and answer any  questions you might have.  

To see a full listing of sites/times where tax assistance can be secured for free, go here.  This is a program in Forsyth County, NC. 

To see more locations for free tax preparations in the Piedmont Triad, see this blog post from 2013.  The information on that post was accurate as of date written.  There are phone numbers included for most locations; please verify current times and locations on your own.   

You can file your taxes at these locations beginning February 2nd.

2013 Piedmont Triad Living Holiday Event Guide

It's up!  Our most viewed page of the year is ready!  

Please click on the picture below to go to our Holiday Event Guide.

16th Annual Sweet Potato Festival

16th Annual Sweet Potato Festival, in Surry County

on Saturday, September 21 from 10-5. 

FREE Live Music, craft vendors, blacksmith demonstrations, local authors, sweet potato pie, sonkers, country ham biscuits, chicken stew, pintos and cornbread and this year Sweet Potato Coffee.

 Call 336-374-5317 for more information.

Free in Concord! The Bill Cherry Music Festival, August 17, 2013

Music Festival (9 Bands!) to raise money for Hannah Conley 

Family Friendly Music!

August 17, 2013     Noon-8pm

 Frank Liske Park 

4001 Stough Road, Concord, NC 

Bring the whole family (pets included) chairs and blankets.

Boston Butts and music for a good cause... doesn't get any better than that. 

Free Admission and with $10 donation you receive a Boston Butt plate. 

All donations going to help Hannah Conley!  

(See Hannah's story, and why this festival was started, below)

From the Bill Cherry Music Festival facebook page
Hannah Conley
(This was written by Hannah’s Dad)
Where do I start to tell you about my girl, Hannah? We had a normal typical pregnancy with no indications that Hannah had any problems prior to birth. She began to have issues and was diagnosed at ten days old with a brain abnormality. Because of that, Hannah has Cerebral Palsy. She has muscle movement disorder, she is non-verbal (unable to talk), she cannot walk independently, and needs complete assistance with most everything. Hannah had spinal fusion surgery in February to correct an extensive curve in her spine that was completely compressing her left lung. She now has two rods and screws from the base of her neck to the base of her spine. She is still recovering, but is doing really well. The surgery was 8 hours and she spent almost three weeks in the hospital. This surgery adds more discomfort from being lifted in and out of the car. Hannah weighs 76 pounds. It is getting harder and harder for Hannah’s mother to get in and out of the car. Her mother had breast cancer two years ago and the surgeries left Mom without abdominal muscles. This makes lifting Hannah exceedingly difficult for Mom. She has to have total help with bathing, dressing, moving from one position to another, and has to have her food in a mashed consistency in order to not choke.
Hannah is 13. We live in Boiling Springs, NC. She is bright, happy, and the sweetest little girl ever! She uses a power chair for mobility. She loves school and her friends. Hannah loves her touch screen computer, and her I Pad. She loves her church and her church family. She also loves her family, especially her big brother; Austin who is 17 and attends Crest HS. Hannah has a dog, Baxter, who is her best friend. She also has a fat cat named Miss Kitty. She enjoys music, dancing, cheerleading, Special Olympics, and horses.
Thank you so much for thinking of our family. It is amazing that God used a contest and facebook to bring this all together. Words are not enough to say thank you. We are so overwhelmed and honestly are speechless!

Well my name is Mike Holbrooks and let me give you a little bit of the back story of how Facebook made this possible. It starts with Bill Cherry one of my best friends for over 30 years. About 5 years ago he was riding his motorcycle and was hit by a guy texting. The accident left him paralyzed from the chest down and with the use of only one arm. He wanted to feel independent again so he had passed his driving class but Medicaid said he had to come up $15,000 before they would build him an adaptive handicap van. I was planning to put on a music festival fund raiser for him but this past December 13th he passed away. After he passed away I told myself I was going to leave his photo as my Facebook photo till I put on this fund raiser for someone else in his honor. One morning at work Bill was on my mind. So I started calling a few different government groups that deal with handicap individuals. I wanted to see if they could put me in touch with some good people that needed some help trying to get an adaptive handicap van. I made seven phone calls that morning and they all said that I was either talking to the wrong department or person. I was fed up so I told myself that this was too hard and I had tried my best. So I went back to working. No more than 15 minutes later I get an invite from Facebook. I get so many invites to play games or other stuff I usually don’t even look at them but for some reason I pulled it up. The first thing I see is Hannah’s smiling face with a request to vote for her in a contest to try and win an adaptive handicap van. Ok remember I had just got off the phone trying to get in touch with someone I could try and help to get an adaptive van for. I knew then that Bill Cherry had that Facebook message sent to me because he knew I was about to give up. So if it had not been for Facebook and a little help from a best friend this union would have never been possible. Thanks for Your Support