42nd annual Hiddenite Celebration of Arts coming Sept. 23
Aug. 17—HIDDENITE — The Hiddenite Arts and Heritage Center looks forward to hosting its 42nd annual Hiddenite Celebration of the Arts on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hiddenite Church Road in Alexander County.
This free street festival features fine arts vendors, food vendors, living history demonstrations, a folk-life pavilion, live performances on four separate stages, an interactive children's area and more.
The historic Lucas Mansion serves as the nucleus of the festival with the children's area located adjacent to the Gazebo stage.
The Lucas Mansion will be open to visitors for the duration of the festival. Guests are invited to step back in time as they enjoy a guided tour into the turn of the century home of James Paul Lucas, also known as "Diamond Jim." Tours of the house museum wing offer visitors an opportunity to experience this historic home as it might have been in Diamond Jim's day.
Tour guides will share additional information about local history, the unique geology of the area, and folklore.
The Center's guided tours are $1 during festival hours. Visits to the Lucas Mansion's art exhibits and its antique doll and toy museum wing are free.
Micah Henry will be the museum's featured artist and will be available in the art gallery at select times to meet and greet visitors. His exhibit, "Celebrating Faces and Places" will include photography as well as vintage cameras and typewriters.
Guests to the area are invited to learn about Alexander County by exploring its visitor's center, which is housed within the mansion.
As part of the 42nd Hiddenite Celebration of the Arts, the Hiddenite Arts and Heritage Center will host its annual Celebrate Seniors Luncheon at the Hiddenite Center's Educational Complex, at 70 Hiddenite Church Road, in Hiddenite, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 10 a.m.
A meal consisting of homemade chicken salad on a specialty roll, a deviled egg, chips, seasonal fresh fruit and tiramisu will be served. Pianist Melanie Stout Passmore will provide pre-program and lunch music during the event.
Guests will be entertained by Alexander County native Kim Sheeks, known as "The Hat Lady." Kim's hats will serve as talking points for humorous stories, vignettes and lessons. Attendees are advised to bring tissues to best prepare for the tears of laughter that are sure to ensue.
Guests of all ages are invited to attend the one-of-a-kind event created to honor senior citizens. The cost is $15 per person. Pre-registration is required.
For individual and group reservations call 828-632-6966 or register online at www.hiddenitearts.org. This happening is a community favorite and is sure to sell out. Registering as soon as possible is highly recommended. The Hiddenite Arts and Heritage Center always looks forward to sharing the special occasion with the region.
For more information or to learn more about the Hiddenite Arts and Heritage Center, call 828-632-6966, email info@hiddenitearts.org, or visit hiddenitearts.org.
Hiddenite Center programs and events are supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment Of The Arts and with generous funding from the Eileen and R. Y. Sharpe Family Foundation, The Winston Salem Foundation, the Sharpe Chair of Fine and Applied Arts at Appalachian State University, Alexander County government, the Town of Taylorsville, The Rotary Foundation, South Arts, Carpenter Foundation, and the Friends of the Center membership program.
The Hiddenite Arts Heritage Center's Lucas Mansion and Educational Complex are wheelchair accessible.
