It is July! One Second we are in never ending January (seriously what was up with that month?) and the next we are half0way through the year!
Despite my disbelief July is here and there is a cornucopia of fun opportunities for the family in Morganton! Check them out and hopefully we will see you at some of them!
July 3rd
Summer Movies- Captain Underpants or Lego Batman, 9:30am, Marquee Cinema, FREE
Splash Pad Play Date, 10:00am-12:00pm, Martha’s Park, FREE
Come beat the heat with Morganton Moms and let the kids splash and play. Meet some new friends for the summer.
Salamanders, 11:00am, South Mountain State Park, FREE
Did you know that salamanders are amphibians? Join park staff at the Jacob Fork Parking Area at 11:00 am to learn more fun facts and participate in salamander collection. Come prepared to get wet.
No registration required.
$2 Tuesdays, Me, You, and Some Glue
Play in the Exploration Rooms for $2 per child. Parents are expected to supervise children while playing and clean up after their child.
July 4th
Summer Movies- Captain Underpants or Lego Batman, 9:30am, Marquee Cinema, FREE
Glen Alpine 4th of July Celebration, 10:00am, FREE
The annual celebration of freedom features a parade, live music, free watermelon, food for purchase and more! Friends, family and Burke County parade-goers are all welcome to join in! The parade route will run from Pea Ridge Street to Linville Street, circle Cemetary Street back to Linville Street and end at the town hall in Glen Alpine where the rest of the festivities will take place.
Morganton Independence Day Celebration, 5:00pm-11:00pm, Catawba Meadows Park, FREE
Don’t miss a spectacular fireworks show this Independence Day in Morganton. There will be games, a dougnut eating contest, a frog jumping contest, music, vendors, and much more! Fireworks show starts at 9:30 pm.
July 5th
Skulls and Skins, 11:00am, South Mountain State Park, FREE
Join a Park Ranger and learn about some of the animals of the South Mountains. Please meet at the Visitor Center at 11:00 am.
No registration required.
15th Annual Red White and Bluegrass Festival, 1:00pm-11:00pm, Catawba Meadows Park, $30 per ticket, 12 and under free with adult purchase
The 14th Annual Red, White and Bluegrass Festival is the bluegrass event of the year! The festival will feature more than a dozen great bluegrass bands, great food, vendors, tent sales, jam sessions, and more! And, the festival is a family-friendly event.
Purchase tickets https://tinyurl.com/ydcjbdjs
July 6th
15th Annual Red White and Bluegrass Festival, 1:00pm-11:00pm, Catawba Meadows Park, $30 per ticket, 12 and under free with adult purchase
The 14th Annual Red, White and Bluegrass Festival is the bluegrass event of the year! The festival will feature more than a dozen great bluegrass bands, great food, vendors, tent sales, jam sessions, and more! And, the festival is a family-friendly event.
Purchase tickets https://tinyurl.com/ydcjbdjs
July 7th
Lego Club, 11:00am, C.B. Hildebrand Library, FREE
Create, innovate, invent, and engineer at our LEGO Clubs. LEGOS and other building materials will be provided for you to create with. Ages 6 and up.
Pre-registration required. Contact C.B. Hildebrand Library to register.
15th Annual Red White and Bluegrass Festival, 1:00pm-11:00pm, Catawba Meadows Park, $30 per ticket, 12 and under free with adult purchase
The 14th Annual Red, White and Bluegrass Festival is the bluegrass event of the year! The festival will feature more than a dozen great bluegrass bands, great food, vendors, tent sales, jam sessions, and more! And, the festival is a family-friendly event.
Purchase tickets https://tinyurl.com/ydcjbdjs
July 9th
Dance Camp with Kesha, 10:00am-11:30am, July 9th- 12th, Sherri’s School of Dance, $50
Children ages 3-7. Ballet, Hip-Hop, Basic Tumbling, Creative Dance, Ribbons, Games
Registration: https://tinyurl.com/yd84ctwh
Dance Camp with Kesha, 12:00pm-3:00pm, July 9th- 12th, Sherri’s School of Dance, $100
Ages 8 and up. Ballet, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Creative Dance, Choreography, and More.
Registration: https://tinyurl.com/yd84ctwh
All Things Pottery Summer Camp, 1:00pm-4:00pm, July 9th-13th, Sketch Art Space, $225 per week
For ages 6-14, Your mini maker will explore and experience clay from wet to kiln-fired finished pieces, and enjoy discovering every stage in between.
Registration: https://tinyurl.com/yb7hgyal
Crafting Stories, 2:00pm, Adventure Bound Books, $15, Registration required by July 5th
We’re teaming up with Me, You, and Some Glue for a series of hands-on projects paired with book readings. We’ll read Pirates Don’t Take a Bath and make pirate themed soaps to take home! Participants will have the opportunity to learn the history of soap making as well. Bring your own camera for a complimentary pirate-themed photo shoot.
Registration: Email orders@youmeandsomeglue.com with subject Crafting Stories Registration
Family Craft Night, 5:00pm-6:30pm, C.B. Hildebrand Library, FREE
Baby it’s HOT outside! Cool Down Here at CBH. Enjoy the cool as you make a Christmas canvas. For all ages.
Pre-registration required. Contact C.B. Hildebrand Library to register.
July 10th
$2 Tuesdays, Me, You, and Some Glue
Play in the Exploration Rooms for $2 per child. Parents are expected to supervise children while playing and clean up after their child.
Something’s Fishy, 9:00am, Lake James State Park, FREE
Bring the kids out for a morning of fun and learning about fish with Park Supt. Nora Coffey. Basic fish I.D. and biology will be covered and participants will be able to make a cool fish craft to take home. Most appropriate for children ages 4 and up. Meet at the Paddy’s Creek Area Office at 9 a.m. Supplies are limited, so please contact the park office at 828-584-7728 to reserve your spot.
Kids in the Creek, 9:00am, Lake James State Park, FREE
Aquatic life in our creeks and rivers goes far beyond the fish and crawdads you see with a casual glance. The ecosystem of moving water can be incredibly diverse, depending on water quality and other factors. At Lake James State Park, we are lucky to have a waterway of fantastic biological diversity and this program will show participants many of the hidden animals that call Paddy’s Creek home. Armed with nets, seines and buckets, participants will collect aquatic insects, crustaceans, fish, amphibians and more with Park Ranger Kevin Bischof. This program is suitable for all ages, especially those who are willing to get wet and have a great time. We will meet in the parking lot for the Holly Discovery Trail at the Paddy’s Creek Area at 10 a.m. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting wet and water shoes or waders if you have them.
No Registration Required.
Summer Movies- Angry Birds or Despicable Me 3, 9:30am, Marquee Cinema, FREE
July 11th
Summer Movies- Angry Birds or Despicable Me 3, 9:30am, Marquee Cinema, FREE
Morganton Library Playgroup, 11:00am-12:00pm, Morganton Public Library, FREE
Join us at the Morganton Public Library to meet other families with small children and share experiences and ideas. Ages birth-3.
No pre-registration required!
YA Swim and Bowling Night, 7:00pm-9:00pm, Valdese Recreation Center, FREE
Middle School and High School students join Valdese Library at the Valdese Rec. Dept. for a night of swimming and bowling! If choosing to do both, be sure to have shoes, towel, bathing suit, and change of dry clothes. The pool will be open for free swim (supervised by certified lifeguards) and the bowling alley offers eight lanes to play.
July 12th
Family Movies- Rock-A-Doodle, 2:00pm, Morganton Library, FREE
You must have a ticket for admittance. Tickets will be available 30 minutes prior to showtime. Space is limited. Snacks and drinks will be provided!
No Registration Required.
Crafting Stories, 6:00pm, Adventure Bound Books, $15, Registration required by July 5th
We’re teaming up with Me, You, and Some Glue for a series of hands-on projects paired with book readings. We’ll read Pirates Don’t Take a Bath and make pirate themed soaps to take home! Participants will have the opportunity to learn the history of soap making as well. Bring your own camera for a complimentary pirate-themed photo shoot.
Registration: Email orders@youmeandsomeglue.com with subject Crafting Stories Registration
July 13th
Family Movies- Lion King, 2:00pm, Valdese Library, FREE
Movies are subject to change. No pre-registration is required. Popcorn and drink provided.
TGIF with Kids in America and Cruise-In, 6:00pm, FREE
Don’t Judge a Book by its Movie, 6:00pm- 8:00pm, Adventure Bound Books, $35, Registration required
This month we will be reading/watching The Lorax. Each month we will read a book and then watch the corresponding movie, followed by a discussion of similarities and differences. Your kiddos will get a chance to write or draw their findings in a creative way. Simple snacks will be provided (please indicate any food allergies on the sign up forms each time your child attends).
Registration: Contact Adventure Bound Books
Slow Roll with Overmountain Cycles, 6:00pm, Overmountain Cycles Shop FREE
It’s a super casual pedal through Downtown Morganton. Easy pace means all riders, all bikes. Front and tail lights recommended, but not required. Stick around afterwards for brews and hanging out.
*Kids are welcome, but we encourage pulling them in a trailer/bike seat for overall safety*
Campfire, S’mores, and Fish, 8:00pm, Lake James State Park, FREE
What’s better than a discussion of fish than by camp fire? By doing it with S’mores! Meet Ranger Kevin Bischof in the Paddy’s Creek Area campground for a fireside program on fish. The program will happen near the bathhouse so bring your camp chairs and prepare to learn about the park’s finned residents. The program will start at 8 p.m. so don’t be late! S’more supplies are limited, so please contact the park office at 828-584-7728 to reserve your spot.
July 14th
Old MacDonald’s Sing-A-Long Farm, 9:00am, C.B. Hildebrand Library, FREE
Everybody on the farm has a favorite song. Join Old Farmer MacDonald, his wife Mrs. MacDonald, Daisy the Cow, Simon the Pig and all your favorite friends from the farm for a fun and energetic singalong that brings everyone together. From tunes like “Camptown Races” to classic nursery rhymes like “Hey Diddle Diddle,” this fun interactive show has a strong character message of sharing and caring for others.
No registration required.
Reel-Time Lucy at the Market, 9:00am-11:00am, Morganton Farmers Market, FREE
The Morganton Farmers Market will feature LIVE music from Reel-Time Lucy on Saturday, July 14 from 9 to 11am. Reel-Time Lucy will bring out the Irish in you with their Irish dancing jigs.
Old MacDonald’s Sing-A-Long Farm, 11:00am, Valdese Library, FREE
Everybody on the farm has a favorite song. Join Old Farmer MacDonald, his wife Mrs. MacDonald, Daisy the Cow, Simon the Pig and all your favorite friends from the farm for a fun and energetic singalong that brings everyone together. From tunes like “Camptown Races” to classic nursery rhymes like “Hey Diddle Diddle,” this fun interactive show has a strong character message of sharing and caring for others.
No registration required.
Old MacDonald’s Sing-A-Long Farm, 3:00pm, Morganton Library, FREE
Everybody on the farm has a favorite song. Join Old Farmer MacDonald, his wife Mrs. MacDonald, Daisy the Cow, Simon the Pig and all your favorite friends from the farm for a fun and energetic singalong that brings everyone together. From tunes like “Camptown Races” to classic nursery rhymes like “Hey Diddle Diddle,” this fun interactive show has a strong character message of sharing and caring for others.
No registration required.
Astronomy for Everyone, Lake James State Park, 8:00pm
Lake James State Park Superintendent Nora Coffey will be co-hosting with the Catawba Valley Astronomy Club for a night of star gazing. Learn some basic star gazing tips and take home your own star chart. There will be telescopes and binoculars set up for viewing the night sky, but feel free to bring your own if you have them. Folding chairs and bug spray are also recommended. We will meet in the upper parking lot of the Paddy’s Creek Area starting at 8:00 p.m. to get oriented and cover some tips for the evening’s events before it gets dark. Register by calling the park office at 828-584-7728.
July 16th
Family Craft Night, 5:00pm-6:30pm, C.B. Hildebrand Library, FREE
Baby it’s HOT outside! Cool Down Here at CBH. Enjoy the cool as you make a Christmas canvas. For all ages.
Pre-registration required. Contact C.B. Hildebrand Library to register.
July 17th
$2 Tuesdays, Me, You, and Some Glue
Play in the Exploration Rooms for $2 per child. Parents are expected to supervise children while playing and clean up after their child.
Studio K Dance Academy Summer Camp, 9:00am-11:00am, July 17th-19th, $50
Summer camp for children ages 3-7.
Contact Studio K for Registration 828-446-2230
Summer Movies- The Emoji Movie or Minions , 9:30am, Marquee Cinema, FREE
Studio K Dance Academy Summer Camp, 11:15am-2:15pm, July 17th-19th, $50
Summer camp for children ages 8 and up.
Contact Studio K for Registration 828-446-2230
Outdoor Movie- The Last Jedi, 8:30pm, Morganton Public Library, FREE
Free movie, popcorn and drinks; open to all ages. Parental Guidance is advised.
No Registration Required
July 18th
Summer Movies- The Emoji Movie or Minions , 9:30am, Marquee Cinema, FREE
Morganton Library Playgroup, 11:00am-12:00pm, Morganton Public Library, FREE
Join us at the Morganton Public Library to meet other families with small children and share experiences and ideas. Ages birth-3.
No Registration Required
July 19th
What’s in the Water? 11:00am, South Mountain State Park, FREE
How many kinds of critters live in the river?? Join a Park Ranger in the stream to turn over some rocks and learn more about what you might find there. Come prepared to get wet!! Meet at the Jacob Fork Parking Area at 11:00 am.
Family Movies- Paddington 2, 2:00pm, Morganton Library, FREE
You must have a ticket for admittance. Tickets will be available 30 minutes prior to showtime. Space is limited. Snacks and drinks will be provided!
No Registration Required.
The Sound of Nature with Schiele Museum, 3:30pm, C.B. Hildebrand Library, FREE
Experience the sound of nature this summer by learning about the sounds animals make. Learn the variety of sounds made by animals and why they make them. Open to all ages.
No registration required.
The Dance Factory Princess Camp, 5:00pm-8:00pm, July 19th-21st, The Dance Factory, $50
Ballet, Tap, Hip-Hop, Clogging, Hula, and much more. 3 days of dance, art, and camp.
Contact The Dance Factory for registration.
Folk Instrument Petting Zoo, 5:30pm, Valdese Library, FREE
Do your kids love to watch cool instruments being played? Well what if they were actually allowed to play them? Today we welcome local musician/artist Alan Darveaux and his “Zoo” of amazing instruments. Children will be given a uniquely hands on experience in the world of Folk music.
Pre-Registration Required. Contact Valdese Library to Register.
Book Art Club, 6:00pm-7:00pm, Sketch Art Space, $25, Registration Required
Adventure Bound Books’ Angela Shores visit the studio to read a beloved children’s book. Then young artists, ages 4-12, will have the opportunity to create their own unique masterpieces in this drop off class! Your book artists will take a story off the pages of its book and bring it to life with art!
Registration: https://tinyurl.com/y8vgw7zj
July 20th
Family Movies- The Little Mermaid, 2:00pm, Valdese Library, FREE
Movies are subject to change. No pre-registration is required. Popcorn and drink provided.
Tree ID Hike, 2:00pm, Lake James State Park, FREE
A lot of the resource management decisions made at the park are based on the existing landscape and how it can be restored. Trees are an integral component of the ecosystem and there is great interest in learning how to identify them. Park Ranger Clay Veasey will lead this hike along the Sandy Cliff Overlook Trail and explain how to use bark patterns, seeds, nuts and cones and fallen leaves and needles to figure out what trees are towering above. Meet at the Catawba River Area breezeway at 2 p.m.
No registration required.
TGIF with Red Dirt Revelators, 6:00pm, FREE
July 21st
Lego Club, 10:00am, Valdese Library, FREE
Create, innovate, invent, and engineer at our LEGO Clubs. LEGOS and other building materials will be provided for you to create with. Open to all ages.
Duplo Club, 10:00am, Morganton Public Library, FREE
Ages 1-5 Create, innovate, invent, and engineer at our LEGO Clubs. LEGOS and other building materials will be provided for you to create with.
No pre-registration required
Bees, Butterflies and other Pollinators, 10:00am, Lake James State Park, FREE
Over the last 7 years the staff at Lake James State Park has been diligent in landscaping with native plants that are attractive to insect pollinators. Those efforts have paid off and the pollinator gardens around the day-use portion of the Paddy’s Creek Area are a showplace for butterflies, bees and a host of other insects that are critical to the health of our flowering and fruiting plant communities. Park Ranger Jamie Cameron will lead this tour of the gardens – discussing the different plants and how they are utilized by the insect community. Meet at the Paddy’s Creek Area bathhouse breezeway at 10 a.m.
No registration required.
Skulls and Skins, 11:00am, South Mountain State Park, FREE
Join a Park Ranger and learn about some of the animals of the South Mountains. Please meet at the Visitor Center at 11:00 am.
No registration required.
Cowpoke HoeDown Dance Party, 2:30pm, Morganton Public Library, FREE
Wear your cowboy hats and boots.
No Registration Required.
July 22nd
Fishing 101, 9:00am, Lake James State Park, FREE
One of the main attractions to Lake James State Park is the quality fishing opportunities that can be found in the lake. Have you ever wanted to fish, but didn’t know where to start? Here is a great opportunity. Meet Park Ranger Jamie Cameron at the Paddy’s Creek Area Office at 9 a.m. and be prepared to wet a line! All of the fishing gear will be supplied so all you need to do is show up. Since gear will be provided, participation is limited to 8. Please call 828-584-7728 to sign-up for this program.
July 23rd
Sounds Good with Catawba Science Center, 3:30pm, C.B. Hildebrand Library, FREE
Sounds are all around us in the air. How is sound created and how does it travel? Do we all hear the same tones? Can you hear what I hear? Come and explore the science of sound with us today!
Pre-registration required. Contact C.B. Hildebrand Library to register.
July 24th
$2 Tuesdays, Me, You, and Some Glue
Play in the Exploration Rooms for $2 per child. Parents are expected to supervise children while playing and clean up after their child.
Summer Movies- Lego Ninjago or Sing , 9:30am, Marquee Cinema, FREE
Jurassic Park Movie Marathon, 12:00pm, Valdese Library, FREE
Celebrating 25 Years of Jurassic Park!
See your favorite, or spend the day! Light refreshments and drinks provided. These movies are offered INSIDE the library.
Jurassic Park (1993) 10:00am (127 mins)
The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) 12:30pm (129 mins)
Jurassic Park III (2001) 3:00pm (93 mins)
Jurassic World (2015) 5:00pm (124mins)
No registration required.
July 25th
Summer Movies- Lego Ninjago or Sing , 9:30am, Marquee Cinema, FREE
Morganton Library Playgroup, 11:00am-12:00pm, Morganton Public Library, FREE
Join us at the Morganton Public Library to meet other families with small children and share experiences and ideas. Ages birth-3.
No preregistration required!
July 26th
Camping 101, 10:15am, South Mountain State Park, FREE
Can I have S’more please? Join a Ranger at Cicero Branch Parking Area at 11:00 am to learn how to start a campfire, roast some s’mores and other cool camping tricks.
Family Movies- The Greatest Showman, 2:00pm, Morganton Library, FREE
You must have a ticket for admittance. Tickets will be available 30 minutes prior to showtime. Space is limited. Snacks and drinks will be provided!
No Registration Required.
July 27th
Boat Tour, 10:00am, Lake James State Park, FREE
The waters and shoreline of Lake James is bursting with life and there’s no better way to explore than by boat. Park Ranger Clay Veasey will be your captain and guide aboard the park patrol boat as we search for ospreys, otters, eagles and scenic vistas. The weather could be hot and muggy, so be sure to watch the forecast and dress appropriately for the day (remember it’s always cooler out on the water) if you are one of the eight lucky participants. Registration is required and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the park office at 828-584-7728 to reserve your spot. Meet at the Paddy’s Creek Area East Picnic Shelter at 9:45 a.m. for a briefing and prompt 10 a.m. departure.
Family Movies- Enchanted, 2:00pm, Valdese Library, FREE
Movies are subject to change. No pre-registration is required. Popcorn and drink provided.
TGIF with Colby Dietz Band, 6:00pm, FREE
Slow Roll with Overmountain Cycles, 6:00pm, Overmountain Cycles Shop FREE
It’s a super casual pedal through Downtown Morganton. Easy pace means all riders, all bikes. Front and tail lights recommended, but not required. Stick around afterwards for brews and hanging out.
*Kids are welcome, but we encourage pulling them in a trailer/bike seat for overall safety*
July 28th
Songs and Sunshine, 3:00pm-4:00pm, Morganton Public Library, FREE
Finish off summer with an outdoor family concert with Sherrill Keever and Brian Deal. This program is free and open to families and children. Please bring a chair or blanket to sit on. All Ages. No registration required.
Duplo Club, 3:30pm, C.B. Hildebrand Library, FREE
Create, innovate, invent, and engineer at our LEGO Clubs. LEGOS and other building materials will be provided for you to create with. Ages 1-5.
Pre-registration required. Contact C.B. Hildebrand Library to register.
July 30th
Art Discovery Camp, 9:00am-12:00pm, July 30th- August 3rd, Sketch Art Space, $225 per week
For ages 4-14, We’ll have time for experimenting with open-ended process art, and learn to use those experiences for projects like painting, sculpture, printmaking, weaving and more.
Registration: https://tinyurl.com/yb7hgyal
All Things Pottery Summer Camp, 1:00pm-4:00pm, July 30th-August 3rd, Sketch Art Space, $225 per week
For ages 6-14, Your mini maker will explore and experience clay from wet to kiln-fired finished pieces, and enjoy discovering every stage in between.
Registration: https://tinyurl.com/yb7hgyal
Morganton Library Playgroup, 11:00am-12:00pm, Morganton Public Library, FREE
Join us at the Morganton Public Library to meet other families with small children and share experiences and ideas. Ages birth-3.
No pre-registration required!
July 31st
$2 Tuesdays, Me, You, and Some Glue
Play in the Exploration Rooms for $2 per child. Parents are expected to supervise children while playing and clean up after their child.
Summer Movies- My Little Pony or Ferdinand , 9:30am, Marquee Cinema, FREE