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WET’N WILD opens this weekend with all new SOAK ZONE!

WET’N WILD opens this weekend with all new SOAK ZONE!

WET’N WILD EMERALD POINTE, the Largest Water Park In The Carolinas’ celebrates the beginning of summer with a fun-filled family opening on SATURDAY, MAY 25TH at 10:00AM for the exciting 29TH SEASON!  (Opening Weekend is May 25, 26 and 27…operating hours are 10:00am-5:00pm each day.  Open daily beginning Saturday, June 8th, 2013.  Final operating day is Labor Day Monday, September 2nd, 2013)

This season, WET’N WILD EMERALD POINTE proudly announces the introduction of the all-new SOAK ZONE water spray area!  The new half-acre SOAK ZONE attraction includes a 7,000 square foot interactive water play area featuring over 35 different water elements!  SOAK ZONE is designed for exciting water spray thrills for the entire family with specialty themed seating and shaded areas, providing a waterfall of relaxation and fun for ALL ages! 

Who wants to Go Pro with Steve Smith?

Who wants to Go Pro with Steve Smith?

Every year, thousands of young football fans dream of breaking the huddle with hero Steve Smith. Showmars, a proud sponsor of Steve Smith’s Football ProCamp, is making that dream a reality for four Charlotte-area children this summer.

Showmars is giving away four spots to the 2013 Steve Smith Football ProCamp. Football fans can sign up by filling out an entry form at any of Showmars 28 Charlotte-Metro locations.

ProCamp is a youth athletic camp for children in grades 1- 8. Established in 1998, the camp provides thousands of youth the opportunity to attend camp with their sporting heroes. At the camp, attendees learn football fundamentals and meet children their own age with like interests.

This year’s ProCamp event will be held at Ardrey Kell High School on Monday, June 10, and Tuesday, June 11.

Second Harvest Food Bank needs your vote!

Second Harvest Food Bank needs your vote!

Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina is hoping the public can help them click their way to a grant from Walmart by voting for them in the "Fighting Hunger Together" initiative.

This initiative is a national campaign where money is awarded to programs that get the most votes for their innovative and effective programs that help alleviate child hunger. The public will decide what organization will receive the grants through a voting campaign at www.facebook.com/walmart that includes more than 300 different hunger relief organizations from across the country.

The more votes a Feeding America food bank or partner agency gets, the better chances they have of winning the money.

The campaign kicked off April 1, and ends 11:59 pm ET on April 30.

This weekend in Stanly County

This weekend in Stanly County

( By Bridget Huckabee ) You name it, Stanly County’s got it this weekend. There’s a special event for you gardeners, great jazz and bluegrass for you music lovers, a comedy performance for a good laugh, art, a parade, free college classes and a special place to get rid of all that nasty stuff lurking in your garage. Weekends don’t get any better than this. 

Let’s begin on Thursday with an event for you gardeners. The NC Cooperative Extension Service says “Life is too short not to grow your own fruits and vegetables.” So sign up to learn how to prepare your garden at this special and fun event at the Agri-Civic Center from 1 pm until 3 pm.

The Big Lick Bluegrass Festival is a three-day event that begins on Thursday and is sure to please all you music lovers. On Thursday open mike begins at 6 pm until…. On Friday, 2 pm to 10 pm features Renaissance Blue Grass Band, James King Band, Goldwing Express and Deeper Shade of Blue.

Local woman graduates basic training at Fort Jackson

Local woman graduates basic training at Fort Jackson

Army National Guard Pfc. Kathryn N. Cannupp has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

Cannupp is the daughter of Debbie and Buddy Pavlakos of Big Bear Road, Albermarle.

She is a 2012 graduate of West Stanly High School, Oakboro.

Easter Bunny chugging into NC Transportation Museum

Easter Bunny chugging into NC Transportation Museum

SPENCER -  The N.C. Transportation Museum hosts the Easter Bunny Express for this coming weekend, March 29-30.  A big finale is planned March 30 that includes our annual Easter Egg Hunt and the LeHigh Valley steam locomotive pulling the museum’s Caboose Train. 

The Easter Bunny Express is a family favorite at the N.C. Transportation Museum. Children and their parents receive a visit from the Easter Bunny as they enjoy the museum’s 25 minute narrated train ride.  The Easter Bunny has candy, a hand shake and a smile for each child as the train makes its way down the tracks.

Following the train ride, families can stop by the museum’s Gift Station for temporary tattoos for the kids to show off to all their friends.  Then they can make a stop by the nearby Wagons, Wheels & Wings Exhibit, where kids can make a craft to take home, creating their very own spring chick.

Greensboro Symphony Youth Orchestra to perform this weekend

Greensboro Symphony Youth Orchestra to perform this weekend

The Greensboro Symphony Youth Orchestra is performing this weekend in Stanly County.

The event will take place at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center, located at 26032-B Newt Road in Albemarle at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $20 for adults, and $10 for students.

Parking is free, on the south side of the building.