This might possibly be the busiest weekend of the year in Columbus County. Here’s a few of the things going on that you and your family can get out and enjoy.
Lake Waccamaw’s Gator Festival is going on at Elizabeth Brinkley Park Friday and Saturday.
The Pink Slips are performing at 6 p.m. After the 5K and mile walk Saturday morning, there will be live music, all kinds of vendors, the foam park and more fun for the kids, and a passel of festival food. Plus the state parks and Wildlife Commission will be on hand with live alligators and everything you ever wanted to know about our resident dinosaurs. There will also be prizes for the best decorated golf cart, so dress up that buggy and go have a good time.
It’s homecoming at Southeastern Community College. There will be food trucks, music and free activities throughout the day. You can learn more about what the college has to offer as well as how far it’s come in its decades of service to the area.
The Columbus County Hurricane Expo is Saturday from 10 until 2 at the fairgrounds. Visitors can talk to first responders, learn how to prepare for emergencies, pick up some free resources, and learn where to find help during the recovery process. Call 622.4331 for more information. The event is free.
There will be some tired cooks in Fair Bluff Saturday morning, as Barbecue on the Bluff kicks off tonight. The annual pig cooking contest draws contestants from across the state. Plates will be for sale after judging today.
The Farmers Union Spring Fest Parade is Saturday. Lineup is at 10 a.m. at 5862 Hallsboro Road North. Call 910.918.6474 if you want to be in the parade. After the parade, festivities will take place at the Spaulding Park, 819 Farmers Union Road.
Also on Saturday, Whiteville Police will host National Prescription Drug Takeback Day at Walgreen’s in Whiteville. Tablets, capsules, patches and other forms of prescription and non-prescription drugs can be dropped off for safe disposal. Illegal drugs will not be accepted. The event is from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Iron Hill Baptist Church will hold the spring fling day of worship Saturday from 3-6 p.m. There will be food, live music, games and more. Brian Locklear will bring the message. Iron Hill is located at 22247 Peacock Rd., Tabor City.
Lebanon Methodist Church on U.S. 701 South will hold revival on Saturday from 2-4 p.m. Speakers will be Colton Reeves and Devin Carroll. Hot dogs, chili, chips and drinks will be served after worship.
Elwell Ferry across the Cape Fear River is back running. The Department of Transportation said a spare pulley was found and repairs were affected far sooner than anticipated. The ferry crosses the river between Carvers and Kelly in Bladen County.
The ferry landings are a great family destination, popular with birdwatching, fishing, camping, and picnics. There’s a Wildlife commission boat landing on the Carvers side of the river, too. The ferry runs sunrise to sunset daily. There’s no charge.
The Boys and Girls Home of Lake Waccamaw had their largest ever alumni reunion last week. More than 150 former residents of the home attended. We have a full report courtesy of our friend Amanda Irwin on our webpage.
Speaking of the home – the Classy Cars and country cooking Car show and food truck rodeo is coming up May 11. Cars and Coffee of Elizabethtown is organizing the event. Registration for each car is $20, with judging form 9-11 a.m. and awards immediately afterward. Plus you can check out TEN different food trucks that will be set up. Admission is free. There’s plenty of room for more trucks as well as entries in the show. Contact Lee at 910.499.2258 for more information.
The 15th annual Lake Waccamaw Ride benefitting the boys and girls home is May 4. The ride is sponsored by CVMA 15-13 Silver Coast chapter. Cost is $15 per rider and $10 per passenger. Go to boysandgirlshome.org for more information.
Retired Superior Court Judge Doug Sasser is well-known throughout the area for his volunteer relief work. It seems he can’t stop helping people, even when he’s far from home on vacation.
Sasser was taking some of his classic photographs in Yellowstone National Park last week when his group came across an injured woman. She had broken several bones in a fall on a patch of ice.
Sasser and the group provided emergency care for several hours while a helicopter was deployed to transport the woman to hospital.
Fair Bluff’s Village Market is the first Saturday of every month on the Riverwalk. Crafters, produce vendors, yard salers and artisans of all kinds are welcome. Contact the chamber of commerce for more.
Coming up on the second Saturday of the month is the flock swap at Gurganous Farm Store in Whiteville. There’s no charge to bring your spare birds or even small livestock. Contact the Farm Store or Santana Mills via Facebook for more information.
Have you been by the Columbus County Arts Council recently? Bess Hinson Taylor’s Songbirds of Columbus County exhibit is going on through May 30. Hinson’s artwork depicts every bird species found in our county. She does flat sculpture as well as paintings. The exhibition is free.
The arts council is located at 822 South Madison Street, Whiteville. Hours vary, so check their Facebook page for specific times and special events.
We always have room for your church news, civic club activities, pageant winners, festivals, birthday and anniversary events, little kids with big fish, Good Samaritan stories and just about anything that will make you smile. Email jeffersonweaver@columbuscountynews.com, PM us on the Columbuscountynews Facebook page, call 910.914.6156, or just come by our office at 1015 South Madison Street in downtown Whiteville.
