The best farmer’s market in the Lake Norman area, in my opinion, has got to be the Davidson Farmer’s Market which is celebrating its spring/summer season opening this Saturday from 8:00am to noon.

What makes Davidson Farmer’s Market so special?

• Features more than 35 farmers and local producers withing a 100-mile radius
• Certified organic, naturally grown & conventionally grown fruits and vegetables
• Grass-fed beef, pastured porch & eggs from free-range chickens
• Fresh baked goods
• Prepared foods
• Fresh cut flowers
• Herbs, plants
• And more!

This Saturday’s celebration will include even more vendors, chef demonstrations by Chef Vera, music by Garrie Howard, Growing Kids Club and a great chance to see friends and learn about food, agriculture and nutrition.

It is easy to find as it is now right on Main Street next to the Davidson Town Hall.

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St. Patrick’s Day is one of those holidays where just about everyone  feels at least a wee bit’o Irish simply because it is such a fun day.

That is why the news that Mooresville is holding its first St. Patrick’s Day Parade in over 20 years is welcomed by so many!  While a full week before St. Patrick’s Day, this Saturday, March 10th from 2-4 pm promises enough shamrocks, leprechauns and green to get everyone in the spirit.

“Hosted by the Mooresville Downtown Commission, the parade will feature a bagpipe band and local dance groups, said MDC Executive Director Kim Atkins” according to a recent article in the Mooresville Tribune.

The parade will be on Main Street in Historic Downtown Mooresville starting at Iredell Avenue at 2pm.  While there, you might want to check out the many wonderful shops and restaurants as well and help support our local businesses!

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2012

Unlike my home town of Pasadena CA with the annual Rose Parade/Rose Bowl, Lake Norman and the greater Charlotte area don’t have one major New Years’ celebration.  Our public celebrations are, for the most part, found at local restaurants and entertainment venues spread throughout Lake Norman and Charlotte.  From 5-course dinners to rockin’ oldies bands, there truly is something for everyone.

Probably the ultimate Lake Norman New Year’s Eve celebration is a cruise on our beautiful lake!  You have several options:

• New Year’s Eve Cruise on Lake Norman on Yachta Yachta Yachta  launching from Peninsula Yacht Club.  Sailing time is 9:00pm – 1:00am and includes music, heavy hors d’heurves, party favors, a champagne toast at midnight.
• The Queens Landing  New Year’s Eve Cruises offers truly elegant dining on the Lady of the Lake or a bit more casual on the Catawba Queen.

The best sources for lists of New Years Eve events in our Lake Norman area are LKNFun.com  (New Years Eve 2012) and 704 Events.com (New Years Eve 2012) which are websites devoted to entertainment and dining information in the greater Lake Norman area.

The best way to find out what is happening in Charlotte is to pick up a free copy of Creative Loafing or go to their new website clclt.com. They even do hourly updates on their Food and Drink section.

Here are few highlights to wet your appetite:

• First Night Charlotte :

First Night returns to ring in 2012 with a family-friendly cultural celebration taking place at NASCAR Hall of Fame, Outdoor terrace at Charlotte Convention Center, Bechtler Museum, Mint Museum, The Green, and the main stage located at Levine Avenue of the Arts! Arts / Museums, Community, Festivals, Holidays, Just For Seniors, Kids, Live Music, Night Life, Teen  Date: December 31st and January 1st.

• Queens Landing Joker’s Dueling Piano Bar  will feature 3 of the nation’s leading piano bar performers, party favors, all you can eat buffet dinner, drink specials and midnight champagne toast.
• New Year’s Eve at the Galway Hooker Irish Pub  in Cornelius offers all you can drink, light hor d’heurves, live countdown champagne toast at midnight and two levels of entertainment.  VIP tables are available.
• New Year’s Eve at SKYBAR Lake Norman  in Mooresville: Its a Black and White Affair at Lake Norman’s only Nightclub.  VIP Tables available.
• The Wine Cellar in Cornelius is celebrating New Year’s Eve in Paris AND Lake Norman! The Wine Cellar on Facebook
• How about some late night sushi?  Late Night at Eez in Birkdale Village from 11pm – 1am!
• Jeffrey’s Restaurant in Mooresville is having dinner from 4:30 – 9:30pm and a party from 10pm – 1am including party favors and a champagne toast at midnight.

Whether you enjoy a quiet celebration at home or party all night, I wish you all a  safe and Happy New Year.

Here’s to a happy, healthy and prosperous 2012!

Christmas in Davidson , an annual tradition since 1988, is my absolute favorite holiday event in and around Lake Norman.  This amazing 3-night, small-town holiday festival can’t help but get you in the holiday spirit and remind you of the warmth and comfort in our communities.  From strolling along Main Street enjoying hot cider to taking a carriage ride or doing so serious gift shopping there truly is something for everyone and every age!

Here is a great summary from DavidsonNews.net (a GREAT resource for local news and events):

 Take a ride on the trolley, stroll down beautiful and picturesque Main Street, start your holiday shopping early at the many wonderful and unique specialty shops, take a journey through the Holiday Village of vendors on the Village Green and enjoy a wide variety of entertainment on the Library Stage. Be sure to visit Ten Thousand Villages at the Davidson College Presbyterian Church Congregation House for goods from over 30 developing countries. Take the little ones for that all important visit with Santa and then sit in on Story Time with Mrs. Claus. Visit the many participating Davidson businesses who will be offering everything from reindeer food and art projects for the kids to live music and complimentary beverages. Make sure to visit Town Hall where the little ones can enjoy a wonderful holiday theater performance and ‘make & take’ craft projects. Enjoy the fine foods and beverages at the many fantastic restaurants Davidson has to offer and also inside Frosty’s Food Court. Experience the wonder and beauty of the Live Nativity. Enjoy the amazing entertainment offered nightly by Davidson United Methodist Church. Make sure you take the family holiday photo as you enjoy your Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides down Main Street. Then jump on over to South Main Square and be treated to live entertainment, fine art and gingerbread cookies for the kids. Enjoy the mouth watering foods at the fine restaurants at South Main and take the entire family ice skating!

Christmas in Davidson runs from 6pm – 9pm this Thursday through Saturday, December 1-3.  Here is a link to the complete event calendar: Christman in Davidson Event Calendar.

I got this comment sharing about a special project you might want to support ( thanks Sue!):

I wanted to let you know about a project that the students at Davidson elementary are doing to help the environment.  They have taken items and recycled them into Christmas ornaments to be used to decorate a Christmas tree at Christmas in Davidson sponsored by our company.  They will then have the ornament returned to them to use on their own Christmas tree.  I love spreading the news of
unique recycling efforts.  Please let your  readers  know if they are at Christmas in Davidson to please go by and see the tree on the green.  There will be a contest and they would love
your votes.

Finally,  the 29th Annual North Mecklenburg Christmas Parade is this Saturday as well.  Starting at 1:00pm it runs from Davidson south along N.C. 115 to Cornelius.

Have fun!

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Mooresville’s 67th Annual Christmas Parade is being held Tuesday, November 22nd (2011) on Main Street in Historic Downtown Mooresville kicking off at 3:30pm!

What, Mooresville’s Christmas Parade is before Thanksgiving?  It is a long story, but I guess each town around Lake Norman and Charlotte was designated a different week for their parades and Mooresville ended up with the Tuesday before Thanksgiving!

Every year our annual Mooresville Christmas Parade just keeps getting bigger and better  yet organizers work hard to make sure it retains its ‘home town’ feel.

With 160 floats, bands and vehicles (3500 participants in all) this year’s parade will be the longest in Mooresville’s 67 years!

The Parade, as always, will be on Main Street in Historic Downtown Mooresville beginning at Statesville Avenue and ending at Mills Avenue at the former Burlington Mill–a block farther than in previous years.

You really must stay until the end, not only to see Santa but, according to parade organizer Ron Johnson, “The float preceding the bearded fellow’s — sponsored by a business called Keeping it Green– will contain a small forest of lighted Christmas tress engulfed in blowing snow.  It’s pretty incredible!”

The Mooresville Christmas Parade is put on by the Mooresville Convention and Visitors Bureau.  For more information, call 704.662.8210.