Summer may be a time to slow down and enjoy family vacations, outdoor activities or chill out with a good book in the air conditioning, but Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen invites everyone to come out to the streets of Oxford and Creedmoor for several upcoming events.
On Saturday, Aug. 6, head over to Old Warehouse Square just off College Street in downtown Oxford for a “Back to School Bash.” There will be a bounce house, fairy hair, vendors and food trucks on hand from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Allen told WIZS’s Bill Harris Thursday on Town Talk. There will be a school bus on hand to accept school supplies and donations, and Allen said the goal is to fill that bus with items that can be used in classrooms across the county.
Numerous downtown merchants will have collection bins for donating school supplies for students and teachers in advance of the event, and folks are invited to make donations, Allen added.
By early August, grownup and children alike are “getting ready to get their mindset back to school,” Allen said, so a fun family event is just the thing for preparing to return to the classroom.
The Back to School Bash coincides with the annual Sidewalk Sale in downtown Oxford, which happens on Friday, Aug. 5.
If bluegrass music is more your jam, check out Music on Main in downtown Oxford on Friday, Aug. 12. The Grass Street Band will perform from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. “It’s a great time to get out on the streets in downtown Oxford…grab some to-go and bring your lawn chair,” Allen said.
The Creedmoor Music Festival is returning after a break during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Allen said it is “definitely back, bigger and better.” The festival is set for Saturday, Sept. 17 in downtown Creedmoor. Music lovers will enjoy seven different performances on two stages throughout the event, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Allen said there’s a variety of genres represented, from rock and R&B, to Bluegrass and sounds of the ‘60s by band The British Invaders. Add to that mix more than 100 food and craft vendors, and the 29th annual Creedmoor Music Festival will have something for everyone. Find Creedmoor Music Festival 2022 on Facebook or visit https://www.cityofcreedmoor.org/ for updates on when the different groups will perform.
The final concert of the Alive After Five series will take place on Thursday, Sept. 29 in downtown Oxford from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Little John parking lot just off Main Street. The group Spare Change will perform.
And wedged in between all the musical performances is the 16th annual Hot Sauce Contest and Festival. The event, held on the second Saturday in September, falls on Saturday, Sept. 10 and Oxford is gearing up for another influx of visitors to sample the latest hot sauces and mingle downtown for a day of fun and food.
The Embers with Craig Woolard and Crush are among the musical guests scheduled to appear on the Main Stage, as well as numerous other local artists on the regional stage.
The classic car show, always a crowd favorite, will showcase cars for participants to view.
The kids’ area returns with lots of activities like inflatables, crafts and face painting to keep the little ones happy.
There’s a new scavenger hunt planned, which gives participants the chance to win a gift basket filled with hot sauces and other items from downtown merchants.
Check out all the activities planned at a new website, https://nchotsaucecontestandfestival.com/
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