FOOTHILLS MERRY GO ROUND FESTIVAL
Have weekend of fun in Shelby
`Carnival Saturday' is highlight; plus, 100th birthday party planned
MARK HUDSON
Special to the Observer
What: Shelby's Foothills Merry Go Round Festival, Friday through Sunday at Shelby City Park. A highlight is "Carnival Saturday."
Major events are at the park, but the "Art on the Square" exhibits and juried competition, as well as some special tours, are at Shelby's historic Court Square.
The 11 a.m.-9 p.m. carnival is a highlight for all ages, and all-day admission is $5. There will be more than two dozen rides and attractions for the kids, including the historic Dentzel carousel and an antique, small-gauge train. The park also has playground equipment. There will be a golf tournament, along with a talent show and a Boy Scout Expo. The carnival concludes with a huge fireworks display at 9 p.m.
This is the Merry Go Round Festival's 10th year. (Rain date for the carnival: Sunday.) Don't miss: The old Cleveland County Courthouse will celebrate its 100th birthday with free cake and ice cream, along with antique cars, trucks and carriages, 2-4 p.m. Saturday. Also worth seeing are the "Arts on the Square" events, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday only. They include a juried art show as well as a student art exhibit. Of special interest will be a tour of the classic "Banker's House," by Preservation North Carolina (1-5 p.m. Saturday).
Getting there: Shelby is an easy one-hour drive from uptown Charlotte. Take Interstate 85 South; at Kings Mountain, take Exit 10-B, and continue west on U.S. 74 Bypass. In the Shelby area, after passing the Cleveland Mall, continue approximately 5 miles and exit right onto N.C. 18 (Lafayette Street); head north about 1.5 miles into the downtown area. Travel past Court Square; turn left onto Sumter Street and head west a mile to City Park.
Parking tip: Parking is free but may be tight right at the park. A free "trolley" shuttle service will run every 30 minutes Saturday starting at 10:30 a.m. Remote parking locations are noted at www.clevelandchamber.org.
Around town
Shelby snapshot: The festival is just a little taste of what the area has to offer. The city has an impressive walking tour that features classic architecture and has many historic structures. Famous country musicians Earl Scruggs and Don Gibson are "local boys." In recent years, a number or art galleries and small restaurants have returned to the uptown area, giving it new life.Chow: While there will be refreshments at the Court Square and goodies at the City Park, there are several nice "local" options worth considering if you make a day of it.
On one side of the square is Doc's Pizza and on the other is 5 East. Doc's is casual and carries homemade pizza and sandwiches. 5 East is more high-end but is not stuffy.
Right around the corner from the square are Joe's Place and Ichabod's. Both are "where everybody knows your name" restaurants with good-food-fast reputations. There is also Shelby Café, which was recently featured on national television for serving the local "delicacy" known as livermush. Within walking distance of the square is Mi Publito, a very friendly Mexican restaurant.
See the sights: Did you know that you used to be able to order a house out of the Sears Catalog? Three Craftsman homes still can be seen within two blocks of each other. The uptown area of town has classic tree-lined streets with grand Southern homes.
Landmarks: The Sunset Cemetery is a beautiful old cemetery within walking distance of uptown, as is Webbley, the home of former N.C. Gov. O. Max Gardner. Numerous buildings in the uptown area are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Resources
Basic info: Cleveland County Chamber at 704-487-8521; www.clevelandchamber.org. Info on the Arts on the Square: Buffalo Creek Gallery, 704-487-0256; www.buffalocreekgallery.com.
Festival info: Uptown Shelby Association, 704-484-3100; www.uptownshelby.org.
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