Pottery Lovers (Charlotte, Cary, Sanford: appointed, to buy, theatre)

[MariGirl]

Anyone who likes pottery and is looking for something to do this weekend, just wanted to let you know about the Sanford Pottery Festival.

It will be this Saturday and Sunday, May 5th & 6th, in Sanford (30 mins. south of Cary). There will be over 130 potters from throughout NC and the Southeast, with a variety of pottery styles, both functional and decorative.

For more information and directions, go to www.sanfordpottery.com.

[Wanna Leave Penciltucky]

Don't forget the Ham and Yam festival in Smithfield the same weekend. Lots of local flavor there.

[JustChar]

Gosh - Lizardlips - look at all we are missing - I soooo wanna be there right now - so much fun going on this time of year. All we have here is the Strawberry Festival - $10 to get in the gates, $5 to park, and then everything else is expensive, the only thing you might get free is a concert. Almost everything is food boths - $4-6 for a strawberry shortcake, $5 for a beer, $6 for a burger. Everything else is craft and art booths and their stuff is cute but really expensive cause they had to pay between $100 - 200 to sell during the festival. I stopped going years ago - just too expensive.

OH MAN I cann't wait to be able to go to all these things.

Char

[briancraig81]

Not to hijack thread but sense were talking about things going on this weekend I have one to mention. The Dixie gun & knife show is going to be at the fairgrounds this weekend Saturday & Sunday. I wish I had the money to go,but I will be at the next one in Augast.

[MariGirl]

Meant to add that the Pottery Festival would be a fun event for the whole family. Kids under 6 are free, and all kids will receive a free bag of clay. There will also be a Teachers Tent set up where you can make, fire/glaze a pot for a nominal charge.

It's all indoors at the Civic Center, so don't let a little rain scare you away...and check out downtown Sanford if you get a chance. The restaurants and antique shops will be open, and the kids can climb on the old train engine at Depot Park. The Farmers Market will also be at the Park on Saturday morning.

[Snowpea]

Thanks for posting MariGirl. I love to learn about events outside of the Triangle; but close enough for a day out.

I often drive down US Highway 1 to see family in Southern Pines. I think of Sanford as my halfway point. I've made a whistlestop tour of downtown Sanford. Next time I visit I want to stay for a while. I have checked out the local website in preparation http://www.downtownsanford.com/

Mrs. Lacy's Magnolia Tea Room caught my eye. Is it good? Any must-try eateries?

[MariGirl]

Originally Posted by Snowpea

Thanks for posting MariGirl. I love to learn about events outside of the Triangle; but close enough for a day out.

I often drive down US Highway 1 to see family in Southern Pines. I think of Sanford as my halfway point. I've made a whistlestop tour of downtown Sanford. Next time I visit I want to stay for a while. I have checked out the local website in preparation http://www.downtownsanford.com/

Mrs. Lacy's Magnolia Tea Room caught my eye. Is it good? Any must-try eateries?

Yes, Mrs. Lacy's is good - definitely a "ladies lunch" kind of place. The restaurant is in a rehabbed old house, and upstairs they usually have a gallery of local artists' work. It's close to downtown on Carthage St, across from RBC Centura Bank. Some other good places I'd suggest:

- Yarborough's: this is downtown on McIver St near the fire station. It's been around for over 50 years. An old fashioned ice cream parlor/lunch spot. All homemade ice cream.
- Fairview Dairy Bar: up the street from Mrs. Lacy's, on the corner of Carthage and Carbonton, next to Big Lots. Another place that's been here forever. 50's decor, booths and lunch counter with spinning stools, lots of food choices at reasonable prices.
- La Dolce Vita Pizza: downtown near Depot Park. In an old bank building that still has the vault. Good pizza, sandwiches, etc.
- Reynalds: downtown near Depot Park, in a restored older building. Nice decor and atmosphere for adults.
- Local Joe's and Zeria Pizza: right next door to each other downtown. Joe's is more a bar/lunch joint, the other is a pizzeria.
- Bella's: Next to Local Joe's above. Nice Italian dinner spot with good food.
- Java Express Coffee Shop: across from Depot Park. Also serves lunch food and sweets. There is an adjoining antique store that has tons of stuff and is fun to explore.
- Casa Toscana: Across from the Temple theatre downtown. Italian dinner spot with an upscale atmosphere.

These are all within five minutes of each other, and 5-10 minutes northwest of the civic center where the pottery festival is held. If you want good Mexican food on Cinco de Mayo, I'd suggest LaCabana on North Horner Blvd (Hwy 87/421- the main drag through Sanford), and San Felipe on South Horner Blvd. There are other places as well, but these are some of the non-chain ones that come to mind and are all good. (There was also a Caribbean place downtown that I tried once and it was pretty good. Not sure if it's still open though). Hope you can make it to the Festival!

[MariGirl]

Here's one more reason to come to Sanford this weekend, in addition to the Pottery Festival (just saw a flyer on this event):

May Fest 2007 - Depot Park, downtown, 106 Charlotte Avenue, Saturday, May 5th, 3-8 PM
Music featuring International Recording Artists MORRIS CARDENAS and BORDERLAND (Classic Rock with Latin Influence)
and
Guitarist GUY UNGER

Art, Crafts, Singing, Dancing, Food and More - FREE to the Public!

[MariGirl]

Spent the morning at the Pottery Festival and wanted to give a first-hand update. In one word, it is AWESOME! Pottery of all kinds from artists throughout NC and the Southeast. Everything from high-end decorative, to everyday functional, with lots in-between. I couldn't believe some of the amazing things available. I've seen lots of pottery over the years living in NC, but this goes beyond anything at the typical pottery shop or show. Also several jewelry booths with unique pieces; a booth with delicious homemade breads; decorative metal sculptures; and more. (Saw a ton of things I wanted to buy, but managed to restrain myself and stay within the budget - sort of!)
The entire Civic Center is filled, plus large tents set up outside on the grounds. Come on down - you won't be disappointed.

[alice_61]

Mari,
Thanks for the info. We'll try to get to the festival next May. We'll be moving down in a month and will start checking out Sanford.

Thanks,
Alice