Locust set to hold grand opening event for new campsite area

LOCUST — Stanly County residents with a flair for the great outdoors will soon have a new spot to enjoy. 

The City of Locust Parks and Recreation unveiled last week that it is hosting a Campsites Grand Opening event on Sept. 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., where it will celebrate the opening of a new tent campsite section at Locust City Park (located at 240 Lions Club Drive). 

“Join us at our campsites for a Grand Opening event. Check out the new campsites, engage with park staff, grab dinner, challenge yourself on the mobile climbing wall, and enjoy a campfire and smores,” the Parks and Recreation department announced. 

The department will host the Boy Scouts Troop 202 and Girl Scouts Troop 1061, as well as vendors such as the J&M Food Shack food truck and Bayou Sno shaved ice truck. The free-of-charge Rock Therapy Mobile Rock Climbing Wall will also be available for use. 

Four days after the campsites Grand Opening event, Locust is set to host another event as it features the country and Americana band Red Dirt Revival for this year’s End of Summer Concert at 6:00 p.m.  

There will be food and drink vendors present, in addition to another appearance by the mobile rock climbing wall. Additionally, the City of Locust announced on Aug. 28 that there will now be a fireworks segment of the night at 9 p.m. 

The city advises that because there will be no allowed street parking on residential streets, attendees can enter from Kerri Dawn Lane behind the library and use public parking in Locust Town Center; there will also be overflow parking in front of Ace Hardware and Sassy Cakes Bakery. 

“Residents are invited to come for as long as they would like, bring chairs, blankets and yard games if they would like,” the City of Locust said in a statement. 

The entry-level sponsor for the event is Ready Mix of the Carolinas, while concert-level sponsors include Layla Sanders with State Farm Insurance, Eudy’s Cabinet Manufacturing, Inc., and Up & Coming Gymnastics.  

For more information on the event or signing up to be a vendor, email [email protected]. 

Later this month, Locust will host its Kids’ Night Out event on Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. as well as its Family Movie Night on Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. The first night will feature games, activities and food for kids ages 5-14, while the second night will showcase a free showing of The Super Mario Bros. Movie behind Locust City Hall.