ALBEMARLE — After a decade of planning, the Stanly County Farm Bureau Livestock Arena finally opened its doors this past year.
A groundbreaking for the new livestock arena at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center, located at 26130 Newt Road in Albemarle, was held originally back in April 2023.
While weather delays slowed down the construction process, the building — built to showcase the agricultural community and lifestyle in the county — became ready for the public over a year later.
The arena’s inaugural events were the second-annual Carolina Wildlife Classic on Aug. 3 and the official grand opening two weeks later that was combined with the yearly Agri-Civic Day festivities; both featured hunting, fishing and camping vendors, along with food trucks and family activities.
Back in March, Stanly County announced its new leader for both the livestock arena and the Agri-Civic Center.
Chris Lambert, formerly the executive director of the Stanly Convention and Visitors Bureau, was named the county’s new event facilities director and began his new role in April.
“We spared no expense and you should definitely come check it out,” Lambert said of the arena in preparation for the Carolina Wildlife Classic. “We’re really excited for you to see what we have to offer. We’ve got a five-foot by-10-foot pixel wall and a state of the art sound system. The livestock arena itself is 200-feet by-120-feet with a 7500 square foot exhibit hall. The facility is brand new and absolutely beautiful.”
Under his new job title, Lambert assisted in the process of helping the facility open while organizing the inaugural events for the arena. The estimated cost of the facility and site preparation for the project was $3.5 million, according to a resolution passed by the Stanly County Board of Commissioners in March 2023.
After the opening round of festivities in August, the Farm Bureau Livestock Arena continued to host more scheduled events as the fall went on. In late October, the arena was the home of the two-day New Classic Pro Rodeo competition.
“We’re having an awesome rodeo,” Lambert said. “It will feature bronco riding, bull riding, mutton busting, roping, barrel racing, literally everything. It will be a full professional rodeo. We’re excited to utilize this new facility and can’t wait to bring our first rodeo to Albemarle in this place.”
A month later, the Farm Bureau Livestock Arena hosted the A Holly Jolly Christmas Show, presented by Sunny Day Markets in partnership with the Agri-Civic Center.
Many vendors and organizers have been highly complementary of the new arena’s capabilities as a go-to venue for events within the county, expanding the services that were already offered by the Agri-Civic Center over the years.
“We’re so excited for you to see this place,” said John MacPherson, owner of 704 Outdoors and the lead promoter for the Carolina Wildlife Classic. “This is the new home for 704 Outdoors’ future events. The Carolina Coyote Classic will be held right here. And if you guys want to hold an event for yourself, you want to scope this place out for sure.”
With the area opening up in the second half of this past year, 2025 will present an opportunity for the facility to host a full year’s worth of events.