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Saturday, April 4, 2015

Buffalo Shoals Equestrian Center – Spring Celebration at the Farm

Buffalo Shoals Equestrian Center Spring Celebration © Katrena
Buffalo Shoals Equestrian Center, located at 1754 Buffalo Shoals Road in Statesville, North Carolina, could not have been a prettier place to enjoy a day outside on April 4, 2015. Temperatures were in the high 60s. A gentle breeze nudged the horses' and humans' manes. The Carolina blue sky was polka-dotted with a few white clouds. As we walked around the house toward the pastures, an experienced eye might catch a glimpse of an Easter egg hidden among the greenery.

Horse Farm in Iredell County NC © Katrena
When Stacey Carter said she was going to host a Spring Celebration, I was determined to mark my calendar. My kids had attended horse camp two summers with Stacey. She has an amazing connection with horses and such a kind spirit toward others. After she moved to Iredell County, we had mainly only kept in touch via Facebook, but I will always consider her to be a friend, whether or not we visit face-to-face on a regular basis – she's just that kind of a person.

Fun Family Activities in Statesville NC © Katrena
We easily found the farm after spotting signs out front heralding the Easter egg hunt. The farm is a short distance from Highway 70. Stacey had already posted on Facebook that two special eggs contained a coupon for a free riding lesson – what a great idea! Most of the eggs contained notes for collecting prizes such as stickers and small toys, which was especially nice for families like ours in which the kids have food allergies.

Egg Hunt on the Farm © Katrena
Crafts included designing "eggs" from twine, making pine cone bird feeders, and decorating eggs that had been colored with natural dyes such as blueberries, purple cabbage, and turmeric. The kids had the opportunity to learn a bit about gardening and how birds can help one to have a healthier and more natural ecosystem.

Buffalo Shoals Equestrian Center in Statesville NC © Katrena
Folks at the celebration could purchase refreshments – everything else was absolutely free. Some of the food was grown locally, and Stacey had two great grillers working their magic over the coals. Fresh squeezed lemonade and homemade desserts were also offered by some helpful children who served with a smile.

Teach Kids to Connect with Horses © Katrena
One of the favorite parts of the celebration included the horses, of course! Stacey talked about connecting with the beautiful 4-legged friends. She has obviously spent loads of time working with these majestic animals that are attentive and respond to her simple, quiet cues. She then allowed children to come and try some of the various techniques she had demonstrated. The kids didn't simply lead the horses around the arena with a rope – they were taught to gain the horse's trust so that that the horse would follow each child on his or her own.

Stacey Carter - The Horse Whisperer © Katrena
I particularly like Stacey's focus on safety and how she gives positive reinforcement. She does not hover, rather stepping back to watch and give specific tips if a child needs a pointer or seems unsure. She knows the horses' personalities and is able to anticipate needs. Even people who might be a bit nervous begin to learn that these large animals are actually quite friendly and sociable. Stacey is experienced in working with therapeutic riding programs, so she is adept at reading a variety of non-verbal cues.

Horsemanship Camps and Youth Programs at Buffalo Shoals Equestrian Center © Katrena
Those who are interested in summer activities might look at horsemanship camps at Buffalo Shoals Equestrian Center. These camps go beyond teaching people to ride – they offer communication skills, encourage self-esteem and self-control, creative problem solving, mutual respect, and responsibility. Visit the Buffalo Shoals Equestrian Center Facebook page for more information about their services.

Easter Egg Hunt and Spring Celebration in Statesville NC © Katrena
Additional articles:
Thanks so much for visiting my Travel NC With Kids web site – check out my site map to see all of my articles.

Friday, April 3, 2015

2015 Mocksville Cruise In Free Car Show Dates and Times

Mocksville NC Cruise In Car Show Dates for 2015 © Katrena
Daylight hours begin to stretch like a sleepy cat's claws as warmer weather approaches the piedmont of North Carolina. For those living in and near Mocksville, conditions such as these herald classic cars and some good times on the square.

Free Car Show in North Carolina © Katrena
Those looking for a free car show will be delighted with this gem in Davie County. People pop their hoods in good company in this southern town. When the weather is pristine, it is not unusual for 250 cars to line Main Street and spill out onto side roads. You won't see any big rigs hauling in the cars – these folks enjoy driving their prized possessions for others to see and enjoy.

Piedmont C.A.R.S. Association Car Show in Davie County NC © Katrena
Many people have been displaying their cars for years. You might also see great added details like fuzzy dice, Taz, a food tray for a drive-in, or other memorabilia to go along with the era. Old cars often sport great stories if you have a few moments to hang around and talk with the owners.

Mocksville NC Free Car Show © Katrena
The Mocksville Cruise In is scheduled for the first and third Mondays from April through the first Monday in October. Rain dates are the first and third Tuesdays. The event runs from 5:30 p.m. until dusk.

Scheduled Date
Rain Date
April 6, 20
April 7, 21
May 4, 18
May 5, 19
June 1, 15
June 2, 16
July 6, 20
July 7, 21
August 3, 17
August 4, 18
September 7, 21
September 8, 22
October 5
October 6

The Piedmont C.A.R.S. Association hosts the Mocksville Cruise In shows - you can expect to see a nice variety of cars at this one. You could easily plan a whole day in Davie County with the family and visit several other places in the area before coming to the car show – you may wish to read about some of these areas in the additional article section below.

2015 Dates and Times for Cruise In Mocksville NC © Katrena
Additional Articles:
Thanks for visiting Travel NC With Kids - the Cruise In dates were obtained from the Town of Mocksville web site and were correct on the date the article was published.