My First Time at the Barbecue Festival

Uptown Lexington was all decked out for the Barbecue Festival

When I was first assigned the morning beat of the Lexington Barbecue Festival, I was a little worried. It was October—sure enough, a truly cold day—and besides, no one was going to be out of bed at 8:30 on a Saturday for something as silly as barbecue, right?

Wrong.

High Rock Outfitters Keeps Lexington Alive After Five

Asheville’s Underhill Rose perform at HRO last spring. Photo by Donnie Roberts/The Dispatch

Across the street from the Old Davidson County Courthouse in Uptown Lexington sits a hidden gem of a place that isn’t quite so hidden anymore.

In recent months, High Rock Outfitters has grown from a small upstart serving up canoes, kayaks and other outdoor equipment with a side of Marley Coffee, to a destination spot for after-five entertainment and the elusive (in Lexington, at least)  pint of craft beer.

October Preview

We’ve been waiting for this time of year. The beginning of Fall is marked by our local county fairs, Halloween, and the most important festival in Lexington… the Lexington Barbecue Festival. Get your calendar out and mark down these important dates. It’s all about October!

Eating out at the Davidson County Agricultural Fair

A little lunch...

Fall means one thing in central North Carolina- fair time. There are a ton of festivals and agricultural fairs taking place over the next few weeks, and it all kicks off with the Davidson County Agricultural Fair.

The Davidson County Agricultural Fair is sponsored by the Lexington Kiwanis Club, and benefits the summer camp Kamp Kiwanis. All the usual fair favorites are there, from funnel cake to the Ferris Wheel. It isn’t all games and rides, though. All week long, you can enter the fairgrounds before 4 p.m. without a ticket, and take advantage of breakfast and lunch from one of the local civic groups.

Davidson County Agricultural Fair starts off with a bang

Prizes on display at a fair booth

The 65^th annual Davidson County Agricultural Fair started off with a bang on Monday, Sept. 19 and has been rolling strong ever since. Now through Sept. 24, nightly fireworks will be audible for miles around and the faint smell of funnel cake will accompany all activity taking place in the vicinity of Lexington.

Faux Barbecue at Smokey Joe’s Restaurant

Check out the spread

Smokey Joe’s Restaurant wants you to believe that it’s a barbecue restaurant, a popular clique to be part of in Lexington. The only problem is that Smokey Joe’s is anything but a barbecue restaurant. Driving up I immediately saw that Smokey Joe’s looked more like a late-night diner than a traditional barbecue restaurant. Walking in, the wood paneling, carpeting, and tchotchkes scream living room decor not barbecue eatery.

Big Fun at Big Toy Day in Davidson County

A line up of toy trucks

While the coast was hit hard by Hurricane Irene, it became a blessing in disguise for the Big Toy Day, a fundraiser for Communities In Schools of Lexington/Davidson County. Cool, overcast weather and a little wind led to a great turnout, as families from all over the county came out to support local schools and spend the day playing among a wide variety of planes, trucks, and cars.

September Festival Preview

Around these parts, folks use just about any excuse to come together for a good time. This September is no exception with several unique festivals and events scheduled to help us transition into the cooler months without giving up that summer state of mind.

Kerley’s: Great Barbeque at a Bargain Price

A curly-haired pig welcomes you to Kerley's

Late one recent afternoon, Cindia and I took a trip out to Kerley’s Barbecue, a Lexington staple since the seventies. Some decent barbecue, fantastic hushpuppies, and an overall good, filling meal were the result.

Summer Sweets

Cupcakes, cheesecakes, and ice cream ahead!

I don’t know about you, but around here the summer heat really makes us crave sweets. So we set out to find some of the best places in and around Lexington to get that sugar high. Set aside your diet plans for a day and enjoy the sun and some special treats.