Bucolic Briefs
The Friends of DuPont Forest will host its fundraising Tour de Falls May 11 and 12, offering families and visitors with limited hiking abilities a chance to see the beauty of DuPont State Recreational Forest and its waterfalls via shuttle buses. The forest is located in Henderson and Transylvania counties in the mountains of Western North Carolina.
The 12-mile tour includes stops at four of the forest's most impressive sights: Triple Falls, High Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Lake Julia. The tour takes three hours or more.
Buses will leave the event parking area about every 30 minutes from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Buses are not handicap-accessible and pets are not allowed. Volunteers will be on each bus and at the stops to talk about the history of the area and efforts to protect the forest. Stops will offer great views of the waterfalls, and participants will be able to exit the bus and take photos and explore the forest. Parking will be at 1300 Staton Road in Cedar Mountain, a short distance from the High Falls access and parking area. Cash or check donations of $12 for 18 and older and $6 for ages 6 to 17 are requested. Credit cards cannot be processed. The Friends of DuPont Forest is a nonprofit organization that works with the N.C. Forest Service to enrich the recreational experience and preserve the natural resources in DuPont State Recreational Forest. Donations to the Friends of DuPont Forest are used to finance construction projects such as shelters and access steps at waterfalls. The money is also used to maintain the 80-plus miles of trails and to support research and educational projects. For more information on the tour or the Friends of DuPont, go to www.dupontforest.com.
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An Equestrian Exchange Tack Consignment Sale will be held May 23-27 in the Holshouser Building at the N.C. State Fairgrounds, Raleigh. Buy or consign anything related to equestrian sport, tack, saddles, barn supplies and other equestrian items for all disciplines. Drop off large items to be consigned May 21from 6-9 p.m., drop off other items May 22 from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Premier shopping will be held May 23 from 5-9 p.m. for $7 per person. The sale will be open with free admission May 24-26 from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Shop May 27 from noon- 6 p.m. when some items are discounted. The event is closed May 28, but unsold items can be picked up May 29 from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. For more information, contact Lynn Beeson at 336-362-6248 or Tanya Wright 540-977-1950 or go to www.EquestrianExchange.com
The N.C. State Championship Horse Drawn Plowing Contest will be held June 1 at 10 a.m. at the historic Ivey Burn Plantation near Erwin on N.C. 217. Contest categories include single walking plow, team walking plow, team antique riding plow, team modern riding plow, team consisting of three or more horses or mules, single ox, team oxen and teams of 6-hitch horses. Contestants will compete for cash prizes, trophies and bragging rights. Cost to enter each contest is $20 per category. The event, which is sponsored by the N.C. Work Horse and Mule Association, is free for spectators. There will also be free horse-drawn wagon rides. For more, contact Ronnie Bowen at 919-820-4067 or Wayne Collier at 910-980-0066 or email babowen898@yahoo.com.
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Beekeepers with bees for rent and growers interested in bee pollination services can post their information on the BeeLinked website at www.ncagr.com/beelinked. The site is hosted by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the N.C. State University Apiculture Program. Anyone interested in listing their information can do so by filling out an online Submit Your Ad form on the BeeLinked page or by contacting NCDA&CS at 919-233-8214 or by email at NCHoneybee@ncagr.gov or call NCSU at 919-515-1660. The NCDA&CS Plant Industry Division regulates the movement of agricultural or related items capable of spreading harmful insects, diseases and other pests. Beekeepers participating in this program will be required to comply with all honey and bee industry regulations.
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The Piedmont Saddle Club in Colfax will open its lighted arena every Friday night from 5-9 p.m. for horse riders. The cost is $10 per horse and equine owners must provide proof of Coggins testing and sign a waiver. The events are open to the public. Contact info@piedmontsaddleclub.org for more information.
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The North Carolina chapter of Re-Run, a non-profit organization that places ex-racehorses into adoptive homes, now has thoroughbred racehorses available for adoption. Thoroughbreds are versatile and do well in any number of disciplines including shows, events, fox hunting or pleasure riding, according to Elizabeth Macdonald with Re-Run. For more, go to www.rerun.org or contact Elizabeth Macdonald at hemacd@mindspring.com.
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