LOCAL HAPPENINGS: Lots of Halloween events, NASCAR day and barbecue

THIS WEEK

41st Annual Hospice Auction & Barbecue this week

ASHEBORO — This year’s 41st annual Hospice event includes the Bid & Q live auction and dinner event, a drive-thru BBQ sale and an online auction. The 5th annual Bid & Q live auction and dinner event is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 15, at 5:30 

p.m.; the drive-thru BBQ sale is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, at Sunset Avenue Church of God, 900 Sunset Ave., Asheboro ($12 a plate); and the online auction begins Saturday, Oct. 17, and will end at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22.  The auction showcases more than 200 items. For more information about the 41st Annual Hospice Auction & Barbecue or to register for the online auction, visit www.hospiceofthepiedmont.org/event/2026abbq/.

UPCOMING

38th Annual NASCAR Day in Randleman 

RANDLEMAN  — Thousands again will converge on Randleman for the Annual NASCAR Day Festival, this year on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in downtown Randleman. The festival pays homage to its racing heritage with the First Family of NASCAR — The Pettys.

Main Street and Commerce Square will be filled with anything you could desire from delicious food including BBQ to handmade crafts, home products and racing memorabilia. There will also be a car show, a kids play area and three stages of entertainment, led by the Entertainers on the Main Stage. 

Autograph sessions will vary with most being in the afternoon. Richard Petty will sign from 10 to 11 a.m. with a limit of one item and photograph. 

Also returning again this year is the dinosaurs, which will take over the civic center. This event is rain or shine.

The main stage in Commerce Square will feature the Entertainers band. On the Summer’s Auto Stage, look for a variety of cloggers, dancers and the Little Ms. & Mr. NASCAR Day Pageant. The annual T-shirt will be featured with the theme to celebrate the 38th anniversary of the NASCAR Day Festival. 

The festival also welcomes Richard Petty Fan Club members. The Petty Museum is located at exit 86 in Randleman in the Level Cross Community.

Get started on Halloween a week early in RCSO event

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office’s seventh annual Trunk or Treat will take place on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Randolph County Courthouse parking lot located at 176 E. Salisbury St., Asheboro, from 6 to 8 p.m. (or until the supply of candy is exhausted). The event happens through collaboration with employees from various county departments, agencies and community business partners. Anyone interested in assisting by donating candy may deliver bags of individually pre-sealed candy or non-food items to any of the Sheriff’s Office administrative locations from now until the event. Any individual, family, organization or business that would like to set up or partner in the event, call 336-318-6875.

Spooky Cruise Trunk or Treat takes place on Oct. 24

ASHEBORO — Asheboro Summer Cruise-In Series, organized by Grounded Elegance Car Club (Michael Allred) and Brightside Gallery (Mary Murkin), will host its seventh cruise-in event of the season on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 6 to 10 p.m. in the parking lot of sponsor C4 Church, 1128 N. Fayetteville St., Asheboro. The theme of the evening will be the annual Spooky Cruise Trunk or Treat for kids. The Trunk-or-Treat portion of the evening will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. If you are setting up to give out candy, be at the parking lot by 5:30 p.m. to get your spot. Please bring lots of candy for all the little ghosts and goblins.  NOTE: This annual event is huge and very well attended.  Please be mindful of all of the little ones in the parking lot.

Walk Thru the Past Oct. 25 with stories that fit the season 

ASHEBORO — Join the growing group enjoying Rocky Allred’s storytelling stroll through the Old Asheboro Cemetery during the next monthly outing set for Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. Allred leads a tour of various gravesites of the residents there with stories about their lives that he has researched. There’s no cost to join in. The cemetery is located at 180 West Salisbury St., behind Walgreen’s.

Visit local history through paintings by Ed Rich 

ASHEBORO — Join local artist Ed Rich for a visual journey through the history of the Back Creek area in paintings at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Asheboro Public Library. Through extensive research into his family’s 275-year history in the Randolph county area, Rich began to trace the original roads and paths inhabited by his family and their neighbors. He depicted his findings through his art work. Rich owns and operates the American Classic Motorcycle Company and Museum in Asheboro.