Looking for something fun to do this summer besides that family vacation at the beach or other trip out of town? There are lots of activities for the family here in Holly Springs, and most of them are free.
Food, Music, and Fireworks at the Farm
Enjoy a second day for the USA at the annual July 5 celebration at Sugg Farm at Bass Lake Park on Tuesday, July 5 beginning at 6 p.m.
More than two dozen food trucks will be on hand, with funnel cakes, BBQ, ice cream, hotdogs, and kettle corn, as well as Japanese dumplings and Mexican and Caribbean food. Enjoy live music from Groove 5. Stilt walkers will be among the roving performers.
The fireworks show, which starts at about 9:15 p.m., weather permitting, is brought to you by the Town of Holly Springs and Carolina Family Vision.
Once the show ends, exiting Sugg Farm will be easier than ever thanks to a revised traffic flow and parking plan. This includes opening up more parking areas inside Sugg Farm and temporarily opening a road connection through the adjacent subdivision. That will provide a new, third option to use Teal Lake Drive to reach N.C. 55 in addition to heading out Grigsby Avenue either toward Main Street or toward Bass Lake Road. More information is at hollyspringsnc.gov/july5.
Take ‘Em Out to the Ballgame
Take in a Holly Springs Salamanders baseball game at Ting Park through July. Games begin at 7 p.m. on weeknights, with a 6:30 p.m. start on Saturdays and a 5:40 p.m. start on Sundays. The Salamanders are a collegiate summer baseball team in the Coastal Plain League, which includes teams from the Carolinas, Georgia, and Virginia. More information is at salamandersbaseball.com.
Celebrating Summer at the Springs
Get your weekend off to a great start with free, outdoor concerts at Holly Springs Cultural Center on the first Fridays of July, August and September from 6-9 p.m.
Bring a picnic blanket or chairs and lounge on the Cultural Center lawn. Purchase dinner at one of the food trucks there. Beer and wine are available for purchase, and no outside alcohol is allowed.
Enjoy Summer at the Springs performances by On the Rocks on July 1, Joe Hero Band on August 5, and Beatlesque on September 2.
Farm Fresh Produce at the Farmers Market
After that Friday evening concert, return to the Cultural Center on Saturday morning – any Saturday morning – to shop at the booths along Ballentine Street. You’ll find local produce from area farms, pasture-raised meats, free-range eggs, N.C. seafood, local honey, baked goods, and much more.
The market is open until noon, although those 8 a.m. shoppers have the largest selections from which to choose.
Climate-Controlled Fitness at Hunt Recreation Center
Weather not okay for the greenway? That’s no reason to skip exercising. Hunt Recreation Center on Stinson Avenue has a fitness center with state-of-the-art treadmills, kettlebells, bumper plates, strength training machines, and more. The Hunt Center even has an elevated walking track.
Have a college student home for the summer? The Hunt Fitness Center has month-to-month, no contract, no startup fee memberships available. The membership includes group exercise fitness classes and basketball open gym access.
Trying a New Sport
Heard of pickleball, but haven’t tried it yet? Drop by Hunt Recreation Center on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. for open play inside the gym. Open play passes are $1 for Holly Springs residents and $1.50 for others. Balls and some paddles are available for use indoors at no charge. Four outdoor courts at Ting Park and two at Womble Park are available first-come, first-served at no charge.
A Day at the Lake(s)
Bass Lake Park
At beautiful Bass Lake Park, visitors can rent canoes, jonboats, and Gheenoe boats with trolling motors any day of the week through Labor Day. The 54-acre is stocked with catfish, but anglers also will find plenty of bass, bream, and crappie. N.C. fishing licenses are required. Surrounding the lake is a 1.9 mile natural surface trail for walking or running. Dogs on leashes are welcome.
Harris Lake County Park
The 680-acre park is just outside Holly Springs on the Shearon Harris reservoir. Activities include fishing, boating, volleyball, disc golf, picnicking, and educational programs. Hike, bike or walk along one of the Harris Lake trails.
A Green Thumb for a Good Cause
There are volunteer opportunities for all ages in the Holly Springs Food Cupboard garden on Saturdays. Help provide fresh food over the summer for families needing assistance. Show up when you can and stay as long as you like. You need not bring any gardening tools. For more information, email garden@hsfoodcupboard.org
