Downtown Davidson will be busy this weekend, with Art on the Green Saturday and Sunday, followed Sunday night by the first Concert on the Green of 2013, featuring Davidson College symphony and jazz ensemble. The weekend also includes a fine arts festival at Birkdale Village, and the Rural Hill Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games. Plus, “Treasure Island” and “Toast the Earth” wine tasting and fundraiser at River Run Country Club. See more weekend activities in THE GUIDE»

ART ON THE GREEN

Art on the Green runs 10am to 5pm on Saturday, and noon to 4pm on Sunday. It’s part of April Is for Arts in Davidson, and will feature works by dozens of local artists and craftspeople, from painters and printmakers to metal sculptors and woodworkers.

Awards will be given for the weekend’s best booths, and the festival also includes music.

Celebrating commences on day 2 of Galway Hooker’s St. Patrick’s Day event. (Lyndsay Kibiloski/DavidsonNews.net)

Galway Hooker extended their annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration to two days this year. Music, food, drink, bagpipers, dancers, drawings, games and perfect weather…What else could a party goer ask for?

Read below for info on how to submit your photo of the day. And to see previous photos of the day, CLICK HERE» Read the full story

On Saturday night, March 16, Summit Coffee will host the Leprechaun Loop 8K, the first race in its 2013 running series, with a downtown festival to follow. They’re seeking volunteers to help with the race and the post race party.

The race is a benefit for Levine Children’s Hospital. It starts at 6pm, and the post-race party will go until 10pm, featuring music by The New Familiars.

Organizers Tim and Brian Helfrich say: “We are in the need of volunteers to help us with this event. The most pressing need is for on-course support. Essentially, we will ask you to be at a particular intersection on the course from the start of the race until the last runner has passed. In most cases this will require you being on course for about 30 – 45 minutes. Additionally, we could use a bit of help during packet pick-up, from 4:30-6.”

To volunteer, contact Tim Helfrich – tim@summitcoffee.com.

To register for the Leprechaun Loop, visit DavidsonTiming.com.

Annie Magee of Huntersville enjoyed the “Surprise House” game at the 2011 Children’s Schoolhouse carnival. This year’s carnival is Saturday, Oct. 20. (Rachel Goldstein/DavidsonNews.net)

The Children’s Schoolhouse 31st Annual Fall Carnival will fill the Davidson Village Green this Saturday, Oct. 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

As many as 3,000 people are expected for the day of games (such as the Cake Walk), live entertainment, crafts, face and hair painting, food and drink. Most games are $1 to $5. A silent auction and raffle also will help raise money – the raffle prize is a year’s supply of organic dairy products from Organic Valley. Read the full story

Runners tore away from the Gamble Street starting line in the Fire 5K Saturday morning. 119 runners registered. That’s eventual winner Dexter Cherry in the bright green shirt at center (No. 421). (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Updated Tues., Oct. 2, with BBQ winners & fundraising total
The grounds of the Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson were a multi-ring circus Saturday for the center’s 4th annual Fire barbecue festival and 5K run.Fire is the center’s biggest community event of the year, and a major fundraiser for services that range from the Learn Works after school program to free health and dental clinics to food and counseling services.

This year’s festival raised $20,000 toward the center’s budget of about $1.5 million. But more than that, said board co-chair Rodney Short of Cornelius, “It’s a great community day for us. It’s an opportunity to bring the community together.” Read the full story

Ryan Montgomery brought along a soccer ball that men’s soccer team members signed for him. (Bill Giduz photo)

Davidson Athletics hosted its annual Meet the Wildcats Fan Day Saturday on the Davidson Town Green. Fans met Davidson coaches and athletes from men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey and volleyball.

Cole Hawkins shows off his signed poster. (Bill Giduz photo)

All five teams signed autographs, and children enjoyed the Kids Zone, with inflatable sports games and other activities. Fans also ‘dunked’ their favorite athletes in the Davidson Dunk Tank.

Also, lucky fans won prizes in the free raffle drawings. Prizes included two universal season tickets (valued at $900), football and men’s soccer season tickets, autographed team memorabilia and more.

See more photos from the event on SPORTS>>.

(Lake Norman Kiwanis photo)

Registration is now open for the 2012 Lake Norman Kiwanis Golf Tournament Aug. 27 at Cowan’s Ford Golf Club in Stanley, N.C. All proceeds from the event will help the Kiwanis Club serve local children. Read the full story

Click to view a flyer for the event.

CORNELIUS - Are you prepared to protect yourself, your assets and your family?

The McIntosh Law Firm, Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home, Lake Norman Financial Group and Shared Resources Technology Solutions are partnering to offer a free estate planning and security workshop Tuesday, Aug. 28, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Grace Covenant Church in Cornelius. Read the full story