Happy weekend, Gastonia! In today’s happening-today edition: School consolidation on hold, a bluegrass festival, and customer appreciation event + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
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01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
School changes on hold: Gaston County Schools board delayed a vote on a controversial consolidation plan to close a campus and move fourth and fifth graders, which officials say would save money -- get the board vote update.
Programs for every generation: From fitness classes and wellness support to mentorship, leadership training, and youth jobs, Gaston County’s Warlick Family YMCA offers year-round programs plus hiking trails and outdoor activities for all ages -- see the YMCA programs.
Safer routes ahead: Belmont won North Carolina’s 2026 Traffic Safety Program of the Year and secured a $20 million grant to connect four schools and downtown with crosswalks, beacons, sidewalks and signal upgrades -- get the full project details.
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Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Weekend on wheels: Family-owned Bull Run RV Park sits on 112 peaceful acres near Gastonia with full hookups, 45' x 15' pads, bath facilities, and laundry. Roll in, hit the on-site hiking and mountain biking trails, maybe cast a line in the spring-fed lake, then call it a mini vacation you didn’t overthink.
Dial in your swing: Trade the backyard whiffs for techy ball-tracking bays at Hang Time Golf, then stick around for range-side bites and drinks with the crew. Book a bay, join a league, and turn working on that slice into a weeknight hang you’ll actually look forward to.
Dinner upgrade, secured: Skip the beach run, they’ve got the goods right here in Gastonia, and Saltwater Markets brings in a rotating haul every week, sourcing straight from trusted fishermen from the South Carolina coast to afar. Grab a fresh fillet or try something new, then make dinner taste like vacation.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
💼 Young Entrepreneur Day @ Gastonia Farmers Market | Saturday (6/20) at 7:30 AM – Young Entrepreneur Day turns the market over to under-18 makers, all hawking their handmade goods with more hustle than a yard sale. Expect charm, creativity, and prices that make you nostalgic. You will leave with a candle, a bracelet, and your faith in the future.
🙌 Our Next Customer Appreciation Event @ Gaston Pickers Antique Mall and Auctions | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Take a break from yard work and wander Gaston Pickers for a Customer Appreciation bash built for pickers, collectors, and nostalgia junkies. Expect vendor markdowns, raffle goodies, and friendly vendor chatter. It’s your grandma’s attic, but with price tags, better lighting, and free admission.
📚 Family Storytime @ Gaston County Public Library | Saturday (6/20) at 10:30 AM – Family storytime at the Main Library brings stories, songs, and interactive fun that burns off the wiggles. The littles get rhymes and a librarian who does all the voices, you get a blessed pocket of calm, carpet squares, and zero cleanup.
🧘 The Summer Glo Social @ The Summer Glo Social | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – This Pilates social is peak Charlotte, with a guided flow, a live DJ, mocktails, and acai bowls. Bring your mom crew or fly solo, with soft play for the littles, gift bags, content-worthy moments, and vendor pop-ups. Consider it self-care with childcare.
🎻 Pickin’ n Piggin’ Bluegrass Festival @ Hampton Homestead Farm | Saturday (6/20) at 12:00 PM – Consider this your chance to celebrate Dad without manning the grill, at a bluegrass and barbecue blowout on Hampton Homestead Farm. Toe-tappin’ tunes, smokin’ plates, local vendors, yard games, and a petting zoo keep everyone happy. Good music, good food, good folks.
⚾ Staten Island FerryHawks @ CaroMont Health Park | Saturday (6/20) at 1:59 PM – FerryHawks visit the Ghost Peppers at CaroMont Health Park, a small-park showdown where you can feel every pitch, shift, and bullpen switch. Expect spicy crowd energy, visiting-team swagger, and that classic Gastonia mix of barbecue, gentle heckling, and neighbors who know the good seats.
👨 Parents Night Out @ Warlick Family YMCA | Saturday (6/20) at 6:00 PM – Consider this your monthly sanity saver at the Warlick Y. Drop the kids, ages 6 months to 12, for games, new buddies, and dinner, then enjoy three glorious, kid-free hours. It hits every second Saturday, because the calendar understands parents deserve a break. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Gastonia report Weather forecastToday — High: 85°F — Low: 64°F — Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. North northwest wind 1 to 6 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. West southwest wind 0 to 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 89°F — Low: 70°F — Precip: 2%
Sunny, with a high near 89. South southwest wind 0 to 9 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. This house is wildThis beautifully crafted one-level brick home by NewStyle Homes LLC brings easy living to a desirable 55+ community. It features an open-concept layout, two bedrooms, two baths, and a flexible office for hobbies or quiet work. The primary suite adds a large tiled shower and roomy closet, while elevated ceilings, detailed trim, and a partially fenced patio round out the appeal.
Take a peek inside → |
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