News & Events

When it comes to  local sporting events, North Carolina residents have seen a rise in the number of  outdoor sports organized every year. Ranging from professional baseball to motor speedways, from triathlons to high school sports, both local and migrant enthusiasts hardly go a week without a major sporting event. In fact, most may be spoilt for choice when these occur simultaneously. Most of the frequent sporting activities happen in right in our home town, in the towns of Lenoir, Hickory, and Boone.

LOCAL PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL

If you are a baseball fan, locals hardly miss the upcoming matches in Hickory preceded by the friendly game against Lenoir University. On top of the  local sporting events, the Hickory Crawdads host an open house that features free games and special deals on tickets. There’s a baseball game going down every day at Hickory at L.P. Frans Stadium which seats roughly 4,000 fans.

L.P. Frans Stadium underwent major renovations after the 2013 season and now boasts a new VIP section, Picnic Pavilion, three outdoor Party Patios, and completely renovated suites and Crawdads Cafe. Fun family events include the sweetFrog Claw Club, Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet Silver Sluggers Club and Scout Nights.

Teaming up with Barkley Baseball School, the Hickory Crawdads provide a single day clinic and four-day paid camp in July. The attendees of between the ages of 5-14 will enjoy training from the school and the players while receiving baseball T-shirts and free meals every day.

LOCAL COLLEGE SPORTS

Regardless of the age of the participants, there is a game for everyone to engage or a team to cheer. Appalachian State University in Boone is not only home to the finest athletes but also Kidd Brewer Stadium and the Appalachian athletics complex that offers frill suites for Mountaineer football. Both athletes, parents and retirees, flock to Appalachian State sports at ASU to view the upcoming talent.

About 450 students take part in the in the NCAA Division I University Sports in Boone, with thousands of fans cheering at every match. NCAA sports include basketball, baseball, and softball, football, cross country, field hockey, bowling, golf, fencing lacrosse, soccer, gymnastics, rowing, and volleyball.

While most of the local sporting events are free and open to public admission, the Appalachian State sports program charges a fee for men’s basketball, football and women’s basketball.

HICKORY MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Located at 3130 20th Ave SE, Newton NC, Hickory Motor Speedway remains one of the oldest and iconic of all the Western North Carolina sports. The one stop car racing track remains the most famous short track in the world and one where most NASCAR stars are trained. Initially, the track hosted most of the car races, but with the introduction of other tracks, the races were reduced to NASCAR club racing division and the Whelen All-American Series.

The 0.363-mile asphalt oval track offers a 9,600 seating capacity and about 3,600 extra lawn seats for additional participants. Every Saturday, NC mountain communities are treated to unique racing events that feature Late Model Stocks, Street Stocks, Super Trucks, and renegades at the Hickory Motor Speedway.

Car enthusiasts can also enjoy more car muscle displays at the monthly Lenoir Cruise Ins on Main Street. The events take place on the first Saturday of the month April through October.

OUTDOOR SPORTS AT THE COVES MOUNTAIN RIVER CLUB

For  NC mountain communities, The Coves is more than a traditional neighborhood to find NC land for sale. The combination of natural rivers and mountainous terrain is breathtaking and provides ever changing views throughout the day. In fact, the gated community offers a variety of outdoor sports within the community. With easy access to the Wilson Creek and the Johns River, residents can quickly grab their kayak or water toys to enjoy trout fishing, canoeing and fly fishing among others.

Round Mountain Ranch is the community’s full service equestrian center along the Johns River and has 13 miles of dedicated horse trails. Stop by and enjoy a tour of all the amenities at The Coves. You might be surprised to discover annual HOA fees are low at less then $1,000 per year.

If you’re exploring the area for the first time, ask for our 84 page Complimentary Magazine to help you learn more about the foothills (and about us).